On The Blackwood River

Alexandra Bridge campsite, south of Margaret River, is our sixth bush camping site in a row, we are here for 5 nights so a welcoming hot shower at our next site (a caravan park) will be more than appreciated by me, Nick on the other hand is not so impressed at the thought of a caravan park.

The Backson's are here too, so the kids swam together in the river, jumped off branches into the river, rode bikes, played games, went bird hunting at the campsite and enjoyed doing the touristy things together too.

The days were jam packed with activities and some schoolwork thrown in as well. We checked out some of the famous surfing beaches, at Prevally beach the kids were boogy boarding in quite big, but close to shore, waves. Poor Matt mistimed a wave and got completely dumped, banging his nose on the sea floor, resulting in a blood nose and being sore for a day a so. Another beach we explored was Hamelin Bay. Here we were told of stingrays being close to shore. When we arrived (late morning) there were no sting rays to be seen, and although a bit too cool to swim the kids enjoyed playing on the beach, and made the most of a moored catamaran to use as a cubby, while the adults enjoyed reading on relaxing. By about 2pm ish a few fishermen came in and gutted their fish. They said to toss out the fish heads and the stingrays would come in. Sure enough they did, coming right up to shore, sometimes beaching themselves before the next wave took them back out. The kids had an absolute ball enticing these massive (at least a metre in diameter) rays close to shore. At one stage Matt lost his balance and fell on one. The look of fear on his face as he tried to stand up again was hilarious. He was not impressed that I was killing my self laughing when he thought he was about to die from the stinger. Poor Matt, it was funny though.

Margaret Rivers wineries certainly didn't disappoint, our favourite being Moss Brothers followed closely behind by Flying Fish. While wine tasting the kids enjoyed running around outside with the Backson kids, and to ensure that the day wasn't just about us we also visited a cheese factory, fruit and nut factory, fudge factory (where we quickly learnt you could stab 3 pieces of fudge on a toothpick per taste mmmmm), olive and soap factory (where before we had even attempted to taste some sauces the staff member announced "you need to remember this is a tasting NOT a banquet" in a rather posh voice. And probably the favourite and visited twice was the chocolate factory. Here we all enjoyed handfuls of white, milk and dark chocolate leaving feeling quite overdosed.

Due to our balding tyres we thought it was probably best to get replacements now while we were in a town. While they were being fitted we enjoyed a stroll down the main street and "window shopped". We did stop at the glass blowing gallery and were treated to the artist blowing a series of vases based on the Australian Outback. With red, yellow and orange coloured glass we were shown how these were made and Zach and Matt even got a turn to blow the glass. Our viewing ended abruptly when the the heated glass cracked off the metal pole and exploded all over the ground as the artist was reheating it. Oops.

A day trip down to Augusta was fun as we explored Australia's tallest land lighthouse and stood at the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. After a picnic lunch we did a opp shop run (becoming quite a "thing to do" at each town).

Although camping without power we had some wonderful meals with the Backsons including a roast on the spit, over the fire and a choc self saucing pudding, also cooked over the fire, finished off with some Margaret Ricer wine. How decadent.

On The Blackwood River

Alexandra Bridge campsite, south of Margaret River, is our sixth bush camping site in a row, we are here for 5 nights so a welcoming hot shower at our next site (a caravan park) will be more than appreciated by me, Nick on the other hand is not so impressed at the thought of a caravan park.

The Backson's are here too, so the kids swam together in the river, jumped off branches into the river, rode bikes, played games, went bird hunting at the campsite and enjoyed doing the touristy things together too.

The days were jam packed with activities and some schoolwork thrown in as well. We checked out some of the famous surfing beaches, at Prevally beach the kids were boogy boarding in quite big, but close to shore, waves. Poor Matt mistimed a wave and got completely dumped, banging his nose on the sea floor, resulting in a blood nose and being sore for a day a so. Another beach we explored was Hamelin Bay. Here we were told of stingrays being close to shore. When we arrived (late morning) there were no sting rays to be seen, and although a bit too cool to swim the kids enjoyed playing on the beach, and made the most of a moored catamaran to use as a cubby, while the adults enjoyed reading on relaxing. By about 2pm ish a few fishermen came in and gutted their fish. They said to toss out the fish heads and the stingrays would come in. Sure enough they did, coming right up to shore, sometimes beaching themselves before the next wave took them back out. The kids had an absolute ball enticing these massive (at least a metre in diameter) rays close to shore. At one stage Matt lost his balance and fell on one. The look of fear on his face as he tried to stand up again was hilarious. He was not impressed that I was killing my self laughing when he thought he was about to die from the stinger. Poor Matt, it was funny though.

Margaret Rivers wineries certainly didn't disappoint, our favourite being Moss Brothers followed closely behind by Flying Fish. While wine tasting the kids enjoyed running around outside with the Backson kids, and to ensure that the day wasn't just about us we also visited a cheese factory, fruit and nut factory, fudge factory (where we quickly learnt you could stab 3 pieces of fudge on a toothpick per taste mmmmm), olive and soap factory (where before we had even attempted to taste some sauces the staff member announced "you need to remember this is a tasting NOT a banquet" in a rather posh voice. And probably the favourite and visited twice was the chocolate factory. Here we all enjoyed handfuls of white, milk and dark chocolate leaving feeling quite overdosed.

Due to our balding tyres we thought it was probably best to get replacements now while we were in a town. While they were being fitted we enjoyed a stroll down the main street and "window shopped". We did stop at the glass blowing gallery and were treated to the artist blowing a series of vases based on the Australian Outback. With red, yellow and orange coloured glass we were shown how these were made and Zach and Matt even got a turn to blow the glass. Our viewing ended abruptly when the the heated glass cracked off the metal pole and exploded all over the ground as the artist was reheating it. Oops.

A day trip down to Augusta was fun as we explored Australia's tallest land lighthouse and stood at the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. After a picnic lunch we did a opp shop run (becoming quite a "thing to do" at each town).

Although camping without power we had some wonderful meals with the Backsons including a roast on the spit, over the fire and a choc self saucing pudding, also cooked over the fire, finished off with some Margaret Ricer wine. How decadent.

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.