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22 May: Off to Esperance and Cape Le Grand National Park today. A changing landscape, quite dry with a mix of crops and salt lakes then as we got closer to the coast it became greener with more stock and areas of wetlands. Stopped off in Esperance and then on to the National Park with beautiful white sandy beaches and turquoise sea. Campsite nice, not many sites and well spaced out, sheltered behind the sand dunes.

Weather a bit patchy. Had a drive around the Park, Lucky Bay picturesque especially when the sun was shining. Saw some of the famous kangaroos on the beach, wandered along the white squeaky sand and up to Flinders Memorial. Also stopped off at Thistle Cove, faint whistle from Whistling Rock, and Hellfire Bay. Didn’t walk up Frenchman’s Peak as bit late in the day and clouding over.

A lazy day, cloudy and cool. Did walk a short way along the Coastal Track which was actually up and skirting around Mount Le Grand – nice views.

Next day cloudy, drove back to Esperance and around the coastal drive. Lots of lovely beaches which would have looked even better in the sunshine. All very quiet at this time of year. Did some messages then back to our campsite.

20 May: Destination Karlgarin near Wave Rock. Travelled along the Tin Horse Highway and saw lots of the 80 tin sculptures on display, colourful and quirky, and stopped off for a lunch break alongside a salt lake. Set up camp at Tressies Caravan a Park.

Drove out to Lake Magic at Hyden, not that magical, not much more than a puddle! Next stop Wave Rock, tried to do the surf pose and climbed up for a view, then around the base to look at Hippos Yawn. Back to camp and baked a cake and a meal for next days lunch as a bit of a drive ahead.

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19 May: On the road again! What a relief, new scenery and the recommencement of our journey. The recent green of Margaret River changed as we headed to Dumbleyung (wheat and crop area).Overnight here, enjoyed the hot showers with unlimited water and flush toilets. Saw the Bluebird replica and the information on Donald Campbell’s water speed record at Lake Dumbleyung.

14 January: Travelled down to Olive Hill Farm in Margaret River to start our camp hosting. After a friendly start and a commitment to stay and farm sit through to October our relationship with the owners deteriorated so we decided to leave.

Highlights were Lucy and Kong coming to visit – Kong spoilt us with food and wine – and going up to Perth to meet Kongs parents where they were fabulous hosts. We were treated to beautiful home cooked Kashmiri food, menu  carefully selected by Kong and his Mum, and went sightseeing around favourite areas of Perth.

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We did enjoy visiting wineries and restaurants, spending time at beaches (Hamlin Bay with stingrays swimming over feet!), biking the rail trail and going on a truffle hunt. We also have some wonderful memories of times with great campers.

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Also enjoyed dismantling wine barrels and making furniture (very pleased with what we achieved with our rudimentary tools, saw, rasps and electric drill).

7 December: Took a back road up to Perth and set up camp under the Perth flight path at Queens Village Caravan Park. Nice new amenities but a couple of rough looking permanents! Caught up with Leland and Carmen and got organised for our trip back to NZ.

10 December: Flew back to NZ for Neville’s 90th birthday and Christmas with family. Had a great time catching up with everyone and were very pleased to meet Kong.

2019

8 January: Arrived back in Perth and were pleased to find caravan intact! Caught with Leland and Carmen again, went surfing at Safety Beach, nice food at Leighton Beach and stocked up with Campos Coffee and dried fruit and nuts at Kakulas Sister in Fremantle in between medical appts and getting the caravan serviced.

8 January: Arrived back in Perth and were pleased to find caravan intact! Caught with Leland and Carmen again, went surfing at Safety Beach, nice food at Leighton Beach and stocked up with Campos Coffee and dried fruit and nuts at Kakulas Sister in Fremantle in between medical appts and getting the caravan serviced.