31st Oct - Bussleton to Cape Naturaliste

Waking up to a beautiful day in the 'South West'. first job is to pay up for the next night, then we are off exploring. Once we get going it will be to Bunnings to get two more jerry cans, and south west steel for another piece of 65mm square tube - to hang the 4th can.

Busselton

Heading west along Geographe Bay, as usual we try to stick to the water. There are many, many beautiful spots not far from Busselton. Next stop Dunsborough. Really pretty clean upmarket touristy small town. Try an extra shot Dome coffee- it is about right! Explore the coastal drive and properties overlooking the water - $$...

Busselton

But soon we are forced inland until we get out to the very pretty Eagle Bay. Soon back on the road to Cape Naturaliste, and the light house. The walk around the lighthouse is free, the tour and access is $15!!! Save the money, but enjoy the sunny walk. National PArk no dogs, so Honey has to once more hide in the car... she has shade and a breeze for the half hour.

Dunsborough

Next Yallingup another pretty bay with some surf breaks - over the low reefs offshore. The houses are all on curved streets which climb over the slope up from the water. All seeking a view, of course.

Cape Naturaliste lighthouse

Eventually back to Busselton mid afternoon, and one more chore. I need a spray can of degreaser. I am tired of the mess on the tow bar - and constant solvol washing... As it happens there is a mall with a Telstra shop nearby - it's worth a try. For once good timing. They have just received a delivery of iPhone 5s - as in 10 minutes ago. Check stock and they have a 32GB model I can have - well buy on contract... So after doing their inwards goods paperwork and checking mine, we are out of there in 40 minutes with a new phone on my existing number...

Yallingup

On arrival 'home' first need to check the bus engine as the jerry cans get in the way of the engine cover/hood/hatch, then mount all the cans. So wel will have 60L of diesel and 2 of unleaded petrol. Hopefully will avoid the expensive servos/roadhouses on the Nullarbor. Soon it is beer o'clock - and time to play with the iPhone...

Tomorrow the weather will change, so it will be a day mainly driving... to somewhere south east...

30th Oct - Goodbye Perth

Today is the day. Heading for home with minimal detours.

Owen is up and working as we take the bus down the road for its transfusion. Nicely warmed up, the bus is backed in over the pit at Tuart Hill Trucks. Leaving them to it we meet the original boss still at it at 82.5 years old. Meet the wife (who is of course the real business boss), and the dog who has arrived in a child's pusher - cos she can. Doesn't like Honey hanging in her space of course. After about 40 minutes we are ready to go. So it's 10 litres of oil, disposal of old oil and $50 labour. Good. The mechanic noted that he did not need much torque to remove the sump plug!!! not loose, but not tight... Would hate to have dumped all 10 l of oil on the Nullarbor - and of course loose the sump plug!!! Good timing.




Back at the Kennedy-Bridges, it is time for goodbyes... Quite torn. Don't want to go but can't stay. Owen, Ali and Eddie need their own space... and Granny Judy arrives Friday!

We need a flat spot without bus stops to hook up the Suzuki, so head towards the freeway. find a good spot a couple of blocks away, hook up and head for the Mitchell Freeway. On approach we note that it is a carpark so bail out in the nick of time, and head back for Wanneroo Rd/Charles St which joins the Kwinanna Fwy at the city. Dream run!!! Pass the new Entertainment Centre(?) near the City - which Elton John will open in a few weeks. (Looks like all the buildings of Fed Square Melbourne - joined together. Quite weird).



Ambleing south we head into Bunbury, fillup, keep going as close to the coast as we can - the Tourist Route, detours. We decide to stop at Busselton - The Top Tourist Parks have a dog-friendly one. It is nice, green, short walk to the beach. It will do!

Goodbye Perth

In fact, after being stopped for a while, we are enjoying being out of the city bustle (sorry). We will stay another night and go for a drive tomorrow, down Dunborough way... Have also tracked down a local steel supplier to add another bar and hence a forth jerrycan to the towbar... for the Nullarbor (due prices not just range...)

29th Oct - prep for departure

We hung around the caravan park until after midday as Ali had the mothercraft, ante-natal nurse making a first house call in the morning, followed by one of her friends. So we headed out and about halfway to Tuart Hill stopped at the Stirling Shops, plenty of room so we parked both vehicles and went in search of lunch.

Rang Owen, who was at his office, and agreed that we would drop in. It's only 13KM to North Perth. And, it seems our replacement iPad holder has arrived via his mailbox. The old one had died from UV through the windscreen... Didn't stay long as Owen is in catchup mode with his business... but on the way booked the bus for an opportune oil change at Tuart Hill Truck Parts and service - on Waneroo Rd 500 M from Owen and Ali's - 0830 tomorrow morning. 10,000KM is enough between oil changes for an old diesel. We have done 12,000+...

Back to the 'day park' at Stirling. We chill out for the rest of the afternoon in the bus - with a little bit of retail therapy a Target. I now have my first ever red shorts, and T-shirt!!!

Off to Tuart Hill again. Buddy greets us through the fence of his new yard. Ali has managed a snooze... but more than a couple of hours sleep still eludes her. Eddie is of course still beautiful... er, handsome! Ali thinks I look very - 'red'! So we are enjoying Eddie while his mum has a shower. Owen is chief cook tonight and arrived home with all fresh ingredients. We all get to enjoy a delicious chicken and veg stir fry, a chat, a drafting lesson and eventually a last sleep in Perth - for now!

27-28th Oct - the hot weekend

Recovered from the quiz night, and actually won raffles to the value of $1000... including $500 worth of meals at the host restaurant, which will be good for Ali and Owen to take the family, when Eddie is up to it...

So it is fence building for the weekend. We have all the stuff and getting it planned and posts in the ground will do for today. The weekend is living up to weather forecast so far. It's hot. 35 top. Consequently we have Honey with us. We keep the dogs outside with us while the baby photographer - photographer of babies that is - works inside. Eddie is not co-operating... Anyway the photos are taken and the fence posts are eventually in the ground. Owen has done the digging and bush hacking. Home for a serious wash for me!

Sunday starts with indulgence. Breakfast at Ali's sister, Amanda and partner Steve's Deli - Lunchbar. For Maz it is two perfectly poached eggs, on the downwind side of the table. I am going to try the pancakes. We are both well stopped by the big (for us) breakfast with good coffee. Back 'home' Maz is on clothes washing duty. The laundry has a water leak, so it is out with our little trusty twin tub. I am off to finish the fence.

We have joined a 2.4m panel with half of a short one and used the remainder with the other short panel... a bit of a jigsaw, but work out that we have only trimmed/wasted about 120mm of the fence bits and enclosed the front yard square and level. Only needed one trip to Bunnings... male bonding session! It has stormed and showered a bit in the afternoon. But the fence building was uninterrupted; and even the washing was done and dry.

Ali is much more relaxed and a bit rested today. Getting the drugs out of her system and hormones settling down. And of course Eddie is handsome as ever and looking around. Ali's mum  has offered a BBQ at their place... but I am pretty stuffed and need another serious scrub, so will go home where Maz has prepped for dinner. We will catch them another day... Owen, Ali and Eddie will probably stay home too. And O has work to do - as always. I have Windows and Freehand working on the Mac, and so can play around - when Owen sends me his template.

An early night for us. Tomorrow we will have a late checkout and park the night at Owen and Ali's. We will hit the road Tuesday; Bunbury, Manjimup, Walpole, Albany etc... only 4300KM to go. We are looking forward to getting home - but will see what we can on the way.

24-26th Oct - mainly north of the Swan River...

Wednesday: As usual the day did not stay long on the plan... The new parents had a tough night, as did Eddy. He has not come to grips with being out in the cold world away from mum's heartbeat - but he will. We have a cuddle with eddy. He is still gorgeous! (And we have slept well.)

I am going to work for Owen... he has cornered the market here and his well trained part-time worker has taken a full-time job. He is consequently snowed under. I reckon I can do some of the the grunt work of drawing the plans over the hand sketched measured plans done on site. I have downloaded the 30 day trial of Macromedia Freehand MX, but need a PC to run it  - not Mac. Anyway first lesson is this morning. Owen is so quick, even whilst explaining what he is doing. He has a custom template with all elements he needs. I figure it will take me hours to do what Owen can do in 20 minutes... but if I can work for a few hours (on the other side of the country) to give him 20 minutes with Eddy, then its a good deal.

So the lesson takes a while, and we are now late for lunch with Den and Bet Gorton on the south side of the river. It's great to see them. They have driven across the Nullalbor - round trip 45 times... and have stopped at Mulwala often in recent years on the way to Canberra or Merimbula to see Pete and Wendy. They are both fit and well. But Den is giving up flying his ultralight Piper Cub replica, too much hard work getting it out of the hangar with roll up front, and hand-starting etc - but he will still keeping up the gliding. The Cub is destined for the Air Force Assoc. Museum at Bull Creek, south Perth (and miles from any airport!)

We have a busy day, socially, today with dinner planned at cousin Bill and Christine McInerney. Great feed and chat, gets us home quite late!

Thursday: Visit the shops a little way down, find a walk-in hairdresser, finally get a haircut. feels better. Last trim was in Malanda! Visit Eddy. Cuddles for a time while mum and dad do stuff... still broken nights... midwife in today removing half Ali's stitches, well staples. We get out of their hair again.

Checked out steel to build the front yard fence with Owen. With Owen's approval, I can collect tomorrow with his ute. 2M posts won't fit the Suzuki...

We found some nice looking fillet steak earlier so dinner is decided!

Friday: Maz liked my haircut, so will front up a bit after 9 for a trim/style and shampoo... 1030 its off to visit Eddy - maybe it's Eddie??? Owen has had to attend some jobs this morning, was off early, so our timing is good to look after snoozing little boy while Ali finishes drying hair etc. I am off to get the steel posts and look for another fence panel, we are about 2.5 M short.

The midwife arrived just after I got back. Delightful, cheery northern England accent; sounds like Pam Ayers to me... Owen also back, so after checking out his family, we have a chance to discuss the fence. Figure if I get the stuff we can get to it on the weekend. We now have a plan. On our way back home to Honey - who we have left behind because she can be very noisy! - a few more bits of steel are collected.

Jacque, is back from the desert, and wants to inspect the bus, so tracked us down at Kingsway for a while. A bit later we need to get organised to use Owen and Ali's tickets to a quiz night with the Kennedy family. Regular social whirl here in Perth. Our table finished out of the money.... but did collect a few prizes. A latish night again.

Tomorrow is fence building day, or at least get poles in the ground.

22nd, 23rd Tuart Hill and Subiaco

Well it sure is baby time... so Maz and I have been trying to be useful at O & Ali's place - with visits to the hospital. Ali only gets 3 days in hospital - after major surgery, which a caesar certainly is!!! - so will be discharged 23rd...

Maz has been washing and cleaning a bit and I have been gardening; well demolishing some of the bushes out front so a temporary fence (recycled pool fence) can go up around a front yard. Buddy and then Eddy will have a play area... Naturally I am scratched to bits by the bushes resisting.

Owen headed off at 9AM on the 23rd... and arrived home with the whole family about midday. Ali's mum Sharon with them for support, so we adjourned to the driveway and the bus so Ali could get some rest, relax. Owen needed to head out for work, although he has cancelled or postponed as much as he can.

It's tough that a first-time mother and a caesared one at that gets the boot after three days, even though there is apparently some home visits for a few more days. She will need her mum, and Owen... Later we have another visit, hold, cuddle and chat with Eddy. He is, well, handsome, cute... etc - the best looking little bloke we know!

We will get out of their driveway in the morning, and park at Kingsway CP only 10km away.

Edward

Edward John is one day old!

20th Oct - a birthday...

We went to bed about 9:30 - 10 last night... after a few wines and a toast to Ali being nominated for Top Wine rep in WA; third year out of three in the job!! The awards evening was happening whilst we ate, so Ali was being updated by text... The winner was apparently deserving - and probably has no life!

We can sleep through just about anything now - cars, buses, trucks, trains, aeroplanes, surf, wind, storms... so slept through Owen and Ali heading to the hospital when labour started after midnight. Woken by a text from Owen at 7AM - in labour, dilated, waters broken, at the King Edward Hospital, all okay.

By about 10 the decision was made to proceed to Caesarian as the babe was still high, big head, small pelvis and partial dilation... So we have walked the dogs... watched the news, read the (e)paper, and made another coffee and tea... and headed off to afternoon tea with cousin Bill and wife Christine. After a while messages from Owen - info bit by bit...

So at 12:29PM 20th October at 2.815KG Edward John Bridges came into the world...

We have seen and held the most handsome baby boy... since his father and uncles were born!
GREAT STUFF!

19th Oct - Mandurah to Perth

The night at Miami CP, at Falcon, a 'suburb' of Mandurah... was great. Aside from adjourning inside to avoid the germ laden mossies (according to various signs), we had a fine and enjoyable night.

After the first round of coffee and tea in the morning, we have all headed out along the path and boardwalk beside the estuary. It is very swampy in the shallows, but a good walk. We are in no hurry to go anywhere, since collecting the re-engined car is the priority, and it is only 90 km away... We depart at 10 heading up the coast to Rockingham.

We found a beach along the way that did not have the ubiquitous 'No Dogs' signs. It was near Madora. Getting closer to Rockingham we were rained on for a while, and found our way to Point Peron. The causeway to Garden Island - Stirling Naval Base lands there.

And it was there that the call from Suzi Shop came advising that the car was good to go. So we are off, eventually crossing to the Kwinana freeway, and Roe Highway to Cannington.

The Vitara now has a 120K-KM Balena engine in it, the vitara sump, camshaft, distributor etc and a few new seals. Runs like a ($2150) clock. The old bottom end is destroyed - as expected, with a hole in the block, under the exhausts - so not obvious until dismantled. Anyway we are mobile - and Maz gets to follow me across Perth...

Finally back at Owen and Ali's. And dinner is on us tonight.

Winjeel trying to get down
the coast finally gave up
due rain showers and poor vis.

causeway to Garden Island

Also have a firmish - pencilled in date for afternoon tea tomorrow with my cousin Willie - sorry, Police Sargent Bill McInerney and wife Christine. It has been a while, years. Looking forward to that.

18th Oct - Wandering to Mandurah

our first forest since Daintree

Made the most of the peace this morning - no highway, rail, or airport nearby - made a slow start with showers and hair washing. And decided to head west and Mandurah is there on the coast.

the Estuary

our corner of Falcon

So it is Wandering, Dwarda, Crossman, Boddington, Maradong in the first 30KM, what a novelty. Then Dwellingup, Pinjarra and Mandurah. Since we refuelled at the Woolies Petrol, near the main shopping mall, we might as well go in. The Telstra shop received new iPhones this morning - all gone by lunchtime. Dont know how many they received... Ah well.

Next priority is a NAB to get cash for the Suzuki, which we hope to collect tomorrow, Friday. After parking withdrawing and getting out of the tight carpark, we have confirmed to stay the night here. It is only 80 km to the Suzuki place.

There are two dog friendly CPs in Mandurah. One on the water - we will try there. It is called Miami but is at Falcon 5km south of Mandurah. We have a waterside (estuary view) site. Very nice, and only $30. We might have to come back.

17th Oct - upper Avon Valley and more

We decided to go back to the Avon Valley and follow upstream. So after breakfast headed back to Northam. We bought a couple of containers at Woolies yeterday and they fit the mini pantry very well. so we are getting some more on the way through Northam.

Next upstream is York, WA's first, hence oldest inland town. There are two main ways to get there. We chose the scenic route which follows the river closer. It is all broad acre farming along the valley; very much sheep and wheat - with the very occasional field of young canola, and some barley (I think).

York is, well, pretty, delightfully preserved. The main street and most of the others abound in original stone and later brick buildings circa 1870. There are plenty of fine 20th century buildings too. The streetscape is only marred by a few shop fronts, like the horrible blue-green of the Home Hardware - over a mainly period building...


We parked by the river and wandered around for an hour or so, needing coffee halfway in the bus. Not milky weak WA coffee. Owen has been trying to instruct me how to order and get a decent coffee - the locals just don't get it!!!

Imperial Hotel - York

York Masonic Hall

The Upper Avon River...

 From York we head south east to Beverley - because it is there, and the road stays in the bottom of the valley most of the way. Beverley is a smaller town.

With Airservices and CASA I have been involved, for many years, with airspace arrangements for the Beverley Soaring Clubs annual wave camp where the gliders take advantage of the seasonal weather to get to heights in Controlled Airspace on the lift from the hills  - in a strong steady wind. So I better check out the airfield.

Being mid-week there is no action, just Quentin fixing a switch in a glider...

Beverley Soaring Club

One of FIVE Bentleys we saw on tour at Bookton

Next stop Brookton, which turns out to be little more than a cross roads and a couple of shops. Might as well head for Pingelly. Not worth stopping there so we have turned right heading south west for Wandering... Yes a photo op, if they have a shire sign, I reckon.

There is a council run caravan park so we will stop there for the day and night. Turns out it is beside the amenities block (with hot shower tho) at the footy ground with some power poles. There is one other bloke here... $22 - good value!

the WANDERING CARAVAN PARK !!!

We have clicked over 12,000 KM today, since leaving home 16 weeks ago...

16th Oct - Avon Valley...

Scenic route

We will probably come back to the Swan Valley when it is open... First task is fuel. Down towards Midland seems the best bet for a Woolies or Shell Express (we have a 8c/l off voucher). After filling up we are heading north east, but I want to check out the Celtic Swan Gallery at the northern end off the main part of the Swan Valley. It's only 16 km north of Midland. In fact the whole round trip of the vineyard strip - West Swan Road - Great Norther Hwy is only 32KM...

The Celtic part of the gallery is the owner who is Irish... and a bit of jewellery. Most of the stuff is beautiful joinery and wood turned bowls etc... appropriately expensive. Maz found a nice celtic cross.

Renovators delight next to the Avon River

We (I) have decided to go to Toodyay first. I remember the drive being fun and the old town delightful (in 1970!). It is still a pretty place. So we followed the Avon river to Northam (the main town on the Avon). from the visitor centre we go to the old defunct Railway Station which is a combination museum/historic/cultural centre. Aside from trains there is a migrant exhibit. military exhibit and Postal/Telephone historical room... Maz likes all the historical stuff - but we have both seen enough rusty old machines.

The dammed Avon at Northam

Bike made in Northam in 1944 - date stamped!

model of the station

Bridges Service
Station had an
identical Kero pump!

the real station

Can't decide where to next, or to stay. So it is off to Meckering, east along the Great Eastern Hwy, heading for Kalgoolie. I remember when I arrived in WA in 1970, Meckering was being moved after being flattened by a 6.9 earthquake in 1968. So tonight we are camping next to the memorial garden in Meckering.

Meckering Memorial Garden

Telstra 3G is nearly everywhere or even almost ubiquitous - hence this post...

Tomorrow we might go back towards Northam and follow the Avon River to York... maybe...
or just go cross country again...

15th Oct - Swan Valley

We are going to get out of O and Ali's way for a while, and plan to head to the Swan Valley initially. Owen is off to work early - and working very hard and long hours. After chatting to Ali about all sorts of stuff, we head out.



The Swan Valley is of course famous for wineries and eateries... A bit of a letdown that many/most places are closed Mondays, some Tuesdays, and a few all weekdays... Anyway we have a few recommendations from the experts (the Kennedy girls). Had a look at Sandalford detoured around the huge Whiteman Park, and eventually found Talijancich - which was open! Closed Tuesdays! We tried some stuff and actually purchased a couple of bottles of fortified, a Verdelho Liqueur and another White blend Liqueur. Seriously delicious and a bit different. After that we though we better find somewhere to stop for the night.

Whiteman Park black duck family

Whiteman Park tortoise

Swan Valley Tourist Park is the only dog friendly - and we couldn't find a quiet, out of the way corner to sneak into. even get a member and senior discount!!!

Tomorrow we will probably head up Northam or Toodyay way...

14th Oct - Baby Shower

The mission for the day is a baby shower at Ali's parents place at Marmion, men excluded - except for Max and his cooking... After Ali has headed off to help get organised, and Maz is dressing up - makeup and all. Not many occasions in the last three + months.

After Maz was delivered Owen and I headed for the pub, some afternoon live music, catching up with a friend of O's, and a beer or two. At an appropriate time late in the PM we are allowed to "after baby shower" gathering... A few of Ali's lovely friends are still there and one of Sharon's, who had helped Maz feel at home. Seems like a good time had by all.

The grandchild, has received heaps of wonderful and useful things. What a generous bunch. Owen and I had lunched so a top up with Max's tasty treats, we are all done for the day.

13th Oct - Perth

Todays plan is to all go to breakfast, collect some chests of drawers... and then, whatever.
So eventually we head to 'the Deli' which is dog friendly as it is nominally a take-away, not an eatery - althought there are plenty of tables... Meet up with Ali's parents, Max and Sharon there - and their two dogs. And there are plenty of other dogs...

Breakfast over it is off to the Kennedys' place. We are going to collect the furniture from around the corner. Ali is heading off shopping with her mum. We will borrow her car - after unloading the nursery furniture from Owens ute... That done Owen is off to work - to catch up - get ahead of the jobs underway. And so Maz and Al are off to the big shops at Inaloo. Good plan as it has started to rain. Window shopping and coffee is therapeutic... I am told... I have finally worked out the best way (cheapest) option for my mobile upgrade as current deal is about to expire; a Telstra supplied iPhone. There is a Telstra shop! They have no phones... Geraldton shop had lots, and lots, but no 4G, so few sales, due to few people, I guess. But they probably received the same number of phones as the half dozen Perth shops. I will try online. Nope, since the business (Aeronav) is in NSW they won't deliver to WA!

Any how back at Tuart Hill we settled in to read. Eventually Owen is home with Ali, and we all settle in for the evening. Tomorrow afternoon is for a 'Baby Shower' - ladies, women, girls only.

12th Oct - Perth northern suburbs..

We spent the night of 11th at Kingsway CP near Joondalup. Tried Wanneroo CP first but no space, no manager, and ducks on the pool... Kingsway was fine inspite of a few bad reviews.
A fellow tenant had a pair of recently clipped dogs and gave us the business card of the groomer.

Virginia's Dog Grooming was only 10 minutes away so phoned on spec at 0830. Made an appointment for 0900; so a quick pack up and off... Dropped Honey off for an hour and a half., and found a local shopping centre, which is somewhere to park the bus! So we killed an hour and headed back. Good job done clip wash and dry, and $50. As always Honey becomes a pup again so we decided to find a beach for her to have a good run around. Easier said than done.

White dog on white sand...

"No dogs" signs everywhere. Finally found a sign saying animals only at the animal beach - but where is it? Three beaches later found a sign/map indicating where this beach was located. Headed there! Horses to the right dogs to the left!!! Didn't see any horses but wow, dogs everywhere and the tide is half in and not much sand.


 Honey holds her own with the bigger, younger, more boisterous dogs, and is quite social when not defending her turf - or adopted turf. So she and we had a good time for an hour .

Hilarys Marina wall

Then we went looking for a place to park-up and watch the water for the day. Stayed at Hilary's Harbour for a while then headed south stopping at Trigg Beach. We parked looking straight out west over the water, and got our books out. Nice afternoon. Finally time to head to Owen and Ali. Parked in the drive between the carport and the gutter, and removed the tow bar, which shortens the bus by 50cm.

Trigg Beach north and path that goes to Burns Beach

Trigg Beach south

Owen made a great dinner of rump steak sausages and delicious salad. We yacked, drank some beers and wine (except Ali) and off home latish - 4m from the front door.

Tomorrow it is off to Mandy (Ali's sisters) and partner Steve's Deli/Cafe for breakfast.