Tues, 10th Dec, 2024 Muirs Bridge Rest Area by Frankland River, west of Rocky Gully to Cosy Corner East campground, west of Albany, WA (Amanda & Trevor in Albany)

17 degrees in the closed up camper. Overcast. Forecast for max of 21 degrees in Albany so on with the jeans and jumper!

Back onto the Muirs Highway and east to Rocky Gully. Pulled over and rang Wholesale Auto in Melbourne to get some help from the Tech guys. We did the computer bit first and sent them the file. They will get back to us. We had changed the lockup so it won’t come on so that has stopped a lot of heat and hopefully nothing has broken off into the automatic! They just said to watch the temps and stay out of 4^th gear if possible.

Continued on the highway to Mt Barker where we stopped for a cuppa. Blue sky ahead as we continued south on the Albany Highway. Steve watching the temps etc as we are pushing a head wind so that’s not helping.

Got a text from Amanda that the ship had docked and they were allowed to disembark so we headed down to the foreshore. Can’t miss the ship.

We found a spot to park near the Entertainment Centre and walked towards them and met them on the footpath. So great to see them both again after all these years - must be 30 years.

Walked back to the camper to show them our home then around to a cafe for lunch. Very windy. Chatted for ages then wandered along the foreshore to the Brig Amity - the replica of the ship that arrived here to establish the first European settlement in WA. Steve took a photo of us. Amanda & I were in Miss Cairns in 1981 - just a few years ago! (I forgot my camera but had my phone at least)

Trevor realised the canon was aimed up at their ship so we had fun taking photos - just need to photoshop it with a big canon ball!

Steve and Amanda steering the ship.

Back into town and up York Street. Lovely church.

Across the road another church has just been sold. I wonder if it will end up as a shop or home. Offers over $1million!

Great photos of Albany 1966 and 2022 at the Real Estate though the reflection made it hard to photograph.

Meandered back to the ship by 4pm - they sail out tonight and head to Melbourne. It was a Sydney to Sydney cruise including Bali. Was great so far except for all the coughing people who won’t wear masks! Said farewell and hope to meet them somewhere with their van or see them at their home in Melbourne.

David and Terry rang to try out Terry’s new phone as his old one was dropping out on him. It is the same as David’s and he has put it on simple mode and Terry seems happy with it.

Back to the truck then through town to the cheap fuel station and filled up. Headed west and down to Cosy Corner East campground to park up for the night. We got the same spot that Bob & Margaret parked in just a few weeks ago when we were there.

The Tech guys sent a text through to say the computer part of the automatic appears fine so we will ring them in the morning to sort out getting a new torque convertor made up as Steve can now smell the burnt oil. Will go back into Albany tomorrow and get oil etc so he can change that and get any bits out. The automatic hasn’t made any funny sounds so hopefully Steve caught it in time and no major damage has been done.

Very windy still and the sky is covered in cloud again.

 

Mon, 9th Dec, 2024 Bob & Margaret’s place, Dawesville to Muirs Bridge Rest Area by Frankland River, WA (Sophia 9 months)

Our grandbabies are growing up so fast - 9 months already.

Margaret and I headed down to the beach at 7am. Lovely clear sky. Wind more south-east than easterly but it will still be ok. We had fun catching some small whiting and one good sized herring. Lots of weed about. Got my feet wet in the Indian Ocean and it wasn’t cold! One sting ray was doing laps up and down the shallow water in front of us.

Back home for a cuppa then we loaded the camper back on for a quick trip to Albany and back to see Amanda & Trevor when they come in on their around Aust cruise. Said bye and headed back into Mandurah then to Pinjarra. Up the Darling Scarp to Dwellingup. Passed some of the Boddington Bauxite mining area. Looks like they are opening up old farm areas.

Further along a farmer isn’t too happy about the mining and has had some silos painted in protest.

Continued on to Williams. Turned south onto the Albany Highway. Thickening clouds to the south and into a strong head wind.

Steve noticed a temp change with the automatic and that the lock up seems to be slipping. We pulled off at Kojonup and rang Wholesale Auto to chat with the Tech Support chaps but they are in Melbourne so already finished for the day - 3 hours time difference. Steve rang Michael who also has a Cummins etc for a chat. He suggested a couple of things and we headed off again.

We turned off the highway and took a lesser used road down to Frankland River township. Then down to Rocky Gully and onto the Muirs Highway heading west to a rest area we saw last time by the Frankland River for the night. Amanda & Trevor’s ship arrives midday tomorrow in Albany.

Parked up then followed a track down to the river.

Bit chilly here so left the camper closed up and settled in with our drinks and books.

One other camper pulled in and the highway is very quiet. Still very windy.

4-8 Dec, 2024 Bob & Margaret’s place, Dawesville, WA

Wed, 4^th

Warmer night, min 19 but only supposed to get to 22 today. Still cloudy.

It got to 25 in the camper with a bit more sun shining after lunch and with the camper closed up.

Started looking in our NZ trip in early 2026. Probably hire a motorhome for a couple of months. Rang Rebecca & Clive to ask about going to NZ as they do it a bit now that Ingrid lives there. They had a great time on Lord Howe Island and seeing their new granddaughter, Elizabeth. Heading over to NZ for Christmas with Ingrid and family then back for New Year celebrations with Megan and family. Will probably hire a motorhome for a couple of months. Sent off a message to Geoff & Virginia too as they have moved back over there.

 

Thurs, 5^th

Sent Sam a happy birthday message. Sunnier morning.

Put a post on Facebook and Wendy commented so I rang her back and we had a lovely chat.

Got a new windscreen (free under our insurance) put in by O’Briens as we had collected a few chips - one in Steve’s eyeline and one was spreading across the bottom of the windscreen.

After lunch caught up with Shane and Doreen in Mandurah. Here for a couple of weeks catching up with family and their daughter in Perth. They have bought a house now in Bowen and will be selling their van as health issues are making it hard to travel.

Very windy afternoon - the sky all clear now.

 

 

Fri, 6^th

Clear blue sky this morning and quite breezy. We are waiting for an east wind to be able to fish off the beach with Margaret.

Lovely chat with Kaylene. On school holidays now. Looking forward to relaxing then seeing her Mum in Melbourne after Christmas.

Washing and cleaning the camper day for me. Warming up - got to 28 today.

Steve had a big chat with Michael - the Cummins chap from home.

Fish & Chip night so I made my Passionfruit & Coconut Pie for dessert. There are so many passionfruit on the vine, juicy lemons and of course plenty of eggs from the chooks.

Very windy afternoon and into the night, rocking the camper.

 

 

Sat, 7^th

Only a min of 16, we still close up the camper at night. Clear sky.

Max of 30 though the thermometer in the camper got to 33. Gusty wind on and off.

Baking day today. Steve pottering with his engine after talking to Michael yesterday.

Clouded over in the afternoon and a very dark cloud dropped some heavy drops on us but not much.

Video from Annalise of Beau saying ‘Mum Mum’ - Jon is heartbroken, haha.

Lovely photo of Sophia with a head band with big bow to try and keep her glasses on. She looks so cute.

The wind got very strong after dinner, buffeting the camper but it settled down when we went to bed.

 

 

Sun, 8^th

Clear sky again, 18 degrees min and windy again.

Steve and I went for a walk along the path through the dunes to The Cut and back this morning. On one Bob-tail lizard to get by - no snakes. Very nice - light breeze. Lots of boats out with their craypots - dots everywhere. No dolphins at the Cut this time but chatted with some chaps who caught a nice feed of salmon off the end of the rock wall.

Told Margaret about the fish so we got some bait and will head out in the morning if it is still an easterly breeze like it was this morning.

Warmer day - got to 31 so we were very happy!!

Margaret’s son Brett and granddaughter Sidney called in. Great to see them again.

 

 

 

Tues, 3rd Dec, 2024 RV Rest Area, Pinjarra to Bob & Margaret’s place, Dawesville, WA

Warmer night, only got down to 17.5 degrees but it rain during the night.

The sun is out now but it is still to be a cool day, max of 21 degrees!!

Packed up and headed into Mandurah to the Forum Shopping Centre. Needed new hats, socks etc and some groceries. Bought a hot chook and buns for lunch so drove over the two bridges and down to the boat ramp area for the Peel Inlet.

Around to Bob & Margaret’s place and into our spot. Dropped off the camper and set up.

We are getting a new windscreen on Thursday and Shane & Doreen are in town for 2 weeks so will catch up with them too.

Nice and sunny here with a few clouds. The camper got to 26 degrees as I only opened the lower windows as it will be cool again in the afternoon and night.

Chatted the afternoon away. Margaret was sent photos of Bob that the lady took in Albany and the article in their newsletter. Definitely need his autograph now!

Jon & Annalise sent photos and videos of Beau in his walker then him standing and pushing the walker!! Not even 9 months old!

 

Mon, 2nd Dec, 2024 Kev & Linda’s place, Bunbury to RV Rest Area, Pinjarra, WA (Harvey Dam)

15 degrees min and more rain during the night.

Bit of blue sky peeking through the clouds this morning. Still windy.

Lovely morning chatting.

Packed up after lunch and headed off. Will call in again soon.

Up the highway again towards Pinjarra. Turned off to check out Harvey Dam as we had missed it before. Drove up to the top of the dam wall.

Walked along the wall to the lookout. Still cold and windy.

Back to Harvey then over the Harvey River.

Continued on to Pinjarra, crossed the Murray River and around to the Rest Area that we stayed at before. Set up and made a cuppa to warm up.

Lovely video chat with Dan, Fran and Sophia - she has a infectious laugh.

 

 

Sun, 1st Dec, 2024 Bush camp by Collie River, 10km from Collie to Kev & Linda’s place, Bunbury, WA

15.5 degrees min, some blue sky above but thicker clouds are coming over.

Lazy start to this morning.

Back out to the Coalfields Highway and towards Collie. Darker clouds getting heavier then we went through a shower of rain. Across the Collie River again and into town. More rain.

Continued on to head down to Bunbury. No wind today for the drive down but patches of rain instead. Passed a Christmas tree with lots of blooms.

Over the Collie River again and around to Kev & Linda’s for the night. Great to see them both again. Their friends, Shane and Tarsh, who had been staying with them in their van have bought a house in Bridgetown and will move in on Tuesday. Great Christmas present for them both.

Windy day but the sun is shining. 25 degrees at lunch time.

Chatted the day away. Marked off more roads in my map book.

5pm rain again which of course makes it colder. Quiet evening.

 

Sat, 30th Nov, 2024 Bush camp by Blackwood River, near Eulin Crossing to Bush camp by Collie River, 10km from Collie, WA (exploring Lake Towerrinning & Darkan)

15 degrees min, clear sky and no wind.

Headed back out to the main road and headed towards Arthur River (township). The wind has picked up again.

Turned off at Moodiarrup - only a house on corner that looked like it had been a pub or shop. Further along then turned off to check out Lake Towerrinning. 256ha close to but not directly part of the Arthur River. It is semi-freshwater. There is a campground on private property further around and a picnic area with two jetties for the swimmers and boat ramp.

The dam is used for water-skiing etc but only good for tubing today with the strong wind.

We walked down to the jetty. View across to the campground. The water is clear.

There are hundreds of bright blue dragonflies with brown dragonflies attached behind them (mating season). I think these are baby dragonflies.

As we walked along we saw a few wrens enjoying a dragonfly breakfast! Got a blurry photo of some single blue ones.

Found a map at the boat ramp. Only swimming around the jetties and there are shade shelters on the edge of the water this side of the boat ramp for skiers.

Back up the top to another sign which shows the lakes proximity to the Arthur River.

We headed back out and I said to Steve, take a left to head to Arthur River township. I had my head down writing my notes. As there wasn’t anything of interest along the way I didn’t put Wikicamps back on. When we got to the t-intersection I saw a sign saying Collie and realised we weren’t at Arthur River as it is on the Albany Highway. We realised Steve should have turned right first to get back to the main road then left but it’s all good as we wanted to check out the township here. 

Drove back a bit and into Darkan. The sky has cleared overhead but there is still a band of low cloud in the west. Still windy of course.

Stopped at the picnic area that has been done up along with another amazing playground. The cut-outs looked better looking out. Another great playground on the other side.

Got our hats and followed the path of the history trail. Well, we will do some of it that is.

Nice display of history, town information and photos in a hut. Found the dragonflies too.

Another display going up the path of things to do and see around here.

Found some more history at the Pioneer Memorial. There are plaques with pioneers names and occupations etc on raised platforms that is in the shape of the original surveyed location of the area in 1894.

Back to the history trail.

Back to the railway station that is now a small cafe and crafts shop.

Back to the camper and we headed back onto the main road towards Collie. More grass trees along the roadside. Into more natural forest rather than grazing land now.

Across the Collie River (marked incorrectly on Wikicamps as Shotts River as the area where the mine is was called Shotts).

Passed the Big Shovel by the big open coal mine pit which we checked out in 2017.

Turned off onto a gravel road into forestry area and along a road to the river. Down a little track to a big pool area of the Collie. Popular spot as there is a big open area for camping etc near a swinging rope in the tall tree. We went a bit further along to the end of the lagoon (it narrows after that) and parked up making sure we didn’t have any big limbs over head as the wind was still blowing.

Another couple drove in as we were setting up and went down further and crossed the river to come back and park on the other side of the lagoon. They set up and then went in for a swim - must be locals.

It has warmed up a lot, 31.6 degrees at lunchtime even with the wind though that is up in the top of the trees here.

Sent a text to Kev and Linda to say we will be calling in tomorrow to see them.

Forecast for the start of summer tomorrow will be showers and max of 22 degrees, really!!

Lots of birds and crickets to listen too as we relaxed for the afternoon - Steve read and I did my blog. It climbed to 34 degrees and I put the fan on as the wind isn’t getting into the windows as it is still up high.

We heard a blast so figured they are still working on that coal mine area.

Had a lovely video chat with Jon, Annalise and Beau who was staring at our pictures on the phone. He is crawling everywhere and was funny to watch as he climbed over Stella the labrador. Bandit (border collie) stays out of the way. He pulls up onto things and stands and has 4 teeth (nearly 9 mths old) so he will be walking before he is 1 year old.

Steve put the chairs down by the water and we had our drinks out there watching the wrens flit about. Saw the one bright blue male as he flew over the other side of the water.

6.30pm the wind above us stopped. Sky clear and all quiet.