kathndes: Coast around Esperance

From Esperance we travelled east to the small town of Condingup where we stayed at the local recreation ground for a couple of nights. On our first day we travelled out to Cape Arid National Park about 80kl east and did a nice walk in the bush. The views, once again,were quite spectacular. We had a meal one night in the local tavern at Condingup and while talking to the landlord, he related the story of how the pub was built from local rock quarried by hand, so that the rock-face wasn't damaged, from the family property. After wet weather, the outside walls still grow lichen. The dining tables, bar tops and chairs have been made from a driftwood log found almost burried on the local beach and since been proved to have come from South America. The log was so huge that it was slabbed on the beach and transported to the pub. The furniture was manufactured by a local craftsman and is simply beautiful. Another trip took us to Orleans Bay and a fabulous beach, according to the locals, it has been voted best beach in Australia. From Condingup we went to Cape Le Grand National Park for 3 nights. Did another long beach and bush walk and were visited by the resident kangaroo and her joey. This NP has several terrific beaches and bays and is very popular with visitors from Esperance. A fully sealed road gives good access. Moved on from here back to Esperance for general housekeeping and resupplies and travelled NW to a small beach at Manglinup. Once again the wild WA weather found us and,execpt for one night, we were almost blown away. And AGAIN the flies almost carried us off. We have taken to wearing our fly veils over our hats almost constantly. It's a real good look. From here we will be heading NW for new adventures.