So after nearly 5 months in Albany we finally set off north towards Perth and warmer weather as now it's mid winter.
First stop is Mount Barker only about 50 kms north of Albany but we got going late so that was a perfect distance. This is a free camping spot provided by the shire. Handy for the tavern in the background!
2nd stop is Manjimup about 200 kms north west of Albany surrounded by tall karri trees. This was a great little stop with our own ensuite bathroom too. Luxury!
We both climbed the 52 metre high Diamond Karri tree with it's hammered in pegs as a staircase. No safety barrier so not for the light hearted!
Alya looking after Toby at the bottom of the tree and doing a great job!
Ayla's school project of making a scarecrow at Fonty's pool campsite.
The great playground at Manjimup's Timber and Heritage park. Toby loved this swing. His first ever activity on a playground.
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Me cycling part of the Munda Biddi cycle trail. I came flying around a corner the next day on a dusk cycle trip and nearly ran straight into an emu. Quite scary as they really are big birds and can cause a fair bit of damage with their claws when threatened.
The girls cycling part of the Munda Biddi trail.
We worked for the Cusato family 12 years ago picking pears and apples and thinning trees for 4 months in Donnybrook. Was great to re visit them after all this time and amazingly they didn't look any older!
We had planted a tree over both our girl's placentas and so we decided to do the same for Toby. It's a Maori tradition. However we didn't have a garden and the placenta was taking up half our little caravan freezer. So we bought a native tree in a hardware shop in Donnybrook and drove to a nearby nature reserve. We found a quiet spot to bury the placenta and plant the tree above it whilst reading out a Maori poem used for placenta burials. Anyone watching from afar would be sure to think we were from some satanic sect!
Camped in this great value shire campsite in Donnybrook.
Getting ready to go out to the huge Donnybrook playground. Getting chilly so Toby is wrapped up.
Now we are in Bunbury, about 300 kms north west of Albany and only a 2 hour drive to Perth. With my little laundry helpers.
Ayla giving her school presentation to our good friend Mary who we first met in Albany. The presentation is about trees and seeds.
Kyra trying to feed an uninterested kangaroo at the Bunbury wildlife park and the girls at a Ranger Red wild animal talk for children at the local library.
Our camp spot in Margaret river surrounded by trees at Wharncliffe Mill bush retreat. We had some pretty heavy rain there and one day we hid inside the whole day and lay on our bed to watch The Sound of Music. Our first family film together. Think the girls were put off by my singing along!
The above pictures are of us hanging out with friends in Margaret river. The girls had a great time with lot of barbecues and marshmallow cooking.
Such an infectious smile.
Toby and the girls at a cafe in Margaret river.
Lake Cave where we had a guided tour by the coast near Margaret river.
A meal out at the Indian restaurant in Margaret river.
Now we have arrived in Busselton and staying at the Seventh Day Adventist caravan park by the sea. Both starting to think that this is the area that we want to settle down. We even started going to open homes and put a deposit on a plot of land but that fell through which is a long story.
Cycling on this great cycle track which goes all the way from the campsite into Busselton. Infact it goes 31 kms along the coast.
Now we are finally in Perth and have met a couple travelling around Australia with their son Gabriel. Sadly the father is dying of cancer with just a few months to live so they wanted to do this trip together before he goes.
A couple of photos from inside our caravan whilst we were in Perth. Toby finally joining us at the table. The girls having fun on Ayla's top bunk.
No stay in Perth can happen without a visit to our wonderful cousin Terry. I think this was the photo we took as Toby's nappy sprung a leak whilst he was sitting on Terry!
Catching up with our very dear friend Paul at the Lucky Shag pub on the waterfront in Perth
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