DAYS 86 TO 91 - MAKING BABY DECISIONS IN ALBANY

From Fitzgerald National park we drove west to the city of Albany which seemed huge after our 6 weeks of tiny towns. Actually it only has a population of 30000 but big enough to find decent supermarkets again. So with our son's due date rapidly approaching we had to make a decision as to where to be for the birth. We had wanted to get up to Margaret river about 350 kms North West of here but first we needed to see an obstetrician to check all was well with baby and that he was facing the right way etc. So we phoned around but all the obstetricians were full up for the next few weeks! On our last call the receptionist must have heard the desperation in my voice and after some consultation said that the obstetrician could fit us in that evening. Well Doctor Darcy turned out to be a great choice as he was highly qualified and was very apt at finding baby's position in seconds which was head down thank goodness. We told him that we didn't know if we would stay in Albany for the baby's birth because we had no one here to babysit the children so that I could be at the birth. Well on hearing this he went off to reception, run by 2 lovely older ladies. He brought them back to his office to meet us and they said they would love to look after Ayla and Kyra when Stef goes into labour. Also Doctor Darcy announced that he would love to help deliver our baby! So suddenly our decision was made for us and Albany would now be the birthplace of our little boy. Well that was a huge weight off our shoulders and next I applied for some jobs and the first place I rang gave me a job starting 16th February supporting a young disabled guy. So we spent the week organizing a campground we liked, to settle down in and work preparations. Also we had a tour of the maternity unit here in Albany which is almost brand new and everyone there was super friendly. Stef will have a lovely room all to herself which includes a mini bar...........(only joking about that last bit!) They have great baths in the birthing units for water births so Stef has opted to try that out for this birth. Exciting times!

One of the incredible beaches here in Albany

Stef and Ayla doing tug of war on the beach.

Our camp spot on the Kalgan river which was home for this week. 

One of the blue wrens that hung around our caravan.

The Kalgan river just below where our caravan was parked.

DAYS 76 TO 85 - FITZGERALD NATIONAL PARK

So we left the farm with Milo the Emu and headed down to Hopetoun on the south coast or as it's known here, the Australian Bight. Great to finally see the sea after so long driving though the dry hot dusty wheatbelt. Our first night we dressed up to go out for a drink. Steffi finally found a place that did soy decaf late so she was pleased.

The next day we went into Fitzgerald National park which has just had a 40 million upgrade so the fanciest long drops I've ever seen! The sea was a turquoise blue and refreshingly cool i.e bloody freezing!!

Day 78 and we decided to climb East Mount Barren, all 311 metres of it. Armed with day packs we set off on this hot day up quite a difficult route, Kyra leading the way to the top.

Kyra leads the way.

Incredible views of the clear ocean below.

Later we strolled along the beach looking for cuttlefish to study for a school project.

From Hopetoun we drove 250 kms around to the south end of the national park where we camped in the bush at Tozer's Bush camp run by Tozer himself. He had 2 dogs the girls pulled all over the place. Luckily they were extremely patient and placid dogs.

There was no power so we had the solar panels out again. The stars here were amazing at night.

From Tozer's we went fishing, climbed another small mountain and relaxed on the endless white beaches.