September has seen us move from the tropics to our southernmost destination in WA, Denmark, where we are staying with Alan & Marilyn. We have also moved from daily maximums of 30-32 down to 18-20C. And of course from no rain in around 12 weeks to a September where we saw more rain days than clear days. Our tans are fading rapidly and the re-acclimatising to the joys of the Tasmanian summer is well under way. Today the rain set in early and shows no sign of relenting. Good day to be staying in a home!
We started this week in Gingin. Tuesday we put our hay stalks in our mouths and drove down to Perth for a lap through the CBD. Navman did its usual job through the one way streets. We had picked up David on our way and took in the WA museum; followed by a very interesting Asian meal in a little cafe close by. Neither Sue nor I knew what we had ordered (just looked at the pictures), but they did come out ok.
On Wednesday we headed out with the family to Rottnest Island. The family took their bikes (the principal means of transport on the island) but, since Sue still can not ride one, we went around on foot. An interesting historical precinct and no doubt an excellent holiday destination in summer. A very long day, especially with 3 children in hand.
Thursday came, Nathan went back to work and it was time to move on. We took two days to travel down to Denmark. The landscape down here is very reminiscent of NE Tasmania, and many of the farming activities (and wineries) also have a Tasmanian flavour. The difference is the flora; callistemon, acacias and wildflowers in particular. All have been coming along nicely down here over the past week or two. Thursday night we had another peaceful bush camp with a campfire under clear skies. Nice!
We have spent some time sightseeing. The coastline has some resemblance to the East Coast above St Helens, with touches of the rugged West Coast, so again we see that Tasmanian theme. The towns however are Australian bush towns, not like Tasmanian towns at all. And you have got to love names like Boyanup, Balingup, Nannup & Manjimup. Most have a certain charm and ambience; not however something which can readily be captured in a photo.
Geoff & Alan watched the AFL Grand final yesterday. Geoff would like to say a few words to Collingwood supporters; however given the position of the Crows on the ladder he can not really gloat. Sue and Marilyn popped up to Albany for (another) wildflower show and a further search for elusive local flowers. Sue has recaptured the snail orchid; now the search is on for the Albany pitcher plant. We had an excellent counter meal at the local tavern last night. The only sour note was, unfortunately, the local marram (fresh water cray) which had come from the freezer not the creek and suffered the further indignity of being overcooked.
Photos again a mixed bag. The quokka is unique to Rottnest Island, and was thought to be a rat (rott) by the 17th Century Dutch explorers. The ‘pictures’ in the Jigsaw Museum are of course mounted jigsaws. It requires little imagination to see the elephant. The uni campus was originally the treasury building at Albany. And of course another wildflower to go on with.
Oh dear, less than three weeks until our appointment with the ferry home. And we are still not quite ready for it. Already starting to think about next year. Geoff was preparing for the possibility of a big commitment to the Oakdale Board next year. That has not come to pass, so it will free us to travel more than we otherwise might have.
Cheers all,
Sue and Geoff
