A Week in the Country

Another great week in Australia!!

Sunday 11th I was taken out to celebrate my Birthday, by Jacqui, Christine, Peter and Geoff -  I know... I don't look any older, in fact I'm sure I'm getting younger!!, then on the Monday Jacqui drove me to the luggage shop, where my broken case was replaced with a brand new one... With only a little extra needing to be paid by me!! Then I spent the afternoon catching up on a few things, whilst sat outside in the warm sunshine...
Tuesday morning Jacqui dropped me off in downtown Perth, and I had a good day walking around, sorting out my bike hire (I'll tell you why later...), and generally 'weighing things up'!!


Wednesday I was up early again, and packed ready for another 'mystery journey'!! - Christine and her husband Geoff were to take me on a journey down South into the country and coast, where?- I wasn't sure!!
So I sat in the early morning sunshine awaiting their call!!




I was collected just after 10 and we drove out of Perth, leaving the big City behind, driving South along the quiet highway... Around midday we called into the huge 'Bunbury farmers market' with a great collection of meats and veg... With lots of samples to try!!

Then onwards to Busselton with its 2 kms wooden jetty stretching out into the warm blue sea (well, it looked warm!!)

We then drove to Dunsborough, further along the coast, to a great beach-side chalet/house, where we were to stay for a couple of nights...
We went walking along the coast, very pleasant warm day:

and up to Castle Rock 

We called for drinks at their daughters house - in the 'bush' nearby, a great location for her and the family, then back to the cabin for a relaxed dinner.

Thursday we were out along the coast again, although a bit wet, wild and windy we managed a few differing walks between showers in an area around Canal rocks 

and then we went to the Aravina estate for some wine and cheese tastings - luvverly!!, then, even better, off to their daughters again for a nice lunch - I'm being really well looked after!!

Friday morning we were out again in the Cape Leeuwin National Park, coastal walking along the rocky shore:

then after returning to the cabin to vacate and lunch, I had another walk along the coast, up to a surf area, Smiths beach, although no one was surfing (a little cold)

Then we were all off again further along the coast, and more Inland to a farm outside of Northcliffe, where we were to spend the weekend... driving through unending forests to get there, whilst I just sat there taking in the views!!

We arrived just as it was going dark, disturbing the large herd of Kangaroos peacefully grazing in the grassy fields!!, and settled in to the rustic accommodation!!

Saturday up bright and early again for a drive through to Windy Harbour, which despite its name and reputation wasn't very windy, indeed it was a pleasant walk along the cliff top looking at the various Rock formations

Then we went to a great Rock mound, where after climbing we had great views of the coastal plain, and marshy land

From there we drove across to the Gloucester tree, a famous 'fire lookout tree '72 metres high, which yours truly was expected to climb!!

I couldn't resist and was soon climbing up the metal spikes driven in a spiral up and around the huge tree, ever upwards, until, finally I reached the summit platform and was able to look down and around me!!

A great view all around, even though it had started raining as I climbed!!

So I returned triumphant and we all headed to the pub for a celebratory beer!!

We returned to the farm for some dusk kangaroo spotting, and more 'education' for me in Aussie rules football!!

Sunday we were up and out early to get to Pemberton for the 830 am mass at the Sacred Heart church, and a lovely drink and cake with the delightful congregation afterwards..

From there on to the Big Brook dam, for a pleasant walk, just beating the rain... 

and returning to Pemberton for coffee before continuing out into Warren national park and another fire lookout tree - the Bicentennial tree...

which I declined to climb, it was swaying rather a lot in the windy conditions!! We drove on along the Heartbreak trail 

 

by now the rain settling in, then off to another winery for wine tastings and a great lunch!! - the Australian food culture is really good, with lots of unique settings and good food!!

Back to the farm for our final night...

Monday morning having packed up, we called into Northcliffe, to go around the sculpture trail there... Lots of interesting a unusual sculptures hidden within the trees and bush!!

Leaving Northcliffe behind we headed North towards Perth, stopping along the way in Manjimup at the 'King Jarrah tree' and driving into the busy City and the setting sun!!

I've had a great week being well looked after by Christine, and Geoff - who's driven '000's of kilometres without complaint, all to ensure I was given views of the SW corner of Australia - how can I thank them enough?? - I can't, but I can say a huge 'Thank you' for your time and efforts!!, including great accommodation and meals supplied...

So, another week and more has gone by, now I'm just getting ready for a little adventure on a bike - the Munda Biddi bike trail, 1000 kms of off road riding, reputedly the longest... in the World..... where I'll be camping in the forests in special huts as I go, and will take around a month!!

I'll let you know how it's going when I can!!

In the meantime... Keep smiling!!

Monday 12th Sept - In the Land Down Under

It's been a bit a hectic 12 days since I left home to be driven in my VIP transport in the middle of the night down to London Heathrow airport, where I got my mid day flight firstly to Dubai, and a few hours later on to Perth, Australia arriving at sunset the following day!!

 













Good, comfortable flights, well looked after by the airlines, and fed well.... But not much sleep... And a slight hiccup when I collected my (rather large) suitcase, to find it had been broken open in handling, however I reported it easily, and wasn't delayed much as I staggered out of the arrivals hall of the nice new airport to be greeted by my Camino friend Jacqui, who had been patiently waiting over an hour for me - thanks!!

I was soon whisked off to her home in Central Perth, given my own room in the family home, and made to feel very welcome by her husband Peter and the rest of the family, and joined later by my other Camino friend Christine, whilst we all toasted my safe arrival.... And I then collapsed into bed!! 

Friday I was firstly driven to the luggage repair centre, then on a walking tour down to central Perth in nice warm sunshine, and a relaxing afternoon, before we went out to watch the girls basketball team that Jacqui coaches play at a large Basketball arena, amazing to see so many youngsters playing, then an early night for me!! 

Saturday I was driven out to Freemantle by Peter and Jacqui for a wander around this quite interesting old settlement town, ending up at the roundhouse old gaol:

and watching the canon being fired:

then after lunch in a trendy busy bar, we were off to Cottisloe beach to see the Ocean...

And another early night!! 

Sunday morning we were out early for 0800 mass at St Joseph's church, Subiaco, where we met the other 22 pilgrims walking the Camino Salvado with us...


I'll only pick out some bits of the walk for you, and accompanying photos, details of the walk and route are on my last blog page... 

Sunday we walked through Perth itself, and then Monday we were out into the 'Bush' and along the River Avon

Tuesday again saw us walking through deeper bush:

with distant sightings of my first Kangaroos,and later in the day a herd? Of Kangaroos crossing the road in front of us, and hopping alongside:

Wednesday we were deeper in the bush away from civilisation and I had sightings of Emus running through the trees!! 

Thursday saw us gathering on a gloomy morning to start the day with a special prayer song

before setting off through the forest, and a good picnic spot in the trees for lunch.

We stayed at a farm that night, which had a wild, but tame Kangaroo 'Tess' visiting, along with a 'joey' (baby) in its pouch, and last years youngster with it before a nice sunset from the hills.

Friday we were nearing our journey's end, skirting some military training grounds, and walking on rough boundary tracks... 

We stopped for lunch at a farm, which had some Emus in a paddock.

Saturday saw us on our final walk, along a long gravel/ dirt road 

and finally early afternoon walking into New Norcia 

with the church bells ringing out in greeting..and then a monk washing the feet of a couple of the walkers in a welcoming ritual... 

Then we went to the pub and celebrated!! 

Sunday we were welcomed again at the 0900 mass in the settlement church 

and had time for a look around before returning to Perth mid afternoon where Peter collected us and took us home!! 

So, a quick view of my pilgrimage, with an organised group of people, and welcome views of the countryside in Australia!!