Here we are about to leave Gracetown and Bec, Steve and kids. We had a lovely time together. They will be flying back East for New Year’s, while we have booked into York for the week over Christmas.
Goodbyes done and Chris and I headed North .Our first stop was in the cute town of Cowaramup. Life size models of cows were all around the town.
The weather is being so good to us. Brilliant sunshine, as we walked around the town. We decided to camp out at Stockton Lake for the night.
The water is a pretty color of blue. Apparently it is an old coal mine site, very deep, but ok to swim in .So many campers here, but we managed to get a spot on the lake edge and go for a dip. Good way to end the day.
The next day we called into Collie, we had been told the paintings on the wall dam, were worth seeing.
We took a walk across a swinging bridge, before going out to the dam.
I was disappointed that the murels are done in pastel colors, also it was early morning and the suns glare made it hard to get photos. Would’ve been better with the afternoon sun on them.
Anyhow it is what it is. A fair drive for little reward. On our way again, passing paddocks of brown straw, where the grain has been harvested, before getting into York for Christmas.
York is supposed to be the oldest town in WA. Lots of old buildings in the main street have been well preserved and so draw plenty of tourists. The caravan park in York is old, but has clean amenities and in a bush setting. So we booked in for 4 nights.
Christmas day we had lunch at Settlers, one of the heritage buildings, its a B and B as well as function centre and popular pub.
When we arrived we were given complementary drinks and shown to our table in one of the rooms that was nicely decorated for Christmas.
It’s a beautiful old pub with polished timber floors and furniture throughout.
For the first-time ever we sat down to Christmas Lunch out. Yes it felt different, but was enjoyable and no cleaning up afterwards. Haha.
Big feed, time for a big sleep. So that was our Christmas day.
Another of the beautiful buildings we had lunch at, with friends Steve and Mary, was the Casle Hotel. Another old pub thats refurbished nicely.
The Avon River runs through town and has a suspension walk bridge spanning it
I really liked the bright paintings on this fence in town. Worth a few pics, and the detail was well done.
The town hall clock has stopped, I Took this photo as we left town early on Wednesday morning. We are now staying closer to Perth, for the next 4 nights, at Advent park. We have stayed here before and find it reasonably priced, as well as a nice setting, just half an hour or so from Perth.
As the year comes to an end I look back on our trip from East to West over 9mths . Down through NSW
Then Victoria and Kangaroo Island.
Across SA, doing the southern peninsulas, before crossing the Nullabor
and into WA. What a trip its been over 24,431 kilometres, and enjoyed every minute of it. I haven’t added shopping trips, when stopped for a few days. We also caught up with Chris’s previous boss, Daniel Burrows and family from Kalari days in Port Hedland WA/ Springsure Qld .Was great! From East to West always nice to spend the time and catch up with friends.
We spent yesterday in Fremantle, walking around seeing all the old buildings and meeting up with Guy and Annie for lunch at Grill’d.
Lots of lights hanging in the streets and on buildings, would be nice to have seen at night.
I think this place is different, with how the trees are growing out from the building
It appears Santa is running a few days late, or he’s had some sleep overs, escaping out of the top floor by ladder. 🤔😂
The Fremantle railway station.
A beautiful day out and about. And how about the rainbow containers down on the river bank area.
Tomorrow we will probably rest up, and intend going into Perth for the fireworks on the Swan River. To all our Friends and family and others who follow our blog, we both wish you a better 2023. This year has been tough for so many. Lets make it a happier year. Remember to live our life to the fullest, and after the rainbows , the sun will shine. Keep safe and well next year, love from Chris and Merelyn.