Harvey Harvest Festival.

This festival is on every year.  I went once, many years ago, not long after it started.  I remember it as being fun and something that I'd probably go to again.  But I didn't and I'm not sure why.  I always intended to but I rarely knew about it beforehand, because I don't read newspapers, watch TV or listen to the radio much I miss out on a lot of good stuff.    This year though I saw it mentioned somewhere and thought it would be nice to go again.

A harvest festival promoting the go for 2 & 5 theme, that's something I want to be at.

You can read a bit about it here http://harveyfest.com.au/.   It sounds like a great day out doesn't it.  To most of those there it probably was.  I however went with different expectations and was disappointed when they were not met.  It being touted as a *harvest* festival and *go for 2 & 5*     I expected to see barrel loads of fresh fruit and veg. Truckloads even. At least a few stalls selling yummy, fresh produce.   I went with the intention of stocking up on heaps of local grown, freshly picked fruit and veg.  The event was advertised as being in Snell Park.  We found Snell Park easily enough, it was the area full of stalls selling nothing to do with 2 and 5.  We saw lots of stalls selling all kinds of stuff.  A lot of it *local* but that depends on what you call local I suppose.  A lot though was just the everyday big market stuff.  And there were rides and bouncy castles if you have small kids that like that sort of thing.   

After walking and looking the length of the street a couple of times I finally asked someone where the grape stomping was and headed up a short alleyway to an area behind some shops.  The Piazza? .  If that's where it is then tell me please.  I may be a bit dense but I'm sure I'm not the only one...maybe I was though as I have read only good things about this event.  And I'm not saying it was a bad event just not what I went for.

We found the grape stomping, that's fun to watch but it's a small area and was quite crowded.   We walked all around this area and found some trestle tables with fruit and veg on.  Local?  Freshly picked?   I didn't get that impression.  It was in plastic bags and it all looked like anything that could be bought from the local IGA.   There didn't seem to be much there either.  I didn't buy anything.  

I would have liked to have watched a bit more of the grape stomping too but after seeing them throwing the stomped grapes into a rubbish skip I was very disillusioned about the whole event.  Those grapes would have been a welcome food for the chooks of the area.  Why weren't they being kept separate for the chook owners to collect instead of being wasted by being thrown into a big bin with rubbish?   I found that very sad and not quite right.

An event like this would be a massive stream of income for the whole area.  The work put in to have something on this scale would be huge and the organisers did do a good job but...  It's that "but" that will make me reconsider going again.

If I do go again I will go with different expectations, I will take more time to listen and sit and watch things more.  I will take a big bin to bring home some stomped grapes to give to my chooks.  It is things like this that make me see how different I am to most people, no wonder I don't have many friends to do stuff with, I'm too bloody whingey...but really I'm not.

If you went I hope you enjoyed it

I have found this on that link that I put up top. ***Heats will be held from 10am in the Go for 2 & 5 Piazza and the Grand Final stomp off will be held on the main stage in Snell Park around 1pm.***   I saw nothing, no signs anywhere there to tell me this. 

Nannup Caravan Park.

I stayed here early March 2013.   I rang and booked a site by phone but it was a quiet weekend so there was no need to as there were heaps of vacant camping spots.  If something was happening down that way though it might be a different story and a call might ensure that you get a spot.

The park is on the Blackwood River, close to town and easy to find.   The weekend that I was there the office was moving into the Information Centre and the managers were away but the young couple manning the place were friendly and helpful.

The park was tidy and the ablution block was clean.  There is a laundry out the back of the showers in the same building.

The campers kitchen was well set up with plenty of tables and seating.  A fridge, kettle, microwave,  toaster, gas barbie...a small TV.

I didn't use it but it looked liked you could get a decent meal from using the facilities in there.


There is a big area for tents, not powered and a fair way from the toilet block.

There is a nice looking playground for the kids.

The unpowered site cost me $15 for the night which I thought was OK but...If my daughter and grandaughter came with me it would have been an extra $10 and $7.  I think $32 for an unpowered site is a bit much but as I haven't stayed at many caravan parks maybe this is normal. 

Nannup Caravan Park
ADDRESS:	4 Brockman Street
CITY:	Nannup, WA 6275
PHONE NO:	08 9756 1211

Two Days In Nannup.

I camped.   Alone.  By myself.   With no-one else.    I was with Wanda. and even though she is old and decrepit I did feel pretty safe.  Like I was told, there are no boogiemens in Nannup.

I stayed at the caravan park on an unpowered site.  Go me.   Mind you, once it was dark I set up the light inside and locked myself in but we all have to start somewhere don't we.  And it was only the1 night there but still...

I rang early in the week and booked a site as I was umming and ahhing about going down and figured that once I booked I had to go so that's what I did.  Glad I did too, I am not using Wanda as much as I want to but do hope to use her more this year.  

I went the long way down to Nannup, turning off at Boyanup and going through towards Capel to the Bussell Highway then onto Sues Road.  I have done this a couple of times now, it adds an extra 10-15 minutes to the trip but if I am feeling SookyLaLa it somehow adds to my peace of mind.   I came home our usual way, through the hilly windy road across to Kirup and back through Donnybrook even though it was raining and there was more chance of 'roos.  Go figure.  It's hard to understand myself sometimes.

Anyway, once I signed in at the park I found my spot and set up.  Not a lot to that.  After parking, driving in, reversing out, reversing in, driving out and then doing that again I decided enough was enough and good enough was going to have to do.   Open windows and put the screens on, open the door and set up the table so I could make myself a coffee...that's it.

Notice the all important flyscreens on the front doors but the back door wide open with no netting...luckily  there were no flies down there this time.
I did get the sidedoor screen up before I left but with the door shut it wasn't needed anyway.  HoHum...

After a coffee I walked down to the river but not much to see there so I went the other way into town.  Found the BookNook and borrowed a book that I will take back next time I am down there.  The BookNook is somewhere to borrow books, for free, different to the library in that you can take unwanted books in and leave them for others to read.

After walking the streets of Nannup I went back to the van to have something to eat.  Oops!  I forgot I might need food and didn't pack an esky to bring but luckily I have a box of stuff kept in the van all the time.  Yummm, 2 minute noodles...I had nearly finished these, eating them out of the pot to save on washing up, when I saw some bloke walking across the park towards my area.  Thought he looked familiar so kept watching him...Yep, I know you, hello!  Turns out he had heard that I was there and came to see if I wanted to go out and have a meal with him.  Bugger!  Twenty minutes earlier and I could have been eating out with a bloke that speaks french.  

Close to dark I set the lights up, intending to sit out and read before bed but as it got darker I gave up on that idea and retreated into the van, locked all the doors and read for a bit waiting 'til 8-30 so I could go to bed.  Slept all night and was up at 5 for morning coffee before a walk along the river.

Was enjoying my river walk then came across this...

Oh well, turn around and go back the way I came.

I had put oats on to soak before I left so back to the van for breakfast.    
I think I need to get myself organised, not home now you know, and because the van is so small it gets messy when I don't tidy as I go and put things away when I have finished with them.

I had kinda made the bed but that container there should have been back under it and out of the way.  The box up the top with the red pillow on was full of stuff that I had brought down for the Free Markets.  That should have been put on the front seat out of the way.

Really Really Free Markets.  This is why I had come down to Nannup this weekend.  I like the concept and want to support them so made the 2 hour drive with a box of stuff to give away.   There weren't many people there but we all got to eat gourmet pizza, a few different sorts made throughout the morning with fresh local ingredients.   Nice.  Made and donated by Charlie of YoHo PizzaYollo  and much appreciated by everyone there.  Thanks Charlie.


Charlie has is own woodfired oven and this pizza is nothing like the store bought or fast food types.  Made fresh with all local ingredients.  I even saw him go into the community gardens where these markets are held and picked some tomatoes to use.  You can't get fresher than that.

 One woman has set up a small library, borrow for a month and bring them back to the next market.

I brought home some books, like I need more but hey, they needed a new home and mine is available.  I now have a turbo oven thing, sits on the bench and cooks food.  I don't have a stove or oven at my place so will try this and see if it makes meals easier.  If not it can go back some time for someone else. 


Saturday afternoon, after the markets daughter and I went for a drive over to Balingup to visit the Golden Valley Tree Farm, back to Nannup to pick up the van then out to her place to walk the dogs then watch a movie before bed.  Of course I slept outside in the van, which turned out to be parked on a bit of an angle that I didn't notice until I was lying down.  It wasn't too bad but is something that I will have to be aware of when parking up for the night.
It was raining when I woke Sunday morning so I had to stay in the van while making and drinking my coffee.  The little fold down table that the husband made comes in handy at times like this and with the windows and top vent open there is little danger of fumes.

Looks like I didn't pick the prettiest spot to park either, next time I'll try and remember to park where there are no poles to interrupt the view.   I could still see all the kangaroos down in the paddock though.

We took the dogs for an early morning walk, back for breakfast and another coffee, a bit of reading...I didn't want to leave too late but wanted to wait long enough for the 'roos to be away from the roads.  The road between daughters place and the town itself is very kangarooy in the mornings so I wanted to give them plenty of time to get back in the bush.  It worked, no kangaroos but did have to stop for an emu.

I fuelled up in Nannup as I was trying to decide on if I would go home or turn at Donnybrook and come home via Collie.  As I got closer to Donnybrook and it didn't look like it was going to clear up much I continued straight ahead and came home.  Collie will be done another time.

Peel Zoo.

Peel Zoo is off Pinjarra Road, close to the town itself.  Turn at the Pinjarra lights if you are on the Southwest Highway and it's only a few minutes to the golfcourse where you turn again.  Or head East on Pinjarra Road if you are coming from the Mandurah end and turn at the golf course.

We, me, daughter, her daughter, went at the beginning of February.  It was a lovely day.

Peel Zoo is a small privately owned zoo that allows you to interact with some of the animals.  If you are not too scared to get in the enclosures with them.  If you are too scared then you can stay outside and watch the others being headbutted and followed all around the pen by too friendly animals.

 The walk-in aviary has heaps of birds, many that come down and sit on your shoulder, arm, foot, head.  There is a big bowl of fruit in there so that you can entice them closer.

 

We were given a map on entry and using this and following the path and numbered pens allowed us to easily find any animal that the kid wanted to see.   Again and again and again…






 You can buy a $3 bag of food to feed to some of the animals.  Some were more polite in having their share than others were.

                  Pee Zoo is very into breeding Tasmanian Devils and they now have quite a few there.  

One animal that I was in 2 minds about seeing there was the fox.  I don't like these thing, not when they are in my yard killing my chooks anyway.  But the ones here were friendly and as we were patting them I didn't think of them as killers.  

The fox does have a very distict smell though and that was noticeable when around these cages.  It is one way that I can tell when they have been around the house and yard so not an altogether bad thing.

 

Getting to hold a snake was a highlight for us, the young ferret was pretty cute, petting a kangaroo got points with the grandchild…the alpaca spitting at the daughter, not so much fun for her but made me laugh.

This zoo has a breeding program for Tasmanian Devils and seeing the many that were there it looks like it is successful.

 

The zoo itself is well cared for, the staff friendly and helpful and the animals are friendly too especially when they see the $3 bag of food bought to feed them with.

The zoo doesn’t sell people food so take a picnic or some snags to cook on one of the free barbecues that are there.

I thought it was quite dear at $18 for adults and $9 for kids as young as 3 but I have since seen that they have yearly tickets that can be bought for $65 and $40, only during May and June but if you live in the area I think that would be a great thing to have as it would be a lovely spot for a weekly or monthly picnic.

Have you been?  Tell me what you thought of it.

Margaret River Area. Dec, 2012.

I have been using daughters camera and for some reason the photos on her card will not upload to my computer.  It is a bummer but I can only presume that my (old) card reader doesn't read that card even though it fits in.  And now, some weeks later, I have somehow managed to wipe all photos from this card.  The photos were of the places below, I hadn't posted yet as I was waiting for these photos to be available.  A wasted wait but no matter...

We were down in the Margaret river area end of last year, after Christmas, it was my last outing for 2012.  The main reason for going was to try out the icecreams at Millers but there were a few other things on my list as well. 

The first plan was to take husbands car and camp somewhere overnight and be in the area for at least 2 nights and 2 full days.  Due to time restraints and not being organised right it didn't work out like that and at one stage it looked like it wasn't going to happen at all.  A bit of sooking Some nice wifey words got me what I wanted though I had to be satisfied with leaving here late in the day, camping overnight and having only the 1 day down there.  Next time it will be longer and we will probably give MR a miss.

It ended up that I only had a days notice and we had to take Wanda but luckily she was (just about) ready to go and it didn't take long to get some food together and be off.

I was going to drive the first stint, a bit more than a couple of hours, to CANEBRAKE POOL   where we planned to camp that night.  We still had a bit to go by my directions when husband says "turn onto Sues Road."  That didn't sound right to me but he had read the book so that's where I turned.   He soon said "go 11km then turn right"  So I look at the speedo, get the number and go driving along.   I do look at the speedo a few times but it took that many to realise that it wasn't turning over.  Oops, when do I turn?   Luckily there was a signpost with the road name still attached.  Now this was a gravel road and I think husband had forgotten that Wanda doesn't like gravel roads, especially ones with corrugations.  It was dusty and rough and to top it off she started getting hot.  "Go faster" he says, "you need to get the airflow going"  Ummm, I don't think so, we'll stop for a bit.  "No, we're just about there, keep going"  Now we had checked the water and oil before we left home so we knew that it should still have plenty even though it was a hot day so I did what I was told and kept going and what do you know, the temp gauge went back down to where it should be.    We wanted to camp at CaneBrake Pool but when we found the campground it was packed.  We thought this might be the case, it being small and during holidays and we did have an alternative place in mind but we went down to the pool itself for a look.  It was packed too.  It looked like one main group but they had tables, chairs, floaty things, eskies...spread from one end to the other and 3 people sitting in the small entryway to the water and 4 playing catch right there on the edge as you went in the water itself.   We went back to the car and went exploring instead.  Husband drove.  We eventually ended up at, I think, The Rapids, it was a smaller pool and not as easy to get into though people were there swimming when we got there.   We parked, decided to stay there, Husband fished while I got the table and chairs out.   It was a nice flat area, shady, clean, no toilets but we had our own so no big deal with that.  While there another couple of cars came and started setting up camp as well but for some reason they ended up packing up and leaving.  It was a warm night and we had to sleep with the windows open but there were no mossies and that was just as well.   I have lost the netting that goes up on the back door, I have no idea where it might be so need to have a proper look in the shed and find it.  I was up at 5, went for a walk, came back for coffee, woke husband and we had coffee, packed up and drove to Canebrake Pook for an early morning swim..  There was no one at the water when we arrived but quite a few cars with people camping in the carpark dispite signs saying "No Camping"  At 6.30 am I went in the clean, cool, refreshing, lovey water and had it all to myself as husband sooked out and wouldn't come in.  It was great to swim and soak after the dusty drive and only a quick paddle the day before.  We were leaving by 7am and there was a car load of people unloading tables, chairs and eskies as we were left.  Different people from the day before.  It looks like you need to get there early if you want a spot.

Margaret River.  After my swim husband drove us out of the camping area, we were going into Margaret River to suss out some shops that I wanted to look at.   Well we drove into MR, it was before 7.30am and I must say how surprised I was at how busy it was.  Shops open, cars and people everywhere.  We parked and walked the streets a bit then back to the car to drive and see if we could find the Lions Shed.  We did but it was closed so it is on the list for next time.  In this area though there were a few other secondhand salvage type shops so we went into those.   They were good shops but I cannot remember the names of them.  They are in the same street as the Lions Shed though and easy to find.    Husband bought a single swag -$40.  They had 2 bar fridges there, with the wire racks that I wanted but couldn't get in the new bar fridge that we needed and bought a few weeks before.  Bugger!  They had a lot of things at very reasonable prices.  The other shop in that area was selling old and antique stuff and I scored a nice birdbath, plastic but made to look like old iron.  That was $30 and more than I would usually spend but hubby was there and convinced me to get it.   I'm glad he did.
We then drove south down the Bussel Highway to Witchcliff to check out the Flying Wardrobe  Lots of stuff but we didn't think it was as great as I thought it would be.
After that, turn around and back to MR to the Red Cross op shop.  Going down the road where that was we were surprised that it was so busy but it turned out that their were farmers markets on,,,right next door!   How lucky was I!   The op shop didn't do much for me but wondering around the markets emptied our husbands wallet quite a bit.   We left there around lunchtime, making sure that we limited our eating of fruit and Delish Ice icypoles as we needed to be able to fit in a BigMoo from Millers.  Getting from the markets back onto the Bussle Highway was a bit of a nightmare and I am glad that I wasn't driving.  It highlighted all that husband said about why he didn't want to go to MR and showed why he didn't like the place.  It was horrible and really, do people lose their driving manners once they get there or are they idiots on the road all the time.  There were some dodgy drivers on that road that day.   I supose that with thousands of cars driving through a town crammed with people it would look busy but the traffic on that road was insane and I know that most of them were probably safe drivers but the few that weren't did make it dangerous for the rest of us.  I mean, gosh people, People are allowed to park, they don't need impationt drivers tooting them.  You don't need to double park so someone can get out and read the info board for you, you really shouldn't cross into oncoming traffic to go around someone turning...wait 5 seconds.  I was glad to get out of there.

Once back on the Bussle Highway we headed northish, I needed an icecream to calm my nerves.  I read about Millers Icecream sometime last year and liked the idea that it was made on the property, would be fresh, was natural with no crap added...I decided then that I would go and have a taste.  Husband saw a menu and liked the name MegaMoo  and even though we didn't know at the time what that was it was in our heads to get that.  It turns out it was a taster plate so we each picked a few flavours and sat out in the open and gorged ourselves.  Next time we wont be so piggy and will just have a couple of scoops each.

Other places we went...ummm, I should write things down at the time but here's what I remember.

Chocolate Factory.  Hmmm, I was expecting great things with this but really it's just a place that sells chocolate.  LOTS of chocolate.  It was busy as, hundreds of people all pushing and shoving.  They sell food as well but I always think that places like this take advantage of tourists by being expensive but what do I know.  They may have been reasonably priced, I didn't think so but there were a lot of people eating so I might be out of touch with food prices.  If you have been here let me know what you thought.  We didn't buy anything, no food, no chocolate.   I was hoping to see them making it but there was nothing happening behind the glass wall so we just looked then left.

Silkworm Factory.  On the same road there was a Silkworm Factory.  That only had a few other people there when we arrived though more did come while we were there.   This was interesting.  A front area full of things made from silk.  Clothing, hats, bags,   There was a talk about how they grow the silkworms, send them to Cambodia for the silk to be harvested and made into the products and sent back here to be sold.  I found it interesting as who didn't have silkworms as a kid but there is a lot of travelling to get the final product back to here.   They also sell a few products made from mulberries like jams and tea made from the bark of the tree.  They had some to taste...not awful and I would have bought some but they didn't have any left.

Chilli Waters  Across the road from the silkworms there is a place that has dried fruit, a couple of types of golf, bamboo products...We went for the dried fruit but bought some chill pickled onions that are HOT!.  Nice cut up on pizza or cooked with other food but straight out of the jar...hot!  Next time we are in the area we may try our hand at a game of Big Ball Golf. 

Cowarumup.  What can I say about this cow town.  I loved it.  There are cows everywhere.  Not real ones but throughout the town area there are dozens of cow statues, some big, some small.  Standing, lying down and even a golden one, in the park, way up high on a pole.  We had to check out the Candy Cow lollie shop and once again we missed seeing anything being made and after all the icecream we had not long had we didn't buy anything.
Just before we left this town I found out that these cows have a "wheres Wally" type symbol on them.  We found a couple but it was time to leave so had to give the rest a miss. 

It was a full day and I didn't get to see and do everything on my list but I'm pretty sure that I'll be down that way again one day and will get to do them then.

Have you been to any of these places?  What did you think of them?

Kings Park.

Last year I went with a friend to Perth and on the way home we drove through Kings Park, stopped for a bit, looked at the view and I resolved then to sweet talk the husband into bringing me back for a proper look around.     We went on the first Monday in December, 2012.

Coming from south of Perth we took the Forrest Highway, that becomes the Freeway and we followed that all the way up to the Mounts Bay Road exit, turned onto that, around past the old Swan Brewery, up a bit then turned right at some lights onto Winthrop, right again onto Poole and we were in the park.  We first drove around to the Dinosaur Playground where we parked. 

I liked this area, lots of massive climbonable creatures, large expanse of grass, playground, barbecues...There was a cafe if you like that sort of thing, we don't so I can't comment on food or prices.  It was quite busy though

There is a playground island that lots of kids were having fun on.

My favorite was the Crocodile like creature.

The others were OK too though.

A structure called the Windy Walk and yes I talked the husband into walking it with me.   We had to check it out to see if it would be safe for the grandkid.  Yes we did.  

After walking around this area and spying the sign pointing the way to the DNA Tower we decided to walk the 1.4km to that then come back and get the car and drive to a different area.
So we walked, walked and kept walking. I'm sure the sign was wrong...but finally we could see what we were headed for.

 This is looking back from where we came.  See, it is a long way and I was right to be huffing and puffing!

Looking towards the city.

This one is to show that I really did climb it.

Now after climbing this tower we were going to walk back to the car and drive to the other end of the park then have lunch before exploring some more.    But we saw a sign...something else was only 300metres the other way and 300 metres isn't far so we'll do that first.  Then another sign, then another until we were *this close* to the treetop walk that I wanted to do.   So much for lunch...

This bridge has a section with glass sides and I found it a bit unnerving to walk on, in a scary exciting way...yes folks, I am a SookyLaLa, bigtime.

 These are looking out towards the city from different areas on our walk.

Narrows Bridge.  One day I will drive across that.

Just because I liked it.  No idea what type of tree though there was probably a sign to say.

After walking for hours we ended up at the War Memorial.  This is a lovely area, grass, trees, views.   There is a cafe and a restaurant here too which was just as well because our lunch was at the other end of the park, a loooong walk away and I needed food.  Now!.   Husband wanted a drink too so we went and had a look.  Ended up getting a family box if chips, a coke and a carton of chocmilk.  He drank the coke, I tipped half the chocmilk out as it tasted *funny*  I should have taken it back but kept thinking it was me.  Husband tasted it and said that it might have a bit of a taste but wasn't off.  Yep, I should have taken it back and was cranky at myself that I didn't.  The chips?  Best hot chips that I had had in a long time.  Hot, crispy, yum.   If When we go again we will get some more.


This tree is, if I remember correctly, a Cedar.  Big, beautiful...a bit like me.  haha.   We sat under it while we rested and ate our snack.

Laying down under it and looking up.

 

 

Of course there is so much more to see and do here but it does needs a packed lunch and more than a few hours.   I loved being here, this park is a credit to all those who work here and look after it.  I will definitely be going again and if anyone in WA hasn't been yet, if you are ever in or near Perth it is well worth a visit.