Day 20 – Tuesday 01 September

Today we left Wattle Grove where we had a couple of really nice days and headed for Busselton.  We took the scenic route through Ballingup, Nannup to Busselton.  The road was through hilly country, not too hilly but hilly enough to slow us down.  The road was quite narrow and windy as well and it was lucky that we didn’t meet any trucks or caravans.

Wattle Grove Wines

Our Caravan Sites at Wattle Grove

We stopped for morning at Cambray Cheeses which produces cheeses made from ewe’s milk.  There were some cow’s milk cheese there that were made elsewhere.  The cheeses were very nice but extremely expensive.  The one I really liked was $56 per kilo.  I wondered why the pieces they gave us to taste were so small!

Our friend was there to remind us it was cheese from sheep

Arrived at the Kookaburra Caravan Park at Busselton just before lunch and were directed into our site by a very capable employee that guided us in with the minimum of fuss and the minimum of steering wheel movement.

We made good use of the facilities by doing all our washing and getting ourselves clean.  I also made use of my personal hairdresser and am now looking a little less woolly.

Day 21 – Wednesday 02 September

Nice quiet day today.  We left for a tour of Busselton looking for Op Shops and found a few.  Jan was able to get a couple of pairs of jeans and a couple of outfits for the grandchildren.  We also found their Bunnings because Bernie needed a couple of hose connections while I needed a nozzle for filling the water tank.

We also visited the BCF Store where Deb bought me a CB radio for Father’s Day.  The radio is plug and play, no holes to drill or wiring to connect up.  Power is supplied through a cigarette lighter plug and the antenna has a magnetic base so just sits on the roof.  The radio fits into a cradle that has a suction cap that attaches to the windscreen.  Have got it fitted but haven’t made a call yet.

As mentioned earlier we had some trouble with the boot lock in Walpole so I pulled it apart to see if I could do anything.  Unfortunately part of an “0” ring had broken off and was lodged in the lock mechanism.  Fortunately I was able to order one from the Coromal Dealer in Bunbury

We’re heading for Mandurah tomorrow.

Day 22 – Thursday 03 September

Left Busselton and headed for a free camp somewhere around Mandurah.  Bernie had new tyres fitted before we left and part of the deal was that he gets his tyres rotated and checked every 10,000 kms.  There’s a Tyre Right franchise in Mandurah and he is booked in for this afternoon.

I picked the new lock for the boot from Bunbury on our way through.  When we stopped for lunch I changed the lock over which was reasonably easy.  I did encounter one problem and that was that the key supplied to lock the lock, wouldn’t!

Called the dealer in Mandurah who said he might be able to do something.  Took the lock off again and dropped into the dealer on our way to get the tyres done.  The young spare parts operator had a try with some old keys and the second set he tried worked.  Lock is now fitted and can be locked.

Before going to Mandurah we found a nice spot to overnight.  Left both ‘vans and the Kia there while we took the Toyota to get the tyres done, we have locks for the tow bars to prevent theft. 

On our way back we got some fishing tackle so that we could do some fishing from the boardwalk near where we were camped.  We took some drinks and nibbles onto the boardwalk and tried our hand.  I was the only one who caught anything, unfortunately it was only sea weed.

Catch of the Day

Discussing the best technique

When we were returning we started talking to a local who advised us that where we were planning to camp wasn’t such a good idea because of the activities of drug users and suppliers.  There had been quite a bit of activity of hoons doing wheelies and raising a lot of dust near where we were parked.  We took the locals advice and headed to another location which on reflection was better.

I made a friend at our overnight stop

We are going to Secret Harbour tomorrow.

Day 24 – Friday 04 September

Jan has contacted their friend Willie Weismantel and has arranged that we will arrive about 1.30 pm.  It is only about 60 km from where we are camped so we will not be under any pressure as far as time goes.  There are a number of geocaches along the way so we are going to see how many we can find.  We actually found three to add to our tally.

We are going to head to Mandurah to have a cuppa.  There are a number of places we know of near the foreshore so it won’t be hard to find somewhere,  We found a vacant building block that made a really nice improvised caravan parking area.  No parking fees either.

We found a chocolate and churos place for our morning tea and then went up to the main shopping area which was a nice walk away.  On the way I purchased a Legacy badge.  They didn’t have any pens which I would normally buy.  If I was in Gunnedah I would be selling the badges.

We had lunch in Jan and Bernie’s van and then headed for Secret Harbour .where Willie was waiting for us.  His property has an area at the side about 4 metres wide where we are able to park our caravans.  There was plenty of room for us to reverse them as there is nowhere to turn them around to get them out and by backing them down we are able to line our doors up with the gate in their fence.

Willie’s wife Naomi arrved home with their children, Aiden and Mikaela at about 5.00 pm.  They normally have take-away on Friday nights so we offered to get it for them.  We had fish and chips.  The kids are really delightful.

Day 25 – Saturday 05 September

Drove up to see Caron and Andrew this morning.  I remembered the way which I thought was pretty good.  After we had a cuppa we all drove around the Warnbro/Rockingham area seeing how things had changed.  The number of dwellings and shopping precincts have increased dramatically.  Places that were just about virgin bush are now covered by civilisation.  I wonder where all the occupants work?

It was a bit of a lazy day today where we did a lot of catching up and talking.  Tomorrow we will go up to Fremantle (pronounced Framantl).

Day 26 – Sunday 06 September

After picking up Caron and Andrew we headed for Fremantle Farmers Market.  The markets are held at the only carbon neutral school in Australia.  We met Greg and Dawn there.  Greg is a mate of Andrew’s from his Navy days and worked with him when they came over to Western Australia.

The Farmers Market was very interesting.  Much larger than the Albany ones.  Heaps of stalls and a large variety of food stalls.  We all had something there which made it more like an early lunch.

From the markets we went to the Fremantle foreshore and had a good walk around looking at some of the historic sites of which there are many.  Originally there wasn’t a harbour and the ships had to tie up to a wharf that went a fair way out from the shore.  A lot of ships captains complained about this and eventually a port was constructed  The remnants of the wharf are still there.

Memorials to the Fishermen who started the industry in Fremantle

Replica of original wharf to show how it was constructed

Part of the Fremantle Foreshore

The original roundhouse.  the flag poles on this building are still used today to welcome foreign vessels into the port.

In 2011 we went to a map and chart shop and spent quite some time there so we decided to pay it another visit.  There was so much to see there, books, charts, maps and lots of other information relating to travel.  I found a book of maps where I was able to relive our travels through the Rocky Mountains in Canada..

We finished the day by taking Andrew and Caron around to Naomi and Willie’s place where Willie is experimenting with aquaponics.  This is where plants are grown in a medium where nutrients are pumped through and the water is stored in a tank where fish are grown.

Caron was really interested in what he is doing with his property with the plants and chooks etc..Caron practices sustainable agriculture on her property and could see some possibilities that she could use.

Mathew was the chef tonight and excelled himself with a slow roast beef, roast chicken and roast vegetables which was followed by rhubarb and apple crumble made by Deb with rhubarb from Caron’s garden.

Chef Mathew preparing Sweet Potato

Day 27 – Monday 07 September

Picked up Andrew and headed to Fremantle.  Andrew has to take some stuff up to his work so we will kill two birds with one stone.  Andrew is driving because he knows the way.  Andrew’s Patrol Boat was not there because it was in Broome but he was able to take us over the patrol boat that was there.  PV Hamelin is a smaller version of PV Walcott so we got a reasonable idea of Andrew’s work environment. 

PV Hamelin

He also showed us the small boat, a little like a small tug that he uses when he is teaching boat handling.  Andrew is a part time teacher for TAFE here in WA teaching Master 5 Certificate.

After Andrew had completed his business he took us around the foreshore starting with the southern breakwall and winding our way around the port.  It was a different way to see Fremantle.

North of Fremantle is the Bondi of the west, Cottesloe Beach.  It was a really nice day lots of sun and quite warm.  We got some local fish and chips and sat near the pavilion overlooking the beach and enjoyed the view

 Andy and Deb at Cottesloe Beach

View of Beach through Pines

Looking north at Cottesloe Beach

Handmade Homeburgers for dinner tonight with all the trimmings.  Today Deb started playing Kelly Pool for the first time and managed some very good shots.  She also partnered Andrew at 8 ball and they won.

Day 28 – Tuesday 08 September

Went to Kings Park today.  Stopped off at Andrew and Caron’s house and prepared a picnic.  Bread rolls with salads, roast beef and chicken.  The trip up the freeway was quite good but like most freeway travel there were some hold ups that were hard to figure out why.  Perth is still a beautiful city.  The approach from the south is alongside some beautiful waterways.

View of Perth Water and the old Swan Brewery, now trendy home units

We drove into Kings Park through avenues of trees that were planted as memorials to Western Australia’s war dead.  One area in particular caught my attention and that was to the members of the 2/2^nd Commando Squadron.  It caught my eye because Dad was a member of the 2/6^th Commando Squadron.

Our walk through the park was quite memorable.  The wild flowers were out and are very pretty.  There was an area set aside for Banksias which I thought was very pleasing.

 Fountain in Kings Park

 War Memorial in Kings Park

Naval Crest with Kings Crown

The Toilet Tree

We had our picnic lunch beside the war memorial looking over the city.  You couldn’t get a much better view of Perth and the waters flowing through the middle of the city.  Returned to Warnbro via Rockingham.  Andrew drove again which made sightseeing much easier.

Day 29 – Wednesday 09 September.

A very quiet day today.  Deb and Jan wanted to get their hair cut and wanted to go to Just Cuts.  We found one at Cockburn Shopping Centre which is about half way to Perth on the Kwinana Freeway.  We needed to do some shopping so we were able to get it done as well.

Day 30 – Thursday 10 September

Very productive/unproductive day depending on your point of view.  Had the car booked into the Kia Dealer in Rockingham for it’s 157,000 km service so dropped Jan and Deb off at the Rockingham Shopping Centre and took the car for service.  We had the car serviced there in 2011 so we were still on their books.

Asked them to do a few things and they did a few extra things after consultation.  The whole thing took a little longer because they found an oil leak around the sump which had to wait overnight.  I will give them their due because they tried to get it done under warranty even though it finished in March.

Needless to say we sat around in the shopping centre for nearly the whole day until a decision was made.  They provided transport back for us.  Got back and suddenly realised that both sets of caravan keys were in the car, one on my keyring and the other in the console.  Bernie had to run me back so that I could get them.

We had sort of planned to go to Perth by train tomorrow, however the weather forecast is not too good so we will make a decision in the morning.

Day 31 – Friday 11 September

Didn’t go to Perth today.  The weather forecast was for sun in the morning and scattered showers in the afternoon.  With our luck the showers wouldn’t be showers so we decided on “Plan B”.  Got some washing done or at least Jan and Deb did.

After lunch we went up to Rockingham to see about some shoes for Jan.  She saw some yesterday and wanted to show Bernie.  She ended up getting a really nice pair.

I went to Dick Smiths and got a 12 power supply for my laptop.  It seems a better deal than getting an inverter that are very expensive and use a lot of power, cheap ones will not work properly.

After shopping Bernie and Jan dropped us off to the Kia Dealer where the car was waiting.  Everything they said they would do was done, oil, brakes, tyres, wheel alignment.  They even gave it a bit of a clean.

Had pizza with Naomi and the kids tonight.  Willie is away working so I think Naomi appreciated adult conversation.

Day 32 – Saturday 12 September

The TV antenna that we purchased from Watsons Caravans in Coffs Harbour made from PVC came crashing down last night.  The winds here can be quite strong and I suppose the PVC just couldn’t cut it.  Rang a local caravan place and they had adjustable poles that you can fit on the “A” frame.  I went up to Rockingham and got one.  Seems to work.  A lot stronger than PVC.

Deb made some Chelsea Buns today.  She got some mixture, yeast etc. from a shop called the Pantryman in Rockingham.  She added some additional sultanas and dried apricots.  We took some around to Caron and David..  Mathew has returned to Kalgoorlie and Andrew is still on patrol.

Chelsea Buns before baking. They went too quickly to photograph finished product

Nice meal in the Donchi’s caravan.  After dinner Jan and Deb played a word game called “Make 5” while Bernie and I washed and wiped up as well as offering advice on their word game.  This advice was very well received, NOT!!!

Weather is very variable.  Tonight it is quite cool and we are considering getting out another blanket.

Day 33 – Sunday 13 September

Went to the Warnbro Passmores for lunch.  After lunch, Deb, Jan, David and Bernie had a game of Kelly Pool.  It took about 30 minutes to complete.  I am debating whether it was the skill of the participants or lack of skill that caused it to last that long.

I managed to make a 10 minute job last 30 minutes this afternoon.  I have been meaning to change the hand pump for quite a while so did it this afternoon.  I refurbished the old one as well so I still have a spare.

Naomi invited us to dinner tonight.  We had spaghetti bolognaise and it was really interesting watching a 4 year old and a nearly 3 year old eat it.  You forget how involved they get.