ALBANY THURSDAY 23 FEB 12

Hi to all, here is what we have been doing since our last blog. WEDNESDAY 15 FEB 12.....We headed off from Walpole heading East...yes we are getting closer. We only travelled a short distance when the indicator showed that we were overheating. We stopped and made checks & we believe that there is an electrical problem, so we continued on our way & everything was fine. We arrived at Denmark & we booked into the Ocean Beach (sorry not the one in Umina) Big 4 C/Park. This is a beautiful park and we are beside each other. After setting up we went into town & did some grocery shopping at the local IGA. We had been through this nice country town before. On returning we had a peek at the local lookout which overlooked the River mouth. Later on John & Rans went down to the beach for a swim. The water is so clear but no waves. Then back for cheese & bikkies. THURSDAY 16 FEB 12..... We wake up early and go for a walk, a nice morning with the sun coming out. The 5 of us today go for a drive back West to one of the prettiest coastlines we have seen. Let us say if anyone gets the opportunity to come to W.A & you like fishing, swimming & snorkeling & sitting on pretty beaches then you have to come & see the following places. Lights Beach this is our first stop and it is so pretty & we think that it can't get any better but wait, we then go to Waterfall Beach which is so nice.

Here we walk around the rocks a short way..its so tempting that Rans jumps off the rocks into the Crystal clear waters & swims to shore. We then go around the corner to Madfish Bay where there is a small rock island out approx 200m from shore which allows water to flow through from both ways.  Rans has a quick dip here too.This is just gorgeous..but wait it gets even better. We then go to a place called Greens Pool & this probably the best place we have seen since Coral Bay.

 The waters here are prettier but the fish life is less. We all went for a swim here, as its protected by rocks & reefs. John & us 2 had a snorkel. The colours of the water go from blues to so many different greens, its AMAZING!!! After soaking up this place we walked over to Elephant Rocks, where the rock formations look like elephants.....Deerrrr.

This place is also wonderful but it is a bit steep down to the water, but we will return. After enjoying the morning so so much. We then headed back into town & had a picnic lunch beside the river. We or maybe Rans then decided to go for a short drive or so we thought. He drove East travelling past the Wilson Inlet which Denmark is situated on around to the Blueberry farm, which on arrival had closed its doors to the season 3 days ago...bugger  We then continued out to the end of Nullaki Peninsula where you see across to where we are staying. We have a look at Anvil Beach which was nice but a bit of a walk to get to. We then made our way back arriving back 2hrs after saying "We will go for a short drive" anyway it was a great arvo but just an AWESOME morning, one of the best yet. We then had our customary drinks before calling it quits for the night. FRIDAY 17 FEB 12.......A nice morning with it being quite warm, so we decide to return to one of the beaches from yesterday deciding on Waterfall Beach. On setting up the wind had picked up, smoke from the nearby fires had moved in so we 3 boys threw a line in. The other 2 fished off the beach whilst Rans threw off nearby rocks.

Rans caught a small whiting and another couple of small fish, but again we went home with a big 0. The weather also moved in with slight rain so we headed back, with John  & Rans getting some pies for lunch which were very nice..8.5/10. The rest of the day was spent cleaning, resting as it has stayed overcast. The boys went for a fish in the arvo to Lights Beach but no good. They enjoyed the beers they took with them.... at least that was something. SATURDAY 18 FEB 12........16yrs since Old Man Tex passed away. Today the 5 of us went for a drive firstly to the Honey Farm where the honey was very tasty, but the Passion fruit with Honey Ice Cream was average. We then made our way to the local cheese factory which had some nice jams & cheeses. We then drove through the forest & headed out to the local Berry Farm where you pick your own berries. We had the opportunity to pick Raspberries & Blackberries. They were berry berry nice. We think we may have eaten as many as we collected so it was good. From here we drove to into town where the girls had a walk around Denmark which is a great country town. John & Rans meanwhile made their way to the local for a pint and watch Black Cavier win its 19th race. Prior to the race here there was 20 people in the pub & by the start of the race it had swelled to 50-60. We then returned for lunch prior to heading out to the rocks off the main beach for some fishing. The weather was good, the water was good, the bait was good & ample, but again Nil, Nothing Zilch, bugger all, Rans didn't even get a bite. So back home for a nice chicken dish...Carol was prepared as she knows our fishing trips results. SUNDAY 19 FEB 12...Cleaning day inside & outside of van along with the cars. It takes up most of our day but we make sure its 4pm for drinks & nibblies.  MONDAY 20 FEB 12......Pack up & leave going a full 70km to Albany. After setting up we headed into town for a quick look around checking out the local Lookouts, Info Centre & Gardens.

After returning home we went for a walk along the beach which is 2min from our site. It is windy but a nice area. For tea tonight Carol made a very yummy meal, Rogan Josh Lamb Shanks bloody beautiful, followed up with Ice Cream with Raspberries, Blackberries & Passion fruit, bloody bloody beautiful. TUESDAY 21 FEB 12....Rans went for his early morn walk followed by a swim whilst watching a huge cruise liner entering the port. We then headed out to Whale Interpretive Centre, where we spent over 3hrs walking around the sites or watching videos within oil storage tankers. It was an eye opener to how whaling was conducted in Australia up to Nov 1978 when all whaling in Australia was ceased.

The tour was very informative, we then headed down to Frenchman's Bay for a Picnic Lunch on the waters edge, a pretty area. We all then went on a coastline drive stopping at the following places Misery Bay, Salmon Holes, Stoney Hill & also the Gap & Natural Bridge which is very pretty. Every place is nice with some great Lookouts, Beaches & water.

We then made our back into town stopping at one last lookout.....Dan Murphys!!! We then went to Hyundai & picked up our car as it was in for a check up regarding the radiator, then back for a quick swim for Rans prior to tea. WEDNESDAY 22 FEB 12..........This morning Di not feeling well enough to go out so the four of us go for a drive out to Porongurup Ranges. We go to the first walking track which is a 3km return trek, which says a 40min easy walk....Well it was the longest 3km's we have done & the hardest walk we have done on this trip & we have done some good walks. It was very steep and rocky, but we all made it.

When we got near the top we all layed down in the shade of a large rock which was sitting precariously on another rock, we really couldn't have given a damn if it fell on us at that particular time. There was another group of people up there and they felt the same way. We then had to climb over & up some  huge rock which had steel hand grips coming out of the rock.

This brought us to a wonderful view looking over the valley back to the ocean. Although it was hazy the sights were well worth the walk. But it hadn't finished yet as there was a ladder which took you up to the top f the rocks, with a walkway around the rocks, well John went up then Sandra tried but it was scary as to our right it was a drop of about 50m, so she came back down, Caz then tried but she also had wobbly legs then Rans tried and he was the same. The 3 of us then climbed back down to where there is another walkway which follows the land around the rocks, this was also great with excellent views.

From here we could see John up in the walkway so Rans went and tried to climb the ladder again & this time he was successful... Good on him as he isn't good with heights. They got some great photos. We then made our way back down which was also difficult with a number of slides on the way down. Once down we had a good laugh as we were exhausted and hot. We then made our way over to the the Tree in the Rock picnic area where we had lunch and walked the 100m to the tree in the rock..thank god it was only 100m. We then made our way back to our site stopping at a Strawberry Farm & tasting a number of products  making some purchases. We then drove past a property where the owners have cut out a walrus & Vultures out of tree trunks & branches.

Very cleverly done....Once back John & Rans went for a swim to relieve those aching muscles before having a few drinks prior to dinner. THURSDAY 23 FEB 12.. A light shower over night but a beautiful morning. Sandra not feeling well today so its an easy day. Rans & me did some washing etc before heading out. We went to Middleton Beach and follow the coastline around to town, beautiful scenery, did some shopping before having a nice lunch (GF) in town.

 

We then returned & Rans & John went for a swim, it's windy but nice. Arvo drinks early nite. FRIDAY 24 FEB 12....A BIG Happy 16th Birthday to Our gorgeous niece ALEX BRISBANE !! Up early & take van/car to Auto Electricians whilst the Butlers head off to Bremer Bay. The Bewells & us then headed East to Two Peoples Bay but the road has been shut due to Fire Dangers, but it was an overcast day and no sign of any fire???? We then drove to Nanarup which was a basic beach then onto Gull Rock & Ledge Pt which showed us a view back towards Albany, we then continued on to Bettys Beach & Nth Point.

Although it was overcast Betty Beach is a beautiful bay blocking the wind and pretty green waters. We then made our way back to Emu Pt where we had fish & chips for lunch. Here Canadian John tried his first CHIKO ROLL and by his facial reaction and his stomachs reaction with a visit to the toilet shortly after it will probably be his last!!!! we then drove into town for some last minute things before picking up the car & van. We then returned for a swim & slowly packed up.

WEDNESDAY 15 FEB 12..WALPOLE

Hi again to everyone again we hope this finds you all well and having a great Summer over there in the East!!!!.....Sorry. So we have finally turned the corner and heading back East...slowly (very slowly). So here is what has happened over the past week. WEDNESDAY 8 FEB We headed off for a big long drive today...all of 54km. We came to a Nat Park Campground called Conto. When we pulled up the first sign we see is "No Alcohol allowed" so we thought about this for a few minutes, but we continued on into the grounds.

 After a short walk around, John found 3 perfect camp sites all beside each other. This is probably the best cheap camp area that we have come across, the sites are big, its out of the wind, there is a toilet & rain water. After setting up we went for a drive down to Augusta( the most South Western part of Aus), well this is the most windiest place we have been. We stopped along the coastline to take photo's & we were doing it hard walking against the wind. The place where we stopped is where a Marina is going in....best of luck!!! We then continued onto the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, well the wind here was even worse ! with even Rans being blown backwards...Yeah I know its hard to believe but its TRUE.

We went for a walk around the Lighthouse which we both had done approx 5yrs ago. We then followed the river & coast back stopping at Flinders Bay & Augusta township. We then made our way back to the camp site, also checking out Conto Springs beach which was so beautiful & surreal. On getting back we indulged in a few ales & wines.....Don't tell anyone!  The night was so calm & enjoyable, especially with the full moon.

THURSDAY 9 FEB...Today we went for a drive to Hamelin Bay. The weather was hot & we set up our gear on the beach. John & Rans went for a snorkel but didn't see too many fish but they S.....HIT themselves when a huge Manta Ray glided underneath them. Scary stuff.  We just hung around the beach soaking up the rays... no not the Manta..the sun... Us 2 went for a snorkel with the water just fantastic, & Carol has a huge Groper come towards her....she also S.....HIT's herself, thought it was a shark!!

The girls then went down to where the Manta Rays come to shore & they get to pat them & get some great photos. We then returned to our site & had some more illegal ales!! Another nice nite, so peaceful and saw heaps of Sputniks (satalites) over head. FRIDAY 10 FEB....Today we headed off to Pemberton, an old Timber Town where we set up in a pretty Caravan Park nestled in amongst some tall trees. We headed for a drive into the National Park stopping off at the Dave Evans Bi Centennial Tree which is approx 75 m tall with steel spikes coming out of the tree approx 1ft apart, so that you can climb to the top of the tree where there is a platform. Rans got 3m up, Caz got 5m & John made it to the 1st landing at 25m.

We also went to the Lavender Farm which is where we stayed 5 yrs ago. It has gone to rack & ruin now. We then drove into Manjimup where the others went shopping whilst Rans went & got his rear view mirror fixed as it had fallen off. We then made our way back to the camp ground for a nice evening with it being the calmest nite yet on our trip. SATURDAY 11 FEB..Rans gets up early & goes for a walk around town etc, sees the Trout & Marron Hatchery, the Tram Railway & the local pub. Today is John & Di's birthday so its their day.

After breakie we then continued through the forest  before heading south through Northcliffe before arriving at Windy Harbour. This place is appropriately named but today it is quite calm & a nice place to stay with a C/Park and little well maintained huts/cabins. Here we have a nice lunch before checking out the lookouts that look over the Harbour & Ocean along with Salmon Bay. It is all so pretty, with beautiful blue waters, dolphins swimming, rugged limestone cliffs, untouched beaches.

We then head back to camp where we have arvo birthday drinks prior to a Lobster & Scallops dinner which was so yummy & a moist tasty GF birthday cake. A nice day & nite.  SUNDAY 12 FEB....Rans wakes the others up at 3.15am as the power had been off for 45min, so that they could turn their gas on...but as they were changing over, the power came back on...Good One Rans!!! Today we head off south to Walpole, a fishing town. We come to our c/park, where there heaps of vans(most we have seen for a while). Its is the first time that we have had to set up our vans whilst it is sprinkling rain. Lazy arvo, Caz gets an arvo hair treatment from Sandy, Rans catches up on computer & paperwork. MONDAY 13 FEB.......This morning we go for a drive, firstly into Walpole to the Info Centre which made out of logs/wood. Here there are at least dozen vans pulled up, being the busiest town so far. We then drove to Nornalup Inlet the main waterway at Walpole, then drove back to our site as Carol had forgot the Camera & Thermos ( AGAIN !)Yes the camera again....We then drove up into the Forest stopping at a lookout which showed the Frankland River & both inlets of Walpole, then drove to the Giant Tingle Tree walk, which was good seeing some huge trees with the biggest tree trunks & branches (Kirra trees). We then walked the Circular Pool which was disappointing, compared to other similar places, then made our way back, seeing great flowering gum trees. After lunch the Bewells & Ransleys drove out to the Valley of the Giants and walked around the suspension bridge/walkway around the trees with us being 40m off the ground. Rans & Sandra were a bit frightened but they "TOUGHENED UP" and did the walk twice. We then did the canopy walk, which was also very good.

We returned home as it was Bake Dinner nite, Lamb & Veggies yummo ! A good day. Di is a bit off colour with Arthritis. TUESDAY 14 FEB...The 3 boys went fishing at 6am to a nearby beach on the inlet, they fish for 2 hrs with Rans catching 2 Bream keeping 1 & John had one throw back & Tezza none.....Boy that Rans can fish!! On leaving, Terry had a fall cutting open both his shins....ouch, it did hurt.....After breakie the Bewells & us go for a drive to Parry Beach, where there is a campground near the beach. The old couple who run the place are well past their use by dates & the sites are difficult to manoeuvre around but the beach area is great. We then drove to Peaceful Bay which is also a very beautiful & appropiately named Bay where fishing & swimming would be ideal. There is also a nice caravan park . Here we had lunch before driving out to Conspicuous Cliffs, where after parking in the car park we had a moderate walk up to a cliff where there is a platform which looks over a long wonderful/pretty beach.

This is one of the best sights we have seen with the colours of the water so so beautiful and at one end of the beach there is a steep green grassed hill..making it look like Hawaii. After  taking in the sights for over half an hr we made our way down to the beach where there was only 1 other person. There were heaps of rips but still great areas to fish and have a dip. After walking along the beach we made our way back to camp having drinks & meeting up with a couple we met in Litchfield Van Park last July. Will close here, bye to all, take care & hope you & your families are safe & well. ..... Miss you all,  The Ransley's.xxxxxxxxxx.

YALLINGUP W.A.TUESDAY 7 FEB 2012

Hi to all, hope this finds you all OK. Well we have moved on from Perth. It was great to spend time with David, Karen & Mitch and many thanks to them for all they did for us over the past 4weeks. So lets get back into it......MONDAY 30 JAN.....We headed off travelling south stopping at Pinjarra, a nice town. Here we caught up with the others and all travelled together again, as the last time was late October. We continued on to Herron Point, a cheap camping area on the Lake. Sites here weren't marked but the volunteer caretaker lady, Chris showed us where to park.....well after setting up catching up on things and just getting into Happy Hr, Chris comes down & tells Terry he is parked in the wrong spot & that he will have to move!!! Now, we look around there are heaps of areas for vans etc, there is no one else in, so you can imagine Terry's answers/words!!! So they pack everything up & move, but then, they are not sure if it is a site, so they go & get Chris who supposely helps them...... she kept putting them somewhere, then says.....no thats not right then moves them again...2 hrs later !! they have their site. (Meanwhile only 1 other van came in) Boy did  we other 4 laugh yes!.....did Terry & Di....NO!!! Anyway Chris dropped down 3 crab scoops & bucket for us to go crabbing, so the 3 boys head out into the lake with Carol sitting on the shore, the mossies here are bad so its cover up. The water is pleasant but we didn't have  strong enough torches, we saw 4 crabs but its a bit like our fishing....home with nothing except a good laugh with Terry's comments.

TUESDAY 31 JAN.....The 5 of us went for a drive today firstly into Mandurah...well the homes of the rich & famous, so many homes on canals which are mansions. Areas looked like we were in Venice with canals & stone bridges, but the colours of the homes are gastly. We then went for a walk around the foreshore of the town with a nice War Memorial & tree coverings, then drove back through Pinjarra out to Dwellingup and into the Reserve where we have a picnic lunch beside Lane Pool, a small river/lake.

Then made our way back for a nice meal before heading back out into the lake for more crabbing with Carol & Di coming as well. Di had a underwater torch so it made it so much better whilst the boys had a scoop each. All of us caught crabs except Di, who's excellent sighting made it so much easier. It was a good nite with laughs as one scooped up a crab it fell out, but someone else's scoop caught them. This was so when Carol had a go and she caught one who had escaped, even Terry caught one with a backhand scoop. We caught approx 8 crabs and cooked them that night putting them on ice overnight.

WEDNESDAY 1 FEB....We all headed off south looking for a free camping spot eventually finding one at Ironstone Falls Gully. We set up camp with only one other camper there. No water in the creek and the shot gun blasts for bats & birds for the fruit trees went off every few minutes but it was OK. We had the crabs for lunch which were so so nice & sweet. In the arvo Sand, John & us went for a drive into Donnybrook, a nice little country town, where they grow apples. After s look around we headed back for arvo drinks. Here we sat around a table trying to have nibblies & drinks but we spent more time killing March flies which were green in colour & HUGE, so we had to hit & stomp them...we had a new dance after an hr of killing. Just before tea it started to sprinkle rain..yes "rain" so we had tea in the van. On dark we had two more vehicles come, just as we were going to have our outdoor shower...in the nude but it was dark enough...we hope. We needed to shower as our feet & shins were covered in red brown dirt...it looked like a good suntan. THURSDAY 2 FEB..It rained overnight in patches but it was raining whilst we packed up. Sandy, John & us headed off south towards Busselton whilst Di & Terry headed into Bunbury as they were waiting on mail. We made our way to a place on the coast, Yallingup a surfers paradise, as you come over the hill you see these great waves breaking onto the reef. The sites we were given are good and big but the road and the turning areas are quite small but we succeeded in setting up with John doing a good job..firstly not hitting another car or post & secondly reversing back onto site. After lunch we went for a drive to find Hyundai as we are having trouble with overheating up hills so after a nice tour of the industrial/residential/commercial areas of Busselton we found the place only to be sent somewhere else and then somewhere else, so we know the streets of Busselton. Anyway we have the car booked in for Monday. We then went for a walk down along the foreshore & Jetty area, before going for a drive to Cape Natraliste Lighthouse & Dunsborough and then heading back for arvo cheeses (which were made locally & was yummy) & drinks. The weather has become cooler with drizzle so an early nite.

 FRIDAY 3 FEB......Today we headed back into Busselton to do a few minor things. We then took a drive to the Old Cheese Factory where we purchased bigger packets of the cheeses we tried yesterday..they are very very tasty. We then headed back to Ngilgi Caves which is a part self guided tour. The caves were fantastic with different chambers & one called the Amphitheatre, where you lay down on your back and look up at the stalactites, where you can also sing... which Rans did.....pretty awefully.

We then took a drive to Smiths Beach & Canal Rocks, which were picturesque, then returned for more Cheese & bikkies, but it got cold quickly so it was an early nite (a week ago we were having 42 degree days!)  SATURDAY 4 FEB 12.....A good nites sleep as the wind had died down, Rans went for an early morn swim, the water was nice & warm. After breakie the 4 of us went on a guided tour of the Yallingup Lighthouse which was informative, but very windy up top, we then took a 4km walk around the coastline which was good but would be better when Whales are around as they all come past here.

The flies were real bad with us wearing our fly nets...we could have sold them to other walkers for a good price!! We then drove to Bunker Beach & Shelley Cove near Pt Merchant a beautiful area, but again windy, plus also overcast. There are only a few houses here on the water & a Resort. We then returned for lunch, & in the arvo Di & Terry who are at a nearby Park came around for drinks & chat. SUNDAY 5 FEB 12....This morning we all headed out for a drive Sth towards Margaret River, stopping at surfing places like Moses Rock & Gracetown. We then continued on to Prevelly a small coast town on the mouth of the Margaret River.

This is where the fires swept through back late last year and you can see the remnants of the disaster with rubble from houses burnt down, the scrub completely gone with only sand left and how close it came to the foreshore where people had to gather on the beach. It must have been very scary. We can also see why this area is so good for surfing with left & right breaks, with hundreds of surfers out in the water. The coastline & water here is beautiful. We then made our way into the town of Margaret River where we had lunch in the local park, then had a walk through the township with the girls only buying small items....we boys think??? We then drove out to a home that has the biggest shell collection in Aus & it was FREE....or so we thought....someone didn't read the fine print with his glasses on, it said FEE not FREE...but we won't pick on the big fella with the goatee!!! We then slowly made our way back stopping at a couple of other seaside spots.

 On returning John & Rans went for a snorkel with them seeing lots of fish. Then it was a couple of drinks with Rans having his first beer in a week !!! it must have been to do with that FEE??? MONDAY 6 FEB...Rans takes the car into Busselton for the radiator to be repaired and is picked up by John. On returning we get ready as we head out on a Wine Tour today. We were picked up in a mini bus along with 16 others and headed out stopping at a number of wineries with us purchasing a few bottles (more than a few !) and sampling heaps, even Di got into it & she doesn't drink !! We had lunch at Notting Hill winery with us having Crocodile & Kangaroo, yes... even Carol had some..she thought it was Corned Beef.... HA   One place we stopped at was The Grove Vineyard where we sampled different liquors, but the bloke serving us, Steve Hughes was very funny with him putting shit on anyone & everyone, the Americans, the NZ's & us NSW people. We stopped at a brewery with us getting dropped back off home around 5.30pm, so it was a long & Fantastic day, well worth it.

TUESDAY 7 FEB...The wind is up again, drove into Busselton to pick up car & shop. Rans & I have lunch down on the waterfront under the Pine Trees looking out over beautiful blue waters. We then went to Dunsborough shops & we meet a lady who's husband was the first person to sail on Lake Eyre & we tell her that we saw him in his Catamaran 2yrs ago when we fly over the Lake.

We then headed out to Meelup Beach which is a beautiful, wonderful, coloured beach, with grassed shaded areas down to the sand, Rans has a swim & then we head back for arvo cheeses & drinks with the other 4. After tea we head down to see the sunset and at the same time the full moon rising.

This is a nice area with so much to see & do & we will return. So bye until the next blog & wishing Happy Birthday to Aunty Joan, Ernie, Di & John , Brownie & Congrats on Liam on getting his Drivers Licence..well done Red Light Liam!!!!