Christmas and New Year

We arrived in Perth on Christmas eve and spent our time at Rachel and David's house in Scarborough beach it was nice to be back in Perth in one sense but in another we both still had the bug to get on the road a travel again.

Christmas came and went as every year all the preparation for a few days.
It was a bit mad as as it was 30-40 degrees of heat and we were in shorts and t-shirts and it was December so it was hard to grasp as if we were at home in England we would be wrapped up warm and it would be cold and this year 2010-2011 it was snowing but most of all it was the absence of our immediate familys and people that we have always spent this time of year with.

We spent Christmas day basking in the sun we ate we drank and to top it off we went for a swim in the ocean the beaches were packed with familys and friends alike.
Me and Aimee had a swim and sat and watched the sun go down it was amazing and an xmas we will both always remember.


when we returned home we had drinks and skyped our familys and caught up on the festive season at home in cold Birmingham.
It was nice to see family and friends and made our day that much better.

Over the week leading up to new years eve we met with Betty and the white family once again in a place just on the out skirts of perth called quinns rock this was a lovely place situated on the beach the camp site was actually a stones throw away from the ocean.
this was a nice and relaxing spot where we just chilled out and watched the world go by.


New years eve

We spent new years eve in the centre of Perth and stayed in a hotel yes you heard right a hotel we ditched the tent for the nite and treated ourselves to a night in a luxury hotel.
It was nice to sleep in a proper bed for the night and with a proper roof over our heads what a luxury.
we ventured in to north bridge for the new years festivities and the streets were full of familys and friends out to enjoy the free entertainment that perth council had laid on to see the new year in.
we walk around for a bit looked at the different entertainment that was on from radio stations at on end of the street to live bands at the other end and in between where we sat on the grass and relaxed were dance groups and live entertainment from acrobats dancers singers.
We had food and decided that we wanted to celebrate our new year here and setin for the nights entertainment.
the event was a dry event so there was no alcohol aloud so we decided it was going to be a good night with out an alcoholic drink but we enjoyed ourselves either way.
The clocks struck 12 and that was it another year over and a new one just beginning what a great feeling the start of 2011 in Western Australia. 

Gingin

Gingin is located about 100kms inland of Perth its location supports a small town and a large farming community that grow different produce from grapes citrus fruit and everyday fruit and veg.
Also a wide range of animals that are breaded for there meat such as chickens and cows.
Other animals that we saw on the farms were alpacas and ostriches witch we found strange as these animals are not native to Australia.

When we first arrived in Australia Gin gin and the swan valley district was one of the first places that we found employment.
We worked on the grape vines pruning and also on the potato harvest.
this time around we were back just to relax and take in the sites. we were staying on land that was owned by Aimee's family just off the brand high way called ban bun lakes.
The area is full of wild life and a peaceful location away from the hustle and bustle of city life. On a regular basis you would see kangaroos and emus just strutting around with out a care.

Meet Flyn

The bun bun lakes once boasted a festival that was a great success and people came from far and near to see live bands and enjoy the atmosphere at the lakes in Gingin.
when we stayed there the remains of the festival are still clear to see as there is a bar with lights and fridges and a large prominent figure called Flynn that stands at the entrance of the bar.
there is also a large fire place that is central to the site that was used when the festival was in full swing.
Whilst we stayed on the land we took a a paddle on the lake in the canoes and kayaks that we were told that we could use.
Over all our stay at Banbun lakes was peaceful and relaxing and refreshing after all the travelling that we had done.

Fonty's Pool Manjimup

As black Betty had to be towed to Manjimup we followed as we had just been to the Gloucester tree with Asta and Gustav and met with Ben and Tanja.
As the mechanic was busy he wouldn't look at Betty till the next morning so Manjimup was going to be home for the night the white family were put up in a hotel for the night with there insurance cover me and Aimee decided to see if there was a cheap camp site around that we could spend the night so we said our byes and went in search.

We stumbled across a camp-site called Fonty's pool we drove in and managed to get a pitch for $20 for both of us the site was really nice and well looked after they had a camp kitchen that had every thing that a camper could wish for indoor gas cookers fridge's freezers microwaves dish washing facilities and so much moor it was great and one of the best sites so far that we had been to and for the price was awesome. we set up our tent and had an early night.

Next day we had a better look at the site and found that the site was once a local place where family's would and still come to swim.
Fonty's pool was a natural pool that was transformed into a place that the local community could come and socialise and also a place to lurn to swim in the natural environment.
With a great kitchen to use a pool and great showers and toilet facilities this was turning out to be a good find and was only a 10km drive to the main town and to the hotel where Betty's family where staying.
Eventually we persuaded Betty's family to stay at Fonty's pool and for the same price as the hotel they managed to get a nice log cabin at Fonty's pool that was better and more practical as they have to small children.
me and Aimee spent one last night at Fonty's pool with the white family before heading back to Perth for the Christmas period.

Black Betty and the Gloucster tree

Black Betty is an old coaster bus that Ben,Tanya and the kids live and have travelled around Australia in.
As all vans Betty had a problem on our way to our next destination that she broke down. As we were travelling as a group we decided to take the kids off there hands for a bit while they were waiting for a tow to the next town.
so we decided to take ourselves and the kids in to the local town that was Pemberton to see what there was to do.
when we arrived in Pemberton we heard of a site called the Gloucester tree that was situated in a park about 30kms away.

Black Betty had a blown head gasket and had to be towed to another town other than Pemberton that had a garage that could fix her this meant that we had to take a detour from the original plan and head towards Manjimup a small town in land.


GLOUCESTER TREE
Myself Aimee and the kids Asta and Gustav took the 30k drive to see the Gloucester tree and once again this was a National park and fees applied but because we bought a annual national parks pass in Perth we got in free. We parked the pom bomb and walked towards the Gloucester tree.
To our amazement this tree was 62meters high and to climb it there was metal rods that were placed into the tree and spiralled around all the way to the platform at the top and in to the canopy of the trees in the park.
Me and Aimee decided that we were up to the challenge of climbing the tree so I went first and Aimee stayed at the base of the tree with Asta and Gustav.
As I climbed the tree it was quite physical and the gap between the metal rods were sum distance apart so it took a while to get a rhythm together whilst climbing the 62meters to the top of the canopy.
But it was worth the climb as you could see for miles across the country side and the park.
I climbed down and then Aimee decided it was her turn I advised her it was physical work but she rose to the challenge.
We found out how physical it actually was as for days after our leg muscles were hurting.



Whilst we were in the park we saw sum of the wildlife in particular a large group of parrots that were around the picnic area so Aimee went to the car to get sum bread to feed them and to our amazement the birds were sitting on our arms and heads and where ever we placed the food for them it was a great photo opportunity.


To see more photo's click here...

Tree Top Walk and Shannon National Park

Us pair starting the tree top walk

The tree top walk in the valley of the giants was a lovely landscape and like I said the valley of the giants these were trees that were 1000's of years old and were as big as blocks of flats in hight and that wide that you could park a mini in the base of the trunk these were amazing.

We had heard of a place called the tree top walk and here you could walk in the canopy of these amazing trees.

The tree where a mini can fit

So we arrived and a a cost of $10 each we entered the park to be greeted by a giant steel walk way making its way gradually in to the canopy of these trees.

On looking down to the ground we got a feeling of just of how big these trees were and we were meters and meters in the air over looking these monsters that filled the landscape.
The tree top walk was educational and it was nice to see but to be charged to see a natural sight was a joke and a bit of a disappointment.












Shannon National park

We arrived at Shannon national park and were greeted by a member of the staff that look after the site these people are volunteers and are stationed at the parks for the holiday seasons.
There jobs consist of cleaning facilities and collecting payments for pitches and to ensure that people are enjoying there stay with them.
we paid our fees of $9 each for our pitch and went to investigate to see what it had to offer. To our surprise we had a fire pit so we could have an open fire. The park was bone dry and consisted of pine trees and soft sand under foot.

Craig and Aimee sitting outside the log cabin

Me and Aimee went to check out the facilities the toilets were powered by solar lighting and the water was heated by a boiler that you had to chop wood and stoke the fire your self if you wanted a hot shower or water to wash.
We set up camp and Aimee went to gather fire wood and started a fire this was home for the next few days.
Shannon national park used to be and old logging village that used to supply the local region with wood for fuel,buildings and everyday use until the late 1980's when the village was of no use any more and the family's and the community that lived in Shannon all moved and set up there community else where.
When walking around the park and looking at the way the people lived was a big eye opener to see how they made a living and that how family lived.

Albany to Denmark (Parry Beach)

Denmark had something that we got kind of attached to. Maybe it was because the IGA was so cheap? Joke. It was pretty cheap tho. It just had a little town feeling and vibe to it.

When we was at Denmark we stayed at Parry beach, I would suggest this camp-site to anyone. It was the first camp-site we went to where we can have fire's. I (Aimee) has never had a camp-fire before, I know I'll be doing it again.

Parry Beach had one of the best beaches to fish from. When we arrived the first thing we noticed was that the beach was 100 meters away from our pitch.
after setting up camp we ventured down the beach to have a closer look we met a young lad called Brody who was reeling in fish left right and centre the boy was a class act and was just using a bit of raw chicken as bait.
So after seeing Brody catching so many fish we thought we would try our luck. was fish for dinner?

We spent the night around the fire with fresh cooked bread. the bread was cooked on the open fire. we was all so introduced to bread on a stick.
bread on a stick you may ask? bread on a stick was fresh dough wrapped around a large stick and placed over the hot embers of the fire and eventually the bread cooked and it tasted amazing.
Gustav told Aimee that bread on a stick was good with jam or that you could put a sausage in it that made us both chuckle.

After a good nights sleep we awoke to the sound of the ocean waves crashing on the beach and rocks. as we climbed out of the tent we were greeted with a hot cuppa the water had been boiled on the fire in a billy can this was what camping was all about.
After breakfast we ventured down to the beach for a spot of fishing and surprise surprise the boy Brody was already there catching the fish.
after a few hours of fishing and not even a bite we wondered why we were not catching anything. so we retired back to camp for food and a brew and and decided to call it a day.

the camp-site was situated about 20kms from the main road and was nice and secluded.
all the facilities were basic the showers were solar powered there were no powered sites so it was back to basics that we loved.
the nearest provisions were about 30kms away in Denmark town.

That night we sat around the camp fire and enjoyed a pot roast and a nice cold beer and decided that tomorrow was the our day of fishing.
and that day came we were out in the ocean and not fishing off the rocks this time we had changed our rigs and bait and to our joy the fish were biting we had a great day and we all caught our fair share of fish and even Aimee had her fair share and to her joy it was the first time ever that Aimee had caught anything and that night we were all on a high and we had a lovely fish supper and even Brody joined us.

The next day it was time to move on we packed up and hit the road we headed towards Denmark town first as we heard there was a market/fate on. On the way to the market we met a gentleman who was mothering a joey Aimee got to hold him.
the market was full of stalls selling and promoting there organic foods and homemade clothes and it was noticeable the community were so supportive of each other and so close knitt.
Kids didn't watch tv they spent there time making clothes and toys to sell at the markets and playing musical instruments.
We spent our time walking the stalls and chilling out watching the bands and family's enjoying there selves.

Cosy Corner

We decided to head back to Cosy Corner in Albany for a few days. As we heard there was going to be a party in a few days time so it would be great to see if there was anyone still there from last time.

When we got there Erik and Alex's tent was still there. We presumed they got the job they went for the week before. A few minutes after being there Mr John Stewart introduced himself to us and told us that his wife (Jacky) was in their Winnebago.

We had another visitor come over to us, Ian from Nottingham he also told us that his girlfriend was in their camper van. It wasn't until the next day that we actually met Marion. What a great laugh they was!

The next morning we was met by a young man by the name of Manu. He told us that he was not German but Bavarian. We could live with that. He also invited us to his Birthday party. Craig and I looked at each other thinking where the hell is he going to have a birthday party. He then said we are having under that tree right there. COOL...

As we had no phone signal we had to go into the town to get messages and make phone calls, so we headed off to town as we needed to send Christmas cards. Once we got into range for our phone to get message off it went.. Bleep Bleep.....

It was a voice mail from Ben and Tanja telling us they was in Albany and they wanted to meet up. We actually bumped into them at the car park of the tourist centre. They was just as ready as us to head out to Cosy Corner..

We seen on a poster that it was the Christmas pageant that night and the kids would like to go.. We suggested that we could drive in to town instead of hauling Black Betty back out. So we all jumped in the car, to go watch the Christmas parade.

When we got back to the camp-site. Manu's party had already started. There was many people there.Erik and Alex Marion and Ian, Some French guys, Raf from Blackpool, us lot and the local man by the name Barry..

Esperance to Fitzgerald Never again...

We started to drive west we arranged to meet Ben and Tanja at the Fitzgerald National park.

We had spoken to a lady in the tourist office in Ravensthrope and she told us that we would love this camp site, so we took her word for it and decided to take the trip down there. She also mentioned that there is a quieter camp site which is a few more minutes down the sound road.

We followed our trusted map again, this time we didn't take the short route we decided to stick to the main roads. Once we turned off the South Coast Highway we drove straight on to and unsealed road. This is going to be fun we thought. One and half hours drive until we reach, the camp site.

45 minutes after driving down the dirt track going up and down hills, having the biggest kangaroo jump out on us, 2 emu decided they wanted to see who we was and run out in front of us and decided to stare us out, and a few lizards crossing the road we finally got to the entrance to the national park. We didn't have to register ourselves into the park as we have a WA national parks pass. So we picked up some maps and info on the park and started to drive again. The time was about 5pm and the sun was going to start to coming down within a few hours. We still have another 45minutes until we reached the campsite. Since we turned off the highway we seen not a single car.

Once we reached the campsite there was no one there. There was no other car tracks around the camp site, no foot prints just kangaroo prints, a few snake markings, spider webs and bird foot prints. There was a BBQ with a picnic table and a drop dunny. We took a look at the toilet and it was pretty clean and smelt OK, in their was the biggest spider remains! There was a bucket the the right of the toilet with a handle from a toilet brush just peeping over the rim of the bucket, from a distance the handle looked like a a snakes head.

Aimee wasn't feeling this campsite, she started to scare herself and the slightest creek she would jump out of her skin which then made me jump. I suggested that we take the road to the next campsite to see if there is anyone at that one. We drove only for a few minutes passing another 2 kangaroo's, and this campsite was just the same. All the campsites needed was a bit of fog and you had a brilliant set for a scary movie.

We was not staying at this campsite. No way Jose. So we both made the executive decision to drive to the next town to stay in a campsite there. Two and half hours later, we reached the next small town. Their campsite was closed. Gutted they lay by was packed, the only thing we could do is take the last room in the motel. $85 dollars later we had a bed for the night with a hot shower and a TV and all the electricity we wanted.

All our gadgets had a good charge. We had a great sleep, and a great shower.