SCHOOL, SURF & SAND

We arrived in the Perth area and stayed with some beautiful people we met travelling in Qld earlier.  They have 10 acres at Forrestdale, south of Perth and have 4 horses (and 4more on agistment) and lots of chooks.  It was so lovely to look out across their paddocks and see green grass for the first time in months.  Lots of water poured into them though.  This was our base to do the courses for the Dept of Environment & Conservation to be campground hosts in National Parks in WA.  First day, we decided to go via the motorway into Perth.  What a mistake.  30k out of Perth and the traffic was stopped, so the second day we planned a different route which proved way more successful for the remainder of the course.  After the two-day first aid course we took the Saturday and did a trip to Fremantle.  Fremantle is a beautiful city.  One complete street of alfresco dining and a multitude of coffee shops. The planning has stopped the demolition of street frontages on buildings and so it has a wonderful “old world” feel about it and the architecture has been retained.  Nothing over three stories high in the main part of town. We did a tour of the Maritime museum (saw Australia II, the mast is so tall it just fits in the building) and went through the submarine stored there.  That is another world.  Such small spaces for sailors to work and live.  The Captain’s cabin is the largest room onboard.  Outside the maritime museum is a story about early immigration and the welcome walls.  On the plaques is listed all immigrants and the ship on which they travelled to this country.  There’s hundreds of them.  Our photo shows only a few.  We finally finished our courses and spent a few wonderful nights with our hosts.  We will get back there again one day for Kathy to ride a horse. 

After leaving Perth we again headed south and after a couple of free nights we reached the Margaret River area.  We decided to go to the coast west of Marg. River to see the “reputed” surf  beaches.  First night we stayed at Prevelly van park, after almost getting lost in the rabbit warren that forms that town.  That beach was awful, so we went further south to Hamelin Bay.  At the beach here there is about 9 stingray which can be handfed.  We saw them just once and I missed the photo opportunity.  Lots of people on the beach, but no surfing, you wouldn’t even swim there because of the seaweed.   I think the surf beaches are further north. From Hamelin Bay we did a trip to the most south-western point of WA at Augusta and Cape Leeuwin lighthouse.  This is where the Southern Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet.  The lighthouse was built in 1895 and is the tallest lighthouse on the Australian mainland.  A most interesting place, but once you get through the gate, you are greeted by the statue of a mad sea-fairing cow. (Picture tells the story).  Because we were waiting on mail, we went back to Margaret River to have a good look at the town.  We have formed the opinion that this whole area is highly overrated.  We spent a couple of nights about 25klm east on the Blackwood River at Chapman’s Pool.  A beautiful spot where we could swim in the river - so crystal clear you could see your feet while standing in shoulder deep water. It was hard to realise we were so close to one of the most prolific wine areas in the country.  And when you consider the wine industry didn’t kick off till 1960 here, they haven’t done too badly.

On the road again, we finished up at Pemberton, in the start of the tall timber country, and camped at Big Brook Dam.  In Pemberton they have a tree named the Gloucester Tree into which spikes have been driven for people to climb up. There is a lookout at the top.  There is also another one called the Bicentennial Tree which has a platform at 25m then a fire lookout at 50m.  Des managed to climb to the 25m platform (a strain on the lungs)  but decided the top half was a bit much.  We thought the Bicentennial Tree was a far better example, but it is the least well known because it is further into the bush in the Warren Nat. Park.  I got the creeps just looking at the spikes going round and round the trunk, far less put a foot on any of them to climb.  Nerves of steel required for this one.  Left Pemberton heading for the Shannon National Park, but, coming through Northcliffe, we learnt of a sculpture garden walk near the visitors centre.  One photo in the brochure looked really good, so we decided to go in.  We were given MP3 players which explained each sculpture as we walked.   Des was less than impressed!  In Pemberton, we were able to contact the Ranger about doing a hosting job somewhere down here for Easter & school hols WA.  We were offered Shannon NP, so we have decided to stay here for a month.  This is luxury as far as bush camping goes (hot showers and flush toilets) and doesn’t cost us a cent. 50klm to shop, but that gives Kathy a day out, doesn’t it?  Enjoy till next time.



Beautiful outlook over the property where we stayed with the wonderful people we met at Texas just 3 days from Bne.  So nice to see the green grass.




Story about the immigration in the very early (legal) days




This plaque is self explanatory




Just a few of the names on welcome walls at Maratime museum at Freemantle.  There was thousands of names.




HMAS Ovens sub for public tours at Freemantle.




The Captain's cabin in HMAS Ovens.



America's Cup winner Australia II on display at Freemantle Maratime Museum

Mast on Australia II.  Just fits into the building

Some of the many street cafe's in Freemantle.  There was hundreds of people, but I managed to get the photo with a break in the traffic and not many people in front of me.



Beautiful architecture on some buildings in Freemantle.  There's many like this.



Main street of Margaret River




The mad cow statue at the entrance to the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse.  Look for the hooked hand, piercing in the face and the mad bird on the "shoulder"




Heritage buildings at Cape Leeuwin




Self explanatory sign about the two oceans




This is it.  Two great oceans meet. Would love to see it in wild weather.




Cape Leeuwin lighthouse built 1895, 50mts tall (I think).




View of Cape Leeuwin from further back up the road




Our campsite at Hamelin Bay near Margaret River




Our campsite at Chapman's pool near Margaret River



Our beautiful swimming hole at Chapman's pool, complete with sand bank from which to enter. 



Top half of the Bicentennial Tree showing the fire tower at the top.




The lower half of Bicentennial Tree showing the platform which Des reached.




This is the Gloucester Tree at Pemberton.  The spikes are approx 30-40cms apart making it very difficult to climb, but lots of people make it.  Note how there is no safety net.  Don't know if anyone has ever fallen by slipping off the spikes, but too scary for me.




The Glocester Tree is the centre one.  Not as tall as the Bicentennial Tree, and no half-way platform, but more well known.