The Freya1

Arrived here this afternoon in time for the bird feeding.

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It’s beautiful here in the campground surrounded by steep rocky outcrops. Lots of walks to do to the Gorge over the next couple of days. Really stunning area.

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Staying here for a few days in this very peaceful camp spot.

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Beautiful weather to start the trip. You know you’ve left the Big Smoke when you see wedge tailed eagles, the road is a single lane and if there’s a car coming your way then you both have to drive half on the dirt to pass, and oncoming drivers lift a couple of fingers off the steering wheel in greeting.

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I had intended to stay in Ban Bam Springs but didn’t like the look of it so continued. Staying tonight in the Gayndah Heritage Railway. $5 the night with use of the toots. I’ve been warned to expect a very cold morning tomorrow.

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Day 1 done and dusted.

 

Time is flying by, I can’t believe it’s been two weeks since I blogged.  There’s been so much happening and some wonderful places to see.

After leaving Nambung Cattle Station, I stopped at a camp on Coronation Beach, which is about 25ks north of Geraldton.  I assume its a council owned park because there’s a caretaker, longdrop toots, garbage bins etc but it’s only $7 a night.  Bargain!

Nice sunsets over the water.

Then out to a place called Oakabella Homestead, which is only about 7 or 8 ks from Coronation Beach but inland.   It’s supposed to be the most haunted place in WA.  Check out the signpost below.  There’s some history of the property on the website if you’re interested – www.oakabellahomestead.com.  It’s run by a crazy fun woman called Loretta who’s only too happy to share the stories of the history of the property and the ghosts plus she makes a mean wattle seed scone.

 

I stayed a couple of days but didn’t meet any of the ‘complimentary ghosts’ so toddled off to Geraldton.  Geraldton’s a nice enough place but the main reason people stop there is because it’s the last place to stock up before heading further north.  From there on there’s nothing much before Port Hedland.

I bought a swag of groceries etc and would have liked to buy some wine;  however, Geraldton’s idea of fine wine comes in a box with a little tap at the bottom and, well, I’m not quite there …. yet!  The lady at the bottlo also told me that they don’t keep Chardonnay because ‘no one drinks it’.  Oh dear.

I’m often amazed at the stunning old buildings to be found in little one horse towns – usually churches, convents etc.  This is an example in Northampton.  Just beautiful.

Of course, having come this far I could not possibly miss a visit to the Principality of Hutt River.  How many of you can say you’ve been presented to royalty?  There’s a pic of me and HRH Prince Leonard below. For nearly 90, he’s as sharp as a tack and loves to have a laugh, usually at the expense of the Australian politicians and government.  We had a great old chinwag and I was lucky enough to have arrived on the 45th anniversary of the Principality’s secession.  Check out his car please and then put it into the perspective of the surroundings!

 

There’s a lovely little chapel with some impressive artworks.

And there’s beautiful Betty in the bush all settled for the night.

After that, I headed back to the coast.  The coast road affords really beautiful scenery but the best views are often in places where it’s impossible to pull over and snap.

I had to laugh.  I came up and over the crest of a hill and below me stretched a very pretty valley.  I looked at the road ahead and, in a steady stream, was a convoy of caravans and motorhomes.  What a hoot!  The nomads are headed north for the winter.

This is on the way to Port Gregory and past the Pink Lake.

Port Gregory is just a tiny little fishing village but quite pretty.  Look at how crystal clear that water is.

From there I took the road along the coastal cliffs heading toward Kalbarri.  What a stunning rugged coastline!

However, the flies are very, very, very friendly!

But, the views make putting up with the bugs all worthwhile.  However, I had to delete a number of photos when I got back and viewed them because, at the point of clicking, flies had flown in front of the lens.  Little blighters!

Even from the cliff tops you can see to the bottom of the water because it’s just so incredibly clear.

And now I’ve arrived in Kalbarri.  I didn’t expect such a stunning place.  Am in love.  It’s beautiful.  There’s lots to see here so I’ll be staying awhile.

 

 

I’m on the road again.  Had an absolutely wonderful time in and around Perth being with Summer, Bradley and Willow and generally soaking up the fabulous Perth atmosphere and scenery.  I would live in Fremantle in a heart beat.  Just love that place!

Cottesloe Beach hosts Sculptures by the Sea each year.  I was lucky enough to go last year and then again this year. Such a fun way to showcase artworks (and you all know how arty I am – not!).  Here’s a couple of pics –

 

There were even some underwater sculptures which I intended to check out, but sadly it didn’t happen.

After Perth I headed to one of my fave spots, Guilderton –

a very sleepy little town on the coast and at the head of the Moore River. What a really fabulous spot to camp.  Hi Betty, I can see you down there.

After that I choofed inland to Toodyay –

a cute little country town with … well, not that much … but cute just the same.

Then I took off, along the road to Gidgegannup, singing at the top of my lungs to my favourite P!nk tunes.  Let’s fast forward now a couple of weeks past the tours by the WA Ambulance Services and the  Swan and Royal Perth Hospitals, and I’m back on the road!!!

After once again leaving Perth, I headed north to the Nambung Cattle Station, a 5,000 acre station bordering the Nambung National Park which is where the Pinnacles are.  Oh my, what absolute bliss!  A reasonably good dirt road with only a few corrugations here and there leads to -nothing really except cows, acres of pasture, lots and lots of birds and quiet, quiet, quiet.  My first night there I slept 12 hours straight without even a pee break.  It was soooo dark and soooo quiet.  Absolute bliss!  Brian is the owner and he’s a friendly guy who likes to go travelling in his caravan and wanted to provide a nice place for like minded people to stop.

I really loved the place.

After a few days there I headed west to Cervantes, the lobster capital of WA.

Yes, of course, I took myself to dinner.  Even put some lippy on!

Cervantes is a tiny little fishing village and, I do mean tiny.  There’s a caravan park, a service station, motel and pub.  That’s it.  However, it is also home to a large lobster fishing fleet.

This morning I went on a tour of the Cervantes islands and made some new friends along the way –

Look at how beautiful the coastline is and how very clean and clear the water.

After returning to the jetty, I walked along the beach to the local café for my morning shot.  I stopped and looked toward the horizon just as a seal popped its head up and looked toward me.  Fantastic!

Tomorrow morning I’ll pack up and head north.  I’ve met so many lovely people who want to share their adventures with me and have told me about many spots along the way that I just mustn’t miss.  My Camp7 is riddled with pencil scrawlings and notations on each place that is a ‘must go to’.  So much to see!

I’m likely to be in and out of range over the next few weeks as I head to Exmouth to do my longed for swim with the whale sharks but I’ll blog as soon as I’m in range again.

Hi all

I sat down this morning to upload my photos from the last month and write my blog …. then, I discovered that I’ve ‘lost’ my camera!  The last time I had it was on Rottnest Island and I’ve phoned everywhere there including the ferry and, although they tell me they have a multitude of iphones, there is no camera.

So, suffice to say I’ve had a great month but not many pics to show you.  Rob arrived on 2 February and we did the coast down to Augusta.  Would have gone further to Albany but there were terrible bush fires in the area.

We also did Swan Valley, Penguin Island and Rottnest Island and had a wonderful time though, needless to say, we have both gained a kg or 2 and are now busily ‘drying out’!

I’m so sad about the loss of my pics.  Don’t really care about the camera, which can be replaced, but some of the pics captured great memories.  Darn!!!

Looks like my blog won’t be updated until March when I have had the chance to get another camera and take some more pics of my travels.

Am sad, sad, sad!  But, I hope you’re all happy, happy, happy.  Talk soon.