Welcome to Cindy and David's 2013 Adventures
Note 34 - Fremantle, Busselton, Denmark
The Pub at Pemberton where we stopped for a cup of tea (in the caravan, not the Pub)
Before moving on down to the outskirts of Fremantle, we decided to try out the trains. After the mess of Sydney's trains, what a delight to find a service that comes exactly on schedule every time. We worked it out, it's because Perth's trains are not connected with each other but meet in Perth Central so if something goes wrong it doesn't mean the whole city grinds to a halt which happens so frequently in Sydney!
Above is the van park in Karingyup, north Perth. Beautiful place, big sites (NO DUST) and met up once more with Ian and Maz who are however, heading home a little ahead of us.
We set up camp in a Big4 south of Fremantle and fetched Zoe and Sybil from the airport, moved them in, and went to call on John Helling and his wife Jessica. Having collected Jack we all set off for the c/park. Syb was driving a hired Toyota Camry which against all her principles, she loved. However, her memory of Fremantle and surrounds failed her and she became severely lost trying to find the park. Even the GPS did not help!
Zoe stayed with her dad or the first two nights to catch up with him and Jessica.
Syb and Jack went off for the morning and David and I visited Fremantle gaol which we had never done before and, in spite of horrible rainy weather, we thoroughly enjoyed the tour conducted by a chap who had been a warder there when it was open. (it was closed in the nineties).
We set up camp in a Big4 south of Fremantle and fetched Zoe and Sybil from the airport, moved them in, and went to call on John Helling and his wife Jessica. Having collected Jack we all set off for the c/park. Syb was driving a hired Toyota Camry which against all her principles, she loved. However, her memory of Fremantle and surrounds failed her and she became severely lost trying to find the park. Even the GPS did not help!
Zoe stayed with her dad or the first two nights to catch up with him and Jessica.
Syb and Jack went off for the morning and David and I visited Fremantle gaol which we had never done before and, in spite of horrible rainy weather, we thoroughly enjoyed the tour conducted by a chap who had been a warder there when it was open. (it was closed in the nineties).
This warder, whose name escapes me, had a sharp authorative manner and rattled out stories and facts at a great rate so we had to concentrate hard to catch him.
Life at the gaol was nothing short of horrific. No sanitation in the cells and they used buckets right up until closure in the nineties and it was closed BECAUSE of the buckets! Not acceptable any more. They had previously tried giving the prisoners cassette toilets but (ugh!) they discovered the chemicals contained alcohol and, yes, they drank it. Groan! So they were taken away and the buckets returned. The middle picture is of one of the exercise yards which held about 120 prisoners and it was a free for all as the one guard on duty stayed behind a locked gate! All had to attend church regardless of their religion. Picture on right self explanatory!
Life at the gaol was nothing short of horrific. No sanitation in the cells and they used buckets right up until closure in the nineties and it was closed BECAUSE of the buckets! Not acceptable any more. They had previously tried giving the prisoners cassette toilets but (ugh!) they discovered the chemicals contained alcohol and, yes, they drank it. Groan! So they were taken away and the buckets returned. The middle picture is of one of the exercise yards which held about 120 prisoners and it was a free for all as the one guard on duty stayed behind a locked gate! All had to attend church regardless of their religion. Picture on right self explanatory!
The artwork on the cell walls was allowed in the weeks leading up to the closure and the transfer of prisoners to another prison.
On to Busselton where we had a nice little spot next to a river and beach. Pity the weather was not very cooperative. We spent a lovely day visiting the area around the town which is obviously a very popular holiday place for the locals as the beaches are stunning and they have a very long jetty etc for fishing. Ngilgi caves were incredibly interesting. The guide takes you in, gives a little talk and
sets you free to roam the amazing labyrinth of walkways they have done right throughout an amazing warren of caves. It was very hot inside and indeed good exercise, up and down steps etc.
We had a picnic and then drove off to see what else was on offer. David was of course as always on the lookout for wild flowers and there were plenty. Jack and Zoe set off at a trot through the sand dunes and scrub to an inviting rock near the ocean whilst we trudged thru the scrub looking at flowers. It seems the whole of Western Australia is covered in flowers and flowering shrubs. We have a number of books identifying them but they are still not all covered. We saw a sign for a teahouse and set off. It was a few kms before we saw signs of life and in fact it was a lighthouse (below middle background) which explained the distance (peninsular) but the afternoon tea was worth the drive!
The following day dawned brighter so we went out on the 2 km long jetty in Busselton. Syb and kids booked to go to the underwater place at the end from which you could watch the open ocean (one example only here!) and went on the little train which creaked its way up and down the jetty on the hour). We all walked it first both ways just to say we did it. Amazingly popular spot for fishermen, they were actually a crowd.
Whilst in Busselton David had to organise two new tyres for the trusty Toyota and so when that was in train, we wandered the town, found a brilliant little bar/cafe and this picture caught my eye. Loved it.
We said a fond goodbye to Busselton. Very nice town. The Hellings went off as they had different plans for their route down to our destination of Denmark (as you can see, the main destination was the chocolate factory at Margaret River). Zoe with her "spoils".
At different times during the day we all went to the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Australia. It is in Augusta where we had never been before and we actually went there to visit Fred and Lorraine Monahan (from our time in Exmouth). It was good to see them again and we have vowed to remain in touch.
At different times during the day we all went to the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Australia. It is in Augusta where we had never been before and we actually went there to visit Fred and Lorraine Monahan (from our time in Exmouth). It was good to see them again and we have vowed to remain in touch.
The town of Cowaramup which we passed through on our journey had model cows everywhere and in fact when we left town there were cows in the field directly outside and we slowed to make sure they were real! (They were).
The beauty of the south west is in their immense forests. We did the treetop walk on our first day in Denmark (that WA wind never stops!) Zoe was a bit disappointed as she thought it would be a lot more dangerous than it is! We were at a 40 metre height off the ground at one point, thank you very much - that is quite "dangerous " enough for some of us!
Known as the "grumpy Grannie tree".
Left is known as Greens Pool, Denmark's most loved beach but it was certainly not much loved that day with a howling wind driving away all the peaceful beauty and colour normally present. Pity.
One of the houses Syb lived in whilst in Denmark. (Zoe was born in the local hospital).
The caravan set up in Denmark. Nice park (Big4) with plenty of space and good ablutions and near the above beach.
David paid a visit to a dentist in town due to a broken tooth which was fixed straight away much to David's relief. He was so lucky to get such quick attention.
We spent some time in Albany during which time we bought some of the most disgusting and badly cooked fish and chips we have ever had the misfortune to buy! (The shop was recommended by the Visitors' Centre which is a worry in itself!)
All good things end and so it was with the Hellings. Off they went on the Sunday morning heading for the straight road to Perth whilst we set off eastwards. At first we were just going to keep going towards Esperance and then made the decision to go to see Wave Rock, somewhat out of our way to say the least, but as we would probably not be back this way, it seemed a pity to miss it.
So we turned left.
David paid a visit to a dentist in town due to a broken tooth which was fixed straight away much to David's relief. He was so lucky to get such quick attention.
We spent some time in Albany during which time we bought some of the most disgusting and badly cooked fish and chips we have ever had the misfortune to buy! (The shop was recommended by the Visitors' Centre which is a worry in itself!)
All good things end and so it was with the Hellings. Off they went on the Sunday morning heading for the straight road to Perth whilst we set off eastwards. At first we were just going to keep going towards Esperance and then made the decision to go to see Wave Rock, somewhat out of our way to say the least, but as we would probably not be back this way, it seemed a pity to miss it.
So we turned left.
We drove through the Stirling Ranges and stayed the night at a funny little park at Lake Grace. This was only 100 kms from Wave Rock so we were there nice and early the next day. Thank goodness we did make the effort. It was well worth it.