Thurs, 14th Nov, 2024 Bob & Margaret’s place, Dawesville to Tonebridge Rest Area, south of Boyup Brook, WA

Clear sky and warmer morning (18 degrees) which was quickly getting warmer. Forecast for some warmer days ahead - yeah.

Packed up and headed back to the Old Coast Road and turned southward. Onto the Forrest Highway into Bunbury and around to Kev & Linda’s place to say hi and hear about his birthday fishing trip yesterday. We all put masks on with our colds (leftovers from Covid).

Back on the road again to Ferguson Valley but Bob knew a quicker way just out of town to get to Dardanup (don’t think we have stopped here and read the info boards so will have to come back). Continued on past Gnomesville - a few people wandering about but we didn’t stop again.

Continued through the rolling green hills and down to old rail siding place of Lowden. On Wikicamps it showed ‘Frogs Hollow’ and a comment about the shop having artworks etc. Unfortunately it was closed. I spotted the Frogs Hollow frogs further over in the trees and realised they had tried to do another ‘tourist’ spot to leave frogs but it obviously didn’t take off like Gnomesville has.

Turned onto the Boyup Brook-Donnybrook Road and headed to Boyup Brook. Pulled into a roadside stop to have lunch - busy road.

Continued on through drier area with honey-coloured grass covered fields - some is hay by the new piles of hay bales here and there. Angus cattle and sheep in some fields.

Just as we neared Boyup Brook we turned off to check out the Quacking Frog Teapot Shed with displays of over 3000 teapots (also on Wikicamps) but it was closed too. Not having much luck.

Through town which we explored before and through grain fields. One chap was harvesting his.

Into Kington National Park which had signs about Disease Risk Area but nothing else. Passed the Perup Nature Reserve where you can look for Numbats but we didn’t stop.

Across the Tone River and into the rest area to park up for the night.

Nice spot except for the friendly flies!!

Checked out the river.

Had a cuppa in the shelter shed as the thermometer says 33.8 degrees in the camper but there is a nice breeze blowing. Part of the old 1928 bridge on display.

Read the info about the Perup Nature Reserve which covers 2 national parks and 17 reserves. 

The local community put all this in place which is lovely. Unfortunately they had to removed the bins as it was too much to keep up with and asked people to do the right thing. Most do but the big fire pit has been used by some as a rubbish bin. No fires now till April in WA.

Quiet afternoon reading and chatting under the shady trees. Spotted a big meat ant that had climbed up our side table and flicked him off. More started appearing. Unfortunately one got up Margaret’s chair and bit her arm - very painful but she got ice on it straight away so it was good. Not so good for the ant!! We looked around but couldn’t find their nest.

Lots of little birds flittering around - spotted some blue wrens and a grey fantail dropped in for a drink and a wash at the water tank.

The black cockatoos have arrived and are squawking away.

The sun not setting till 7pm now and gets up before 5am. Cool breeze so closed up the camper as the nights are still cold.