Chris & Merelyn's Travels

Still in Kalbarri, we were up before the flies, and drove out about 30 kms to the National Park, only $7 entry to one of the best nature parks this country. A lot more walking today, and the pathways are a little bit scary at times, just needed to watch your step, as it;s a long way down to the bottom.!

When we finally reached the top, the views were spectacular, and the early start worthwhile. Next is a couple of my favourite photos, taken from the area they call natures window. Love this first one.

Before we knew it, it was time to get back down and out of here. Need to hook up the van and move on.

Just one last pic of the Murchison River out the window.

We arrived in Kalbarri, late afternoon, and I decided on the Anchorage caravan park,as it was overlooking the river and seemed the most casual out of all . There is no free camping in Kalbarri township, and no camping at all within the park area. So caravan park it has to be. Well we couldn’t be happier with, the site we were given, big site, end of the row, overlooking the Murchison River.

We were all set up in time to go for a sunset walk with the camera. Then it was happy hour in the camp where the campers were treated to some good old singalong tunes. Good time had by all.

Over the next two days we drove out to all places of interest on the coast, then walked, rock climbed, and of coarse took too many photos to show on here, don’t wan’t to bore you all with what I feel is the best part of travelling. So here is just a few to show how truly awesome Kalbarri is.

By the end of the first day and all that walking around the rocks my legs were singing that night, but so worth it.

The next day was filled up more of the same, then we had local fish and chips from the Jetty seafood shop, another top day.

That’s it for this post, and i’ll leave you with a view from one of nature’s best windows.

Chris has decided to try out his culinary skills, which is great, bacon and eggs or pancakes for breakfast is fine by me. Going further North today, around the Geraldton area, the showers are still persisting. Typical coastal weather, but we just have to have a look to see what has changed since we were here 10 years ago, and on a time limit.

The Pinnacles have been made more touristy, as have most places. They say there is over 10,000 of them, and we enjoyed a stroll around around the now set out walking tracks.

You can still wander off the track, but they ask you not to climb on them. Fair enough, but some overseas tourists just don’t adhere to most of the advice their told .

Separation Point was cold and windy, a couple of photos and we were out of there, Didn’t bother going around to the lighthouse.

Geraldton is very populated now, and a clean and tidy place, with a newly built jetty and lookout over the harbour.

A quick look around Port Gregory area and Northampton , where they have brightly painted sheep around the streets.

A couple of old early settlers buildings.just out of Port Gregory

Then a stop at the Pink Lake, just out of Kalbarri.

That’s it for now, off to listen to a bush poet, around the camp fire. Kalbarri National Park next post.

Hi again, it’s rather hard keeping up with the blog as we have had very little service over the last 2 weeks. We are really enjoying being on the road again. the first week we headed towards Perth, Chris had plans of getting another metal detector ! The closer we got to the coast the colder it became and a few days we had rain, well I called it showers, as it wasnt enough to stop us from doing anything. Small towns can be quite interesting.

We sayed just out of Toodyay, in a bush reserve rather than on the coast, a sheltered spot. Next day into Perth to get the metal detector. Had a hold of a nice gold nugget, that some fortunate bloke found the day before. Hmmmm,!! Also caught up with Dianne, my ex sister in-law.

We passed solar farms and a few wind farms as we got closer to Jurien Bay, on the coast.

Camp near Bindoon,with a seat full of books.

Ok so the showers were rather persistent for the next few days, but we camped at Lake Indoon and loved it. Bush walks, lots of bird life and a nice sheltered spot.

The day in Jurien Bay, was wet, windy, cold, and rough seas.

Hope this post will load , photos of the Pinnacles to put up next.

It’s lights out for now.

Well the day has come to leave Kalannie caravan park and start towards home, we have decided to go north from here and over the top as it’s too cold down south at the moment, besides that way we do the big loop as they say, this trip. We have been living in the van for 15 months , and I love it ,although I do miss the family, friends and my garden. We have made Kalannie our home for the last 7 months. We have been warmly welcomed by the residents, and hopefully we will get back again. For now its a sad farewell, especially to Chris’s employers Steve, Mary, and family.

We hooked up the caravan and weighed it and to our surprise we are not overloaded !.

We called in to say another farewell to Steve, sure going to miss this family, great people and fun to work for. We rang Chris, the son and met up with him on his way back from Perth, at Wandan Hills. The two Chris’s had a chat and final farewell in a park while I had a wander and took some photos.

On our way again, and we called into Toodyay. Think it was a late lunch stop, but turned out to be an amazing hour in the renowned Christmas Shop. Bitter sweet experience for me, just so happy we took the time.

So much, so expensive, and I was like a kid in a lolly shop! Chris finally had seen enough, and I later found him waiting patiently outside.

Then it was time to find a camp spot for the night . Pulled up beside Ninan lake just as the sun was setting, I lost the game of scrabble this night, but with this awesome sunset who cares.

Next morning we went for a walk along the lake edge, its a salt lake so there is a lot of interesting driftwood laying around.

Monday was a public holiday in W A, so we also took it easy .Tuesday was a day for Chris to go shopping . He now has another metal detector after our day in Perth. Also had a catch up with an ex sister inlaw, which was nice. That night we found a nice bush camp on the banks of the river.

An 1800s church and cemetery, was all we found of interest here. Think its time we got serious about heading North as its getting rather cold around these parts and they are talking rain in the next few days.