Well we are finally on the way after 3 weeks in Perth. My knee is mending well and the specialist has removed stitches and sent me on my way. After saying our goodbyes to uncle Mac and Aunty Vicki we left Kinross and headed to Mandurah about an hour south Of Perth.
We spent 2 days at an old Van park on the Murray River at South Yunderup, only 20 metres to the river bank. Fishing not much but a relaxing few days. From there we went back to Mandurah for 2 days fabulous days with Peter and Kathy whom we met in Carnarvon.
The boys went out in Peters boat and came back with 25 herring, a fish we hadnt tasted fresh before but really enjoyed. Kathy prepared some beautiful King George whiting they had caught at Smoky Bay in S.A.. We were totally spoiled, thank you both so much for your hospitality. They are hoping to come to Qld in 2009 and Tony has promised Peter a day out with the guys and the 4x4s.
We had a lovely day out driving through Pinjarra, Dandalup, Serpentine, Jarrahdale and Dwellingup ( many towns here end with 'up' its quite a laugh ) The country wasnt unlike the Tamborine mountains or Maleny hinterland, absolutely beautiful. Next day we went to the Abingdon Miniature Village, incredible amount of work gone into the gardens, conifers like I have never seen and an entire village in miniature. An absolute credit to all who helped in the making of it. I tried to lose Tony in the maze but no such luck. They are working on a new wildflower garden which should be spectacular.
Wednesday 5th December saw us leave Mandurah and visit Bunbury, a large city of 32,000 people. We drove around and looked at what we could while towing a van, the chequered lighthouse and Marlston Hill Lookout. The wind was blowing a gale and I didnt venture right to the top, still a little uneasy with the knee.
After a quick look around Bundbury we headed south again towards Busselton. We took the tourist drive along the Ludlow Tuart road, a very picturesque route, through the last remaining natural stand of the Tuart tree in the world.
On arriving in Busselton we booked into the Kookaburra park and set up. We took a walk over to the Busselton Jetty, at almost 2 klms long it is the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere. Built over 141 years ago it was built for the export of timber. After being closed in 1974 it now has over 400,00 visitors a year treading its worn boards.
Thursday we took a self drive tour to the Margaret River Winery area. To say that it is very touristy is an under statement. So many of the goods are so overpriced it seem incredible that people actually pay for it. We visited 3 wineries, the cheese factory, the fudge shop, the chocolate shop, the nut and cereal shop ( very nice gentleman who runs this place) also the venison outlet, had a great lunch at Olio Bello, did beer tasting at the Bootleg Brewery( not my scene) .
All up we had a great day and needless to say didnt have much dinner as we had eaten so much chocolate and fudge and cheese and venison and olives etc etc. The country was beautiful and you can criss cross all day there are so many roads to follow. Tomorrow we are going for another drive to the country before leaving here to go further south to Augusta then to Pemberton.
We are hoping for the weather to improve, the overnight temp on Wednesday was 2 degrees, yes you heard right 2 bloody degrees!!!!!!!!!!!! We thought we night have to head north again of it didnt improve. We will be spending Xmas in Esperance, have booked 6 nights there, New Years Eve will be somewhere on the Nullabor.
Will catch up soon
