OK...so it is a wee bit cold here, cold enough that we are very grateful to have a borrowed space heater in our camper van - and perhaps are a little bit jealous of those folks at home enjoying the sunshine and cool air conditioneres - but that will pass.
We are on our southern road trip at the moment, and like we just mentioned, it is a bit blustery but that has not stopped us much. We toured down from Perth (after applying for our Chinese visas for the 2nd time) and went down the coast to Busselton. We stopped for the night at a caravan park quite on the ocean and enjoyed doing some laundry. In the morning, we took a Long walk on the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere (if I am getting my facts correct) and enjoyed the wind. From Busselton, we headed to Bunbury and enjoyed our stay there. The highway led through some old forests and by the ocean with great views. We have been touring around since...having stopped in Margaret River for a few days on the way and touring some lovely vineyards and sampling many a glass of wine at the cellar doors. There are over a 100 vineyards here and too many for us to tour, but we did try. From Margaret River, along with stops to view the ocean, we headed to Walpole to do the famous Tree Top Walk in the Tingle Trees, however due to weather, we decided to go throug Nanup to Pemberton and then continue on to Albany. In Albany we took in some amazing coastal views - lots of neat natural features like Blowholes and Natural Bridge and a Gap int the rock where waters crash and send spray coursing upwards...what a neat time, despite the spittering weather. We stayed in Albany for 2 nights and also took in a movie (Caspian) for our nightly entertainment (we have been reading many a book as well)...
So in Albany, as we headed down the highway towards Esperence we had a thought...what are we doing...the countryside is supposed to be absolutely stunning and all, and lots of beaches etc, but with it not really being beach weather and the rain coming down in buckets, we made a different decision and turned around and headed back for Margaret River. Along the way we stopped in Denmark for Australia's best Vegetarian Pie (for me, and a Steak Pie for Kiev, well, two for each of us, really - they are yummy) and stopped in Walpole. We had missed the Tree Top walk the last time and as it was now only overcast and not raining, we took our walk. Nice views and cool to be 40m above the ground in the forest...very stable (but swayie) platforms...and then headed off in our destined direction. We made it as far as Northcliffe? (north something) before calling it a night. We stayed at a supposed Eco Caravan park and Kiev had a great time chasing the many Kangaroos and attempting to create a fire with very wet woods...We enjoyed some wine and tacos for dinner and had a cosy night in. Today, we have made it back to Margaret River and although we are not currently tucking into some wine, we will be doing so tomorrow; today is catch up on correspondance and laundry day (we stink!)....
Miss you all and hope to see you soon...only 4 more weeks...
