Time for another camping jaunt - this time WAAAAY down south. Really, we should have gone the first week of holidays - weather was just dandy-fine. Second week? Not so much. But still - there were adventures to be had, sights to be seen, caches to be found! So out came the camper, in went all the essentials - except tomato sauce, I forgot the tomato sauce - and off we went.
Stopped on the way down at the Diamond Tree fire lookout, just south of Manjimup - similar to the Gloucester Tree but smaller. Mic climbed all the way up...... and the rest of us didn't!
Kids had a go
Mic almost at the top
Me totally pretending
....that I'd made it to the top.
There was a forest walk loop as well, so we did it. So, I have to pause and explain that it WASN'T flower season, so I have defaulted to fungi. For those dedicated readers, you'll know I like to hang with the fun guys.....
This is the first one. Unfortunately, I cannot name one of them properly.
Kids and Pete on an old stump.
And the kids on another "fortress" stump.
Destination was Fernhook Falls - a DEC campsite in the National Park about 35 kms north of Walpole. Wasn't sure if we'd get a spot, as you can't book, and it's meant to be popular, but we pretty much had the place to ourselves - fantastic!
This is our secluded little spot. Magical.
Now, I thought that it wasn't orchid season, but this was the first of a few that we saw. Still way more fungi, but still.
First campfire dinner, and there was something I was wanting to try..... :)
Cooked newspaper, I'd heard its delicious? Nah, the things in foil in the front....
Mmmmm, so much gooey goodness! Or is that badness? I don't care, it was yum!
We started the next day by going and checking out Fernhook "Falls", which are a short walk from the campsite. There was no falling to be had. If you looked REALLY closely, there was a REALLY slight trickle.
We holidayed here as a kid, I remember the falls falling across the length of the bridge. Not today.
Kids had a great time exploring and rock hopping though!
It's an Australia puddle! If Australia was drunk?
This is Rowell's Pool, just down from the not-falls. No wind made it look like the kids were looking off the edge of the world.
The mandatory reflection shot.
Then we set off on adventures with Grand-dad and Albany Nanna - to the Treetop Walk, Dinosaur World, and the Giant Tingle Tree. Oh, and the Big Marron. Lets not forget the Big Marron!
On the walkways. Which were wobbly. Supposedly designed that way to make it just like the canopy swaying in the breezes. I felt like I was on a boat. Any longer and I would have needed the Qwells.
Had to happen.... :)
Then on to Dinosaur World, which had lots of reptiles and birds as well, and they kind of outclassed the dinosaurs.
Snake handling! Errm, Woma Python, maybe? Smallest python, anyway.
Pete's turn...
The birds were hilarious! This one was a bully bird that beat up on all the others.
This one didn't want to leave Dot alone, even climbed up inside her jumper! And tried to go through her pockets!
That's NOT how you hold a parrot, Mic....
Then on to the Giant Tingle Tree - a replacement of the Giant Tingle Tree that burnt down years ago.
This is not the Giant one.
Group shot in THE Giant Tingle Tree. Nice one Mic..... :)
Admiring one of the many Tingle trees. It's all very sterilised now with protective walkways through the trees, and some fenced off altogether. Not like the old one where they parked a car under it!
And on to Circular Pool, which had a bit more water flowing through
Pete, leaping gracefully to cross the creek.
The pool. Not called circular because its circular (just as well, because its not!) but because of the circular swirling of the water into a whirlpool when it's really flowing. Which it wasn't.
And finally onto the Big Marron. Another Big Thing crossed off the list!
Not bad, as far a big things go, really!
Then back to the camp for dinner. I'm just going to tease you again....
Mmmmmmm....
And because you only live once....
Let's toast some marshmallows too! :)
The next day looked decidedly more glum, with lots more clouds overhead. Undeterred, we set off to climb Mt Frankland. Of course, one has to remember that this is a West Australian mountain we are talking about, so in reality, I'm sure the rest of the world calls it a big hill. Especially since you can drive up most of it, and then only have to walk up the last kilometre. Still, it was a pretty brisk walk, and I didn't envy the fire watchers who run up there three times a day!
Miss J and Nanna having a rest (and getting wet backsides) on the way up
Climbing one of the ladders
Made it to the top! It was pretty windy and miserable - can you tell? We didn't stay very long - quick look around and then straight back down for a warm drink, thankyou very much.
She didn't want to let go of that rail! :)
This was on a loop trail around the "base" (half way up, really!)
The wet weather did mean there was lots of fungi though!
Possibly the coolest one I found...... and I couldn't get the focus right. Gargh!
Well, I find them strangely fascinating, anyway.
We then stopped at Swarbrick Art Loop, mostly because there was a cache hidden somewhere there, but it was an interesting walk nonetheless.
Someone didn't bring her own jumper, and so was cold half way along!
He was likening it to some cartoon....
Nice one Pete! :)
Stopped in town, and I did a walk from town to Coalminer Beach. Pretty walk, but I was racing to beat the weather! The others found me half way along and joined in for the rest.
Part of the track
An orchid along the way
Final destination - Coalminer Beach, which is so calm as its on the Nornalup Inlet. I believe its the only place that the Karri forest actually meets the ocean. Would be quite spectacular in a bit of blue-sky weather.
Back to camp then, and the weather had turned - it was that real set-in kind of rain, which lasted for about 12 hours. Thankfully we'd decided to have dinner in town rather than cook up in the elements. Soft, I know....
The "orbs" are actually the flash reflecting off raindrops. Note the extra layer of tarp on the camper! We'd sprung a couple of leaks, despite the waterproofing that we'd done the week before!
A picture in purple! :)
Woke up on the last day, and the rain had cleared - there was even blue sky for the first time since we'd been there! The boys set off on a 4WD adventure for a couple of hours
Hmmmmmm....
Obviously fun times were had!
And the dirt on the side of the car proves it....
They DID find a secret camp spot though - must keep it in mind!
One of a few river crossings.
Meanwhile, back at camp, we went and checked out the falls to see if the rain had made a difference - it had.
There was NOTHING here two days ago.
Leaf boat racing judgement.....
And the rain had brought out more fungi! I think they must grow really fast....
I liked this one - the stem was really interestingly patterned. And the top felt like suede.
Another orchid! This MAY have been the same kind as the first one though...
Trying to get the reflection of blue sky in Rowell's Pool.
The pool had filled enough to cover the bottom step.
And then it was time for pack up. This little critter had taken shelter under the trailer!
And that was it! Back to civilisation we went. Damply.
Until next time......
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