28 April 2023 - Albury

Up betimes to undertake a sentimental journey through Mrs P's childhood - and, to seek out MAMA.

As a general observation, it would be fair to say that there have been a few changes in Albury since the 1950's. 

The Prop first visited Albury in 1975, at which time the intersection on which the Post Office stood was the only one controlled by traffic lights and the main highway between Sydney and Melbourne still ran through the middle of town.

Nevertheless, we were able to locate Mrs P's childhood home, the location of which must remain secret out of respect for the current owners who might otherwise be inundated by paparazzi. 

Having said that, Mrs P was not impressed by the somewhat unkempt appearance of the former family seat. The current owners are either too busy to attend to a bit of home maintenance OR are committed environmentalists unwilling to cut, prune or mow plants of any description.

The family seat of Mrs P as at 2014 (or one very much like it) - before falling into disrepair

Next, a visit to the final resting places of some close relatives and time for reflection on the meaning of life.

The autumn of life?

Then came a leisurely stroll through town to appreciate the pre-Federation architecture including the notable and substantial Albury Post Office - an undoubted symbol of the unbridled optimism of the early inhabitants.

Such optimism was not without a very good foundation. Albury was, in the 1890's, almost certain to become the national capital of the new Australian federation. However, on the day the "selection committee", made up of politicians, came to Bungambrawatha (the original and Aboriginal name of Albury) a giant dust storm engulfed the town, thus dashing all hopes of the locals! 

The Albury Post Office - a portent of things to come?

Next, and almost by accident, the Prop found his MAMA!

MAMA - apparently, for the artist, there are no easy answers

It is pretty clear that there is a thriving and vibrant arts community in Albury where stylish, even outlandish, post-Federation architecture seems to have found a home.

 An example of stylish and outlandish post-Federation Albury architecture - or is it an advertisement for beer?

Although ostensibly a friendly and welcoming place, there is some evidence that lasting and meaningful friendships may be hard to make in Albury. A large sign opposite the Post Office proclaims "Mates Limited"

Albury - apparenty a difficult place to make friends since 1850

Rather more sedate post-Federation architecture. How the mighty have fallen! Temperance & General Insurance (T&G) and Australian Mutual Provident Society (AMP) are no longer what they once were.

Just off the main street (Dean St) there was a café where, in 1991, the Prop consumed  an "Orange Lazarus" - a frozen concoction which instantaneously led to a form of "brain freeze",  a transient but extremely painful condition affecting the nose and cerebellum in particular. It therefore came as no surprise to the Prop that that establishment has now gone out of business.

(For more information about the "Orange Lazarus" see: 

https://twitter.com/tharook/status/1642143778248052737)

The café which formerly sold the popular but painful Orange Lazarus

A close-up photograph of an Orange Lazarus (or one very much like it). ( I know, it looks like a Brown Lazarus, but I couldn't find an Orange one!)

Finally, and mysteriously, whilst searching for the ladies' hair salon formerly  frequented by Mrs P's late mother (the business was owned and operated by one Lola Wigg) the Prop found instead, a "small bar" which is, paradoxically, operated by "Temperance & General Albury Pty Ltd" (T&G?). 

Possibly Australia's  only Temperance Bar

Although unable to find Lola Wigg, we did stumble upon a gentlemens' hairdresser where only strong men go in the deep hours to have their hairs shortened - the "Dude Hut". On reflection, the Dude Hut may well be part of the thriving and vibrant Albury arts community.

The Dude Hut - where stylish dudes go to get half cut

27 April 2023 - Shepparton to Albury

Up betimes to make our way to the Shepparton Preserving Company Pty Ltd. (SPC) which company now, in fact, trades under the name SPC. 

The SPC factory is located at Ardmona - under which name SPC also carries on business. Confusing isn't it?

More here:

https://spchistory.wordpress.com/the-history-of-spc/

The SPC factory at Ardmona. Their trade secrets are apparently closely guarded - by high corrugated iron barriers.

Having decided to take the road less travelled (out of consideration for the Tadpole, whose cruising speed is a comfortable 90km/h - a speed which appears to infuriate most modern motorists) we departed Shepp and headed for Kattamatite.

(At this point, the Prop should make it clear that he had never previously heard of Kattamatite, which he naturally assumed was the name of some exotic mineral or of a minor sexual perversion. However, Mrs P, having grown up in the Albury region, assured the Prop that she knew of, but was not intimately familiar with, the many attractions of Kattamatite.)

Indeed, upon arrival at Kattamatite, the Prop was astonished to learn that this little township is (or maybe was, if he has  moved or is not still alive) home to Mr Glenn Crawford, winner of the Stawell Gift (Australia 's richest professional foot race)

Glenn Crawford, winner of the Stawell Gift nearly 30 years ago and apparently still living in Kattamatite. Is he resting on his laurels?

At the Kattamatite Lions Park the Prop was again astonished to find that Kattamatite lies at the very heart of something called the Broke and Boozy State Park. (I think I have spelt that correctly).

 The Broke and Boozy State Park - a real eye-opener!

.

But Kattamatite had saved its most interesting attraction until last!

Tucked away in the corner of the "Kattamatite Broke and Boozy Lions State Park" was a vintage vehicle older even than the mighty Tadpole - although the Prop feels obliged to mention that it is nowhere nearly as well-maintained as the Tadpole.

A vintage tractor at Kattamatite (possibly a "Fergie") pales in comparison to the Tadpole 

Thoroughly sated by the charms of Kattamatite, and by a nice cup of coffee, we sallied forth to Yarrawonga (Vic), Mulwala (NSW) then Rutherglen (Vic, again!). Being of a notoriously abstemious disposition, the Prop eschewed the tasting of any alcoholic beverages in the Rutherglen and otherwise did as he was told and headed straight for Albury hoping to put in a late appearance at MAMA (Murray Art Museum Albury). But alas, we must all wait until tomorrow...at the very least.

So, in summary, the JAPPA has so far included Ross, Devonport, Banjos (both the bakery and the poet) Geebung, Bacchus Marsh,  SAM, SPC, Broke & Boozy,Yarrawonga, Rutherglen and, very nearly, MAMA.

25 April 2023 -"Anzac Day"

Having rigorously tested the Porta Potti and made all necessary final arrangements, the Prop and Mrs P set off on the Journey Around Particular Parts of the Antipodes (JAPPOTA) but not before seeking and obtaining a farewell blessing from the Lord Cousland of Worley. 

Duly blessed and feeling very self-satisfied - if not beatified- the journey began.

First mandatory stop was at the Ross Bakery which was bathed in autumnal hues and serving excellent Cornish pasties and other sweetmeats.

The township of Ross - it's name means "horse" but no sign of meat substitution in the excellent Cornish pasties

Shortly after leaving Ross the Prop realised that he had failed to pack any long daks! Only shorts and a swimming costume. Concerned that he may be prevented from attending several potential formal engagements, on arrival in Devonport, the Prop sought out the well known high-class sartor, Herr Klaus Mart (more popularly known by the sobriquet "K-Mart") in order to obtain some bespoke pantaloons. 

Ended up with a cheap pair of elastic waisted navy blue trousers which may or may not pass muster. 

Thereafter we took light refreshment at "Banjos" in the Devonport Mall - one of the few businesses in Devonport open on Anzac Day (other than Herr Mart's Emporium)

Devonport Mall on Anzac Day. Not much hustle or bustle

A bank building at the Rooke Street end of the mall was closed for business but it appears that the signwriter inadvertently omitted the "n".

Devonport Bank building with slipshod signwriting.

Thence to board the Spirit of Tasmania II for the trip across the Bass Strait. From on board, Devonport looked like a picture.

Three pictures of Devonport looking like a picture

After that, nothing else interesting happened, so we went to bed.

ACROSS THE BASS STRAIT BY TADPOLE - A most gelatinous journey

The Prop (in his characteristically perfunctory manner) is back. Or, at any rate, seriously thinking about being back - back in the blogging caper, that is.

 

Unable to secure a booking on the Spirit of Tasmania until August, Mrs P suggested that we should ressurect our 1987 Hi-Ace Sunliner® campervan in order to undertake the planned tour of particular parts of the Antipodes.

Recently re-christened as "the Tadpole" (being the smaller, yet no less robust, brother of "the Cane Toad") the Tadpole was first purchased in 2003 in order to attend sundry fixtures forming part of the 2003 Rugby World Cup - Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney (not to mention Bateau Bay - where no RWC fixture took place but which the Prop remembers very fondly). [It is a curious thing indeed that we use the phrase "not to mention" by way of introduction to actually mentioning the very thing that we claim not to be mentioning!]

"The Tadpole" in its prime - somewhere in northern NSW in 2003

Any reader who has not yet lost interest would, by now, likely be wondering why it is that the Prop still owns a 36 year old vehicle which has little or no claim to be  "classic" or even "vintage" but nevertheless, quite old.  

The Prop also wonders! But, there it is!

Perhaps the Prop is a "hoarder". (The Prop also owns a 1991 Nissan Patrol which took him and his family around Australia in 1993). 

        The legendary 1991 Nissan Patrol

Alternatively the Prop may be a vintage car enthusiast. More likely, however, the Prop has developed sentimental attachments to inanimate objects which he believes (rightly or wrongly) have served him well. (In 2014, the Prop was offered A$1,500 for the Nissan Patrol as a trade-in! It took all of the dignity that the Prop could muster to prevent the Prop from punching the offending used car salesman in the nasal region!)

But I digress.

The Tadpole sets sail from Devonport on Anzac Day (25 April). Meanwhile, the Prop and Mrs P have set about preparing their conveyance for the ordeal that lies ahead. The on-board 3 Way refrigerator, microwave, griller, television and water pump have all been tested and found to be operating satisfactorily. As yet, the Porta Potti has not been rigorously or fully tested.

What could possibly go wrong!

The Thetford Porta Potti 335 - yet to be fully tested!

ACROSS THE NULLARBOR BEATING CANE TOADS - "A Most Competitive Journey"

Day 33

Wednesday 30 May 2018

Denham to Wooramel Station

Up betimes to visit the well-appointed Denham Dump-Ezy.

Drove the Cane Toad over some questionable surfaces (which really tested the A frame) to Eagle Bluff Boardwalk in the expectation of viewing turtles, manta rays and sharks. Alas, we only saw some dolphins scaring a school of fish and a German tourist who claimed to have seen a turtle.

Next stop, the aptly-named Shell Beach which is made up entirely of the shells of fragum cockles. Far too many to count!

Thence to Hamelin Pool to view the stromatolites.

Keen readers of the blog will recall that the Prop and Mrs P had tremendous difficulty identifying stromatolites at Spear Creek (see Day 8)

Day 34

Thursday 31 May 2018

Wooramel Station to Coral Bay

Day 35
Friday 1 June 2018
Coral Bay




Day 36
Saturday 2 June 2018
Coral Bay to Exmouth




Day 37
Sunday 3 June 2018
Exmouth to Robe River




Day 38
Monday 4 June 2018
Robe River to Dampier





Day 39
Tuesday 5 June 2018
Dampier to Port Hedland





Day 40
Wednesday 6 June 2018
Port Hedland to Stanley Rest Area





Day 41
Thursday 7 June 2018
Stanley Rest Area to Broome





Day 42
Friday 8 June 2018
Broome



Day 43
Saturday 9 June 2018
Broome




Day 44
Sunday 10 June 2018
Broome




Day 45
Monday 11 June 2018
Broome




Day 46
Tuesday 12 June 2018
Broome




Day 47
Wednesday 13 June 2018
Broome to ...

ACROSS THE NULLARBOR BAITING CANE TOAD - A Most Intoxicating Journey

Day 29

Saturday 26 May 2018

Cliff Head to Northampton

Up betimes having endured another, less inclement night although a generous dinner of bacon and baked beans the night before did nothing to ease the turbulence in and around the Cane Toad!

We were the last of five free campers to depart Cliff Head but the Cane Toad's A-Frame seems to be holding up.

Made our way to Dongara (say Dong-a-ruh) and stumbled on what may be the best equipped Dump-Ezy this side of Port Augusta.  This splendid appliance not only features a snug-fitting and easily lifted lid and fully adjustable water hose, it also has a dedicated hand-basin, night light and a roof.  It is also enclosed on three sides making it both private and weatherproof!  This "Dongara DeLuxe Dump-Ezy" sets the standard to which all municipal dump points should now aspire. 4 1/2 Stars.

THE DONGARA DELUXE DUMP-EZY - SETTING THE STANDARD

But Dongara is not just a leader in the chemical toilet hygiene stakes, it also boasts "the Big Lobster" or, as the Prop prefers to call it,  "the Crayfish in a Boat" a startling piece of post-modernist abstract sculpture/installation.

However, being as fair as one possibly can, the lobster component - although considerably larger than life-size - is not especially "big".  And the "boat" component is no larger than a sabot dinghy.  All in all, "the Big Lobster" of Dongara pales by comparison with "The Big Crayfish" at Kingston S.E. in South Australia.

"THE BIG CRAYFISH" AT DONGARA - NOT VERY BIG AT  ALL!

THE BIG LOBSTER AT KINGSTON SE (SA) - SETTING THE STANDARD FOR "BIG" CRUSTECEANS

In the Prop's humble opinion, the burghers of Dongara would be better off spruiking the considerable attractions of their magnificent DeLuxe Dump-Ezy rather than wasting any more precious PR dollars on the (purported) "Big Crayfish".

Left Dongara with mixed feelings but an empty chemical toilet and headed for Geraldton.

Parked in the newly-provided caravan parking/camping area in the centre of town and, knowing no better, we decided to take the self-guided "West End Walk" which turned out to be immensely uninteresting but mercifully short.

I suppose that if you have an interest in grain silo construction or fish markets, you may find one or two sites which grab your attention.  In saying this, the Prop does not overlook the newly-reconstructed grandstand at the Geraldton Oval (home of the Mighty Blues - the Geraldton Railway Football Club) named in memory of Colin "Scruffy" Burgess.

On the other hand, it too could be easily overlooked without regret.

THE COLIN BURGESS "SCRUFFY" GRANDSTAND.  BUILT OF STEEL AND CONCRETE BUT MADE TO LOOK LIKE THE TIMBER ORIGINAL

THE RON MORGAN PAVILION

SPIRITUAL HOME OF "THE MIGHTY BLUES" - THE GERALDTON RAILWAY AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL CLUB

Left Geraldton heading nowhere in particular and eventually stopped just north of Northampton at "Northbrook Home Stay" - a form of caravan park in a paddock on a farm, the second most notable feature of which is its complete lack of any level ground.  Not for the fist time, the Prop spent the night wondering whether the Cane Toad might not fall off the edge of the planet (See Day 12).

The most notable feature of Northbrook Home Stay was that it appears to be the current home of Dr Who and that Dr Who can't spell "Tardis".

Alternatively, the occupant of the "Tardus" is an imposter.

Alternatively "Tardus" is some sort of pun that continues to be far too cryptic for the Prop to decode.

               

 

Day 30

Sunday 27 May 2018

Northampton to Kalbarri

Up betimes and got away before Dr Who (Who had in fact left in his Land Rover leaving his "Tardus" and trailer behind.  It seems that he may be residing at Northbrook Home Stay.  If that is correct then the Prop thinks that this was a technical win at the very least since we left before he had "completely"left).

Made a last minute decision to make a detour to Kalbarri and were very glad we did. There is simply no comparison to be made between the delights of the Kalbarri National Park and Geraldton's West End Walk (See Day 29)

NATURE'S WINDOW, KALBARRI NATIONAL PARK  

AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF A BIG ROCK WITH A HOLE IN IT.

THE HAWK'S HEAD, KALBARRI NATIONAL PARK

AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF A ROCK WITHOUT A HOLE IN IT.

KALBARRI GORGE, KALBARRI NATIONAL PARK

AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF A ROCK WITH A RIVER RUNNING THROUGH IT.

The A- Frame on the Cane Toad is holding up pretty well.

Day 31
Monday 28 May 2018
Kalbarri to Denham

Up betimes and headed in the direction of Monkey Mia.

Having discovered that the only caravan park at Monkey Mia is closed for redevelopment we navigated to Denham (about 25 klms from Monkey Mia) and arrived at the "Blue Dolphin Caravan Park."

Had a ceremonial beer at the most westerly pub in Australia.

SHARK BAY HOTEL 

NO MORE BEER UNTIL MADAGASGAR FOR THOSE HEADING WEST!

Day 32Tuesday 29 May 2018Denham to Monkey Mia to Denham

Up betimes to travel 25 kilometres to Monkey Mia hopeful of being able to participate in one of the two or three "dolphin interactions"which usually take place each day. (The A-Frame on the Cane Toad is still making funny noises bu is otherwise OK.)

Controversy rages about how Monkey Mia got its name. See here. 

On arrival the Prop was not surprised to find that, just like nearly everybody else, dolphins get up and going much earlier than the Prop does.  It was barely 9.30 and a big board announced that already two "interactions" had occurred today.  However, all was not lost.  Based on events of previous days it appeared that if there was to be a third interaction today then it would happen by 11.00 am at the latest.

Then, at 9.55 am, just as the Prop and Mrs P sat down to a nice freshly-made cappuccino coffee, dolphins began appearing in the water about 15 metres away.  First one, then two more then three until there were at least six or seven interactive dolphins who swam around aimlessly but close by for about 20 minutes while a human-dolphin interactor told the assembled crowd of about 60 onlookers how to interact with dolphins properly. No approaching, swimming with, feeding or even touching the dolphins - not even with a fully informed consent (#MeToo\Dolphins).

TWO DOLPHINS AND A SKILLED DOLPHIN INTERACTOR AT MONKEY MIA

A VERY ATTRACTIVE FEMALE DOLPHIN SEEKING TO INTERACT WITH THE PROP!  LOOK BUT DO NOT TOUCH!

At the end of the interaction lecture each of the dolphins lined up in the water next to a volunteer who was holding a bucket with that particular dolphin's name on it (Can they read?) and selected visitors were invited to interact with them by hand feeding them a small fish.  Two or three fish later, all the dolphins were gone - just as quickly as they had appeared.

So that's what a dolphin interaction is!

Meanwhile, the pelicans, who were obviously crying out for a bit of interaction -  were largely ignored!

    PELICANS, DESPERATE FOR MORE INTERACTION AT MONKEY MIA

ACROSS THE NULLARBOR BITING CANE TOADS - "A Most Distasteful Journey"

Day 18

Tuesday 15 May 2018

Lucky Bay to Jerramungup

Up betimes and on our way from Lucky Bay back westwards through Esperance making yet another stop at the magnificent Esperance dump point; - a standard "Dump-Ezy" appliance complete with a well-maintained hinged lid and cleaning hose with adjustable flow.  A real delight to use.  In some ways, the Prop wishes he had had more bowel movements in the immediately preceding days to do this facility justice! - 4 stars!

THE ESPERANCE "DUMP-EZY" - OR ONE VERY MUCH LIKE IT.

Then on to the Munglinup Roadhouse for a very nourishing lunch which, in the case of the Prop, consisted of a "chicken and broccoli ball" and a chicken dim sim both of which came from an impressively sparkling bain-marie.

Who knew broccoli was a fast food?

THE MUNGLINUP ROADHOUSE - AN OUTSTANDING BAIN-MARIE

Refreshed (and not a little bloated) the Prop aimed the Cane Toad towards the clean, friendly and peaceful Jerramunjup Caravan Park at which an uneventful - one might even say "clean, friendly and peaceful" night was passed.

JERRAMUNGUP CARAVAN PARK - THE SIGN SAYS IT ALL

Nearly perfick!

Day 19
Wednesday 16 May 2018
Jerramungup to Peaceful Bay

Up betimes and sallied forth to the historic whaling town of Albany.

Had a quick look about but were unable to find any whales at all - let alone any historic ones.  Turns out quite a lot of whales were killed here earlier last century.  Indeed, as a young lass, Mrs P visited Albany in the early 1970's at which time the whaling killing industry was still in operation - you could tell by the smell apparently!

The Prop was surprised to find the brig "Amity" in "dry dock" near the foreshore but the redoubtable Rear-Admiral Kimber was nowhere to be found. We were told he had taken a party of soi disant "medical professionals" on a cuckoo spotting day cruise on the MV Kenkesey.

THE BRIG "AMITY" IN DRY DOCK AT ALBANY

Nearby to the Amity the Prop found a memorial to a Captain G. Vancouver.  Never heard of him!

THE G. VANCOUVER MEMORIAL.  WHAT DID HE EVER DO?

The Prop also paid a courtesy visit to the offices of Albany's biggest mega law firm, Liz Hamilton T&L Lawyers at their new offices but was not well-received - so we left before the bill exceeded $500.

THE NEW OFFICES OF LIZ HAMILTON T&L LAWYERS, "WC CHAMBERS"

Left Albany in the Cane Toad (as well as in high dudgeon) and headed to Denmark.  Not the one in Europe but the one in Western Australia that is famous for being the home of the Bert Bolle barometer - the world's BIGGEST barometer.

For the Prop, this was going to be the the undoubted highlight of the week.

Not the Big Galah, not the Big Windmill, not even the Big Wombat can compare with the Big Barometer!  The sheer audacity of Bert Bolle to conceive of - let alone to construct - the world's largest barometer!  And no mere aneroid barometer.  This thing is the real deal - a 40 foot high water column barometer.  Talk about atmosphere!  Talk about pressure!!

Learn more here

THE BERT BOLLE BIG BAROMETER - WHAT A WHOPPER!

Unfortunately, the Big Barometer was so difficult and expensive to maintain it was removed from the Denmark Visitor Information Centre in 2011.

THE DENMARK VISITOR CENTRE

FORMER HOME OF THE BERT BOLLE BIG BAROMETER

Consequently, there is now no reason to stop in Denmark.

Bastards!



Dejected, and now in even higher dudgeon, we made our doleful way to Peaceful Bay.

A less than perfick day!   

Day 20

Thursday 17 May 2018

Peaceful Bay

Another lay-day!

Say no more!

THE CANE TOAD - AT PEACE

A peaceful day at Peaceful Bay.

PEACEFUL BAY, PEACEFUL BAY

Perfick!

Day 21

Friday 18 May 2018

Peaceful Bay to Greenbushes

Up betimes having spotted a very highly rated free camping site at a little place called Greenbushes.
(Not able to ascertain how the town got its name - curious!)

Turned out to be a sort of car park next to the local soccer ground at which young kiddies and their bleary-eyed parents began to arrive at about 7.45 am ready for a 9.00 am kick-off.

The Prop has never before woken up from a good night's sleep only to find that he is part of a crowd at a soccer game.  Unusual but not highly-rated.

Somewhat less than perfick!

Still, it WAS free.

Day 22

Saturday 19 May 2018

Greenbushes to Yunderup

Up betimes and headed for Walpole.  Not the one just north of Dover in Tasmania that no-one has ever heard of but this one.

Infiltrated the local IGA to negotiate the vending of some fromaginous and non-formaginous comsestibles and were treated to an impropmptu bouzouki recital by a travelling troupe of Greek cheesemongers. As a result we quickly curtailed our Walpoling activities and headed for the delightfully-named Yunderup

Intending to patronise "Tathams Caravan Park", as a result of a navigational infelicity, the Cane Toad entered the adjacent, and deceptively similar, "Murray River Caravan Park".

What stroke of luck!  Had we gone where we intended we should have ended up somewhere up the back in among "the permanents".  As it was, we were directed to a site with an absolute river frontage complete with water fowl, dolphins and all-day sun.

THE YUNDERUP DOLPHINS SHOWING OFF FOR THE VISITORS...

AS WATER FOWL WATCH ON WITH INTEREST

YUNDER UP, SUN DOWN

Perfick!

 

Day 23

Sunday 20 May 2018

Yunderup

Yet another lay-day!

THE CANE TOAD TAKES IT EASY

Still perfick!

Day 24

Monday 21 May 2018

Yunderup to Wembley Downs (Perth)

Up betimes and straight to the rather disappointing Mandurah dump point!

Like the Esperance dump point, this too is a "Dump-Ezy" appliance but the lid is difficult to operate and there is NO water hose at all so "spillage" can be a real problem - 2 stars.

On to Wembley Downs to a small private facility operated by friends who were, surprisingly, pleased to see us...or said they were!

Perfick!

Day 25

Tuesday 22 May 2018

Wembley Downs

Up betimes to take the Cane Toad for a much-needed fixed-price service complete with attempted "$450 up-sell" ("Your A-frame might be busted - best put in a new one to be safe")  The Prop skillfully resisted these false entreaties - but now worries that the Cane Toad's A-frame may indeed be busted!

Then to Ratsnest Island for the day.  Very pleasant indeed.

SEAL WATCHING ON ROTTNEST ISLAND  

THE PROP HAS NEVER FELT SO SELF-CONSCIOUS!

Then "home" for a hand made pasta dinner made by the park's resident chef, Monsieur Bibendum.

Perfick! 

 

Day 26

Wednesday 23 May 2018

Wembley Downs

Up betimes to go and collect the cane Toad.  The little men at Auto Bahn had even washed and polished the Cane Toad - but it was making a funny noise.  Could it be the A-frame?

Went on a longish stroll to Scarborough Beach to inspect the $150 million redevelopment of the foreshore.  The Prop can only guess but reckons about $148 million was spent on building a BIG car park [Why didn't they call it "The Big Car Park"?] and about $2 million building a swimming pool next to the beach.  Apparently there is nowhere else to have a swim because the car park is so big!

THE SCARBOROUGH BEACH SWIMMING POOL - $2M AND NO ARTIFICIAL BEACH!

Paid a visit to Mrs P's aged aunt and enjoyed a variety of baked goods including giant lamingtons.

A RELATIVELY SMALL LAMINGTON - BUT YOU GET THE IDEA

Home for dinner - lamb curry, dahl, bad puns, rice and strawberry sponge cake which, with the exception of the bad puns, were all made by the aforesaid Monsieur Bibendum.

Even more perfick!

Day 27

Thursday 24 May 2018

Wembley Downs to Cervantes

Up betimes to head north and out of the metropolis of Perth.

The weather forecast was not promising.  After 10 days of mid 20's and clear blue skies, warnings were being issued for torrential rains and "destructive winds".  Winter is coming the locals kept telling us!

And so it was.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS AFOOT!

Slow going into a stiff headwind obliged the Prop to feed extra flies to the Cane Toad to keep him going.  As for the A-frame - so far so good.

Arrived in Cervantes in the early afternoon.  No Don Quixote and no windmills as such although there is a sizable "wind farm" about 100 klms south of Cervantes, so you never know!

As the Prop writes, the cane Toad is being buffetted by boisterous winds, occasional heavy rain and the alarming sound of gum nuts falling on the roof - or is it the Cane Toad's A-frame cracking?

The Prop is a little concerned that the Cervantes Caravan park is at sea level and 8 metre waves have been predicted!

THE SEARCH FOR A CYCLIST MISSING IN THE BAD WEATHER CONTINUES.  WHERE CAN HE /SHE BE?

If this turns out to be the last despatch, the reader will know why! (Alternatively it could be because, once again, this blog gets so far behind that the Prop gives up.)

Day 28

Friday 25 May 2018

Cervantes to Cliff Head

Up betimes to find that we had survived a very boisterous night - weather wise (Are you with me?)

Got under way from the [Miguel] Cervantes Caravan Park before at least one other traveller.

However, the Prop was obliged to stop to take a photograph of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza and while he was doing so that other traveller whizzed past and reached the Cervantes town boundary before the Cane Toad.

A defeat perhaps but only a very technical one!

DON QUIXOTE, SANCHO PANZA AND A VESSEL - WHAT CAN IT MEAN?

Reached a very attractive free campground at Cliff Head (not his real name) by 12.30 pm after fighting more headwinds all morning.  Still windy with occasional showers but an ideal opportunity to get this Blog up to date.