WA Wildflowers 2009

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Ledge Point to Joondalup (north of Perth) – 190km (6 days)

Ledge Point is a lovely, little place about 100km from Perth.  It’s apparently one of the up and coming development locations, and has grown quite a bit of late.  The Caravan Park is very new, and runs to the whole Resort style thing.  Holiday homes, cabins, playgrounds, pool etc.  Nice and friendly though.  The place needs more trees, but that near the coast it’s not easy.  Sites are good sized.

We spent three days at Ledge Point, checking out the local area as well as Lancelin just up the coast.  Nice spot.

Left there on Saturday to move into a Joondalup property that we are looking after for ten days.  We have a large dog and two cats inhabiting the place, which is making life interesting.

Geraldton to Ledge Point – 588km – 6 nights

Spent 5 days in Geraldton at the Sunset Beach Caravan Park.  Saw the local sights, e.g. HMAS Sydney II Memorial, the Mid Western Museum, out to Ellendale Pool (reconnaissance for free camping) and a wander out through the local countryside.

The Memorial is very well done and has fantastic placement, looking out over Geraldton and the sea.  When we went to the Museum, I thought I was having a déjà vu moment, because I was sure that we’d seen a lot of the exhibits before.  It turned out that the Museum was opened in late 2000, which was a good six months after we left Geraldton and headed East.  BUT, a lot of the exhibits had been on display in Fremantle – which is where we saw them.  Thank God!  I thought I was losing the plot!!

The car went in on Monday so that the brakes and shockies could be checked.  Turns out there was nothing needed.  Brakes and shockies were both fine – but there was some scratching on the inside of the wheel rim, indicating that we might have been carrying a piece of wire around for a few days.  All that hassle for nothing, but it’s nice to know that all is well.

We said good-bye to Geraldton on Tuesday, and headed for Waddi Farm Resort.  It was a bit of a disappointment really, looked very tired.  There is a lot of potential in the place, but it needs a lot of work

 

Cliff Head North to Geraldton - 129km

Drove to Geraldton through Port Denison and Dongara.  Both these places have grown hugely since we left the area in 2000.  Geraldton itself is almost unrecognisable.  We got lost three times, trying to get to Geraldton 4WD, and then to Sunset Beach Caravan Park where we will stay until next Tuesday.  The car is booked in on Monday to check the rear brakes and suspension.  Hopefully the damage will not cost too much.

We did a quick run around town to re-familiarise ourselves, and then had fish and chips on the seashore for lunch.

Jurien Bay to Cliff Head North (CAW#436) - 100km

We stopped early today, in a free camp spot right on the beach. Really lovely spot, and just the day to appreciate it. Lots of blue sky, sun and just a few fluffy little clouds.

There were only three or four other campers there, but we had our site all by ourselves, facing out to sea.

GinGin to Jurien Bay - 247km

The noise coming from the back wheel is still there, and seems to be getting louder, so we pulled into to GinGin to get it checked out.  According to the mechanic there, it’s probably a warning that the disc needs replacing in the brake.  So we’ll get it done in Geraldton.
There are lots of wildflowers still around.  It’s not a great mass of colour, but there are lots and lots of small, individual little flowers.  Lovely.
Jurien Bay Caravan Park was quite full, with lots of school kids.  I’ll be kinda glad when school holidays finished.  This is another WA park which is comparatively dear for what it is.  This is apparently typical for WA.

Australind to GinGin - 264km

It rained quite heavily last night for a while, but when we were ready to leave the sky had cleared right up.  I’ve been hearing a noise on & off since Yarloop, in the back, left wheel.  As we pulled away from Cheryl & Keith’s place, they heard it too.  We came to the conclusion maybe there was a stone in the brakes.

We were planning on staying tonight in a free camp spot – GinGin Brook Rest Area, but it is now marked NO CAMPING.  Damn.  Fortunately, just back down the road is Willowbrook Farm Caravan Park, so we stayed there instead.  It was cold and raining, but didn’t really matter.  The park itself is OK, but I thought $25 for an unpowered site was a little rich.

Yarloop to Australind - 58km

Today is Rick’s birthday – poor lamb didn’t even get a birthday card, ‘cos I was really disorganised.  I’m not going to live this one down in a hurry.  We didn’t leave Yarloop until 2pm, so it was a really slow, relaxing morning.

We stayed overnight with Cheryl & Keith, whose house we are looking after in December.  They are a lovely couple, and once again – dinner and a few drinks made for a great evening.

Still in Yarloop

AFL Grand Final today!!  Not that Port Adelaide are playing, but Rick really wanted to watch the game.  Fortunately, we have good TV reception, so he took the TV outside to enjoy the fresh air.

It got very windy last night, I thought at one stage we were going to lose the awning.  But today is beautiful – lovely & sunny.

 

Baldivis to Yarloop - 135km

After a little bit of manoeuvring, we were able to finally turn and head out of the gate at Ann & Don’s place.  Big Bird’s a big girl, and needs a fair amount of room to change direction.  Don tried to use his tractor to make the move, but it was too little, and just wanted to point the front wheels up in the air.  Looked really funny, but didn’t get us too far.  Never mind, we eventually made it, and duly arrived in Yarloop.

The HF Radio Club was holding a gathering on private property.  It is lovely country, with a large cleared area at the back of the property, big enough for probably 15 – 20 vans and motor homes.

Weather was a bit overcast, but not too cold.

Happy hour at the fire-side, followed by a nice dinner.