Around Australia 2011 – Page 9

Day 77-79 The Batavia Coast

Published on September 22, 2011October 20, 2018 by 8itchyfeetLeave a comment

Geraldton is just a hop skip and a jump down the road from Kalbarri. Our plan was to blitz the town in less than a day and move on to spend the night at a free camp further south. We’ve decided that on the whole we like free camping for one night stop overs. Not just because they are free but because it is an altogether different experience away from the van parks. Amongst other things free camps have introduced Amy and Oliver to the joys of camp fires. They are also becoming connoisseurs on public toilets, discussing very matter of factly amongst themselves whether ‘…it is a drop toilet…’ and rating their cleanliness.

Anyway after failing miserably to ‘get a quick getaway’ we pushed on down to Geraldton. We had a list of things to see and do. Continue reading “Day 77-79 The Batavia Coast” →

Day 74-76 Kalbarri

Published on September 19, 2011October 20, 2018 by 8itchyfeetLeave a comment

Kalbarri, it kills three to four people a year. So I guess we were lucky to get out alive. The problem is the temperature. It’s hot! And if you walk in the national park when it’s between forty and fifty degrees without water you can expect to find yourself in trouble. Of course while we were there heat stroke wasn’t that much of a concern. In fact it was quite the opposite and for a while Emma and I found ourselves contemplating the logistics of turning around and heading north again. While in Kalbarri we were somewhat distressed that:

A) we found ourselves using the Oz Weather app on the iPad because all of a sudden we could not rely on each and every day being hot and sunny.
B) we put our rain coats on!
C) the kids spent more time on dry land than in a pool despite having ready access to one.
D) one day, and it pains me oh so much to admit it, Canberra’s top temp exceeded Kalbarri’s! Continue reading “Day 74-76 Kalbarri” →

Day 70-73 Carnarvon – “6 ft, 7 ft, 8 ft bunch”

Published on September 16, 2011October 20, 2018 by 8itchyfeetLeave a comment

We were a little sad to leave Coral Bay, but there are so many more good places to visit. Next stop Carnarvon was especially good because we caught up with Grandpa Brucie and Irene and doubly exciting because they picked up a new camera for us and bought it over with them. No more spots in our photos!!

It was also good to temporarily return to suburban living as we parked our van in the backyard of Irene’s son Jason and his wife Kylie’s place. Amy and Oliver enjoyed playing with four year old Tommy and two year old Summer and all their toys. Greg enjoyed the access to a hose and ladder to wash the car and caravan while Amy and Oliver gave their bikes a going over as well. I got to cook a bit in a real kitchen – so much space! It was also nice to just talk with the other adults and find out about Carnarvon from the locals. Continue reading “Day 70-73 Carnarvon – “6 ft, 7 ft, 8 ft bunch”” →