Busselton to Ceduna via Albany, Esperance and The Nullarbor - 9th December ~ 19th December 2010

As we approached the bottom of WA we knew our time in this most beautiful state was sadly coming to an end.... over 4 months exploring WA from top to bottom and there is still so much we haven't seen. Zali has asked if we could please come back next year to see more.... mmm, perhaps not with a 5 week trip to Europe planned and booked for May/June.

Our last 9 days in WA saw us visit:

Albany - home of the Australian whaling industry. So glad this industry has ceased in Australia, but great to see an original whaling boat and the harbour where the whales were brought once captured and killed in the Southern Ocean. Beautiful coastline off the bottom of Australia, with towering red cliffs and extremely rough ocean below. Albany is where Mara, our friend from Kalgoorlie, grew up and following some hints of where to see we spent our days cruising around the coastline. Visiting The Gap - much smaller than our Sydney version, but just as ferocious and well known for suicide - and Nature's Bridge made us realise how silly some people are to capture the 'perfect' photo. Poor Zali and Balunn were so petrified they clung to us for dear life. Thankfully, there was a railing on a viewing platform so we could all enjoy listening to the waves crash on the rocks. A highlight for the kids at the caravan park was the hot tub and the pool. Balunn, like Ella, is a real fish. Although the weather was a cool 21 - 22 each day, he was in the pool and then in the tub as much as he could. Zali, being much more like me, needs the temperature to be a bit warmer before braving the cooler water, spent her time relaxing in the hot tub. An afternoon at the Games Room of the park was lots of fun, followed by a walk and scooter ride to the park for a play on the equipment. Both so brave with how high they like to go on the swings. I really couldn't watch in fear that we would need to make a trip to the local emergency for a broken bone!!

Esperance - another pretty seaside town close to the Cape Le Grand NP. Again, the weather was a little too cool and nowhere near hot enough for the water for me. We stayed at a little caravan park in the town where our luck for the trip changed..... not that we are superstitious, but the number 13 really lived up to expectation - we were set up in Site 13, it was the 13th December, our petrol bill on the way into town was $87.87 and our run of very good luck came to an end!!! An early morning wake up call had our neighbour informing us our car had been broken into during the night and our back passenger window had been smashed. Glass everywhere and the kids' DSis nowhere to be seen!! Plans for a day of relaxing along the bays of Cape Le Grand were now gone as it took most of the day to sort out insurance, wait for the police, organise (with Windscreen O'Briens) to have a window brought in from Sydney and then clean up the mess. No, we were not happy. Once all this was done, off we set for the beach. Balunn hops in the car and notices straight away that the DVD remote has also been taken. Of course, the DVD does not work without the remote. Subaru were fantastic and we had one in the next morning. With a taped up window for 2 days, we explored as much as we could. The road noise was deafening and hard to take, but the kids were brilliant. Twilight Bay was absolutely magnificent and Hellfire Bay in Cape Le Grand was also pretty special. Friday saw a morning of fixing up the window (took much longer than anticipated, which delayed our trip to the start of the Nullarbor), but by 1.30pm we were on the road and saddened that our last few nights in WA had been ruined by someone else's greed. Only material items, but items that belonged to our kids.....

The Nullarbor - after a late start, we didn't think our planned trip would be possible, but we made it through to our free camp at Balladonia by 6.00pm the Friday evening. This was Balunn's first experience of free camping and he was a little amazed that I could do it!! Questions such as.... "Angie, how do the lights work?, Where do we shower?" were answered with Zali informing Bay that this is no caravan park!! He coped, if not a little bored that it is bed time at 7.30pm as it is dark!! We did 2 nights of free camping as we crossed The Nullarbor. We had planned more, but the road is so long, straight and boring that we did the 1500km in two and a half days and not 3-4 as we had planned. Our second night on The Nullarbor saw us free camp right above the start of the Great Australian Bight. A little windy, but so close to the cliffs and views which make this part of the Australian coastline so unique. The winds across The Nullarbor were not too bad at all, but some roadhouses really know how to charge for petrol. In the one day we paid $1.90 per litre at one stop and then $1.40 at the next. Not sure how they can justify such a difference in price!!

Ceduna - we were across the Nullarbor and back into the luxury of a caravan park. Swings for the kids to play on and more importantly for some.... toilets and showers!! Not much to do or see in Ceduna, which was disappointing, and once again the weather was a little cool. This stop was more about relaxing after being in the car so much over the past few days. So little to do that we didn't even take a photo during our stay......

And now we are in Streaky Bay for Christmas. A truly beautiful and relaxing part of the world (thanks to the Davidson family for the tip).... we are all set up with tinsel and lights on the van, presents wrapped and Santa sacks out ready for the big red fella to visit in a few days.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year. We, especially Zali (who has had a few meltdowns that being away from Nanny for this long is far too hard xxx) are looking forward to meeting up with Jen, mum and dad in Adelaide!!!!!

Four weeks today til we drive back into Jamberoo and our big adventure has come to an end..... a sad, sad thought at how quickly it has all gone, but happiness and excitement at the amazing time we have had and shared as a family!!

Hope Santa is good and see you all soon,

Ange, Pete, Zali and Balunn

xxxxx

Perth to Busselton via Kalgoorlie, Hyden and Collie - 24th November ~ 9th December

We headed out of Perth and through the Hills area to make our way out to Kalgoorlie. After a night of free camping about 180km from our destination, we were up and off to see our friends from Lake Argyle, Mara and Steve.

Along the way, we stopped to help some 'cousins' who had run out of fuel. After filling them up with the 20L of fuel we had in our jerry can and a chat about our holiday and their dream to do the same thing one day, we were back on the road. Before too long, we were waved down again (this time we didn't stop) as they needed more fuel. The flies and the smell of grog the first time was enough to make anyone sick, plus we had no extra fuel on us.

Once in Kalgoorlie, we went to see Mara at work. Steve was away for the night, so with keys in hand we went and set up at their beautiful new home. We were more than willing to stay in a park, but after much convincing we decided to stay with them in their house - a whole level of bedrooms, bathroom, gym, tv room, lounge room and kitchen leading out to the backyard and resort pool area - bliss!! The three nights we stayed in Kal were great. Each afternoon, Steve and Mara's kids and grand kids came over for a swim and a drink, we joined them all in town for the lighting of the Christmas Tree (and fire works, which saw us make a quick departure with a screaming Zali in tow, too scared of the noise), I enjoyed a morning of pampering with a deluxe pedicure (getting ready for my return home) and we helped prepare for Nan Epis' 75th birthday party which was being held on the day we left. It was so lovely to be so welcomed and accepted by such a beautiful and close knit family. The grand kids played so happily and easily with Zali and we were all sad when we had to say good bye. Lucky, we will get to catch up with Steve, Mara, Brooke and Jasper on our first weekend back in Sydney.

Besides socialising, we did also manage to see some of the magnificent sites around Kalgoorlie:

* As Kal is a huge gold mining town, we went and explored the look out at the Super Pit (very different to the mining techniques and way of life I studied with my class before we left of the original Kalgoorlie Gold Rush). We also spent the afternoon at the Mining Museum where we watched a gold pour, toured an original gold camp set up and had the opportunity to pan for gold. It was a bit hot and too many flies for us to stay too long to see what we could find!!

* We toured Boulder and saw all the damage to the old buildings caused by the earthquake earlier in the year. So many original and historical buildings completely fenced in and most beyond repair.

* Peter and I were lucky Mara had time to take us on a tour of Kalgoorlie (Zali was too busy in the pool with the grand kids). This saw us checking out the impressive new golf course, Hammond Park, where peacocks, emus and kangaroos roam freely through the picnic areas and the town lookout above the water pipeline. Kalgoorlie was much bigger and more beautiful than we had imagined!!

* Steve (Tinny) took us on a tour of the Fire Station where he used to work before going into a management position with FESA. Zali loved getting up close to the fire truck and climbing aboard. Not brave enough, however, for the sirens and the lights to be turned on. She also came away with a heap of stickers, tattoos and a work booklet to remember this great opportunity.

Following on from our farewells, we made our way to Hyden - home of Wave Rock and Hippo's Yawn. Yes, both places were good to see, but will not hit the list of places we need to see again. Too hot, too many flies and not near as impressive as we had imagined......

The next morning we hit the road for a visit to the town of Collie - the only coal mining town in WA. Also, the town where Michael used to work about 5 years ago before getting a job back closer to home. Michael had always spoken about a town with nothing to do and no one around, but it was actually much bigger than his description had ever eluded to. I thought he would have been happy with the 4 pubs, the variety of shops and the multicultural eateries available... perhaps he was too busy working long days at the open cut mine about 20km from the town!!

We took a drive out to the mining area (tours no longer available after a terror threat in 2006) to see where he was based. A very hot, dusty and dirty work place, but so glad I could explore an area where Michael learnt so much for a job he loved......

From here, it was a short trip into Busselton. I was only here for a few nights before making the trek back to Perth for my flight home to Jamberoo for the weekend. In the few days I had, it was great to see the development and improvements made to the town since we were there in 2007. Their jetty (the longest in the world) is still breathtaking and magical. An afternoon of relaxing on the beach saw us meet some locals who invited us along to the bowling club to enjoy a few drinks and a sausage sizzle (for Pete and Zali) as the local barefoot bowls comp took place. It was then onto packing and having everything sorted before our early morning departure back to Perth - had learnt from Leigh's experience and was not missing the plane!!

The next 5 days saw parallel adventures......

* Pete and Zali - picked up John from Perth and brought him back down to Busselton so he could compete in Iron Man 2010. With John visiting and getting ready for the big race, Zali and Pete went for a drive to the wineries, fudge factory and chocolate factory of the Margaret River. They watched John race, had the car serviced (and went to the movies and strolled around Bunbury for the 5 hours this took) and got everything ready for my arrival back with Balunn in tow.

* Angela - had a long trip back as I was ill. Loved flying business class, just a pity I couldn't enjoy the perks that came with the Qantas Club and sitting at the front of the plane. The reason for my trip was to see my family and spend time with Michael's family and friends for the first anniversary since his passing - hard to believe just how quickly the year has gone..... A special and moving day was had at the Michael Condon Memorial Day - incorporating a blessing over his new headstone, a bowls and golf afternoon in the Inaugural Michael Condon Memorial Golf Challenge, and a dinner for those who could attend. I was so lucky I had the opportunity to be able to attend. I know Pete and Zali were disappointed they weren't there, but the 2011 celebrations will be bigger and better. While at home (it certainly wasn't a rest and the 3 hour time difference became a real killer)..... I had my hair done, went out for dinner with my school friends, booked all the internal flights for our Europe adventure and attended the Graduation Dinner for my Year 6 2010 class - they were thrilled to see me and many wanted to know if my tan was real or fake!!

After a night of family time and a dinner with Mum and Katrina at Darling Harbour, it was time to head back to Perth. I certainly haven't missed the chaos of Sydney traffic - when did peak hour start to 6.50am? The stress of the new Qantas check in procedures will see me try and avoid flying Qantas again after we nearly didn't get all our luggage on the flight (and then the first bag checked in didn't make it to Perth, anyway!!), but Balunn and I were eventually relaxed on the flight on our way back for the last 7 weeks of our adventure.....

Back in Perth (minus all our clothes, Christmas presents and toiletries - but the car seat arrived!!), we were on our way back to Busselton to get ready for the pack up and move to Albany the next morning. The screaming and excitement in the car, by both Zali and Balunn, was enough to do anyone's head in!!

It was good to be back with my little family and continue this amazing adventure... still so much to see in our last 7 weeks!!

Out and About in Perth ~ 12th November - 24th November 2010

We arrived in Perth to weather which was much cooler than we were used to. Hot weather was predicted during our stay, but the nights and early mornings were chilly.

A well kept secret was sussed out the night before the surprise - Leigh was coming to visit us for 5 days while we were there. This was very exciting!!!

Not so exciting was the vomiting Zali on the freeway on the way to pick Leigh up from the airport. Wrapped in a red blanket, I made my way into the terminal to wipe the chunky bits off the poor chook before we could see Leigh. Some kind lady asked me was Zali feeling the cold - no, completely naked underneath as her clothes were covered!! Not much better on the way home with another projectile. Leigh was quite restrained and strong (can't stand vomit on her own children), but was certainly happy to be out of the car as quickly as she could when we reached our set up. The vomiting happened on and off for the next 4 days and then Pete went down with the 'bug', too. So lucky at the moment that I am managing to avoid any illness the others have picked up!!

So what did we do with Leigh visiting:

* Rottnest Island - we spent the day exploring the beauty of Rottnest. Much colder water than we were used to and Zali and I enjoyed watching Leigh and Pete brave the water from the warmth of the sand. We didn't hire bikes (far too much hard work), but opted for the hop on and hop off bus which tours the islands. More tips about the best places to visit would have been handy. We were all concerned when we were the only people who hopped of the bus at the first stop. Lucky it was only for a short stop, as there wasn't much to see at the bay except seaweed. The highlight of this stop was the screaming that came from Leigh when she stopped for a bush wee and disturbed a resting quokka. Not sure who was more frightened..... Our next few stops really highlighted the beauty of Rottnest Island..... white sand, crystal clear water and unique rock formations.

* Shopping - following my successful renal check up at Royal Perth Hospital at 7.30 one morning (results were so good I don't think I should go back to work....), we hit the Harbour Town shopping complex. Zali had to come with us to make it a girls' day and had just as much fun choosing her own new clothes and shoes. There were some real bargains to be had.... of course, shopping happened on and off for the 5 days Leigh visited. It had been quite a while since any decent shopping had been available!!! So what didn't we buy.... among the collection we had purchased - hand bags, wallets, shoes, belts, adult clothes, children clothes, books, stickers and a diary. One small factor was omitted from my thoughts - where were they all going to fit in the van????

* Swan River Cruise - we spent an afternoon cruising the Swan River to Fremantle. There is just sooo much money in WA. The mansions along the river were amazing, but seriously, who can afford to pay nearly $60 million dollars for a property? And, why would you want to?? Zali loved the attention Leigh gave her and the painting of the nails with the newly purchased hot pink and gold glitter nail polish was a real hit!! They did look a treat!!! Most annoying was the company on our cruise. A group of Japanese tourists that had no interest in looking at what was being discussed, but rather playing a card game that was very noisy and speaking over each other. We stuck it out and we were most relieved they were only travelling one way on the cruise, others were not as resilient and bailed to other areas of the boat within minutes of departing Perth. Once we were off the boat, we headed to Hillary's boat harbour for a cocktail at the pub. Superb location and drink!!

* Lunch at Cottesloe Beach - what a beautiful part of the world Cottesloe is!!! Besides the great food, the views from Indiana Restaurant (much like Bathers at Balmoral) were just to die for. We were given our own little area for the 4 of us and we all just sat back, relaxed and enjoyed each others' company (while checking out who was on the beach - no famous people spotted, unfortunately). The sun was shining and the three different styles of home made pasta we ordered were delicious.

The next morning was the last Liddy was having with us. After some pancakes for breakfast, the girls headed to Fremantle markets for a look and to buy some fresh produce. The coffee, cake and chat at the end probably should have been left as when Leigh got to the airport with 40 minutes before her flight departed, they would not let her on. Poor thing then sat at the airport for 10 hours (Zali and I joined her for 3 hours to try and take some boredom away). Qantas have a lot to answer for. All tickets say check in 30 minutes prior to departure - not the case this day!!

Once Leigh had headed home, we spent some time relaxing around the park and catching up with some friends we had met along the way. Zali was thrilled to be able to play with Bianca again while Pete and I had a great catch up with Tash and Paul. Two little friends for life xxxx We also caught up with Tanya, Thalia and David, whom we had met just before coming to Perth. Lovely to just sit and chat about life and some of the difficulties it throws at us.....

Then it was time to pack up and get ready for the next leg of our journey - Kalgoorlie, Collie (to see where Michael used to work) and then onto Busselton. From here, I am flying home for 5 days to see everyone and to be with my family for the first anniversary of Michael's death. A hard one, but one that needs to be done. Pete and Zali will stay in Busselton and John is joining them to compete in the Iron Man series here on the weekend. I am certainly going home at the right time!!

To those I will not see on my short trip home to the east, I hope you are all well. To those I will see, looking forward to catching up and seeing you all!!

Love to everyone,

The Travelling Helsloots