kathndes: June 2011

ALBANY, STIRLING RANGES & BEYOND

Our travel to Albany from Shannon NP was enjoyable. Albany is a very pretty city, with the fabulous harbour and lots of bays along the coastline. We spent a whole day exploring the rugged peninsula out from Albany. The coastline there is very dangerous. The Natural Bridge rock formation is very spectacular but our photo doesn’t do it justice. The area called “The Gap” is a sheer 25mtr drop to the ocean, and the blowhole gave a thunderous roar as the ocean tried to fit into a tiny crack. We were there on a quiet still day and the southern ocean was very tame, no white caps at all. Therefore the blowhole didn’t work as it would if the ocean is angry. On the protected side of the peninsula the beach is beautiful. Long white sandy bay fit for swimming, no surf however. The next day we explored the old military sites on top of the hill overlooking Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound. This is where the Anzac fleet assembled to go to Gallipoli. It’s quite moving being there and knowing what went on there in the two world wars. Some of the underground bunkers are still in good condition. Des really enjoyed all the displays. Then we went up to a monument for the Light Horsemen. It was also very moving and the views of Albany from there are spectacular.

We left Albany and headed for the Stirling Range Nat. Park further north. These ranges are so beautiful. Just a single line of mountain jutting out of the plains. The highest peak is 1090mtrs high. Des climbed to the top, but I chickened out. The views from the carpark were sensational enough for me. This Nat. Park, as with every one of them, has its own special beauty. Totally different to Shannon as the trees here are only shrub height. It’s taken us a while to get used to the lower growing plants. After a couple of days totally exploring this Nat. Park we headed north to visit with a couple Des worked with at Woodford. They have moved here and bought a property with most of it producing Sandalwood. A beautiful spot, but Oh! Soooo dry. It was lovely to see rain a couple of days we were there. Moved on, after a wonderful stay, toward Perth. Visited Aaron & Sharlene on our way to Toodyay. Caught up with friends who were staying on a property just outside Toodyay and had a wonderful time with them. We were lucky enough to see some shearing while we were there. In Toodyay we came across a café with a collection of Coca Cola memorabilia on display in the café. The owners have been collecting for 46 years. Our photos show the yo-yo collection and a little of other mementos. Set off again heading for New Norcia. This is a town owned and run by the Benedictine Monks. They first settled there in about 1848 from Spain and the Monastery is still operating today. The buildings in New Norcia are very special, with a Gothic influence in the architecture. They are in remarkable condition considering the age of most of them. We have some lovely photos so that you can appreciate them also. Naturally, the religious influence is everywhere. The museum art gallery houses many works from long ago, but all with a religious theme. Some of the chapels had beautifully painted ceilings and the altars of carved red cedar had to be seen to be believed. Des and I actually attended the Sunday evening mass so that we could hear the organ being played. It was quite an experience as the whole service was just singing Psalms songs. No sermon as we know it. And the roof didn’t fall in either. We were ready to leave New Norcia when Des received the phonecall to let him know he had become a grandad, again. Aaron & Sharlene’s baby son arrived on Friday 30^th May. We headed down to see them all. Stayed in a van park at Kelmscott for a couple of nights. Some babies are not too good looking, but William is just beautiful. We have seen him three times now. Then on 3^rd June we had to be in the Perth Hills National Park for Des’s campground hosting job while I return to Brisbane for a while. Enjoy

Natural Bridge near Albany. It is much further to the ocean than it appears to be here.

The Gap on the rocks near Natural Bridge. It's a sheer 25mtrs to the ocean. When the Southern Ocean is angry, the water will reach the top of the rocks.