Shuffle off to Busselton

Saturday morning we headed off to Busselton stopping along the way at the Margaret River Cheese Company and the Regional Wine Centre.

As we drove along we noticed the temperature outside was steadily rising. By the time we got settled in to our new temporary home the mercury had risen quite considerably and since we were camped on the foreshore we were tempted to spend the rest of the day at the beach but decided instead to drive into the town center to have a look around.

We hadn't really driven very far, but by the time dinnertime rolled around we were feeling lazy (mostly due to the heat) and decided against cooking. Mike fancied pizza and as we passed the pizza shop the aromas wafting out of the door were enough to convince us to go in. They had a special running and we bought two medium pizzas for under $20. Not bad considering it fed us for two evenings. Not wanting to leave Maggie in a hot car while we ate, we brought the pizza back to the caravan park and enjoyed some with a bottle of wine and then set out for the drive in movie theater which was just down the road.

We saw a double feature, the first was an animated film whose title I forget (about a bear being released back into the woods) which was surprisingly entertaining. The second was "The Pursuit of Happiness" starring Wil Smith, also very enjoyable. Even Maggie enjoyed himself, and was given a doggie biscuit to snack on during the movie by the ticket seller at the gate.

Bussleton's main attraction is the 2 kilometre long jetty which we visited he following morning in an effort to get a head start on the heat of the day. It is the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere (the longest being in England). They began building it in 1865 and it took 95 years to complete. It served over a century as a working port (until 1972) after which maintenance stopped and the jetty began to deteriorate.

Then in 1978 cyclone Alby destroyed a significant part of the jetty and the government decided to demolish it. The town of Busselton banded together to save the jetty raising in excess of 9 million dollars. As we walked along the jetty we could see how important the jetty was to the locals. There were plaques honoring the deceased of the town and even the guide at the underwater observatory at the end of the pier mentioned that she had her first kiss on the jetty.

The underwater observatory at the end of the pier allows visitors to descend 8 metres below sea level. We saw coral, schools of fish as well as other sea creatures (including a couple of divers who wandered through). It was really special and well worth the 4 kilometre walk. There was a tram that crosses the jetty but this was not in operation. Additional restoration of the jetty is planned and the beginning of more works evident, so I assume that the tram will run again at some point.






After the jetty we decided to take a drive inland (in the nice air conditioned car - it was starting to get hot out!). Along the way we stopped at "Gnome Village" where there are hundreds of gnomes hailing from all over the world.

The following morning had us heading to Mandurah...

Augusta Bound

Our first stop was in Mount Franklind national park in the town of Walpole. You may remember that we had taken a day trip to Walpole from Denmark to do the tree top walk and Ancient walk. This time we went to see the "Hilltop Giant Tingle" which is the largest known girthed eucalypt in the world.

We drove along Hilltop Road which winds through a red tingle forest. We came across a sign that said "no caravans" and were happy that we would be allowed access with our camper. We arrived at the small carpark and although it was no problem at all for our camper we could see where there just wouldn't be room to accommodate a bunch of large caravans.

A very pleasant 1/2 kilometre walk through the park led to a boardwalk that skirts around and protects the huge tree. Of course we took the usual tourist happy snaps, and noted on the information board that in the past many tourists used to park their car inside the tree and take photos. Since then the boardwalk was built to protect the tree from damage for future generations to enjoy.

Once we got back to Walpole we decided to stop for lunch, and stopped at a cafe called "Wooz and Suz". We should have just kept driving or gone to one of the other cafes in the area. We had a seafood basket which we expected to be delicious since we were in a fishy sort of town. It was okay, but just average, and expensive considering the small serving. Plus, We each bought an iced tea. Mine was iced green tea and it tasted sort of ick. Not spoiled, just a bit weird. Mike noticed that it was past the "best by" date and brought it in to exchange. They refused to exchange it since it was a "best by" and not a "use by" date, and we ended up throwing it out. I really can't understand their attitude, why would a business alienate a customer over $2.80 (which isn't cheap, and the drink should have been premium like the price not beyond it's optimum date!). I would have expected them to apologise and whisk it away and replace it with another. Although the atmosphere of the cafe on the covered porch was lovely, the disregard for customer service is what I will most remember.

Our next stop was in Pemberton at the Gloucester national park. At this park there was an entry fee ($10 per car) and an attendant collecting fees. I was concerned that they might refuse us entry since we had Maggie in the car. I asked, and was basically told "we don't encourage it, but go ahead". The way that she spoke gave me the impression that there wouldn't have been an issue as long as he remained in the car, but since I asked she had to give me the "right" answer. This was confirmed when I noticed other dogs in the car park, specifically one on the tray at the back of a ute. Luckily it was a cool overcast day and no problem for Maggie to have a snooze in the back seat while we explored.

The park was really pretty, and had facilities like picnic tables and a spotless toilet. (Hey, you notice these things on the road.. by the time we get back to Victoria I'll probably be able to tell you all the good spots for a pit stop in WA!). As we walked along the path the famous Gloucester tree loomed up in the distance.

The Gloucester tree is one of the highest fire lookout trees in the world. It's got 153 metal stakes in it's trunk spiraling up 60 metres to a viewing platform. Even standing at the bottom and looking up is dizzying! We watched people go up to various heights on the tree for photos, and one guy who got almost to the top and who kept saying that his legs were like jelly once he got down.

There were a bunch of lorikeets in an area in front of the tree and a fellow tourist gave us some bird seed to offer them. We photographed some of the results.

Apparently Mike's new hat is all the rage in Pemberton.

From there our next stop was Augusta and we are staying at the Westbay Retreat which is a great bushland camping site alongside the blackwood river complete with boat ramp and boat "parking". Perfect for us and our folding boat. The owners are so friendly and laid back, and it's a bush like setting with open lawned areas as well as niches under the shade of trees. Plus there is the luxury of an ablution block (which is interesting in itself and I'll have to write more about later) as well as power for those who need it.

There's even a plug for satellite tv in the power boxes for those like me who wanted to see the season premiere of "Lost" last night. :) Mike saved the day on that one btw. We don't have have a television, but we travel with our laptop with a TV card that allows us to watch DVDs and telly on it if the mood strikes and there's a signal. When I saw that they had satellite I really wanted to be able to access it to feed my "Lost" addiction. Unfortunately since we use the laptop we didn't have the right plug. Don't ask me how he did it, but mike took a bit of foil, some tape, and did something with a sewing needle and the next thing I knew I was watching satellite TV on the laptop! Maybe if I give him a bunch of needles and a whole roll of foil he could make me a jet ski to use on the river!

Beach Trail

We went for a 3 kilometre walk yesterday afternoon along a sandy walking trail leading to the beach (1.6 kilometres each way).

It was a good day for it weather wise, and we were rewarded at the end by views of Bremer Bay which we enjoyed while sitting on a dune overlooking the beach.


Maggie had a great time too, at least until on the way back when he decided he'd had enough walking. We were on about the two kilometre mark. The walk was losing it's shine for me too as I'd developed a painful blister on the heal of my right foot and the blister bandage I'd put over it wasn't really helping. I ended up bending in the backs of my walking shoes and walking on top of them most of the way back. Awkward, but pain free.

Lucky dog got a "lift" back to camp in Mike's backpack, and looked quite pleased with himself. I wouldn't have minded riding along too ! Note to self: Buy Mike a bigger backpack! :)



Told you Maggie was looking pleased with himself - Mike however looks considerably less impressed.

Goodbye Esperance

We spent this afternoon at the beach. We were the only ones on it for most of the time, and it was great having our own private beach. Once it started getting too windy for comfort and the water was getting rough we decided to call it a day. Now that we are back at camp it was blowing quite a bit and looking like rain. As I write this though the sky seems to have cleared, so we may stay dry after all.

Today was our last day camping in the town of Esperance. Tomorrow we are kenneling Maggie and moving on to the national park. We've heard it's beautiful and there are a few especially nice spots. Apparently it's first come first serve with regard to the campsites, so hopefully we'll get one. We think that our chances are fairly good as most people are back to work this week. Otherwise, there are plenty of other spots that we plan to see, so we'll just head on over to one of those first.

Since we're going to be in the park we probably won't have phone/internet access. We did at one remote spot along the Nullarbor, so who knows? If we don't we'll let you know what we've gotten up to once we have access again.

Ruffing It

Someone's had a haircut (and a bath)!

It's a Dog's Life

I've been quiet up until now. I've let my humans have fun with their silly blog, and have I complained? No, not once. Not even when they seemed disproportionately happy to receive their comments. I didn't snicker, but rather wagged my tail and humoured them, faithfully living up to my end of the whole "man's best friend" thing.

But, now everything has changed. Today I have been put through that which no self respecting dog should have to endure and it's time that I speak out on behalf of loyal pets everywhere. This torturous behaviour must end now!

It was bad enough when they carted me over 2000 kilometres in the car. I didn't get sick once, nor did I complain. I even waited to be let out rather than relieving myself in their car or camper. I endured other dogs wherever I went. I only occasionally barked at them to protect the two humans. But do they appreciate it? Not one bit, they just tell me to settle down.

Lots of strangers have patted me. Especially the little squeely ones. One human from a far away place spent a good 15 minutes talking to me in German. Err.. hello, I don't even speak German! Still, I was polite to her and wagged heaps like I was enjoying it.

Well, today was the last straw. They brought me to see the beast to end all beasts!

I think it was some sort of big mutant dog. I DETEST other dogs!!!

And, get this, the dog was in a giant bath sort of thing. I HATE baths almost as much as I hate dogs!!

Worst of all, the beast seemed to be enjoying it! What kind of a mutant freak have they taken me to see?

They call this entertainment?

Sure, they seemed quite happy walking along the pier drinking their cappuccinos (and no, before you ask, they didn't even get me one!). They have coffee, I have nothing. They drink wine, I drink water. Do you see a disturbing pattern forming here?

The freak dog even had a go at me!! But, I showed him who's boss (until I got told off).

Sniffs and Schmackos,
Maggie

p.s. I've overheard them talking and I think there may be a bath in my very near future (not if I can help it!). And, a stay at a kennel next week (the absolute gall of them!). You can be sure I will let you know if this travesty comes to pass. I will not suffer this treatment in silence!

p.p.s. I'm smarter than I look!