Oct 21, 2012 - Absolutely nothing.....

A beautiful morning with a late breakfast before the boys went and played with some other kids. Dad and the boys then went and played tennis on the tennis court. After lunch, some TV, more playing, a round of mini-golf between mum and the boys. A slow go day - just what was needed after the hustle and bustle of Perth

Oct 20, 2012 - A scenic drive to Bunbury

We left this morning and headed South on the Tonkin Highway (1 set of traffic lights from the caravan park). Through Armidale and down a very scenic drive on the Great Southern Highway. The drive was very pleasant - lovely green hills and ranges. Lots of studs and postcard views of timber fenced horse yards. Through a number of small townships and quite vibrant and bustling country towns - North Dandalup, Pinjarra (ALCOA aluminium refinery), Waroona, Yarloop, Harvey and Brunswick Junction. Through dairy country with beautiful wildflowers...

Sep 9, 2012 - Yarloop Workshops

Left camp Bunbury early today to get to Yarloop Steam Workshops to meet up with some Perth based Baby Boomers, John (JRH) & Irona and Pete ( one half of the hillbillies). The ladies left and went for a walk or hid and had refreshments while we chaps inspected the workshops. Now readers will know that I can smell a place like this 100’s of Km away and to be honest most are not worth the admission fee, however, this hard to find place is well worth the visit. But visit first Sunday of the month. These Workshops were in use till 1978 servicing...

Sep 8, 2012 - Still hiding in Bunbury

Bright and sunny today, bit of a morning chill but soon turned into a glorious day. The plan as you may recalls was Dolphins and Vanilla slices so after breaky (a fruit compote in anticipation of delights yet to come) we made for the “Dolphin Interaction Centre”. We joined a tour but could not hear much due to the fact that the guide seemed only interested in talking quietly to a few around her. A few Dolphins were on hand but did not interact with anyone so our visit to Monkey Mia was worth the effort. The digital Dolphinarium was a very...

Sep 7, 2012 - Bunbury scenes

7th September The french explorer Nicolas Baudin was first to sight Bunbury in 1803. Bunbury originally was called Port Lechenault after his botanist. In 1836 seven years after the founding of the swan river settlement, Lieutenant Henry William St. Pierre Bunbury blazed the overland trail to meet Governor Stirling in December 1836. For that feat, the governor told the lieutenant that the port would be renamed Bunbury. Spent the morning lazing around the caravan park. Still windy but the sun is shining. After lunch we head out to check...

Sep 7, 2012 - Bunbury again

Today we are in Bunbury. Drove to the lookout, then to the boardwalk and walked through the White Mangroves savouring the odours of decomposition on the way. Bought back childhood memories of the Mangroves at Como. Then on to the Farmers Market for some shopping for provisions as we have to be prepared to be able to sit outside in the sun and we are going on a picnic on Sunday. The have stupendous strawberries here and very sensibly priced too, all of course grown in WA. Driving along the seafront today we could actually look down onto the...

Sep 6, 2012 - Bumper Update

It’s good evening from me & good evening from him… In a bumper update today we discover none less than 5 yes 5 towns, Busselton, Dardanup, Wellington Mill, Gnomesville and Donnybrook. It’s not rained in around 24 hours and Carol got the washing done this morning and a picnic lunch was prepared for today we were heading off to have a look around. But I’m ahead of myself… Yesterday we ventured down to Busselton for a look around, nice neat little place but we negated the option of walking out on the Jetty which is almost 2 km long for a few...

Sep 5, 2012 - Bunbury/Bussellton & Gnomesville

6th September Arrived in Bunbury on Monday. The sky was black and very windy. Lucky we had a drive through site. Managed to get the van on site, power and water connected before the skies opened. We stayed in the van for the rest of the day. Tuesday not much better managed to get into the shopping centre for a browse around and get a few groceries. A drive around the city centre in very windy conditions. At the port when Greg got out of the car we thought he was going to be blown away. Back to the van for the rest of the day. Wednesday...

Sep 3, 2012 - Beautiful Bunbury

Drove down here yesterday, no sooner had we booked in when the wild weather broke and we are enduring some 100km wind gusts and heavy showers with intermittent blue bits overheads. Nice town, but we can’t see much through the driving rain. Gracie has gone to bed, tail between her legs so it may be going to get worse. The van park is very nice, Top Tourist, huge drive thru sites and apart from storm blown debris very neat and tidy Along the foreshore it’s very windy so I will post some pictures prepared earlier…

Jan 7, 2012 - Dolphin Discovery Center

Jan. 7, 2012 The Dolphin Discovery Center had us waiting in line to get in at eight in the morning when they open. The skies were unfortunately cloudy and the wind was a factor so not a great day for spotting dolphins. the entry fee of only ten dollars each allowed us to check out the interpretive center while volunteers with the center stood on the beach looking for dolphins. They would call us if and when they arrive. The sea horses were a draw inside the center while we waited. Finally at a bout ten- thirty a mom and her calf entered the...

Jan 6, 2012 - Bunsbury Sites

Friday, Jan. 6 Our campsite is great! the kids here play pick up cricket right behind our campervan on a grassy field so we have front row seats. I love to watch kids play and settle their own disagreements about the rules. Parents sit at their campsites nearby to watch the action as well. Late morning Al and I decide to explore town and stop at the visitor information center. There are many old buildings that have been refurbished here to keep the sidewalk cafe's and shops interesting without having to go in. Victoria Street is one such...

Jan 5, 2012 - Exploring The Geographe Area to Bunbury

We decide to check out today. Before leaving this area a stop to see the Cape Naturalist Lighthouse Dunsborough and surrounding area is in order. Dunsborough is only 13 km west of Busselton where a much needed coffee stop was made. A walk to explore the town and the beach began our day. Now on to the lighthouse where we joined a short half hour tour. Al and I are not ones to join tours but it was the only way to gain entrance to the lighthouse. Panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, Cape Naturaliste, Geographe Bay and Leeuwin Naturaliste...