PERTH SUNDAY 29 JAN 2012

Hi to all, hope this finds you well. The "Sic of workin Six" have joined up here in Perth with Sandy & John arriving after having more repairs done to their van. I won't go into a day by day description but this is a run down on what we have done since our last blog. The Thom's & us went over to the Caravan Park that the Bewells & Butlers are staying at for Sandra's Birthday dinner which was nice but it was very hot with sweat running down every ones cheeks!! It wasn't much better for sleeping that night as the temperature didn't get below 26deg.  The next day Di, The Bewells & us went on a cruise down the Swan River to Fremantle which was really nice, having a walk around Freeo & lunch before returning to Perth. We passed homes of Kerry Stokes, Gina Rhinehart and one home that recently sold for $57.5million... yes that's right $57.5.

Another day they all visited the local Aquarium except for Rans, they had a great time & on finishing they came back to Karen & Davids for a BBQ which was good with laughs & heaps to eat & drink. On Tuesday the 6 of us went to Rottnest Island for the day. The trip over was a bit rough as their was a 3m swell, so we were rolling a lot. Once there the other 4 went on bus trip around the Island whilst we went to Little Salmon beach for a snorkel, as we have been to the Island before. It was a nice day but it can be expensive.

John, David, Mitch & Rans played golf at Wembley Golf Corse one arvo where it was 40deg, so carts were the order. Meanwhile Sandra & Carol went to the movies. On Australia Day it was a very very very hot day with it reaching 42deg, so the Bewells came over and we just sat around, sweated, jumped in the pool and ate. Around 7pm John & Sandy and us 2 got a train into the Perth forsehore, where we watched the Firewroks with a big storm in the background, the lightning show was good with the fireworks fantastic.

We caught the train back and was back at Karens by 9pm. Couldn't do that in Sydney. Friday the 6 of us went for a Picnic at Kings Park, we attempted to walk around the parklands but the heat was unbearable we even took refuge under the kids sprinklers.                                     

Friday nite we all went down to Hillarys for tea having Pizzas which were delicious.

It is still hot here and we spend Saturday & Sunday just hanging around, cleaning washing, packing the van, as well as heaps of swims in between. It is good to get on the road again with all of us looking forward to the next part of our journey, safe travelling and with minimal problems. All take care & Happy B'Day to Foggy, Lauren,  Aunty Val, Sandra, Craig, Elise & Isabella. Also a big get well & wishes to Jacque.

PERTH 2012

Well we arrived back in Perth after our surprise visit home, so good to catch up with friends and family. Here is a quick summary of what we have done since returning. New Years Eve was a fantastic night with the 4 of us heading out to the yacht late in the arvo. We set up our beds and sat around with some cheese & bikkies and drinks for a while which was good, enjoying the water a slight breeze and the company.

We then headed into the Club where we had a great nite with a nice feed, drinks & dancing with the band playing Brown Eyed Girl for Karen & Carol. We then watched the fireworks over the harbour which was great and had a few more drinks before heading back to the yacht for a nite cap..getting to bed around 2am. Karen, Carol & Rans slept (if that's what you called it) inside whilst the Captain slept out on the seats outside...and boy did he sleep, his snoring could be heard in Darwin, it was that loud it made the boat rock!!!

We all got up around 6.30-7am going for a shower at the club and then having a light breakie & watched dolphins swimming by. We then made our way back home for a real lazy arvo. We also had a day down at Rockingham catching ferry out to Penguin Island and a glass bottom boat around the Isles, seeing dolphins & sea lions.

We then made our way back via Fremantle where we had fish & chips for lunch at the Wharf, also had a drive up to Burns Beach where the van park is but not suitable for caravans mostly permanents. We have done Morning teas at Dome's, either at Scarborough, Hillary's or North, which has been nice. We  had a nice arvo & nite down at Hillary's at the Tavern on the water with the girls enjoying a cocktail and then partaking in Pizzas which were bloody beautiful. We 've had a day out on "Countdown" sailing down the Swan River which was enjoyable except when huge boats raced past us, creating a large waves!!

We decided to head off for a couple of days as John & Sandra are still having trouble with their van with the workmanship that was done the repairs is no where up to the standard you'd expect for Insurance or a new van. Di & Terry are slowly making their way down towards us and will be here some time next week. So it's slowly back into the hard grind of holidaying and this is what we have done.
MONDAY 9 JAN 12...We headed off early and picked the van and drove out to Wave Rock. There are some hills first up with some huge trucks but overall the trip was pleasant with us travelling through the wheat belt. It took approx 4 & bit hrs. After setting up Rans had a rest as he has a touch of "Man Flu" for the past couple of days, and boy did he sleep ! Later in the arvo we went for a walk around Wave Rock which backs onto the Van park, it was another "amazing "thing to see, we then did the Hippo Yawn Walk. It was quite pleasant with a nice cool breeze which picked up around dusk.

TUESDAY 10 JAN 12...We were woken early by a crow walking over our roof & squawking, so we went on a 4km walk around the Rock, The Resort, airport and Magic Lake. We then had some breakkie before driving out to The Humps & Mulkas Cave where there is a good steep walk to the top peak of the hill with great 360 deg views of the wheat belts. We then returned for lunch and a catch up on paperwork before heading into town to see the Street Sculptures.

WEDNESDAY 11 JAN 12.....We headed off to York this morning, travelling through the wheat belt area with magniciant countryside. We stopped at one section of the Rabbit Proof fence before arriving & setting up at the local/only van park in York. After lunch we went for a drive around town and although we have been here before with David & Karen its still a nice historic old town, with  magnificant churches & town hall, a sway bridge over the Avon River, beautiful old homes & a good lookout etc.

The temperature has climbed today and there is only a slight breeze now, but still comfortable.It was a hot night and sleep was a bit disturbed.
THURSDAY 12 JAN 12.........We headed off just after 10am & made our way back to Karen & Davids where we set up the van on the driveway. We then had some shopping to do and it had became very warm, so the shop centre was a relief. Carol speaks with the Butlers and they are still a way off reaching Perth, so we await their arrival whilst the Bewells are unable to get all their repairs to the reapirs on the van until Retreat reopens next Monday. They will find out more then.
FRIDAY 13 JAN 12......The 3 boys Rans, Thomsie & Mitch head off to the Ist day of the cricket, They had a great time, except they all got burnt, even though they were up in the grandstand! .
SAT 14 JAN 12.....We travelled down to Freemantle today to watch Thomsie start in a Yacht Race.They are sailing down to Bunbury then returning tomorrow sometime depending on the wind conditions. We headed into "Freeo!" for a cuppa & watched & listened to a couple of young Buskers....boy they were good, so talented & brave to do it. Another great day finished with a bottle of Bubbly!! ....maybe it was two !!!
SUN 15 JAN 12..... Another hot day with overnight temps over the past 3 nites being over 22deg, Rans does some work around the van & car today, no need for him to bring out the DRILL which was good.
SO HI TO ALL OVER EAST TAKE CARE & HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SANDRA, CRAIG, ELISE,LAUREEN, ISABELLA, AUNTY VAL & FOGGY. Also a big get well to Thomas who goes into hospital to remove his Tonsils. Love Rans & Cazxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PERTH

Well hi to all, hope this finds you's all well and had a great Christmas with all your family & friends.  As you can imagine we have been very busy as we flew home to spend Xmas with our boys. Well this is what has happened since last post. FRIDAY 2 DEC....We head off from Cervantes down the coast road heading towards Perth. It was windy again with the van being blown around.

 The road down is not to bad until you get down near Yanchep with a number of trucks & idiots on the road. We had a red ss commodore overtake us (doing approx 180km p/hr). We arrived at the Thomsies and gave the van a bit of a clean and did some washing. Mitch came home from work and we had a good talk and then we sat out the front of the house with a wine when Karen pulled into the drive !! Thomsie then came home after a Xmas party over at Rottnest Is. He was going pretty good considering !! we then sat around & enjoyed a few quiet drinks & lots of laughs. SATURDAY 3 DEC.......The four of us head down to Hillary's for a cuppa prior to Thomsie & me heading our sailing for the arvo. Yes ! The Skipper & Gilligan!! It was a hot day today with little wind. We arrived at the mariner & met up with the other crew, Ron & Peter. The race is pretty tense as it is Club Championship today, we finished First over the line by 3min and won another class but we lost on handicap (maybe that was me !). It was a good arvo, we had a couple of drinks & nibbles on the boat prior to heading into the club for presentations. We made our way back home for drinks & dinner, heading off to bed...Rans was stuffed !! SUNDAY 4 DEC....It is another warm morning, so we decide to go to a cafe for brunch. We found a nice cafe in Cottlesloe where they do Gluten Free. We then made our way back home and just hung around for the arvo with Rans having his Grandpop nap!! Later we had nibblies & drinks followed by Thai for dinner. MONDAY 5 DEC....Rans is up early, his knee is giving him grief but goes our for a 70min walk along the coast.  He then drove to Sth Perth and droped the car off to be repaired, it will be ready Wednesday and the awning will be done Thurs/Fri. It was thundering at 4am this morning but has come out very steamy. Carol & Karen went for a walk with Karen's friends & then to Hillary's for morning tea. Mitch has been off sick with a virus & we all have tea with a few drinks, a good laugh about past times. TUESDAY 6DEC......Well the drought has broken with us waking to rain & thunder, the rain continues throughout the day. The storms are around all day with 2 huge clasps of thunder which frighten the s*#t out of Carol. Today the Perth airport also shuts down causing huge  problems. WEDNESDAY 7 DEC......We went for a walk in the morning & our car is all fixed & ready to be picked up.

 THURSDAY 8 DEC....Well we are up early today as you all now know that we are heading home for Xmas, Thomsie drops us off early at the airport and we catch the 10am flight arriving in Syd at 5.30pm. Caught the train home ( mouthy swearing bloke on train made for a pleasant trip...not) . Then as we are walking to pick up the car, (as the boys & Jade have gone to the Foo Fighters) & we are approached by some bloke asking for money !!! first time in 7 mths....good old downtown Woy Woy! We then drop our gear off and drive to the HULLS, Caz had been speaking to Bron on the phone telling her that we were in Perth. We got to their place and walked through Wal's place next door out to the water front and then snuck up the stairs to the TV room where Olivia & Tegan were sitting ,they were shocked but kept quiet, we then made it to the stairway and Carol was speaking to Bron on the phone and she worked out where we were and she ran down the stairs crying, it was a great surprise, Hully was stunned, so we had some drinks with them before heading home waiting for the kids to come home, which was about 1am so it was hugs etc all round. FRIDAY 9 DEC........Up and headed off down to Greg's shop and surprised him, he was stunned also and hugged & kissed Rans. We  then went to the Murphy's and surprised them, Caz had her hair done whilst Rans went & saw his Dr. We then called in and saw Lousie, then saw Cheryl who was off sick and she cried & cried & cried. We then saw Rans mum and she was also surprised but very happy. We then made our way over to Erina & surprised Deb then we & the boys  to Hoggs Breath for lunch. It was lovely. Us 2 then went to the skin dr for our checkups, made our way home stopping at the Police Stn & surprising Mick Schribes. Out for tea with the Hulls. A very busy, happy teary day !! SATURDAY  10 DEC........We called over & surprise Rans brother Mark & Kim, then went for a beer with Mick, Captain & Mark at the Empire Bay Tavern,  then dinner with the Hulls. SUNDAY 11 DEC.......We head over & see Brad & Marg surprised them & Marg & Vick. Had a lovely time catching up with them
MONDAY 12 DEC.......Well now that we've come home we need to buy Xmas pressies ...so a day shopping ....

TUESDAY 13DEC.......Happy Birthday to Bron, we all went out to tea to celebrate. Great nite
WEDNESDAY 14 DEC........ Rans went to Sydney to get some Dental work done, a few fillings and $$$$$$ 
THURSDAY 15 DEC... Today we had a lovely day putting up the Xmas decorations with the boys & Jade & Jacque, it was sooo much fun, lots of laughter.....FRIDAY 16 DEC......We did a lot of running around today but getting nowhere !! with Christmas parties etc the days seemed to fly
SATURDAY 17 DEC.....Rans went over to help our friend Vic move house, in the arvo he went for a bet & drink with Mano,  then went to the Manson's for tea along with the Hulls, Longs & Murphy's. It was a great nite sitting out on the lawn looking over the water with a wonderful feed. We finished around 11.30pm with Greg falling asleep.

SUNDAY 18 DEC..... We went to the the Browns & surprise them, only staying for a short time as we had a luncheon at the Sailing Club with Deb & Gary which was nice with good food, then went back to Debs place & had a lovely afternoon chatting, with  a few more quiet drinks.
MONDAY 19 DEC........Xmas shop at Erina & Rans has to get a mole cut out of his back at skin specialist. Results all good !!
TUESDAY 20 DEC........Today Bron & Carol went to Erina whilst Rans has lunch with his mum. We went for tea at Ett Bowl Club with the Manson's, Murphy's, Hulls for Liam's B'Day. Another fun filled nite
WEDNESDAY 21 DEC............Today more Xmas shopping and Adam put a down lights in his room with the apprentice Rans !!!!, we then went to the movies with Adam & Rans seeing Miss Impossible whilst Bron Carol & Olivia seeing New Years Eve.
THURSDAY 22 DEC........We did some shopping prior to us leaving to go to Margarets place in Sydney to surprise them. Carol actually gets a call from Margaret in the morning asking where we are & what we are up to (they were thinking about coming to Perth for a few days to see us !!), so a couple of little white lies she made it through the call without letting on. We then drove to Jason & Lina Judd's place and waited for Jeff & Marg, well what a surprise when they arrived, we really shocked them with Jeff looking stunned & Margaret screaming & crying. So after the shock & some drinks we went to a neighbours for Xmas drinks. It was great nite finishing around 1.30am.
FRIDAY 23 DEC........We get up with a dry mouth & headache, but after a nice cooked breakie we feel a lot better & we say our goodbyes and drive back home. Rans went to the club with Brett for the raffles with Brett winning a meat tray. Rans & I then went to the Hulls for a quiet drink, sitting on the veranda which was so nice.
SATURDAY 24 DEC..... Today we tidy up around the house, Mano gives us a box of beautiful tasting cherries & mango's. Later in the arvo the 3 boys went to Gregs shop and had a couple of drinks for Xmas, they then went to the club for a bet & drinks. Then off to Brads for the traditional Xmas Eve get together. It was so nice to catch up with friends, getting home around 10pm.
SUNDAY 25 DEC.......We wake up to a nice morning with the sun finally out. We open our pressies and Carol cries with her pressie from the boys, beautiful studio photos of them, they are so lovely.(big thankyou to Jade for getting them organised) Rans gets a toy drill (funny story behind that !) we won't go into why he got it. We then have a nice breakie with the 6 of us. Shirl, Mark & Kim & the kids arrive for Xmas lunch .

We have a nice day with the best oysters that Rans has tasted in a long time, along with Prawns, Glazed Ham, chooks & salads. The kids enjoyed the pool with Uncle Stephen mucking around with them. A great Xmas Day...so glad we made it back.
MONDAY 26 DEC.......... Up early, Rans went for a walk, then the Hulls turn up, open pressies... we got some nice ones, thanks Bron & Michael.

Rans then starts the BBQ for a Big Breakie & all the Murphy's & Wilkinson's turn up and have a champagne breakie which was so nice & a good laugh. They slowly leave during the arvo & the Manson's turn up and we have a few more drinks, prawns etc. It has been a great day with our friends. The 6 of us then have toasted sandwiches for tea & then we play Trouble & Sequence. The 4, Adam Jade Brett & Jacque laughing off their heads, as we sit back and enjoy the time with them. We then join in as Brett goes to bed to sleep and we have a good, fun  evening.
TUESDAY 27 DEC...........Its overcast again and cool. Have breakie and Rans does some work around Shirls house.  Cheryl comes round for a cuppa, then they go over to Erina with Adam & Jade...shopping ! Rans goes to Elanora for lunch with Brad, Matt, Heals, Snap & Brownie, first time they have been together since N.Z. Great Day
WEDNESDAY 28 DEC.......Today Rans catches up with Mano for a beer & bet at the local, nice arvo. Deb comes around late arvo and has a drink and chat. Congratulations to Sean on getting engaged. We then went out for tea with Brett & Jacque.
THURSDAY 29 DEC.........The six of us and Shirl go out for breakie at 304. We then made our way up to the Races at Gosford getting there before the horses & jockeys...HA HA, the Hulls, Manson's(without Greg), Murphy's, Mark & Kim,  all came and we had a great day with Carol winning a couple of Quinellas & Rans a couple of small wins. We then went to the Murphy's for a sausage sizzle for a send off tea. A good laugh watching Eric chasing his Xmas pressie around the backyard (puppy dog). We headed off around 8.30pm as we have to get up at 3am. OUR TIME WITH OUR FRIENDS HAS BEEN FANTASTIC. BOTH OUR BOYS HAVE MADE US SO PROUD WITH  LOOKING AFTER OUR HOME, HELPING NAN & with their occupations.. Special THANKS MUST ALSO GO TO JADE & JACQUE WHO ARE A GREAT HELP & GOOD FUN TO BE AROUND.
FRIDAY 30 DEC.......Up around 2.40am & head off driving down with Adam & Jade to the airport. Brett was working and met us there. He was running a little late as he was involved in the shots fired at Police down near the Chinese Consulate. Said our goodbyes to our boys & Jade....Carol got  heaps of kisses & cuddles in !! We arrived in Perth to a hot morning. After settling back in Rans  & Thomsie go to the boat to get ready for New Year, giving it a wash etc. So to all we have seen, many thanks for making our short time back home enjoyable....now we will need to detox !!! Take Care, Love the Travellers... Once again.xxxxxxxxxxxx Miss you all

PERTH

Well hi to all a change to plans from last blog, this is what has occurred. WEDNESDAY 30 NOV....After a windy night and getting up a couple of times the wind has eased a little so we go for a walk to Dynamite Bay which behind the Van Park. This is the Bay that we drove past back in 08 that we loved & wanted to come back to & swim. Anyway whilst out the wind direction has changed to an Easterly and picked up & when we returned our awning has ripped at the top, approx 30cm and the frame is out as well.

Rans makes calls to the Insurance Co and at this stage is awaiting a reply to see where we have to take it to, so as to replaced. We won't be heading anywhere until then as it will need to be repaired asap otherwise it will rip further & being a pop top it becomes a hassle putting up & down. After seeing the Bewells van we just take this as a minor problem, Oh Well. Later on we went back down to Dynamite Bay and also a small secluded beach (which is totally out of wind) which is to the immediate left of Dynamite Bay.

Here Rans has a fish but does no good (nothing new) but the water is icy, he then goes for a great snorkel and doesn't see any fish but the rocks & underwater holes & caves are AMAZING, he looked for crays, no good. This a great spot, no one else around on your own private beach. How good does it get. We have a few drinks before heading out to watch sunset at Window Rock which was good. A great day.

 THURSDAY 1 DEC.....Well if you think it couldn't get any windier......it does, around 3am the wind changed again and is gusting heaps. We feel like Dorothy & Toto only thing is we aren't in Kansas!! We were going to do some washing but it wouldn't stay on the line it's blowing that much.We find out off AAMI we have to take the van to Perth so it looks like we get to see the Thomsie's a bit earlier, yee haa. We head off to Cervantes stopping first at Jurian Bay which is a nice area, with boardwalks, cafe on the coast & a new jetty.

We had stayed here before so we continued onto Cervantes & booked into the park. It is still windy & we have a couple of problems with putting up the pop top due to the broken awning. We have decided to go to Thomsies tomorrow as the awning is getting fixed on Wednesday & AAMI have decided to get the car fixed as well and this will be done on Monday so we should have both back in top shape by Friday ready to go back Nth or inland to a couple of Nat Parks. After setting up we headed for a drive around town & we went to Lake Thetis which has Stromatolites, which we had been to before, on our last trip

We then went for a walk up to Hansen Bay Lookout which looks over the Cervantes Islands which the town is named after. Rans then had some fish & chips for lunch which he liked. We then went to the Lobster Factory where there is a tour showing from catch to foam box for export, it was very interesting. It is Emirates Airlines second biggest money spinner, just behind passengers!! That's how many get exported to Dubai. 80% of their LIVE lobsters are exported.

We then drove out into the Nambung Nat Park & into the Pinnacles Desert and although we have been here before, it is still "AMAZING" as you drive around these pillars that rise out of the ground, with the ocean in the background.

We then returned for a walk along the beach. Another good day. Hi to all take care & we will send another blog soon. Love Rans & Carolxxxxx

GREEN HEAD TUESDAY 29 NOV 11

Hi to all, hope this finds you all well. Many thanks to all who replied to our last blog/e mail, it was good to hear from you. We have left the other 4 as they are going to Monkey Mia for a few days, we have already been there & done that back in 08, so we are tyring to see things we missed last time. We are currently at Kalbarri, a beautiful town on the Murchison River Mouth. It has great views of the Ocean with a reef following the coast line. Here is what has happened since our last blog. SATURDAY 19 NOV.....We packed up and left Carnarvon which is most probably the most boring town we have been to & we have to return for a day...Oh NO... anyway, we headed nth to the Blowholes which was only 1hr away.

Here we set up camp near the boat ramp but there are a number of camp areas along the coastline. There is only a small sand mound between us & the ocean. We liked the area, its quiet, relaxing & scenic. The four of us ( Sandy & John are still at Exmouth still trying to sort out the fridge problem !) go for a drive to the Blowholes which throw up huge water and the noise is so loud (better than Kiama). We then follow the coastline nth along dirt tracks & road, with us stopping to gather wildflowers & greenery (the girls made 2 posies) We then come to the HMAS Sydney II memorial which overlooks the Ocean with a small rock monument with a flag pole. Later today there is a 70yr memorial for the 645 sailors that lost their lives when a battle occurred between them & the German battleship the Kormeran. When we arrived there is an old man with all his medals attempting to set up the Naval Flag, so with our help we raised the flag pole & flag. We then continued on to Quobba Homestead where there are camping sites. Here the coastline has rugged rock faces, with deep holes which would be great for fishing but the swell is up over 2-3m and the wind has picked up. We then headed back stopping at the Sanctuary Cove which has a great reef which backs onto our camp site. Here we meet up with Phil & Donna who we met somewhere on our trip & they come back to our site for a cuppa. Then the 2 girls along with Donna & Phil (who had a great uncle aboard the Sydney) headed off to the memorial, with Caz & Di giving one posy to Phil to lay at the Memorial..It was a beautiful memorial with us & about 40 locals.

To see the veterans dressed with all their medals, the Indian Ocean with the sun setting behind & then the man played the bugle, very emotional, had to wipe a tear away. After the official wreaths were layed, Donna & Phil layed theirs, a moving moment, then Di & I did ours. It was one of those times when you don't plan something but it will remain a nice memory of the trip. Di & I then headed up to the lighthouse to get phone service to ring our loved ones, what a beautiful view up there,........ Meanwhile Tezz & Rans stayed back at the camp to look after the eskies !!!!. By the time the girls had returned the wind had picked up so we had tea in our own vans & had an early nite or so we thought. The wind blew all night and the van rocked (due to the wind) we had to pull down the pop top as the wind was that strong. SUNDAY 20 NOV....Up early to push the pop top back up! The wind had eased since last night, so we head further down the beach to Black Rock for a fish. As soon as we threw the lines in, the wind picked up again but we continued for a couple of hrs but no success (AGAIN ). Later that arvo we headed down into the Sanctuary and tried our luck for oysters,

Rans got about 2 doz & although they weren't large they were fresh & nice. Terry returned later to try his hand at Squid but the wind again picked up & no good, we meanwhile went down to the coral cove in the Sanctuary & Rans had a snorkel, he said it was good. We then came back and had a shower outside enjoying the freedom, (we couldn't put up the en suite due to the wind) The camp shower was very hot, had to add cold. Another windy night so we pulled the pop top down prior to sleeping but the wind died during the night & it became hot so we pushed it up again. Rans then had the urge to sit..... so here he is sitting outside on the toilet looking up at the stars, he even watched the moon rise at 2.30am.....no not his,  the real moon!! MONDAY 21 NOV...Up early, the wind has died down but the seaweed that has come in is about 2-3ft high on the shore, but again we try and get our line caught up in weed.. yeah I know we are making every excuse, but when we do finally catch a few, then the stories will start!! In the arvo we head up nth again seeing if we can fish off the rocks but the swell is up still so no luck there. Us 2 then head down to the coral cove again and we have a snorkel. Visibility is crap, but the area is shallow so you get a great view of the coral with some great colours and there are heaps of small coloured fish. On a perfect day it would be better than Coral Bay. We sit outside for a time watching the stars which seem to be brighter than most places than that we have been. We like this spot, shame about the wind but we can't have good conditions everyday ( still have not seen rain since mid May !)

. TUESDAY 22 NOV....We went for a walk down the beach this morning and it is like glass, no wind hardly any swell, still heaps of weed but, we head off back to Carnarvon as we are heading sth tomorrow. We pass Sandy & John who have made it down to Carnarvon with the 2nd fridge (which doesn't work) so they gave them a Waeco portable fridge/freezer which also didn't work, so they gave them another one until another fridge (No 3) arrives at Geraldton. oh Boy.... On getting back into Carnarvon we clean the van & car as the salt & sand from the winds is caked on. We then did some shopping & go for a walk by ourselves out to the 1 mile Jetty. It only takes 10min to walk as a section has been burnt out by some vandal, approx 2/3 of the way out & you can't go any further. It was disappointing.

Usually there is a old train ride out to the end but some idiot spoilt that ! We then returned & tidied up and got ready as to head off early tomorrow. We have done Monkey Mia & want to see new places/areas. We then went for a swim in the cement pond and meet up with 2 couples, one who new Merrynne & Billy(Carols cousin) and the other whose daughter lives in Umina and Rans knowing of them.  Carol had made a nice meal for everyone (Lamb shank Curry) which everyone enjoyed with all returning for 2nds. We then had some of the those nice strawberries & ice cream.  WEDNESDAY 23 NOV... We are awake early and wait for sunrise 5.40am before we head off. Today is a big drive approx 430km's taking 6 1/2hrs, but we are glad we did leave early as it turns out the wind was favourable and it is 39deg, so by the time we set up in Kalbarri we got a chance to look around and cool down. This is a nice town, we went down to the local for a drink, sitting outside with a cool one looking over the river, just great. THURSDAY 24 NOV...Rans went for an early morn walk and is away for almost 2hrs, said it was one of the prettiest walks he has done looking over the ocean.

 We then did some paperwork before heading out to do the lookouts. It might not sound much but as you start in Kalbarri & work your way sth along the coastline, each lookout just gets better, with some of the most magnificent ocean & rock cliff views ever seen. We took some lunch with us and we sat at a shelter at the Natural Bridge looking out over the ocean, eating our lunch, it doesn't get much better.

 We then made our way back to Blue Holes which is an area where you can snorkel without fear of sharks. It is a sanctuary and although small it is enjoyable with heaps of fish. Yes Carol snorkeled again!!! We made our way back, they have a sausage sizzle on here tonight so Rans might get a snag. Carol will no doubt cook herself a great meal !! FRIDAY 25 NOV.....Happy B'Day Maureen & Abbey. Hope you had a great day, we know you would have Maur with Emma flying in from Kununurra this morning enjoy your time together. We are up early today as we headed into the National Park and you need to be out there before the heat sets in. We are glad we did as it was quite warm by the time we finished. The drive out is on corrugated road but not as bad as Karigini N.P. but still not up to standard.

We first headed to The Loop where we walked down to the lookout and saw another AMAZING sight, with River Gorges looking down onto the Murchison River, and rock faces with so many different colours, fantastic, we then made our way to the Natures Window where a hole in the rock face overlooking the gorge. Here we had a photo taken of us two by Sebastian who we met yesterday out at the Coastal walk. He is out from Germany and likes bush walking as he done the 8km walk yesterday and was about to do another 8k's. We then headed over to Z bend lookout which has also great views of the gorge. Along the way out we stopped a number of times as the wildflowers are still out so Caz got heaps of photos. (It was like being back in Canada with the wildlife on the side of the road!!!). We then drove to Hawks Head which is sealed road, but you should see the Pink Wildflowers, so many even Rans thought it was AMAZING.

We then went to Ross Graham lookout but this was no where near as spectacular as the others. We then headed back to our site where we enjoyed a arvo snooze before heading back out to the beach for some photos & rays, we then returned and Caz had made a number of calls but she said she didn't hear from Sandra to see if she made it to Monkey Mia safely, so she sends a SMS & the next thing Sandra rings back with not great news, their front nearside tyre had sheared off, (lucky they have duel wheels) hitting the door before going into the bush. Luckily no vehicle was coming in the other direction as it would have been disastrous. Di & Terry were following behind, so the boys went and arranged for a tow truck, whilst the girls stayed with the vans. The result was it took 2hrs to get the van onto the truck & it has been returned to Carnarvon with Sand & John who are in a cabin at Wintersun C/P. Di & Terry have gone onto Monkey Mia. It looks like when the van was serviced in Broome it was not done properly (so rans is checking on his now as we had the same people do ours!) and the wheel nuts have sheared off. OH MY GOD, what else can go wrong for them. We then had arvo drink, rang Di who had made Monkey Mia safely.We then headed off down to the beach at Blue Holes to watch the sunset.It was windy but sitting on the sand having a cold one, watching the sun go down with the waves crashing on the reef in the foreground was good to watch, enjoyable.

 SATURDAY 26 NOV.... Today we head off early and drive Sth to Port Gregory, just before the turn off there is a huge PINK coloured lake which follows the roadway around to the town. Yes I did say PINK, it is caused by some weird named dietary supplement " betacarcotene" Anyway it is not something you are expecting.

Port Gregory is a small fishing town with a reef surrounding the foreshore. It was very windy so not picturesque as it would have been. We then stopped at a convict settlement called Lynton which has a number of old houses, barns etc, with some magnificent relics inside. There was also a number of trees which due to the wind grown horizontal with the ground. We then went to Northhampton, which a small town on the main Hwy, it had a  cottage feel about it. We then drove into Horrocks another fishing town, but it has these fishing shacks which are in line & painted in diff colours, cute.

They are also livable (more than Quobba) with million dollar views.We then made our way back along the coastline. After lunch Rans ducked down to the local for a bet, nothing has changed here in WA..... the same result... no wins ! The rest of the arvo was taken up with photos, blogs etc.   SUNDAY 27 NOV  Wash & tidy day.  This morning it is overcast & windy so we do cleaning, Rans checks his tyres, than we muck around with photos & blog. We now have 4000 photos saved from our trip. We see photos of the Bewells van, there is damage between the tyres and the entry door to the van and it is not superficial. Also the axle is bent, it would make you cry....I know Rans would. We head down to the beach carpark for lunch, then over to Blue Holes, where we hang around for an hr or 2. Rans had a swim. We then went to one of the other van parks to look for friends Matt & Sarah & we find Phil & Donna. We talk to them for a while then headed to another park where we find Matt & Sarah. We have a drink with them before heading off to pack up & tea. MONDAY 28 NOV... Up early and head to Geraldton.Stop to check tyres which are OK.  We booked into the Belair C/park nice site out of the wind. We head out and have to do a number of shopping things, have a look at John & Sandra's van OH BOY !!!  & then have a brief look at the sites of the town especially the war memorial for HMAS Sydney, which is one of the best memorials.

We then head back to van park & catch up with John & Sandra who looks tired & exhausted both physically & mentally and who wouldn't be. We decide to go out for tea to a pub in town(The Freemasons). The pub is OK but it is expensive, but the girls at least get nice GF meals. It has turned cold and cloudy tonight so early to bed.  TUESDAY 29 NOV.. Rans is up early AGAIN, he leaves at 5.30am to go & vacuum & clean the car but returns in 10min...Because you know what.......yep It started to RRRRRain, yes that's right after 191 days we had rain & although it wasn't heavy or went for a long time, it was rain!! After breakie we went down town to get some groceries etc, as we are going to do some free camping in the next few days. We returned hitched and said out goodbyes to the Bewells & wished them all the best with their repairs etc to the van. We then drove Sth stopping at S Bend caravan Park at Greenough & then continued on by passing Dongarra as we had stayed there before and our friends who live there are away. We then stopped at Leeman a nice small town on the water, we had a look around & at the C/Park & decided to continue to Green Head which was a good decision. We set up here, we are the only van in the park other than a couple of permanents here, we are almost totally out of the wind which has picked up again..surprise surprise!! After lunch we went for a drive along the coastline which has a number of bays/inlets/lookouts with all having drive access to the beach, its just so good, so pretty the only thing is the wind & weed but there are a number of small beaches protected, which we will try tomorrow to bake, snorkel & fish. this is a must place to come to, just to see the coastline & the many bays.

  Tonight is baked dinner, we think we'll  stay here for another night then head to Jurian Bay and then inland a little to National Parks away from this wind and free camp for a week or so. So we will post this now as we mightn't have service soon, so bye until next time, Happy B'Day Katelyn Holman, Jade,  Maureen, Abbey & Katelyn Manson.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx