Tuesday 31 July 2012
sorry everyone, who is trying to follow us on the blog & is not on my facebook as i left a mess concerning the blog. I am having computer problems, loading photos on the blog, so until i can sort out the problem, i may not be able to update it any further with photos, but darren will keep posting his journal in. I think the red dust has gotten to it, or it could just be the nuff nuff user. LOL
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| Nanutarra Road house stop |
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| This rest stop where we camped as it was late at night & we had hit a kangaroo, so we did not want to go on any further, had an underpants tree for everyones viewing. Peoples sense of humour as u travel around, makes u laugh |
Monday 30 July 2012
josie update on road trip sat 27th july 2012
27th July 2012 Sat
Hi Everyone,
Well, words cannot describe what an experience i have endured. Western Australia has opened my eyes up to another world. It may as well be separated by water, compared to the East Coast of Aust. U basically never hear anything about the West, they live different, have a different attitude, r not as user friendly when it comes to travellers & campers, because they r swamped with Grey Nomads, Backpackers & the Mining Industries, the cost of living is very high, they r driven by money, material needs & digging holes in the landscape, but in contrast to saying all of that, it is the most spectacular coastline, breathtaking gorges, stunning wilderness, arid hot desert & the Pilbara/Kimberley regions leaves u speechless.
In vast contrast, crossing over the Northern Territory boarder, we r experiencing the total opposite to WA, they want travellers to enjoy the camping experience & encourage u to explore the fantastic National Parks. The hiking tracks r well marked, they provide u with basic facilities & drinking water, the towering gorges, waterfalls, thermal springs, crystal clear creeks, rivers, waterholes (that u can swim in most of the time, but being aware of the fresh/salt water crocodiles), such a relaxed state, thoroughly enjoying the journey. The days r now endless hot ones (ranging from 27 to 31degrees, which is so tough while travelling LOL).
People never cease to amaze me, so i have gained a g8 deal from being able to interact with all walks of life, enjoy very diverse conversations, understand through their eyes how they view our culture & country, listening to their journeys & appreciate what makes them tick, having the best laughs with the stories that everybody has to tell.
While i sit writing my thoughts, the night time sounds of the dingoes call of the wild howling has begun, a very large huntsman spider has just crawled onto my laptop, the mosquitoes r a never ending battle in avoiding being bitten to death, but the sky is filled with stars, the moon is always brightly shining, the abundance of birds waking u up at the crack of dawn, the most spectacular sunrises & sunsets that u never get sick of seeing (for a female at least), has been all part of this trip in our tent & hope to reflect as a grandma, while sitting in my rocking chair, that i can rattle off some wonderful stories to my grandkids that will bring a smile to their faces.
I am loving every moment of the ups, downs, stress, strain, pleasures, pain, fear, fun, laughs, intrigue, adventures, discovering & enjoying, all that has added to the dynamics of this trip & will be forever grateful in having this opportunity to be able to do this with Darren instead of alone.
I will have to retrain myself in living back in the real world, as u look upon me weirdly if i go peeing in the backyard or digging a hole for my outback loo, eating my dinner in a camp chair under the night sky, standing naked in the back yard with quarter filled bucket of water for a quick body wash, eating bush tucker, looking rather rough around the edges, bit unkept & perhaps my crazy conversations that i may have. I am sure lots of u will get some good laughs out of it.
Here’s to our final leg of our journey, to which i am sure will be just as colourful. Keep Smiling everyone & look forward to catching up with everyone on the flip side when we get back.
Lots of Huggggssss & Kissesss to all
Josie
Saturday 14 July 2012
30 june 2012
2012 June 9 Honey moon pools Wellington national park walked to dam wall with mist in tree line in the morning .Dam water is no longer used for drinking water as its too saline from land clearing .Collie a coal mining town with a steam train museum yep that’s the highlight .
June 10 Bunbury doing shopping and wind is getting strong so we head back to caravan park to have lunch and check on tent . Whilst having lunch camper informs us we are going to be hit by 100 kmh line in the morning .Dam water no longer used for drinking water as its too saline from land clearing winds . We peg a tarp over our tent and are about to leave when we spot another camper in trouble with her camper trailer and spend the next hour tying down the canvas .In this time we saw two trees blown down and a garden shed destroyed windows broken and a light pole go down .The caravan park was littered with branches and the roads of Bunbury also had trees all over them . It was a fun day when it was all over we got a room at the park so we wouldn’t have to worry about flying debris coming through our tent .
June 11 Still blowing and raining in Bunbury so its into the art gallery to the beach to watch the surf got sand blasted here up the Rotary sponsored lookout and its handrail is humming in the wind . Leschenault boardwalk and we are getting rained on so we do the leschenault inlet drive it’s a good day for it .
June 12 Dwellingup and we do the walking circuit and get rained on and wet again life must go on I say . Back to camp and were eating the goodies and wine we bought at Margaret river I think im going to explode . Another storm front hit about 9 30 pm
June 13 Sunny yaaaay Mandurah walking around water front and art gallery . Lots of new houses and units plenty of money in this suburb .Coastal scenic drive past penguin island which was closed for breeding season . Peron point with a snorkel trail we didn’t do this one as it was cold and overcast with big seas . Walked to lookout over garden island naval base and bay to Fremantle .
June 14 Fremantle gaol tour $26 was worth it with a guide and history tour the prison was built in 1830 and used right up to 1998 Brendan Abbott being one of their star attractions .Fremantle maritime museum to pray to mecca Australia 2 americas cup winner Fremantle harbour is very busy and quite interesting . Kings park Perth to watch a storm go over Perth CBD .
June 15 Stayed in dodgy hotel in Scarborough couldn’t get out quick enough . Kings park to have brekky and walk around in sunny weather . Coastal drive to Cervantes caravan park fun night with Back packers lots of jokes and drinking .
June 16 Pinnacles we do the drive and then get out and walk it much better walking than sitting in a car .Nearby lake Thetis to view stromatalites not that exciting you just have to go there and see them so you know what they are .
June 17 Jurien bay and we go on the sea lion tour $140 on the way out we see dolphins .Snorkelling with the sea lions and these little dudes are the best . They are the Labrador pups of the sea with their big puppy dog eyes and cheecky faces . They wait on you to chase and play with them . My snorkel became unclipped from my mask and whilst trying to clip it in I bumped into some one so I thought. It turned out to be a sea lion and he or she was looking straight into my face so I gave him a scratch and he stayed there pressing against me until I had my snorkel sorted what a cool little dude .I played with them for an hour stopping a few times to catch my breath don’t know where Josie and the other ten people were didn’t see them until it was time to go .These little guys are the best you can keep your whales dolphins and turtles I only want sea lions best $140 I ever spent .Walked through stockyard gully caves you need your own torch for these formed by an underground stream . Josie got a little nervous in this one as the sign said not to go in that’s only for people who do as their told .Any way there is a well worn track so im not the only brat to go in .Josie didn’t want to go any deeper than half way so she sat in the dark while I went to the end I think sitting in the dark would be more scary than walking it .
June 18 Lake Indoon and on the shore it has a water plant that looks like white matted dog hair don’t drink this water or swim in it unless you’re a backpacker then its ok .Greenough historical village complete with lamas and alpacas not a friendly mob . Greenough flats for some horizontal trees wind blown river red gums .
June 19 Geraldton and we walk around town and check out the museum as its raining again .Drove to Lynton station and convict hiring station in heavy rain .
June 20 Camped on station raining today so we sleep in and take our time at breakfast .Port Gregory to view the pink lake weird caused by a build up of beta carotene same as in carrots , looks like strawberry milk and its big . Kalbarri coastal cliffs for spectacular views and whale watching thrown in and some more rain just in case we havent seen enough in the last six weeks .Im on holidays every day should be sunshine .Dinner with English back packers more wine and laughs .
June 21 Kalbarri national park Murchison river loop walk and finally Josie entertains me by falling in the river great job her pants are soaked only problem is she got up before I got a photo .Denying a bloke of a simple pleasure . Met English backpackers on way out of park with car trouble they tell me smoke is coming out of the back wheels and that their really hot so I say take the hand brake of they do and no more problem .. My advice don’t buy ex hire vehicles .
June 22 Crap I saw a mouse so after breakfast Josie empties the car to chase mice out every thing is out in the car park and now we look like backpackers .Im to embarrassed to go near the car so I go for a walk .There s the solution for all you men if you want to get the missus out of the house just fill it with mice or they will clean the house More scenic stops at.Hawks head and Ross graham gorge on Murchison river . Warriband chimney lead mine and ruins on our way to Denham .
June 23 Denham its freezing theres an ice cold wind blowing , ocean park aquarium to watch shark and fish feeding . Little lagoon and inlet looks good for a swim but its still too cold . Monkey mia and the dolphins arent coming in too late in the day .Francois Peron homestead and an artesian hot tub aaaaaaaah the warmest I have felt all day .
June 24 Big lagoon Francois Peron NP and a walk around the shoreline drove to point peron for a view of the red cliffs meeting a turquoise sea . Back to homestead and into hot tub but this time when I got out was all nauseas until I had a cold shower I think I stayed in too long and was nearly cooked.
June 25 Drove out to Useless loop to False Entrance not much to see but a great place if your looking for some solitude .Driving to Carnarvon and I remove an echidna of the road that had been run over still alive but bleeding from the mouth not looking good .
June 26 Camped at Back beach south of Carnarvon mozzie and sand fly infested swamp not recommended .
June 27 Quobba station camp and the shower water is as salty as the ocean and then the lights go out at 9 pm Blow holes quite impressive and around the corner at Quobba point a little bay looks nothing special but jump in with snorkel gear on and your in for a surprise this spot rates as one of the best I have seen and you just walk of the beach no boat required brilliant .Octopus turtles and every type of coloured fish you could imagine in only 1.2m of water low tide .
June 28 Coral bay snorkelling and not as good as Quobba point but it does have some nice coral that looks like cabbage .Josie got into a panic here in the water tried to calm her that didn’t work its just getting to easy to stress her out im bored I need a new challenge .Watched the fish feeding and then it was a swim with big Merv resident Queensland groper about 2.4m long and 300 kgs of fish .Driving to Exmouth at night and we have to dodge sheep I see a fox stalking the sheep so its of the road chasing the fox he was a fast mover so he got to live another day .
June 29 Exmouth caravan park and we spend 2 hrs reading all the rules and regulations in the park it must be run by a control freak nobody seems all that happy here cant leave as Exmouth is so busy that we were lucky to get this spot .Shothole gorge brilliant yellows pinks reds and orange in sandstone .I found a walk that said it was closed too dangerous so we went any way I know how much Josie likes these surprises 8km hot sun and Josies face says it all no whining but ,that’s a relief she goes quiet in the heat something I should remember . Charles knife gorge drive and more stunning scenery Josie wont get out for a walk not even for chocolate whats her problem .Bought carton of beer ooooh aaaaaaah I think im in love I could just hug and kiss it and then it tastes so good mmmmmm beer and chips I feel so content now .Enjoyed my wine in the cold but I never realised how much I missed my beer it’s the love of my life absolutely beautiful it is I wouldn’t lie to you .
June 30 Josie s freakin out about swimming with the whale sharks before we even get started wooooo hooo should be an entertaining .day . . We have a test snorkel to see every one is comfortable in the water and Josie is stressing .The guide said he would look after her and he just leaves her you would think I slipped him a couple hundred thousand dollars brilliant now hes a turd takes a load of me .First whale shark and im of got a good look at that one . Josie didn’t see any thing she was left behind in everyones wake .Second shark and im of swimming swimming rest of group has dropped of and being picked up by boat I stick with spotter Pip just as good to look at as the shark.and get a real good look at this one just the two of us no crowds splashing around eventually it dives and we loose it .Third shark just cruising along with it and it starts to dive and next you guessed it I hear Josie screaming HELP sounds serious so I turn back and race towards her and push her under and all goes quiet Aaah .Whoops evil thought or no happy thought Back to reality and yep I got to Josie and calmed her down and swam her back to the boat .Lunch on board and another snorkel over a shallow reef and Josie is much happier here .Vlaming lighthouse for the sunset and the end to another great day .
June 10 Bunbury doing shopping and wind is getting strong so we head back to caravan park to have lunch and check on tent . Whilst having lunch camper informs us we are going to be hit by 100 kmh line in the morning .Dam water no longer used for drinking water as its too saline from land clearing winds . We peg a tarp over our tent and are about to leave when we spot another camper in trouble with her camper trailer and spend the next hour tying down the canvas .In this time we saw two trees blown down and a garden shed destroyed windows broken and a light pole go down .The caravan park was littered with branches and the roads of Bunbury also had trees all over them . It was a fun day when it was all over we got a room at the park so we wouldn’t have to worry about flying debris coming through our tent .
June 11 Still blowing and raining in Bunbury so its into the art gallery to the beach to watch the surf got sand blasted here up the Rotary sponsored lookout and its handrail is humming in the wind . Leschenault boardwalk and we are getting rained on so we do the leschenault inlet drive it’s a good day for it .
June 12 Dwellingup and we do the walking circuit and get rained on and wet again life must go on I say . Back to camp and were eating the goodies and wine we bought at Margaret river I think im going to explode . Another storm front hit about 9 30 pm
June 13 Sunny yaaaay Mandurah walking around water front and art gallery . Lots of new houses and units plenty of money in this suburb .Coastal scenic drive past penguin island which was closed for breeding season . Peron point with a snorkel trail we didn’t do this one as it was cold and overcast with big seas . Walked to lookout over garden island naval base and bay to Fremantle .
June 14 Fremantle gaol tour $26 was worth it with a guide and history tour the prison was built in 1830 and used right up to 1998 Brendan Abbott being one of their star attractions .Fremantle maritime museum to pray to mecca Australia 2 americas cup winner Fremantle harbour is very busy and quite interesting . Kings park Perth to watch a storm go over Perth CBD .
June 15 Stayed in dodgy hotel in Scarborough couldn’t get out quick enough . Kings park to have brekky and walk around in sunny weather . Coastal drive to Cervantes caravan park fun night with Back packers lots of jokes and drinking .
June 16 Pinnacles we do the drive and then get out and walk it much better walking than sitting in a car .Nearby lake Thetis to view stromatalites not that exciting you just have to go there and see them so you know what they are .
June 17 Jurien bay and we go on the sea lion tour $140 on the way out we see dolphins .Snorkelling with the sea lions and these little dudes are the best . They are the Labrador pups of the sea with their big puppy dog eyes and cheecky faces . They wait on you to chase and play with them . My snorkel became unclipped from my mask and whilst trying to clip it in I bumped into some one so I thought. It turned out to be a sea lion and he or she was looking straight into my face so I gave him a scratch and he stayed there pressing against me until I had my snorkel sorted what a cool little dude .I played with them for an hour stopping a few times to catch my breath don’t know where Josie and the other ten people were didn’t see them until it was time to go .These little guys are the best you can keep your whales dolphins and turtles I only want sea lions best $140 I ever spent .Walked through stockyard gully caves you need your own torch for these formed by an underground stream . Josie got a little nervous in this one as the sign said not to go in that’s only for people who do as their told .Any way there is a well worn track so im not the only brat to go in .Josie didn’t want to go any deeper than half way so she sat in the dark while I went to the end I think sitting in the dark would be more scary than walking it .
June 18 Lake Indoon and on the shore it has a water plant that looks like white matted dog hair don’t drink this water or swim in it unless you’re a backpacker then its ok .Greenough historical village complete with lamas and alpacas not a friendly mob . Greenough flats for some horizontal trees wind blown river red gums .
June 19 Geraldton and we walk around town and check out the museum as its raining again .Drove to Lynton station and convict hiring station in heavy rain .
June 20 Camped on station raining today so we sleep in and take our time at breakfast .Port Gregory to view the pink lake weird caused by a build up of beta carotene same as in carrots , looks like strawberry milk and its big . Kalbarri coastal cliffs for spectacular views and whale watching thrown in and some more rain just in case we havent seen enough in the last six weeks .Im on holidays every day should be sunshine .Dinner with English back packers more wine and laughs .
June 21 Kalbarri national park Murchison river loop walk and finally Josie entertains me by falling in the river great job her pants are soaked only problem is she got up before I got a photo .Denying a bloke of a simple pleasure . Met English backpackers on way out of park with car trouble they tell me smoke is coming out of the back wheels and that their really hot so I say take the hand brake of they do and no more problem .. My advice don’t buy ex hire vehicles .
June 22 Crap I saw a mouse so after breakfast Josie empties the car to chase mice out every thing is out in the car park and now we look like backpackers .Im to embarrassed to go near the car so I go for a walk .There s the solution for all you men if you want to get the missus out of the house just fill it with mice or they will clean the house More scenic stops at.Hawks head and Ross graham gorge on Murchison river . Warriband chimney lead mine and ruins on our way to Denham .
June 23 Denham its freezing theres an ice cold wind blowing , ocean park aquarium to watch shark and fish feeding . Little lagoon and inlet looks good for a swim but its still too cold . Monkey mia and the dolphins arent coming in too late in the day .Francois Peron homestead and an artesian hot tub aaaaaaaah the warmest I have felt all day .
June 24 Big lagoon Francois Peron NP and a walk around the shoreline drove to point peron for a view of the red cliffs meeting a turquoise sea . Back to homestead and into hot tub but this time when I got out was all nauseas until I had a cold shower I think I stayed in too long and was nearly cooked.
June 25 Drove out to Useless loop to False Entrance not much to see but a great place if your looking for some solitude .Driving to Carnarvon and I remove an echidna of the road that had been run over still alive but bleeding from the mouth not looking good .
June 26 Camped at Back beach south of Carnarvon mozzie and sand fly infested swamp not recommended .
June 27 Quobba station camp and the shower water is as salty as the ocean and then the lights go out at 9 pm Blow holes quite impressive and around the corner at Quobba point a little bay looks nothing special but jump in with snorkel gear on and your in for a surprise this spot rates as one of the best I have seen and you just walk of the beach no boat required brilliant .Octopus turtles and every type of coloured fish you could imagine in only 1.2m of water low tide .
June 28 Coral bay snorkelling and not as good as Quobba point but it does have some nice coral that looks like cabbage .Josie got into a panic here in the water tried to calm her that didn’t work its just getting to easy to stress her out im bored I need a new challenge .Watched the fish feeding and then it was a swim with big Merv resident Queensland groper about 2.4m long and 300 kgs of fish .Driving to Exmouth at night and we have to dodge sheep I see a fox stalking the sheep so its of the road chasing the fox he was a fast mover so he got to live another day .
June 29 Exmouth caravan park and we spend 2 hrs reading all the rules and regulations in the park it must be run by a control freak nobody seems all that happy here cant leave as Exmouth is so busy that we were lucky to get this spot .Shothole gorge brilliant yellows pinks reds and orange in sandstone .I found a walk that said it was closed too dangerous so we went any way I know how much Josie likes these surprises 8km hot sun and Josies face says it all no whining but ,that’s a relief she goes quiet in the heat something I should remember . Charles knife gorge drive and more stunning scenery Josie wont get out for a walk not even for chocolate whats her problem .Bought carton of beer ooooh aaaaaaah I think im in love I could just hug and kiss it and then it tastes so good mmmmmm beer and chips I feel so content now .Enjoyed my wine in the cold but I never realised how much I missed my beer it’s the love of my life absolutely beautiful it is I wouldn’t lie to you .
June 30 Josie s freakin out about swimming with the whale sharks before we even get started wooooo hooo should be an entertaining .day . . We have a test snorkel to see every one is comfortable in the water and Josie is stressing .The guide said he would look after her and he just leaves her you would think I slipped him a couple hundred thousand dollars brilliant now hes a turd takes a load of me .First whale shark and im of got a good look at that one . Josie didn’t see any thing she was left behind in everyones wake .Second shark and im of swimming swimming rest of group has dropped of and being picked up by boat I stick with spotter Pip just as good to look at as the shark.and get a real good look at this one just the two of us no crowds splashing around eventually it dives and we loose it .Third shark just cruising along with it and it starts to dive and next you guessed it I hear Josie screaming HELP sounds serious so I turn back and race towards her and push her under and all goes quiet Aaah .Whoops evil thought or no happy thought Back to reality and yep I got to Josie and calmed her down and swam her back to the boat .Lunch on board and another snorkel over a shallow reef and Josie is much happier here .Vlaming lighthouse for the sunset and the end to another great day .
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| Coral Bay spangled emperor |
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| Shothole Canyon |
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| we climbed the top of this ridge for this fantastic view |
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| Termite mound dotted all over the top end of this country side |
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| our bus that took us to the boat for our Whaleshark swim at Exmouth |
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| These graceful gentle giants of the sea, what an experience to swim by the side of these whalesharks |
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| Fowlers Camp Sunrise, always g8 viewing as the colors change before ur eyes & put on a spectacular show |
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| Zuytdorf Cliffs beach |
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| Such graceful gliders of the sky, beautiful Wedged Tailed Eagles |
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| an Echidna that Darren gingerly picked up off the road to get out of harms way, we think he may have been injured |
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| the stormy sunset sky that we have also enjoyed viewing |
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| Carnarvon One Mile Jetty mini tramway that takes u for a ride on the Jetty |
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| One Mile Jetty |
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| Point Quobba Blowholes |
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| Quobba Station Camp (this was a sheep station) |
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| Point Quobba, Balloon Fishing, we were educated from the fisherman on the skill of this clifftop fishing |
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| We could only enjoy watching the balloon fishing & their catch, would have loved that for lunch, Spanish Mackerel |
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| He looked kind of grumpy to me |
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| the crabs were out watching the antics of the fishermen too |
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| Point Quobba Beach & the most amazing snorkelling, filled with colourful coral, every type of fish, octopus, turtles, all from the shoreline & in the shallows, didnt look much until we walked down & got into the water |
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| Shell Beach Denham, this amazing beach only washes up these tiny shells, it has no sand, so much so that the shells r mined here, such a G8 view |
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| could only build shell castles & be buried in them |
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| Whalebone Beach & the best thing about waking up in our tent is that we open it up to these sunrises, with fantastic colors & the most beautiful sky shows as it changes into day break, our digital camera does not do it justice on the colors & views, but we enjoy it anyway |
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| Eagle Bluff lookout Denham |
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| Francois Peron Nat Park, Big Lagoon, another stunning morning while walking along the beach |
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| The forever changing skyline as we continue the walks along Big Lagoon |
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| was a very funny seen, watching this Emu out with the seagulls in the Lagoon |
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| Cape Peron Comorant Point |
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| Lynton Station, Linga Longa Farm Stay, Darren found a new friend to play with, by the name of Zack |
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| Once again our trusty tarp protected us from the rain & wind, keeping our tent & gear dry on our farm stay, also managing to collect a free loader all the way to Kalbarri in the form of a tiny field mouse, before we noticed him |
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| Port Gregory Pink Lake |
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| Kalbarri, clifftop walks |
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| it was blowing a gail & started raining, this was the only place i could shelter from getting totally soak, which Darren found very comical |
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| Spectacular views from the clifftops |
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| Kalbarri National Park |
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| Murchinson River & i fell in clothes & all including my camera, that was quickly saved & only the cover got wet, as for myself, Darren was not quick enough to get a photo of me totally soaked on my right side, made for a refreshing walk though |
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| Such stunning rock formations & brilliant colors |
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| g8 views for an afternoon snack |
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