1 June 2005 Fremantle
Sorry for the lack of activity. Am still feeling the loss of Fiona. Still we must go on.
In Fremantle today, a little behind schedule but we have stopped at some lovely places and it is hard to leave them sometimes!
After Walpole we hit Pemberton, a delightful small town not unlike Bombala. As we came into town in the early evening there was a mist covering the ground. We drove down the hill and saw the 'footy' players training under lights but they could hardly see each other in the fog, quite odd! We found friends from Albany already at the van camp, Jack, Carla, Barry and Taine. So a big marshmallow toasting night ensued (and again the next night!)
The next day we went to the Gloucester Tree, a 60metre tree with an observation tower on top reached by climbing metal spikes. Well I had to do it as Kelsie wanted to. Now, one of us was brave and raced up and down while supporting the other who was terrified and wanted to pull out after 15 feet. I will leave it to you to work out which of us was which!!
The day ended with a visit to George and Bernice Germantse, only the 2nd family with that name in Australia I believe! A lovely time had by all with tea and scones and photos taken. George was down on his team Fremantle Dockers but they up and won against Geelong so I am sure he is happier now! Hi to Hannah while I am at it!
Then we moved on to Augusta which was just great, an empty fantastic van park on the water and ocean views to die for. A full day swimming in a natural rock pool was enjoyed very much by all. The face masks and snorkels were very popular as were the boogie boards.
On the way out we visited the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse where the Southern Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. Then on to the Jewel cave which Lib managed courageously though the guide thought her slow pace was because she was blind and he shone his torch to help her...then she was blinded by the torchlight which did not help the impression! A terrific cave and the guide to his credit was naturally enthusiastic and made it sound like he had never spoken about the cave before our visit.
On the same day we visited the surf beaches adjacent to Margaret River (which is inland) and saw fantastic waves (Gary you would've loved it!) I took some nice photos of this. We ended up at Yallingup that night.
Next day we moved on to Bunb ury via Dunsborough where I visited a friend, Lyn Sheen, at whose place Curly and I stayed some 23 years ago. It was interesting to see her after all these years! That same day we did the Busselton Wharf. It is a 2km walk out to an underwater observatory. This took us quite a time and left all of us a bit tired. Lib did it quite well, she likes the flat walks.
Bunbury is a big place where the storm wrecked the big old Catholic catherdral on the hill above the town. We saw it this morning, sad that they are going to have to knock it down it seems. Saw lots of houses without tiles too.
Now in Fremantle, a bit to do tomorrow, then off we go towards Darwin.
Hope all is well for Bombala and that it is raining heavily as I type! Hope the athletics carnival went well, looked like about 16degrees in Canberra today so maybe a nice day for it?
Hi to all the family, we are well, still shorts weather here, even when overcast and windy. They just don't get cold nights, quite odd!
Best go, Regards Warwick and the crew.