Big Valley and Sophie's wedding

To our suprise, as it was the Easter long weekend, there were very few campers in the paddock at Big Valley and we were treated to lovely views of the rolling hills.

On the first night we made dinner up at the camp kitchen while we watched our first game of AFL for the season, Carlton v Richmond. The atmosphere at this camp ground was very welcoming and the kids found many friends while we chatted and exchanged stories with other travellers. 

 

Enjoying the good life at Big Valley

 

The next night we had an Elphick gathering at  Erravilla Country Estate and it was fantastic to catch up with the WA Elphicks once again.  We all enjoyed an amazing dinner including Ben’s Thai prawn curry which he had made from scratch.

Sophie's wedding was the next day so we dropped the kids off to the Rippons and headed back out to Erravilla.  It was a lovely day and Sophie and Luke had a beautiful garden ceremony.  That evening the drinks flowed, the band played and everyone had a fantastic time.  Craig lent his musical talents to the band and it was great for him to play a few tunes with his cousin.

 

 

The Beautiful Bride



Ben in action



 

When we picked up the kids from the RIppons the next day Kai was very excited to tell us that he had jumped from a rope swing into a river and he had to show us how fun it was.  They had also been visited by the Easter bunny and had been on an Easter egg hunt. 

Kai enjoying the rope swing

 

We went to lunch and the Duckstein brewery and visited Laurence winery where people go just to take photos of the amazing rest rooms.

At big valley there was a whip maker on the premises and he was teaching people to make their own whips. Our big valley neighbours, who were also travelling around Australia for a year, had a go at making their own and when they had finished they let us and the boys had a go at cracking them.  The whip maker gave us some instruction and Kai and I were able to crack the whip on our first go.

 

 

Lachie showing us his whipping style

 



We left big Valley on the Tuesday and made our way to Ben's in Mandurah to stay with him for a few nights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Climbing the Gloucester Tree and Margaret River WA

Monday 25 March 2013 - Wednesday 27 March 2013

On our way to Margaret River we visited the Gloucester tree where you can climb up 153 pegs and make the 61 meter climb to the top.  The platform at the top was originally built as a fire lookout and provides some spectacular views of the Karri forest.  We were fortunate to have a break in the wind and rain so Craig, Brett, Aidan and Jayla made the climb to the top. The two younger boys were very dissapointed that they could not climb the tree due to their age. 
 

 

 
 


That night we stayed at a road side truck stop.  Just as we finished cooking dinner it started to rain so we had dinner in the camper trailer and watched a dvd.
 

After dropping into the very busy town of Margaret River, we drove down a 15 minute four wheel drive track and found another beautiful camp spot amongst more peppermint trees.  As there was no campers and it was coming up to the Easter weekend we thought we were quite lucky to find such a great camp area.

 
 
The next day Vanessa and I headed into Margaret river for a bit of retail therapy and relaxation. That afternoon we were paid a visit by the local ranger who informed us that the camp area we were in was part of a National park and camping was not allowed. However given that it was late in the day, he allowed us to stay another night before moving on the next day.  Although the up to date Hema maps did not reveal it, apparently the spot where we were camped had been part of the National Park for over 4 years.  Luckily we had been advised about a camp area called Big Valley which only opened it doors to travellers and they were able to accomodate us for the Easter weekend.

Albany and Parrys beach

Tuesday 19 March 2013 - Monday 25 March 2013

At albany we visited the whale museum where the kids learnt all about the days of whaling and the reasons that the whale station was closed down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parrys beach camp site is set amongst the peppermint trees, right on the beach with excellent facilities.  One night we were sitting by the camp fire when our neighbour came over to say hello. He was from Perth and comes to Parrys Beach for four months each year. He kept the kids entertained with his knowledge of archery and even took them for a lesson on one of the secluded beaches.  The boys picked up some valuable tips which they will continue to practise during the rest of the trip.

 

 

 

 

We drove to Greens Pool which is known for its snorkelling and even though it was quite a cold day the kids and Craig braved the chilly waters.  There was a great rock that the kids could jump off and Craig and Adam saw many colourful fish and marine life. 

 



 

Greens Beach

We walked around the beach to Elephant rocks where the kids embarked on the big climb to the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Waterfall beach the kids had a shower under the freezing water which certainly freshened them up. 

 

 

 Adam enjoying a freezing waterfall shower

 

In the afternoon the adults freshened up at the Boston Brewery where we each ordered a sampling tray of the beers that were brewed there. The bartender taught us that when drinking a sampling tray you should drink the beers from darkest to lightest and leave the cider until last. 

 

 

The next day we went to Valley of the Giants treetop walk where the highest point of the walk is 40 meters above ground level.  Some of the Tingle trees that we were walking through are up to 70 meters high.  There was an amazing Grandma Tingle tree which is said to overlook the forest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Grandma Tingle Tree

 

 

On the day we were leaving we bumped into a couple that had helped the commercial fisherman net the salmon.  We were told there might be another school of Salmon coming through that day so we decided to hang around to see if we could help.  We waited till around lunch time and the Salmon still had not come in so we decided to hit the road.  It was a shame for the kids at it would have been a great experience for them.