Week Commencing 28.11.10
Sunday 28.11.10 – A lovely couple from Busselton who are camping here while her Mum is in hospital took John and I for a drive around the Northern Suburbs. They also took us to the local Farmers Markets. We had a lazy afternoon swimming to cool off in the heat.
Monday 29.11.10 – Not much today until late afternoon when we decided to wash and polish the van. It is looking good.
Tuesday 30.11.10 – John up at 5am and off to golf. I have been doing some catch up work on the computer. Very very hot, plan on going for a swim shortly.
Wednesday 01.12.10 – Up early and John is dropping me at Woodman’s Point to spend the day with John and Judy while he heads off to golf at Mandurah. I had a fantastic day, lots of talking and catching up, as we hadn’t seen each other for four months. We went into Fremantle for a couple of hours and looked around. Then off to the Gateway’s shopping centre for coffee and cake. John joined us for dinner on his way back, he had a great game of golf and won the comp. On the way home from dinner we drove via Kings Park and took some pics of the City lights. A really nice day was had by all.
Thursday 02.12.10 – John off to Golf again today back at Hartfields. We had morning tea with Bev and Bernie and heard all about their trip back to Canberra. As John was going off to golf Bev and Bernie invited me to tag along as they were going for a drive up the Swan Valley and Whiteman Park. Here we took the old train ride around the park which was alot of fun. We browsed through the village of craft shops , we then enjoyed lunch in the parklands. From here we went off looking for the Nought factory and the Margaret River Chocolate Factory. Umm it was enjoyed by all three of us.
Friday 03.12.10 – We enjoyed a farewell lunch with Bev and Bernie at Hillary’s Wharf, Fish and Chips – yummy. Back to the camp to pack up ready to leave early Saturday.
Saturday 04.12.10 - Rolled out of camp at 9.30am to get new tyres on the van, looks very nice again. Pulled into Burns Beach and greeted by John and Judy, haven’t seen them since Broome, seems so long ago. Spent most of the day chatting and catching up on what has been happening.

Week Commencing 22.11.10
Monday 22.11.10 – Today we decided to catch the bus and train to the city and then the ferry across to South Perth and the Zoo. The day quickly turned when John left his wallet on the bus. We raced back but unfortunately the bus had gone. We rang the depot and they took our details. As there was nothing we could do we continued into town. We went to the bank and cancelled our cards and everyone was very helpful. Poor John he was really upset with himself. We continued onto to the ferry and yes we did have a great day at the Perth Zoo. We saw some great exhibits and lots of animals from around the world. It ended up being a very long day.
Orangutan Radiated Turtle Galapagos Turtle
Tuesday 23.11.10 Off to the movies today, cheap Tuesday, we saw Harry Potter & Deathly Hallows. It was great , fantastic only one more to go. When we walked out, John noticed some messages on his phone. Yes, Transperth had found his wallet, all the cards there, no money. So what $100.00 we can live with that. We went and collected it, we were both so gratefull that it was handed in. Our lucky day. As Bev and Bernie have gone home to Canberra for a week, we are having a lamb roast for dinner and an AFD evening. I am on the computer catching up on things.
Wednesday 24.11.10 – Today I have travelled around Perth & Fremantle in a big loop. We drove out to Advent to check on a place to leave our car and van when we come home. Then John dropped me at Kenwick Station to catch the train to Fremantle. He contuied on to play a gam of golf. I arrived in Fremantle with no problems at all. Unfortunately, the E Shed markets do not operate today. I keep myself busy by walking around the streets of Freo. It looks a very old town and lots of nice buildings and parks. We are going back on Friday to vist the Fremantle Goal. I left home this morning at 9.15am and got home at 4.30pm, as you can expect I am really tired now. All in all I have had a great day. Sarah & Brad had a baby girl today, Zoe Marion, congratulations guys.
Thursday 25.11.10 – John off to golf again, I am staying home doing some housework, yes you still have to do some now and again. John & I went to Kathmandu this morning and got a whole heap of nice clothes, love that.
Friday 26.11.10 – We caught the train to Fremantle, visited the Fremantle Prison and did the Doing Time Tour, 1.5 hours of informative information, amazing place, never want to go to a place like that. This prison only closed in 1992. We even visited the Hangman’s room, strange feeling. We spent the afternoon looking at the old buildings and visited EShed markets and also Fremantle markets, bought some great fruit and veges.

Saturday 27.11.10 – Up early again and off to the city to visit the Museum . The Museum is housed in a series of stunning heritage listed buildings and offers a wide range of long term and travelling exhibitions.
WA Land and People – The story of WA from Aboriginal beginnings to contemporary times.
An Amazing Archipelago Gallery – Explor the flora and fauna of the Dampier Archipelago.
Butterfly Gallery
Mammal Gallery – Deer, bison and elephants look back at you in a Victorian-era display.
Bird Gallery
Katta Djinoong –First People of Western Aust – Shares the stories, history and culture of WA Aboriginal peoples.
We then visited the Bell Tower – The Bells hail from one of London’s most famous churches, St Martin-in-the-fields in Trafalgar Square. The Bells of St Martin’s have rung out over the past 600 years to mark historic occasions, including England’s 1588 defeat of the Spanish Armada, Captain James Cook’s homecoming in 1771 and World War II victories. They’ve welcomed in the New Year for more than 275 years and rang more recently for the September 11 and Bali bombing tragedies.Children all over the world sing of the bells in the nursery rhyme “ Oranges and Lemons”. You owe me five farthings say the bells of St Martins.
How the Bells Came to Perth – The twelve bells of St Martin-in-the-fields in London were given to the people of WA, the University of WA and the City of Perth to commemorate Australia’s bicentenary in 1988. These twelve bells were cast between 1725 and 1770. An additional five specially cast bells were also presented, including one from the City of London, with help given by the City of Westminster and three bells bestowed by a consortium of British and Australian mining companies. Completing the ring of eighteen, a sixth new bell was commissioned by the WA Government. This completed the WA Millennium Project, the Swan Bells.

Week Commencing 15.11.10
Monday 15.11.10 – Today we are off to New Norcia. The town is on the Great Northern Highway and is owned by the New Norcia Benedictine Community. There are seven Monks in all as the numbers are slowly declining. They are 70 employees who look after this large property of some 7000 hectares. They are self sufficient, an orchard of citrus fruits, grapes and much more. They run cattle and sheet and grow wheat and barley. The roadhouse is also run by the Community. We took the guided 2 hour tour and it was just wonderful. So much history and such beautiful buildings. The Monks ran a black school, white boys and girls schools, which closed in the late 1900’s. The schools are used today for Educational camps.

Black Madonna Abbey Bell Tower Old Convent Chapel
Tuesday 16.11.10 – Today we had chores to do here at the van. Washed the car and waxed, it nearly looks like new.
Wednesday 17.11.10 – John enjoyed an early game of golf with Geoff , a lovely couple we met in Cervantes.
Thursday 18.11.10 – Up early as we had the car serviced and spent the morning at the Shopping centre as well as a nice breakfast.
Friday 19.11.10 – John and Geoff played golf in a Seniors Competition across the road at the private Karrinyup Golf Course. The boys had a very enjoyable day. Di and I caught the bus and train into the city and walked and walked and walked. We all enjoyed dinner at the Camp Kitchen, six of us, Geoff & Di, Bernie & Bev and John and I.
Saturday 20.11.10 – We drove into Kings Park with Bernie and Bev. Wow this is some park, we will have to go back to explore further. The views are really beautiful even though it was an overcast day.
101 steps War Memorial John&Wil
Sunday 21.11.10 – A drive to Burns Beach to check out our next Camp and not disappointed, looks like a nice place.

Week Commencing 08.11.10

Week Commencing 08.11.10
Monday - 08.11.10 Today up early and heading down to Cerventes, we are going to see the Pinnacles. Setup camp and went for a walk around town and along the beach. A couple of jetties and lots of crayfish boats. Lots of seaweed around these shores.
Tuesday - 09.11.10 Today we visited the following fantastic places:
Lake Thetis – Near Cervantes is Lake Thetis which is one of only four known locations where Stromatolites (the world’s oldest living fossils) can be found.
Stromatolites at Lake Thetis
Pinnacles – In this area of varying coloured sand there are thousands of limestone pinnacles, which range in size up to 5 metres tall and 2 metres thick at the base. They were formed thousands of years ago when ancient plant roots formed a weak cementation of calcite within the dunes and have been exposed by wind and shifting sands. The park is also known for its annual wildflower displays. Much of the park is rich in limestone caves and native plants, scattered banksias, stunted gums, low tuart woodland and small wildflowers. Over 90 spicies of birds, common to the Swan Coastal Plain are found here. Most mammals are nocturnal but during the day you may see western grey kangaroos, bobtail skinks and other lizards and snakes are common. We were lucky to see a father Emu with his chicks. A bit of trivia if a father and his chicks cross another group walking if the chicks change groups they just continue as if they are part of the group. We took the 3km walk through the Pinnacles and then drove around them twice. It really was an amazing place.
Nambung National Park – The Pinnacles
Hangover Bay – We enjoy lunch here overlooking the beautiful blue bay. Very pretty, still some wildflowers in bloom.
Hangover Bay
Hansen Bay Lookout – Climbed the 74 steps to check out the view and was not disappointed.
Hanson Bay
Lake Thetis Skink at Lake Thetis
Wednesday - 10.11.10 – Today we visited the following places:
Stockman Gully Cave - We drove up the highway for about 40kms and then inland and hit the dirt roads once again. Driving through beautiful country, land covered in wheat and cattle and sheep. As we got closer to the cave the road became very sandy and into 4WD- no problems. We then walking the river bed for awhile (lucky we had our fly hats) flies everywhere and very hot. There were also big beehives full of feral bees. Once we reached the cave, it was amazing, it was cool and dark, lucky Bernie bought a torch with him. The cave went for about 250mtrs and then as you turned the corner you saw daylight. The sand was very clean and cool and the cave was very wide, no animals, bats were seen. The story goes the pioneers used this cave as a holding pen for their cattle. When you are these you can see why it is the perfect place. We came across two german women travelling together and they asked if they could follow us out as they were worried their car may breakdown on the lonely road.
Stockyard Gully Cave
Feral Bee Hives
Green Head – Peaceful and unspoilt by rapid development. Cray fishing and tourism are the towns main sources of income. We enjoyed a great lunch at the foreshore park and then walked to the two main lookouts.
Pebble Beach - Greenhead Dynabite Bay – Greenhead
Grigson Lookout – Here we had views towards the East and West. To the east you could see the Grigson Cattle Station and also the salt flats. To the west you could see the sand dunes which are constantly moving and over the beautiful Indian Ocean.
Salt plains
Wildflowers
Drifting Sands
Juien Bay – Was named by Commodore Nicholas Baudin in 1801, honouring Charles Juien of the French Naval Administration who later received the title of Baron Vicomte. In the latter part of the last century wheat, wool, coarse grains,bat manure, manna gum, kangaroo, cattle and horse hides were shipped from the jetty , built in 1885. Juien Bay could aptly be named “Jewel of the Central West Coast’ it is the centre of a newly formed Marine Park.
Views from Jurien Bay to one of the Islands
Thursday - 11.11.10 – Today we head to Perth. Rememberance Day. We stopped at Lancelin for lunch and attended the Rememberance Day Ceremory. The old diggers were just wonderful and welcomed us. Once we hit the Mitchell Highway we hit traffic, haven’t see this for quite awhile. We arrived at the caravan park and it is just beautiful. Everything about it is great, the people are so friendly.
Friday - 12.11.10 – Friday and we all went off to the 4WD and Caravan show. Yes we spent some money, but it was a great day.
Saturday - 13.11.10 – John played golf today at Joodulup Golf Club, said it was very impressive. He has wanted to play this course for years. We have meet a couple Di and Jeff and Jeff happens to be a golfer, this is fantastic. In the afternoon we went for a drive and enjoyed lunch at Hillary’s Harbour.
Sunday 14.11.10 – We went for a drive to Woodman’s Point to check out a caravan park. Fremantle was very busy so we didn’t have a good look around. Plan on doing that next week.
There we go another week over. The days seem to go so fast. Still having a great time and love this being retired.

Week Commencing 01.11.10

Not much happening this week, we enjoyed a nice Melbourne Cup lunch at the Sunset Tavern in Geraldton. On Wednesday we left Geraldton and headed off to Dongara which was a big 69kms down the road. We booked into the Seaspray Caravan Park which is right on the beach. The mornings have been beautiful but the breeze gets up in the afternoon and in to the evenings. We have been walking, sleeping, eating, fishing and John has had a couple of games of golf.
Dongara and Port Denison are very pretty with lovely views looking over the ocean. Lots of houses being built and I am big home, we are not sure who lives here.
Port Denison Marina – is home to a rock lobster fishing fleet. The season begins on 15 November and continues into June.
Blessing of the Fleet – held each year on a Sunday in November is the very spectacular and colourful Blessing of the Fleet. The event is to mark the beginning of rock lobster season and is a celebration to wish the fleet a bountiful season. Up to 40 boats take part in the festivities.
Historic Buildings – The best way of viewing Dongara’s charming historical buildings is on the heritage walk. The walk was great and it is amazing how well maintained these old buildings are.

Week Commencing 25.10.10
Monday 25.10.10 - Today we visited the following attractions:
• St Francis Xavier Cathedral – This building was designed by Monsignor Hawes who arrived in Geraldton as a parish priest in 1915. The foundation stone was laid in 1916 and the building completed in 1938. We attended a guided tour which we found very informative. Notice the stripes of orange and brown inside the church.
• WA Museum – It had magnificent displays on the Abrolhos Islands maritime history and the HMAS Sydney II ship wreck.
• HMAS Sydney II Memorial – The memorial pays tribute to the 645 men lost in battle with a German Raider off the coast of WA during World War II. The memorial is made up of 645 seagulls.
Tuesday 26.10.10 – Rest day – John played golf with Tony and he and his wife Judy invited us to dinner. Lobster – yummy it was all very nice. A very late night for us oldies, I think we got home around midnight.
Wednesday 27.10.10 – Up early as we planned a day trip with Bev & Bernie to the Chapman Valley and Mullewa.
The shire of Mullewa has a population of about 1200, of whom some 60% live in the town. Rainfall averages 425 mm a year, and the district has become one of WA’s primary agricultural areas with broad-acre grain farms producing in excess of 250,000 tonnes annually.
Town Heritage Trail – A walk through the town looking at and gaining information about the town’s built heritage (and some of it’s characters)
Monsignor Hawes Heritage Walk – This takes you along a path giving details of Monsignor Hawes life and ending at Our Lady of Mt Carmel a church designed by him. Fantastic building
Oakabella Homestead – This beautifully restored homestead is situated 30km north of Geraldton and exudes historical charm. Build in 1860, the site includes a 13 room homestead, cookhouse, barn, shearing shed, stables and blacksmith’s workshop. The museum on the property has an impressive display of relics found onsite including a mid 1800’s bottle collection.
Our tour guide Loretta, a mad Irishwoman was very entertaining with her stories of ghosts and strange things that has happened to her and others. We had great fun.
Thursday 28.10.10 – John played golf and Bev and I visited the arts and craft centre which is at the Old Gaol.
Friday 29.10.10 – We had a tour of the Bureau of Met which was very interesting. We got to see them let off the weather balloon. Each Bureau in the world does this at the same time each morning and evening. We then went to the Art Gallery to view the Small Town Collection.