Week 3 · 11th April to 17th April
Esperence to Perth
Day 15 – 11th April
Left Lucky Bay with the intention of going to Cape Arid NP but turned into Orleans Bay on the way and decided to chill out there instead. Had a half-cooked omlette (the gas ran out!) then waded over to Toad island and scampered to the top to spot some lizards. We then headed back to Esperence and chilled with a coffee and cake (what a luxury) as we waited for Sarah to come back from Woody island. The 3 of us then headed off to Stokes NP (80km west of Esperence) driving into another beautiful sunset. Typical us, we decided to do our first serious 4WD adventure in pitch black and in a totally deserted place (this after Sarah maimed a local inhabitant! - Kangaroo) Some of the sand-dunes were a bit scary but Max came good in the end. Had a great evening with Sarah, chatting, cooking risotto and drinking copious amounts of red wine. Sarah is a cool chick! The only minor distraction was the disfunctional family next to us – the man was a big hairy monster, very drunk and playing crap loud music.
Day 16 – 12th April
The next morning we all awoke very early and a little bit fuzzy from all the vin-rouge. Went for a walk to clear our heads and came across a cool sand-dune. Went for a swim in the bay around the corner and checked out some fish with the snorkel. After that we decided to move on – Sarah headed down the dirt track to Fitzgerald NP and we hit the bitumen to Albany. Absolutely brilliant to see Sarah again after such a long time – last night was great to just sit and chat about anything and everything.
Arrived in Albany and checked into campsite (unpacked Max, put up tent etc) all before 3:30pm. Luxury, we had some daylight to actually check out a place. Went for a cycle around the town and then I phoned by distant relative (Eileen) to invite ourselves around for a cuppa.
We met up with Eileen and her husband John and after an extensive tour of the house, ordered pizza and talked about John’s occupation: Hypnotherapy and Massage. John showed us a few simple Neuro-Linguistic-Procedures (NLP) which we promise to use at the right moments.
Day 17 – 13th April
Intended on moving on to Pemberton today but have to hold on till tomorrow to get Max’s starter motor fixed, its starting to get a bit more dodgy. So spent the day around Albany – Emu Point and Middleton. I went for a coffee at the Esplanade Hotel and read my book while Dean went off in search of a compressor and shovel ahead of our first serious 4WD adventure excursion – I just can’t face another garage!
By the way reader, if you’re wondering what the weather has been like over the last few days – CRAP! just about sums it up.
Day 18 – 14th April
While we were waiting for Max to get repaired we found a great coffee place (Naked Bean) and used the time to update this amazing website! Called into Eileen and John to say goodbye and then hit the road again. Drove through Denmark and then did the ‘Valley of the Giant’s’ Tree top walk (A 40m suspended walkway through the Jarrah and Red Tingle trees). Then drove through more giant forests to Warren NP where we set up camp and had our first campfire for a while. (Good to be back in the bush)
Day 19 – 15th April
Woke to the sound of children – can’t wait till Easter Hols are over! No breakfast - instead we climbed a big feckin tree Bi-centennial tree to over 65m! Has to be said, I was sh**ing myself half way up – but suprising Orla pushed me on. (I later learned that she was feeling the same way too.) Not bad for before 9am! Absolutely amazing view though and I now totally appreciate what (bush)fire watchers must do everyday. Climbed down then drove the 10km to Pemberton to stock up on the essentials – food, diesel and coffee. Then we headed west (at about 12pm by this time) to start our first 4WD trek – BIG UP to Si and Catherine for the 4WD book. Route: Pemberton to Augusta via Lake Jasper and Black Point. Total distance 145km.
Started off on bitumen – no worries; then graded track – keep going; then compact sand track – fair enough; then loose sand track – hmmmm; then rutted, uneven, steep, very thin, deep sandy track – OH SHIT! Tyre pressure (for those who are interested) was reduced to 25 PSI and the front hubs were engaged to 4WD mode. In fairness, Max flew it, only once did he come close to stopping and we never engaged low ratio (gears). At the end there was a bit of sweat on my brow but we made it to Black Point and decided to camp there for the night – a whole 50km from the bitumen. It was well worth it though, we had a beach pretty much to ourselves and a great campsite (complete with campfire) apart from the kids that is!
Day 20 – 16th April
Went for a morning stroll at Black Point along the rocks and saw lots of people fishing for salmon including one enthusiastic man with ‘Salmon King’ written on his t-shirt. Then went for a swim in the clear waters on yet another beach to ourselves. Packed up and hit the road directly for the Indian Ocean (Margaret River area).
Went for a dip at Prevelly where the serious surfers go and then pitched our tent at Margaret River Caravan Park. Walked into town and had our first pint of the holiday at the Corner Bar (Margaret River Hotel) (and it was a pint too!)
Day 21 – 17th April
Up and left the campsite early and went straight to Lake Cave – a 72m deep, 80m long, 10m wide, water-filled cave with impressive stalactites, stalagmites and other cave sculptures.
Drove to Yallingup but since it wasn’t a great day we didn’t go in for a swim. Instead we drove on to Busselton.
Spent a lovely relaxing afternoon at the Esplanade Hotel, Busselton with Louise Nally from Bunclody – our mothers play bridge together. I think we bored Dean silly with talk of home and the pro’s and con’s of Ireland vs Australia but it was good.
Said our goodbye’s and drove the 3hrs North to Fremantle – Freo to those in the know. My spacial awareness abilities (or lack thereof) came in to play while trying to navigate Dean and Max to our campsite. Eventually we made it and amazingly we were still on talking terms when we arrived.
