Margaret River - Augusta

14/10/2011 Ellies First Birthday today sad because we missed it but will celebrate when we get home in November,I have been slack in catching up with the Blog mostly having no signal because of where we are.We went onto Cape Leeuwin National Park and set up.

We are sure there was one of these in Hamilton.

15/11/2011 Off to to Augusta today to see the Lighthouse,also the most southwesterly point where two oceans the Southern Ocean & the Indian Ocean meet (not sure who decided this):)

It does not lean like this.

Clearly Signposted. So must be true.

Two Oceans meet here.

Gail and Friend

Apparently down here in the South West of WA sometime ago there was lots of the cow models around and getting a bit damaged so they were auctioned and proceeds donated to charity.All cows went to good homes and are displayed in different areas around WA.

We (read Gail) did 3 loads of washing at local laundramat as things were getting a bit low in the undies drawer.

Gnomesville

At Ballingup (so many towns around here have UP added to thier name) Tavern where we had lunch,the Bar Manager whose name is Dwayne, also as GAY as he is loud, is so entertaining that we didn't want to leave he has to be seen to be believed.He is famous around the area for his antics looks like the lead role from AVATAR!!!Most comments in visitors book are about him. great personality.Not for everyone though.
Overnight stay in free camp at Grimwade,had campfire off to sleep early tonight all tired.

Called into Gnomesville to buy a Garden Gnome today.How wrong were we? You don't buy them here you bring them and leave them here. Apparently started by a local who placed one down,then someone else added to it because he looked lonely and so it grew,now there are hundreds if not thousands everywhere,along tracks,up in trees,on the creek banks everywhere you look.

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But wait there's more.

Bet you think that's it don't you

But wait there's more.

Great to see a must do.

How did you Smurfs get here?

So many Gnomes here,not enough space to show them all to you more being added every week by tourists.

These gnomes have invaded the property over the fence.

That's it from Gnomesville for now we are sure we will be back again.

Collie-Ballingup

Looks like he's at it again,at Collie,making sure it's aimed right yeah!!!!Could be in trouble this time check the sign below.

Didn't see this until after event.

Barb at her best very naughty!!

Hurry! Gail it's slippery up here.

Cher eat your heart out IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME

Potters Gorge -Collie

How good is this?

Wellington National Park is about 22 ks from the town of Collie (not famous for its collies,caulies)but sure is a friendly town especially the lady at camping shop who arranged with Coleman the makers of our camp chairs for a free replacement under warranty (Best Warranty and Service yet) Not far from camp is the Wellington Dam,it supplies water to Collie and surrounds,lovely country around here.

Honeymoon Pool is fed with water released from the dam and is one of the largest campsites we have seen on the trip so far,not for vans but tents,campers etc.
Back to van showered set up for HAPPY hour,Barb cooked up scones we supplied the jam and cream every body from camp came over and joined in,lady named Joan pulled in and barb ran over to invite her to join us scaring her to death, thats Barb,Joan was travelling on her own and was keen to join in. Not sure what she thought as night went on.

Full Moon tonight,and yes you guessed it, as at Mesa,the Wolves came out, howling you had to be there to witness ADULTS behaving badly truly you wouldn't want your family acting like that but great fun any way!!!!.All this and only $10 a night for SENIORS thats for a couple. 

What bird is that?

Not sure but I think it's a Black headed ,Blue faced Yellow ring necked Green winged Parrot.Not sure though,

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Cevantes- Where to next?

After a drive around the Pinnacles it was back to van to decide 'Where to next'.Decisions! Decisions!

Last look at Cevantes.

The decision was made after Barb and Kerrie from SA contacted us (we met them at Mesa Camp out from Exmouth) and said they were at Potters Gorge in the Wellington National Park only about 400ks away.
Monday10/10/11 About 8 15 am off we go,may get there today,maybe not.

We caught our first glimpse of Perth as we passed by.They have plenty of Freeways and Highways (not sure of the difference) that allowed us to make very quick times so we decided to continue on.We surprised Barb when we arrived she didn't think we would arrive today.

What a nice camp there was about six other vans here,plenty of space tall trees to protect us from wind,toilets,water all here.Life great out here.

Bird life abounds at Potters Gorge 

Jurian Bay-Cevantes

Arrived Jurian Bay had a look around town not a lot here couldn't get into van park so moved on to Cevantes,went to van park they only had one site left here (did we book ahead no we are too clever) checked site out but too many trees to dodge here could not get van on.Back to office to plead our case to reception,you do what you have do in this position cry if you have to, even bribe then see what happens.Well what do you know if they move a tent person on to the tight site then you can fit a van onto their site,we thank them greatfully and set up here.

Saturday 8/10.Off to see the Pinnacles,at first we thought "More Rocks" but no they are a must see for sure. Billy Connolly did a visit here on his tv show when he tripped around OZ I think he was naked at the time.

Gail amongst the ROCKS

There are thousands of these out here legend has it that in the dreamtime this area was not to be entered for what ever reason but boys being boys they did and were swallowed by quicksand and the pinnacles are supposed to be their hands reaching up trying to get out of the quicksand.

The sign doesn't say you cannot plank Gail

We spent sometime here it is amazing,you can walk around here or for the lazy you can drive around a layed out track about 3Ks I think .

Back to Cevantes to plan our next stopover,but first some beaches to check out.

Geraldton

This memorial is really touching,it commemorates the loss of life in WW2 of all the crew on the Sydney some 642 of them lost in a battle with a German Surface Raider.All the names are listed on the walls at the rear of shrine.The lady is waiting for her husband,brother,son etc to return.

View overlooking Geraldton

Next off to Cathedral to look around,we wanted to do a tour here but as usual for us either too early or too  late so we ducked in on our own not bad but all starting to look the same now.
Wed 5/10 Still waiting for shields to arrive,their purpose is to keep car cool in summer and cover windows to keep prying eyes out,drove out to Ellendale Pool so nice out there we have decided to leave Geraldton on Thursday and drive back on Friday to see if they arrived.Judith and Ross moved on to Jurian Bay ahead of us so we say good bye to them yet again.

Windfarm to produce electricity

These towers are computer controlled,when wind blows to fast they shut down,blades are 82 metres in dia etc more info on this board(may need to enlarge photo)
Thursday6/10 Leaving today at 9 00am getting worried about Solar Shields,first call will be PO.
Yeah!!! Parcel arrived all good.They are very well made,do great job.

We have decide to move on to Lake Indoon not far from Jurian,National Park stay on side of Lake,about 6 other vans here some long term,some overnighters we thought we would stay a couple of days.

Whoa!!That's a whole lot better.

A tad blowy here people,and the flies are great as well,so we decided to leave them behind and do a Cave visit,unfortunately flies followed us.

Stockyard Gulley Cave entrance.

This cave was formed along time ago by water running through hillside and eroding away the softer rock limestone I think.

Inside the cave

Other explorers inside

We found that you can run from the BLOODY flies but cannot escape them.
After the cave we moved to visit Greenhead and Leeman both small cray fishing villages,as it is not cray season here yet not much happening.Have tried to buy crayfish( fresh ones) but not available some frozen ones are,but again like most things most are sold overseas.

These beauties are nesting along beach at Leeman.

In the street here the locals have erected a pole and built a small platform on top and the rest they say is history, a great idea .

He looks at home here

Back to Indoon wind blowing still, Flies appear to have multiplied had enough here beautiful place but enough is enough.Off to Jurian Bay tomorrow.