21st Oct

The day after we arrived at Coronation Beach it started to rain. It gave us time to sit back and have a real lazy day. It cleared a bit in the afternoon so we went for a walk down the Beach. This is the first real rain we have seen since we left Cairns so it wasn't a problem as it was nice to see some.

On the way back to camp we saw 2 Dolphins in the Lagoon feeding but didn't manage to catch them with the camera. It was a nice big lagoon and I was going to have a Snorkel but the weather turned cold so being a wimp I gave it a miss.
From here we headed South to Cervantes and left Chris and Tony at Coronation as they were having the clutch done on the Bus in Geraldton 2 days later.

There was a nice foreshore and Jetty, but not a lot else there. Except, down the road was the Pinnacles.

Helen was really taken by this one,cant understand why, I just thought it made a great seat.

                                 They were all over the place in various sizes and shapes.

                                                There were Wildflowers everywhere as well

 On the way back from the Pinnacles we called in to Lake Thetis for a look at some more Stromatolites. This is one of the few places as well as the Hamlin Pool we visited up North, that have them.

                               Funny looking things and different shapes to the ones up North.

Well that's enough for one night.
See Ya next time.
Dave and Helen

11th October

On the Way down to Geraldton we passed by the Pink lake. This is a salt lake with the Water evaporating leaving the Pink colour. Its part of a Salt production facility.

Once we arrived in Geraldton and found our friends (Paul's) place we set up in the front yard.
What I have failed to mention lately are the flies.Well not in the last couple of posts anyway.
They are just as bad in Geraldton and we have to keep the screen door across in the van to keep them out. I think they would drive you mad if you lived here.

The House is on 8 Acres and is elevated, so you can see the Coast and Sea from out the front and the Sunsets were pretty special as well.

We had a few visitors during the day as Paul and Lynn feed the Gallahs and they arrived every afternoon for a feed.

                                                                    A very noisy lot.

 I had a wander around the Property and photographed a few of the local Wildflowers.

These are the Geraldton Wax bushes that are native to the area and come in different colours. Paul had the Pink and White.

Not sure what this one was but it was quite common and very pretty.

While we were at Paul's I did a couple of jobs on the Caravan, as Paul has a good workshop that I could use. I moved the position of the Jockey wheel so I could get the Bikes back on the front of the Caravan, as we were not using them when they were on the roof rack of the car, they were too hard to get down.
The Pajero was due for its 90,000km service so I got that done in town and just about had to rob a bank to pay for it. $1300.00!!! If it wasn't for the warranty I would have done it myself.
So far we have covered over 20,000km so keeping it in top condition is a given,so I suppose I cant complain. It was a complete service, all oils, Coolant, Brake Fluid,the lot.They also flushed the Transmission so at least I know it will get us home.
While at Geraldton we visited the HMAS Sydney Memorial.

You will probably have to click on the pictures to be able to read them. Worth a read though.

 The Dome was constructed of Stainless Steel pieces shaped like Seagulls and fashioned into the Dome. The number of them corresponding to the number of lives lost in the action.

 Helen overlooking the pool of remembrance,with a Seagull shape floating over the top.

This Statue represents the Wives and Mothers of the lost sailors looking out to Sea in the general direction of where the Ship went down.

 Looking over the Port area and some of the Town from the top of the hill by the Memorial.

Paul took us for a look around the surrounding area and we stopped at Greenough Historical Village for a Coffee.

                    If you look hard you can see an Alpaca sitting under the Tree by the Church.

                      There was a lot of Alpacas in the paddock,all shapes sizes and colours.
On the way back to Paul's we came across a sign that the wind on the West Coast blows for most of the year and not as a gentle breeze either.

While we were at Paul's a certain person of interest had a Birthday. No I'm not going to tell what one, just that I was a year older than last time!

While we were in Geraldton we drove 30km North to have a look at Coronation Beach to see if it was a good spot for a couple of nights. It looked OK so when we left Paul's we back tracked the 30km and set up camp for a couple of days. Tony and Chris had gone up a couple of days before so they saved us a spot.

That's about enough for this installment. Next on to Cervantes and the Pinnacles.

See Ya next time.
Dave and Helen

10th October

Once we had seen the Gorge the next must see, was the Coast to the South of the town. There are Cliffs and rock formations spreading down the Coast with viewing platforms on most of them giving spectacular views. As the Sun was low in the sky it gave them a nice mellow colour.

                        The Natural Bridge was the first to see which was the furthest South.

                    Very nice and there were more that were Arches, but had collapsed.

The Cliffs were changing as the Sun was going down making them glow a nice Honey colour.

A rough Surf all along the Coast.

                                          Looking back towards Kalbarri in the distance.

                                                          Nice Surf with the Sun behind it.

 We stopped at the South end of main beach to check on the Fishermen and see if anything was being caught. Nothing was hauled up the Beach while we were there, but the light was amazing and begged for a few photos.

So with the Sun sinking in the West we spent the last night in Kalbarri,after a feed of Fish and Chips (the best we have had on the whole trip and only $10.00) and the next day headed for Geraldton.
Cheers
Dave and Helen