Oh I do like to be beside the sea side,

This weeks blog is going to be fairly short. We stayed at Parry Beach for the entire week. We had a very relaxing time. We met some wonderful people. We even managed by pure chance to meet and talk with someone who dad has worked with and knows. Small world.  

We celebrated James's birthday on Sunday. He had a really lovely day with a yummy sea food lunch and dinner and walks along the beach morning and afternoon. Oh and he had blueberry cheese cake for dessert. He was a happy guy.

Helen and Brian one of our sets of neighbours happened to mention that they make shade cloth walls for awnings for a very very good price. So after developing a shopping list with Helen, James and I collected all the necessary things on Monday then Tuesday Helen got busy making our walls. Back and forth from our trailer to hers she would go each day measuring checking and measuring to make sure it's all good. Thursday evening when it was raining she said they were finished but we opted not to put them up in the rain. We had tried to go to town to see the Christmas parade but with rain bucketing down we picked up groceries and turned back to camp. 

 There was a couple who are musicians at camp they did a performance at the caretakers cottage on Tuesday night and then on Wednesday night we were invited to join them with a few other neighbours for a round the fire sing along session. It was a lot of fun and a great night. 

We got the shade cloth walls all finished and up on Saturday early afternoon. They are amazing and double our space. We couldn't have thanked Helen enough for her work.

 To help the fridge stay cool.

 Christmas time

Parry beach is a really nice place to stop and stay. It's cheap has basic facilities and feels like good old bush camping by the beach. This place appeals to a certain type of camper and we found that because of this everyone was super friendly, like minded and we spent a lot of time talking to a variety of people from all walks of life. It's unspoiled by a big corporate body and I truly hope it stays that way for years to come because places like this are becoming much harder to come by. 

Yay WA,

Monday morning again we woke at 6am. We were packed and on the road by 7.30am. We pulled into Norseman just before 9am and very little was open, even the information centre was still closed. That decided our next move. We had thought of stopping at Peak Charles national park but we needed a parks pass and if we couldn't get one in Norseman the next place was Esperence. We pulled into Esperance and payed for our pass. $88 for 12 months entry only. Most of the WA parks have entry and camping fees. We then found woollies and did a stock up and headed for Cape Le Grand National Park. We were undecided if we were going to visit this park but we had been told if we did then Lucky Bay was the place to stay. We arrived and found a wonderful little corner spot with our name on it. We could just see the water through the trees and the sound of the waves gently crashing on the shore was relaxing. After set up and a look around we strolled a down and then along the whitest beach we had ever set foot on. We are surprised that Hymes beach NSW has this award cause the sand here puts it to shame. Words cannot do this beach justice so you will have to see the pictures to understand just how beautiful this place is. For the rest of the afternoon and evening we chatted with neighbours and relaxed before enjoying a roast cooked on the trusty BBQ. 

Tuesday morning and it felt late but it was just before 6am!!! The days are very long when you up so early each day. With the good weather we decided to climb Frenchmans Peak the highest summit in the park. We set off just before 8am and were the first on the mountain for the day. It was steep. Probably the steepest most exposed climb we have done. One marker at a time we progressed/climbed/crawled to the top. The climb was worth it. The view spectacular.  We both called our mums, took photos and let the heart rates rest at the top. The thought of going down was actually harder then doing it. We stopped at the big cave on the way down and passed 6 couples all making their way up. We were thrilled with the adrenalin pumping we had made it up and back in under 2 hours which is what the signs say to allow. From here we visited the other camping area, Hellfire beach, Thistle Cove which has an amazing whistling rock and then back to camp. It was still only 11am!!! Time to have a cuppa and put the feet up for the afternoon :) A crazy German couple had camped one site over last the night and we had been chatting with them. We met them as we got to the bottom of the mountain and they were going to climb it. They had decided to stay another day at camp also. In the afternoon we chatted with them on and off. At dinner time they came and joined us at the picnic table where we sat chatting with them into the late night. We were told we had to go to bed by the camp host :( those crazy Germans were so much fun.

Ummmmm what day is it?? The hardest decision we need to make today is to stay another few nights or pack up tomorrow and leave. It's to early to make that call so we will just relax into the day and see what happens. I experimented with a recipe Milly the camp host had told me about and made damper drops for breakfast for us and our Crazy Germans (Maria & Michael). After we farewelled M&M we joined another set of neighbours in the upper section of camp for our breakfast & coffee over looking the bay. It was overcast but warm and the clouds were clearing to what feels like it's going to be a hot day.  We decided a walk was what to do so we lathered up in loads of sun cream and our big hats and set off to walk to Thistle Cove. The walk said an hour each way. We got over and back in under 1 hour and 40 minutes and we stopped for morning tea and used the internet while we had service on top of one of the hills we climbed. There was a nice cool breeze blowing which kept us at a nice temperature to walk. We played cards for he afternoon and chatted to neighbours. Mike our next plot neighbour asked James for help in cutting down the legs off his trailer. James was very happy to help so they went away from camp with the generator the angle grinder and the legs. We had a nice night just enjoying the happy atmosphere. 

Whistling Rock.

We made the decision that we moved today or not at all. Where we were was full and our biggest concern was that other places closer to Perth would also be full or by this weekend they would certainly be. With Lady Luck on our side we packed camp and after helping another couple back their big van into our spot we farewelled our new friends and neighbours and hit the road. It was a long day. We ran into Eve and Don who we had met in Ceduna and again at Broderville. They had been staying in Esperance and were on their way to Albany. We easily found the camping area we wanted to stay and to our luck there was space. We paid and found a nice spot in a corner with some shade, some sun and nice neighbours. We did over 500kms today and it took us over 7 hours. We had missed lunch and just snacked on fruit and by the time we set camp we were shattered. We are now about 80kms West of Albany and will call this place home probably till about the 21st or 22nd. 

Just cause we are crazy on Friday morning we climbed back in the car and drove back to Albany. I needed to do some birthday and Xmas shopping. We had been without a "big" town for ages and if I was to get gifts and have a fun season I needed to shop. We set out early. Luckily for us Albany has enough big department stores and variety stores within walking distance that the shopping was over with fairly easily. We had lunch stocked up on groceries had a poke through town and then took the tourist drive back to camp. The afternoon and evening we strolled along the beach and enjoyed a fire with our neighbours.

Saturday a day of rest. We tinkered about camp wrapped gifts and generally chilled out. We were admiring one of our neighbours shade cloth walls on their awning. Helen mentioned she makes them and for a good price. She came over and we talked details. When she left we had another new shopping list. 

Nulla Bore...

Today is going to have its own post. It's long enough and what we did is deserving of it. Enjoy. 

Sunday we woke and it was cool and overcast. I'm starting to think that maybe we shouldn't go swimming for each time we do, well I do the next day it rains. Anyways back to Sunday. We had set our clocks and hopefully body clocks to WA time as we were only about 20mtrs from the border. So when we woke at 6am and most the people in camp were gone we had a little laugh. Firstly we are rarely awake at 6am and secondly all those people who were on SA time would have crossed the border at some ungodly hour as their clocks turned back. We ate the last of our fruit and packed up in drizzly rain. With the camera handy we pulled out of the park and into the quarantine station. James said it felt like we were entering another country it's so official. They did a quick check of the car, trailer, the fridges and said we could move on. Pulling out we stopped for more photos on the border and then set off west. Tonight's camp well again we would just drive till we wanted to stop. I had marked all the suitable stops in wiki camps so it was just a matter of when we've had enough find one. With the cooler day Randy drove like a dream, James wants me to believe Randy likes the cooler weather so  we need to live in a colder climate. Pfft what do boys know, lol. We fuelled up in Eucla then pushed west. The scenery on this stretch of the Nullabore is much nicer and a tad more interesting. Again all day we stopped when we needed to stretch or take photos at signs points of interest and lookouts. We ate lunch along Australia's longest  piece of straight road and from there decided on tonight's camp. If we pushed along just a few more hundred kms we could still be in camp by 4pm and be only 80kms from Norseman. The wind today was so much nicer to us. We had a nice gentle S/E blowing us along the whole way. It wasn't till later in the afternoon that we finally saw some live wildlife. We saw a family of Emu's and then 2 kangaroos. We had seen heaps of birds and in particular 5 pairs of Wedge tail eagles. Well we think that's what they were, they were large enough and interestingly always in pairs sitting atop a dead tree about 100mtrs off the road on the left side. We easily found camp and got a nice little spot behind some trees out of the way and back from the road. After set up we went for a long walk out onto the dry salt lake. Our shoes got covered in clay but we didn't care as long as we were walking and stretching the tired muscles from sitting so long. Our body clocks are out and being in the car for long hours isn't helping. Hopefully tomorrow will see us adjust and feeling more energetic. We think we are now Three hours behind NSW and Two hours behind QLD?? Yet to be confirmed. Crossing the Nullabore isn't the most interesting drive but yet it's also spectacular. Something we've always said we would do and we finally got to do it.

 I wouldnt stop and buy him a coffee so he pulled this face for ages!!

Today bought many emotions, checking things off our bucket list is huge. Entering WA was something we thought we would have done months ago so doing it today was a relief and also a celebration. Back in Sydney today it was Emma's ballet concert which in the past 8 years I've only missed 1. It also is my Grandfathers 80th birthday, which had we not been travelling we would have celebrated it with him. We saw him back in October, he has travelled (towing a caravan) to many places throughout Australia but never made it to WA, I've promised him lots of photos and stories. Perhaps it was a coincidence that on his birthday we crossed into WA perhaps it's fate???

Something interesting that we discussed today. Since leaving Sydney in May every time we have crossed a border into another state it has rained either on us at that exact moment or within 24hrs of us being in the new state. The only exception to this rule is when we crossed into the NT. 

A breath of fresh Eyre

Our last peninsular for SA. Sunday we figured we would pack and move on. It had rained on and off since the early hours of the morning and we couldn't stay all week as James needed to work later in this week. After packing up in drizzle we headed back into Port Lincoln to do a big shop for it will be a while till we next get a decent supermarket. We couldn't buy up on fruit and veg though as when we cross into WA we can't take ANY across :(. From there we drove into Coffin Bay and into the national park. Though it was a nice place we decided to push on as it was early. We had a picnic lunch in Coffin Bay which was really enjoyable. It's such a pretty town we could have stayed for weeks. We found ourselves heading further and further north in search of somewhere not too windy or expensive to camp. We pulled into a beach side designated camping area just above Elliston at 5pm. It had what we needed and was only $10 for the night. After set up a long stroll along the beach and out into the water to see the reef was needed to stretch the legs. We have become so accustomed to not being in the car for long periods we needed the walk. 

Monday we needed to find a camp that had good mobile reception for James to work. We set off towards Streaky Bay. On the way we stopped at Murphy's Stacks. Another incredible Australian natural landmark that shouldn't be missed. What a beautiful sea side town Streaky Bay is. With it as a back up we headed 20km north to a beach camp at Perbulie beach. After arriving and talking with a guy who had been there 6 weeks we figured it would be ok. It was windy and the sea weed all over the beach wasn't attractive but we figured we would give it a go. We set camp and James got working. The wind got stronger and stronger. I had a look at the forecast and it wasn't looking good. Strong winds, 2 meter high tides in the early hours of the morning and possible rain for the next 3 days. Ummmmmmm camping on the beach now didn't seem like a smart move. Back to the drawing board I looked around for other options. Ceduna was about 100km to our north and we were headed that way. The big 4 caravan park which we are members of were offering a discount and it would only be $19.80 a night for a powered site. I made a call and they could accommodate us. SOLD!!! If the weather is going to be foul we may as well have a few other luxuries to pass the week, as opposed to being on the beach worried about incoming tides and being sand blasted. We arrived in Ceduna before 6pm. The owners were delightful to chat with and after realising we were from Peregian they said they were from Buderim.  They gave us a choice corner spot which is about double most other spots and right across from the camp kitchen. We set camp, met our neighbours, cooked and ate in the camp kitchen and had an enjoyable night. Sometimes we just need to follow our gut and move when it feels right.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday James worked and I pottered about catching up on necessary things & getting time to chat with friends and family. We enjoyed Ceduna. It's a very typical outback town with one of most things. No major stores but enough to get by. Beautiful sunsets each day. The park was comfortable and the people all friendly. On Wednesday night we got asked by our neighbour 1 plot over to join them and a group for dinner at the sailing club. It was Schnitty night. Wow a dinner OUT!! We frocked up and headed out at 6.30pm. We had a really enjoyable night with, Kim & Di, Barb & John, Margaret & Peter and Thomas and his wife (who's name I now forget). A lovely group of people all who have different stories and experiences of life on the road. We learnt heaps and also to our surprise taught them things. I know I've already said it but we really had such a enjoyable night. 

Saturday rolled around and as we packed we said farewell to the owners of the park who we had become friendly with. They are from Buderim and are honestly lovely people just trying to run a great caravan park. We set out a bit after 8am excited for what the day could bring. Not only crossing the Nullabore but headed for WA. It's the only state or territory we were yet to spend any time in. It was WARM and getting warmer. The wind was howling across the land a strong N/E. While we had the wind moving in any easterly direction it was ok to keep going. If it turned to a westerly we would pull up and set camp. There's no point fighting the wind on the Nullabore cause we would always loose. The plan, well there was no real plan. We had met another couple Don & Eve who were keen to camp with us the night. We had agreed on a rough area and would see them out on the road somewhere as they left before us. Our first stop was the Head of the Bite. We took a look through their centre but didn't pay the money to walk to the edge we knew other free places to do that. On our way back to the road we met Don & Eve heading in. We told them we were going to push on to get close to the border. With the temperature still rising and the wind still howling we didn't want to stop and sit idle and melt or be blown away. We fuelled up at the Nullabore roadhouse and grabbed some things from the trailer to make lunch along the road. The place we were going to stay the night we pulled into at 1.30pm and had lunch. We sat in the car as it was now nearly 45 degrees outside. Randy was struggling in the heat but we just chugged along. We suspect the cooling system might need looking at but right at that point we just did what we could to get through the day. Even if it meant sitting on 70km per hour for over 5 hours to get to camp. We made several stops to admire the coastline and take pictures. We pulled into the Boarderville station at 5pm. To our absolute surprise and pleasure they had a POOL!!! We opted for an unpowered site at $15 and as soon as we were set up got ready for a swim. Just then our friends Don & Eve pulled in. They had the same idea as us just keep driving cause it was cooler in the car then sitting at a roadside spot with nothing. They joined us for a swim and then another couple also joined. We sat in the cool water till we were all cold and relaxed from the day. About 10pm a very cool change came through, our last night in SA we took a big breath of fresh Eyre and slept soundly.

 Head of the Bite.

 Borderville

 Magnificent coast line.

Canoeing Lawn Hill National Park 1

Whyalla Do

Sunday at the sports fields there was a women's softball carnival. Many people who read this won't know my past but I grew up playing softball every Saturday from when I was about 5 till I left to live in Sydney. James even played when we first met. He used to watch me play then work up the courage to come talk to me. We enjoyed our day watching all the matches and the grand final. It was a really nice to do something that felt familiar and comforting.  Early evening we went exploring town. To the lookouts and along the waterfront. We watched some guys kite surfing as the wind was howling along the waters edge.

Monday the car and trailer were booked in for a service. So up packed up and we dropped it off. They then told us it wouldn't be ready till late afternoon. So we wandered around the town, found the beach cafe and sat to enjoy the view. After a very long lunch we made our way back stopping in Harvey Norman to try out all the recliners and couches then back to the car. We sat for about an hour before the car was ready at 5pm. We were exhausted. We grabbed some supplies for an easy dinner then back to camp to set up again. As we headed out for a shower we stopped to pay our fees and got talking with a new neighbour who had pulled in. After James helped them out with some battery issues we stood chatting for a while. On our way back they invited us over for the evening to chat. Since it was the first nice weather night we had had in a very long time we took the chance. We met Roger and Josie. They have been travelling on and off for years. We had a nice night just having a good old chin wag. 

Tuesday we slept in a little after getting to bed late. We packed up inside the trailer but left it up so we could do the grocery shopping and load it in the fridge before moving camp. It was a HOT day and the food wouldn't survive the 2 hour trip to the next camp. We set off into town to pick up groceries and a few other things before loading up the fridge, packing down, hooking up and then back into town again. We needed a refill on our gas bottle. It was after getting it into the shop to be filled we discovered that they couldn't refill it as it was more then 10 years old. It in fact was 25 years old!!! So we then went and did a swap and go. It was well after 1pm so we grabbed some lunch and then hit the road. The trip to Kimba was only 160kms but it seemed to take a long long time. The car would get hot if we did much over 80kms per hour so we kept it cool and just chugged along. We found camp easy enough and had a shady spot to set up. The late afternoon into evening and night were spent sitting in the shade keeping cool. We had broken a shelf in the trailer so once it cooled off we fixed that up. Luckily there was a breeze blowing and for the first time we slept with the windows down and curtains open to keep cool all night.

It was hot by 7am and we got set packing away. For the coast we headed to find a sea breeze and a place to swim. We stopped by the big Galah which happens to be Australia's tallest icon and headed across to Arno Bay for morning tea. The wind was blowing us along so we got great fuel economy and arrived in Arno bay cool and relaxed. We headed then to check out a place for the night. Lipson Cove was first and well I will let the pictures tell you just how stunning this place was. $10 a night or $50 a week. If we knew there was a week of great weather we would stay here a week. We found a top little spot to set up. As we arrived our neighbours were just coming up from snorkelling and then we saw another couple heading in. I knew what we would be doing for the afternoon. We lathered up in tons of sun cream and headed for the water. The colours were amazing. We saw heaps of fish. We were sitting on the waters edge when we spotted a pod of dolphins coming across into the cove so a ran back up and put my goggles and snorkel back on and bolted back into the water to try and get close. With directions from James who was wading out also I got within 3-4meters of them. The most amazing thing for me was I could hear them communicating with each other. They moved into deeper water where it was much darker so I made my way back in. What an AMAZING thing to have been able to do. It made my day and will be something I won't forget.

We woke to the trailer rocking!!! Oh crap it's blowing an absolute gale and wait what's that oh now it's raining. :( there goes our plans for more snorkelling and catching up with dolphins. It rained on and off for the morning. We got out for a walk and then just relaxed reading and having a quiet day.  By 7pm the clouds were finally thinning and we had glimpses of blue sky. It didn't stop the wind though. It blew all through the night. 

Friday we woke and it was still windy no blowing a gale but no rain. We packed up and headed for Port Lincoln. It is a beautiful town with plenty to see and do. We were tourists for a bit, loaded up on fuel and water and did a load of washing before taking off into Lincoln National park. We ambled along looking at all the possible camping spots before picking on just right for us. After set up and a late lunch we strolled down to the beach. I decided it was time for another "new" experience and we set back to camp to pull out the fishing gear. After clumsily putting it together we went back across the beach and out onto the rocky outcrop to throw a line in. James took Zumi out for a play while I cast and cast and cast. I caught lots of sea weed but nothing else. It was far more pleasurable standing out in the wind then being at camp with the flies. After nearly 2 hours we headed back in. Our neighbours who also came out fishing caught 1 whiting but they had bait and i had only lours?? We didn't mind it was something new and I will try again maybe tomorrow afternoon. We had a BBQ and actually got to eat outside which was such a pleasure.

 Saturday we pottered about camp. We had a lazy start just reading and enjoying camp. James tinkered with Zumi and I did some cleaning. It was a beautiful day but still very windy and it had turned the beach into something not so inviting. Early evening the wind finally died down. We ventured out for a walk around camp then down to the beach. We walked out to the point in the water then onto a near by sand bank and back across it to the centre of the beach. We sat outside all evening and the clouds came over. Lightening flashed but soon cleared. In the early hours of the morning the thunder storm came across. It was loud. We hadn't had such a big thunder storm yet. Was different.