Valley Of The Giants

Driving through the Karri and Tingle forests made one feel incredibly small. These tall towering trees that are only found in a small pocket of South Western Australia were magnificent. We learnt some amazing facts about these trees at Walpole Tree Top walk. For example when the bark of the Karri tree is peeling off it is a good time to catch salmon, and the trunks are hollowed out when a fire comes through because the middle of the tree is softened due to termites and lichen.

We spent the next 2 nights camping amongst these giants at Drafty's campsite in the Warren National Park. It was a small campsite hard to find with a steep narrow dirt road leading to bushy camping areas. At one stage we wondered if we would struggle getting out again as our rear tyres were pretty bald.

Although remote and only a pit toilet as amenities we experienced some very special times here.

The kids enjoyed seeing maron (a type of fresh water lobster) and tried catching them to no avail, and Josh tried fishing for trout and red fin perch in the Warren River while Nick enjoyed a refreshing swim.

From our camp we walked the 8km return track to the Dave Evans Bicentenial Tree. This was a lovely walk along the Warren river then up into the bush. Matt exclaimed "look there's Kangaroo Paw growing in the wild!" he was fascinated as he had only seen it in gardens before never in the bush growing wild; Grandma Alison would be proud of his interest and knowledge of Australian plants.

As we were walking we discussed the Bicentennial tree, wondering what land would be at the top and what character lived in the tree, like in Enid Blyton's Far Away Tree. The most popular land was the land of lollies and we all had character names: I was Dame Washalot, Matt was the Angry Pixie, Josh was moon face, Zach was Saucepan Man, Abbey was Silkie and Nick was Mr Watzisname. It made for a fun and surprisingly quick walk.

When we reached the Bicentennial Tree we had a picnic lunch, and ventured down to the tree. We all climbed the first few metal rungs, but with the tree being 65m high the thought of climbing to the top seemed sickening. Josh however was up for the challenge and up he climbed. I felt absolutely sick and had to walk away, as the rungs are 500mm apart and the thought of an accidental slip or misjudgment made me sick with panic. At the top Josh let out a victorious 'coo-wee' and thought it funny to taunt his mother by refusing to "climb down immediately".

That evening Nick boiled the billy a few times and Abbey had a bath in a bucket, and the boys, Nick and I had warm showers using the solar showers. It was a unique moment showering under the stars in complete darkness in the forest.

Valley Of The Giants

Driving through the Karri and Tingle forests made one feel incredibly small. These tall towering trees that are only found in a small pocket of South Western Australia were magnificent. We learnt some amazing facts about these trees at Walpole Tree Top walk. For example when the bark of the Karri tree is peeling off it is a good time to catch salmon, and the trunks are hollowed out when a fire comes through because the middle of the tree is softened due to termites and lichen.

We spent the next 2 nights camping amongst these giants at Drafty's campsite in the Warren National Park. It was a small campsite hard to find with a steep narrow dirt road leading to bushy camping areas. At one stage we wondered if we would struggle getting out again as our rear tyres were pretty bald.

Although remote and only a pit toilet as amenities we experienced some very special times here.

The kids enjoyed seeing maron (a type of fresh water lobster) and tried catching them to no avail, and Josh tried fishing for trout and red fin perch in the Warren River while Nick enjoyed a refreshing swim.

From our camp we walked the 8km return track to the Dave Evans Bicentenial Tree. This was a lovely walk along the Warren river then up into the bush. Matt exclaimed "look there's Kangaroo Paw growing in the wild!" he was fascinated as he had only seen it in gardens before never in the bush growing wild; Grandma Alison would be proud of his interest and knowledge of Australian plants.

As we were walking we discussed the Bicentennial tree, wondering what land would be at the top and what character lived in the tree, like in Enid Blyton's Far Away Tree. The most popular land was the land of lollies and we all had character names: I was Dame Washalot, Matt was the Angry Pixie, Josh was moon face, Zach was Saucepan Man, Abbey was Silkie and Nick was Mr Watzisname. It made for a fun and surprisingly quick walk.

When we reached the Bicentennial Tree we had a picnic lunch, and ventured down to the tree. We all climbed the first few metal rungs, but with the tree being 65m high the thought of climbing to the top seemed sickening. Josh however was up for the challenge and up he climbed. I felt absolutely sick and had to walk away, as the rungs are 500mm apart and the thought of an accidental slip or misjudgment made me sick with panic. At the top Josh let out a victorious 'coo-wee' and thought it funny to taunt his mother by refusing to "climb down immediately".

That evening Nick boiled the billy a few times and Abbey had a bath in a bucket, and the boys, Nick and I had warm showers using the solar showers. It was a unique moment showering under the stars in complete darkness in the forest.

Parrys Beach

Driving in to Parrys Beach camping area, the sign at the front of the camp ground says "go to caretaker". Nick and I jump out of the car and head towards small shack. There sitting waiting was an old lady. Once she had checked what the date would be in 3 days time (from the 20th March) on her calendar we asked her how long she'd been here for. Her reply "only 40 or so years", and her sun leathered skin and rough bare feet looked every bit like they had been here 40 years. We found a great spot nestled in a little corner to set up camp, there was a fire pit and peppermint gums all around us. We'd been told of the fresh produce that the farmers brought down to sell each evening. Picking pumpkin, potatoes, corn, chillies, tomatoes, onions, zucchini and capsicum fresh an cheap was fantastic.

Abbey soon knew her way around the campground and knew who everyone was and where they stayed ( there was at least 50 campsites). She passed by a couple one night on her bike and said to them "have you just arrived?" "yes we have" they replied "how did you know?" "oh cause I haven't seen you around that's why". Talk about more front than Myer - aghhh what am I to do with her?

The Backsons are here too, much to the delight of everyone. They arrived a few days earlier and went for an overnight hike. As families we all enjoyed visiting a meadery, where the adults tasted mead and the kids tasted different honeys, a brewery, and enjoyed many nights around the campfire.

Josh and Matt befriended a couple of grey nomads who were keen fishermen. They showed him how to fish off the rocks with a piece of plastic wall plug above the hook. They caught 100 herring in 2 hours, which Sara and I later filleted taking great care in removing every bone, and later crumbed and cooked. Talk about fish feast, I don't think I've seen the kids ever eat so much fish.

Although overcast we drove to Greens Pool, a natural pool at the beach formed with rocks. The water was crystal clear and the boys and Nick enjoyed snorkelling. From Greens Pool we walked to Elephant Cove. As you walked down the stairs the rock formations looked like the back of a herd of elephants looking out to sea, quite a spectacular sight. Then as you walked between a chasm into the cove standing to greet you was, as Abbey named it, "Alma the Elephant". We all enjoyed using our imagination looking at the shapes the rocks made.

Matt's become quite an avid twitcher. He loves spotting birds and at Parry's spotted some Mopokes. He has enjoyed reporting back to Uncle Jeremy his bird and wildlife finds on the trip so far, and looking up his bird book to check the species.

Parrys Beach

Driving in to Parrys Beach camping area, the sign at the front of the camp ground says "go to caretaker". Nick and I jump out of the car and head towards small shack. There sitting waiting was an old lady. Once she had checked what the date would be in 3 days time (from the 20th March) on her calendar we asked her how long she'd been here for. Her reply "only 40 or so years", and her sun leathered skin and rough bare feet looked every bit like they had been here 40 years. We found a great spot nestled in a little corner to set up camp, there was a fire pit and peppermint gums all around us. We'd been told of the fresh produce that the farmers brought down to sell each evening. Picking pumpkin, potatoes, corn, chillies, tomatoes, onions, zucchini and capsicum fresh an cheap was fantastic.

Abbey soon knew her way around the campground and knew who everyone was and where they stayed ( there was at least 50 campsites). She passed by a couple one night on her bike and said to them "have you just arrived?" "yes we have" they replied "how did you know?" "oh cause I haven't seen you around that's why". Talk about more front than Myer - aghhh what am I to do with her?

The Backsons are here too, much to the delight of everyone. They arrived a few days earlier and went for an overnight hike. As families we all enjoyed visiting a meadery, where the adults tasted mead and the kids tasted different honeys, a brewery, and enjoyed many nights around the campfire.

Josh and Matt befriended a couple of grey nomads who were keen fishermen. They showed him how to fish off the rocks with a piece of plastic wall plug above the hook. They caught 100 herring in 2 hours, which Sara and I later filleted taking great care in removing every bone, and later crumbed and cooked. Talk about fish feast, I don't think I've seen the kids ever eat so much fish.

Although overcast we drove to Greens Pool, a natural pool at the beach formed with rocks. The water was crystal clear and the boys and Nick enjoyed snorkelling. From Greens Pool we walked to Elephant Cove. As you walked down the stairs the rock formations looked like the back of a herd of elephants looking out to sea, quite a spectacular sight. Then as you walked between a chasm into the cove standing to greet you was, as Abbey named it, "Alma the Elephant". We all enjoyed using our imagination looking at the shapes the rocks made.

Matt's become quite an avid twitcher. He loves spotting birds and at Parry's spotted some Mopokes. He has enjoyed reporting back to Uncle Jeremy his bird and wildlife finds on the trip so far, and looking up his bird book to check the species.

Exiting the Matrix & Exorcising Demons

Have you ever wondered if what you do today is what you were destined to be doing forever? Does it feel the commitment to your career is far more important than your role in the home? Is earning a wage and your job reponsibility defining you personal net worth?... Ever tried to change pace and broaden your horizon, just to find comfort in what you have always known as real?

As I travel through some of Australia's more remote and visually beautiful locations and switch into a more relaxed, lower gear, my pace of life has slowed and reflection become part of the daily routine.

For those who know me well would attest that over reflection on my behalf is risky behavior, however by way of complete honesty my thoughts about the future and in particular the working life still remain shrouded in a mud like fog with little clarity to what the next step will entail.

Most of us have watched (and rewatched) the movie the Matrix and without drawing too much metaphorically or at the risk of sounding cliched, I cannot help but feel that this movie reflects a realistic perspective of the lives of many that I know.

Being absent from the television and news of the day for almost three months, it has reinforced my views that much of our way of thinking and living is predetermined by someone else. Today as our life stands, we make decisions that will impact the way we live today.... We try not to plan to far ahead and endeavor to live life to the fullest just for each day.

BUT... this way of living is so foreign to everything I have been bought up to understand as "real". From the fundamental religous views of my parents, my schooling, chosen career path and necessity to earn enough to provide for the perceived 'needs' of my kids, life inside the Matrix has many perceived benefits. During our trip we have met many 'grey nomads' who appear to have left much of the lifestyle shift until the retiring years, again appearing to be living within just another level within the Matrix. For many it would seem the travel routine is determined by the next caravan park along the road and glass of Chardonnay and the same old story with others of a similar ilk.

Then there's those backpackers...

Mostly German on this coast, traveling though what would appear a 'rite of passage', almost a version of 'schoolies' however a little further afield.

Again, I wonder of their travel agenda is determined by their peers and need to have 'been there and done that'....

So... back to us, how does the Matrix impact our way of life and family existence. What does the future hold, how far can we stretch the finances so to maintain this way of living? If and when we have to stop long enough in one place to find employment, what will that look like? How does one maintain a sense of mental stimulation and also enough money to justify the time spent working?Or... Maybe the solution is to rejoin the populous and return inside of the Matrix, at least for most to allow somebody else to determine how you think and behave is the most comforting way forward.... so many questions... so few answers...

Now...about the Exorcising of Demons.... Since the forced change in what would have been the perceived ideal job and facing the disappointment of my previous role being terminated, I have not only carried the pain of this exit with me during this journey however also had much time to reflect what it has meant to me personally.

With the introspection driving me to distraction, I made a decision whilst on the top of Frenchman Peak in the beautiful Cape Le Grand National Park to release this unwanted baggage and ceremonially fly this chapter into the air.

Tempted to verbally let fly to the wind (something I resisted as the family were waiting eagerly below the peak I had ventured to alone and not wanting to scare them into thinking I had fallen off), I found another offering to the sky and vowed to close this chapter.

Although not completely released, the frequency of time permitted to these thoughts has quickly subsided and my mind now is focused on what should and could come next.... The answer is the next road we cross and town we blow into...

I guess just like me, you too will need to wait and see what that happens to be.

Exiting the Matrix & Exorcising Demons

Have you ever wondered if what you do today is what you were destined to be doing forever? Does it feel the commitment to your career is far more important than your role in the home? Is earning a wage and your job reponsibility defining you personal net worth?... Ever tried to change pace and broaden your horizon, just to find comfort in what you have always known as real?

As I travel through some of Australia's more remote and visually beautiful locations and switch into a more relaxed, lower gear, my pace of life has slowed and reflection become part of the daily routine.

For those who know me well would attest that over reflection on my behalf is risky behavior, however by way of complete honesty my thoughts about the future and in particular the working life still remain shrouded in a mud like fog with little clarity to what the next step will entail.

Most of us have watched (and rewatched) the movie the Matrix and without drawing too much metaphorically or at the risk of sounding cliched, I cannot help but feel that this movie reflects a realistic perspective of the lives of many that I know.

Being absent from the television and news of the day for almost three months, it has reinforced my views that much of our way of thinking and living is predetermined by someone else. Today as our life stands, we make decisions that will impact the way we live today.... We try not to plan to far ahead and endeavor to live life to the fullest just for each day.

BUT... this way of living is so foreign to everything I have been bought up to understand as "real". From the fundamental religous views of my parents, my schooling, chosen career path and necessity to earn enough to provide for the perceived 'needs' of my kids, life inside the Matrix has many perceived benefits. During our trip we have met many 'grey nomads' who appear to have left much of the lifestyle shift until the retiring years, again appearing to be living within just another level within the Matrix. For many it would seem the travel routine is determined by the next caravan park along the road and glass of Chardonnay and the same old story with others of a similar ilk.

Then there's those backpackers...

Mostly German on this coast, traveling though what would appear a 'rite of passage', almost a version of 'schoolies' however a little further afield.

Again, I wonder of their travel agenda is determined by their peers and need to have 'been there and done that'....

So... back to us, how does the Matrix impact our way of life and family existence. What does the future hold, how far can we stretch the finances so to maintain this way of living? If and when we have to stop long enough in one place to find employment, what will that look like? How does one maintain a sense of mental stimulation and also enough money to justify the time spent working?Or... Maybe the solution is to rejoin the populous and return inside of the Matrix, at least for most to allow somebody else to determine how you think and behave is the most comforting way forward.... so many questions... so few answers...

Now...about the Exorcising of Demons.... Since the forced change in what would have been the perceived ideal job and facing the disappointment of my previous role being terminated, I have not only carried the pain of this exit with me during this journey however also had much time to reflect what it has meant to me personally.

With the introspection driving me to distraction, I made a decision whilst on the top of Frenchman Peak in the beautiful Cape Le Grand National Park to release this unwanted baggage and ceremonially fly this chapter into the air.

Tempted to verbally let fly to the wind (something I resisted as the family were waiting eagerly below the peak I had ventured to alone and not wanting to scare them into thinking I had fallen off), I found another offering to the sky and vowed to close this chapter.

Although not completely released, the frequency of time permitted to these thoughts has quickly subsided and my mind now is focused on what should and could come next.... The answer is the next road we cross and town we blow into...

I guess just like me, you too will need to wait and see what that happens to be.

Cosy Corner By Name Cosy Corner By Nature

Nestled in a cosy campsite with peppermint gums all around us we set up camp. Although it was different to how we remembered it 16 years ago it was a picturesque spot. We met some great people from all different walks of life and even we hosted a spit roast dinner for 15 of us which was pretty sensational.

Cosy corner was our base whilst visiting Albany. We went for some great drives and stopped off at attractions such as Dog Rock - a rock which looked like a dogs head, salmon holes - an area on the coast which Josh had read about in his fishing book being a great place to catch salmon, however, what the book didn't say was that 14 people had been killed here, so we gave this fishing spot a miss. We also visited the blowholes which made a unexpected howling noise through the cracks in the rocks surprising us all.

Bluff Knoll - the highest peak in South Western Australia. Nick and I climbed it last time we were here, and Nick wanted to climb it again. We set out to the Stirling ranges on a 32*c day packed with a supply of water, snacks and first aid kit. As we arrived at base of the mountain the 3 younger kids were a little apprehensive about their climb ahead. We started off with the kids knowing that if they made it to the top and back without complaining there would be the reward of a cold coke back at the car. Although the hike took us a good 2 hours to walk up the steep 3.2km mountain and an hour to walk back we did all make it. Matt enjoyed watching the wedge tail eagles circling around when we were at the peak, Abbey counted the dams she could see below, Josh piggybacked Abbey some of the way, and Zach kept walking at the thought of a coke and lollypop. Within the last 500m I stepped awkwardly on a step and rolled my ankle, thankfully it was the last bit of the walk.


The Albany wind farm was amazing, the turbines produce enough energy to supply half of Albany's population with electricity. Standing underneath one listening to the propellors whirling around sounding like a aeroplane gave you a great perspective of how large they really are. Although the kids were reluctant to do a walk (still recovering from Bluff Knoll) we did do a loop around the wind farm which had information boards about the seasons of the Indigenous people. They have six seasons according to the food availability and temperature. And the information boards discussed each season in detail, which we all enjoyed learning about, leading to discussions about our own seasons.

On one of our drives we stopped in a boutique distillery. Nick thoroughly enjoyed sampling the whiskeys which had a starting price of $200 per bottle. During the sampling the kids went exploring outside. Abbey came running in and in her loudest possible voice announced to us all (including a very stylish older couple) "Mum, Dad you should come and see the goats they have the hugest balls you have ever seen". I think Nick almost choked on his scotch and I tried to encourage her to speak quietly only resulting in Abbey yelling louder and demonstrating with her hands the size of the goats balls.....kids!!!!

The whale centre was interesting to visit. We were able to climb on board the Cheynes IV whaling ship, which Zach particularly found a bit disturbing seeing how they killed whales. There were some interesting movies in theatrettes which were once the silos for holding oil, a museum with whale bones, and a tour. It was an interesting experience leaving us feeling upset at all the loss of whales but also intrigued by the industry. Abbey later told someone "I feel stressed and upset because the whales got killed and chopped up and put into the holes and cooked". There was also a small wildlife sanctuary there, and Zach thought this was the best. There were spotted quolls, white wallabies, tawny frogmouths, koalas, a big fat friendly wombat and quokkas. Zach decided that he wanted a "zoo" like this one, Abbey asked if she could help him look after the animals, and Matt asked if he could get in for free.