Day 107 – Cowarmarup to Pemberton – Finally heading East - Nov 5, 2009

We could happily spend another week or more here. No real desire to move on, given the balance of kids and adult attractions including some great wineries (and more average ones than there used to be) and every conceivable indulgence. A couple of times we have driven past a land sale just south of Margaret river township with a biog signs stating land from $150,000…….tempting. Ev could study viticulture in Kindergarten and we would have our own wine maker in a couple of years

Partly because we were reluctant to leave and partly because the boys wanted to feed the animals one last time (and partly because of the late night last night and the vino) we had a very relaxed start to the morning. The boys played with their new friends, Rosie and Flynn from Nottingham (They are in a Maui campervan so not Pomms in Bombs) and fed half a kilo of carrots to the animals. No animals were harmed in this process but several small fingers were nibbled.

Back on the road and after quick stops for souvenirs and fuel we headed south. Without any fanfare we took the turnoff to Pemberton. The significance of this is it was a turn to the east. Our first real easterly turn of the trip (except central Oz) and the start of the run home. Of some concern is that it has taken 107 days to get here and we only have 49 to get home and 5 of those days will be in NZ. Yes folks only 49 more shopping days until Christmas….

We have been spoilt recently with good quality roads (and not pulling the van), today that ended as we were back on goat tracks . These would be good roads for one way streets. Unfortunately some clown put a white line down the middle and expects cars to pass each other. My left hand wheels saw the dirt more than once today.

The van park we have chosen in Pemberton is fantastic. It is set down in a valley with a creek running past it, massive trees towering over us on the hills and as we set up a dozen or so port Lincoln ringneck parrots came and sat on our arms for food while a family of ducks, including seven ducklings wandered past…and came over for a feed. We would take pride in our choice if it was not the only van park in town.

Once set up and fed we headed (literally) around the corner ,to the Pemberton tramway company who operate a tram (and a big steam engine on weekends) up through the Karri forests (it’s a type of tree – a really big tree) that surround Pemberton. Even though we have done a lot of train rides the boys still enjoyed this one as we stopped a few time and could get off to look at waterfalls and some of the rivers and bridges that we crossed. You can see the look on Aaron’s face in the pictures – I’m sure you can see he was enjoying himself.

After the train ride we did a scenic drive through the forests, again Alison, the dirt queen, was tearing up the unsealed roads. We made stops at the Beedelup Falls where Ev loved the suspension walking bridge, and the Bicentennial tree where you could climb 70 metres up the trunk of the tree on metal stakes that have been driven into the trunk…..if you were insane!!!. I went up about 10 metres, got the photo and decided it was wiser to get back on the ground, quickly. I must be getting old.

Arriving back at the van park we were happy to see that Rosie and Flynn (and parents Nicola and Steve) had decided to accelerate their plans and join us in Pemberton. The kids had a great time playing this afternoon and at one point we had all four kids in our van while we fed ourselves and the boys. Hectic, yes, fun…well actually, yes.

Unfortunately we had also been joined by a couple of crazy Dutch (one of those words is superfluous) next door who made remarkably good duck calls and did not seem to understand when it was time to leave…..like NOW!!!! In spite of this we are going to spend an extra night here so the kids can play with their new friends……and we might share a wine or two again.