Went on a day trip with daughter & and grandkids on Sunday. We were "supposed" to go down to Busselton for a school thing but decided not to so my new plan for that day was to get the house reasonably tidy again, washing done, some mowing...Then T rang and asked what I was doing and suggested a bushwalk. Crooked Brook Forest was a place that we had read about a few days before so that's where we went.
I thought I knew where it was, I had read about it, how it was close to Gnomesville but knowing how I am with directions we thought we'd call into the Visitors Centre in Dardanup to confirm my knowledge. Hmmm. The woman at the centre showed me a map and pointed me in the opposite direction.
This adventure was a rushed decision so neither of us packed lunch and by the time we got to Dardanup grandson, and us, was getting hungry. I "knew" there was a bakery in Dardanup, I'd been there so suggested that we go buy something before continuing on. Hmmm, again. Daughter also knew where the bakery was...Except she really knew whereas I only thought I did. Her bakery was the real deal and packed with people inside and out so we decided to walk down to my bakery which was actually the Dardanup General Store. I only wanted a grainy roll but seeing as neither place had any we decided to continue driving on an extra 5 minutes down to Boyanup. Where there were also no grainy rolls. By this time though the kid needed food so we bought some hot chips and other things and sat there to eat while we read the map so we knew where to go to get to where we were gong.
On leaving Boyanup Bakery we set the phone GPS just in case our map reading skills weren't any good. T wanted to turn left, I knew we had to go right, GPS was telling us we needed Hurst Rd...We knew where that was so went that way. GPS says turn left, 600 metres then take 4th exit at roundabout...We looked at each other and laughed, stupid GPS knew less than me.
We finally were on the correct road, turned off of that onto another correct road, I say left she turns right then does a Uey to go my way. Her way would have still got us there but on a gravel road.
Finally we are on the way, kinda confident that we knew where we were going and was going to get there. And we did!
Monday, August 19, 2019
Friday, July 26, 2019
Things Found In Bushland
On our walk around the water at Noble Falls we had to go through a bit of bushland. With all the Youtube videos that I have been watching it was a bit of a worry. Now, not everyone believes in the Yowie and the big black panther that inhabits the bushlands of WA but some of us know they are real, we know they are out there...Well I don't "know" that the yowie is out there but can't see any reason why they wouldn't be!
I do sometimes wonder though, could the black panthers of WA be the pets of the bushland Yowie? I mean, we have cats for pets so it makes sense, right?
I had a video to put in here but like all the Big Cat and Yowie videos that seem to be blurry or far far away...this one didn't upload
I do sometimes wonder though, could the black panthers of WA be the pets of the bushland Yowie? I mean, we have cats for pets so it makes sense, right?
Noble Falls 26/07/19
Husband and I went for a drive up to Noble Falls this morning. I have been wanting to go for a few years but this week he had to go up to Midland, I casually asked how far from there to Gidgegannup, and there you go. We went!
He drove, of course, and we were on the road by 8.30, up Forrest Highway, onto the Freeway and then onto Roe Highway taking the turn onto Toodyay Road. Around an hour and 40 minutes from home so not bad considering we were in his old Cruiser and did cop a bit of traffic near Perth.
There is a walk trail around the river so we started off thinking we'd decide the long track or short track when we had too. I was thinking the short one seeing as I am so unfit now but when we came to the split we took the high road. It wasn't too bad, a nice stroll along the waters edge, up a gravel road, through a bit of bush...all up a decent walk and it didn't kill me.
We'd decided that we'd have lunch at the tavern across the road before we left to come home so after our walk, another look at the water, a quick stop to check out the toilets...
We crossed the road for lunch.
Our meals were really nice, he had lamb koftas, I ordered the pepper steak pie knowing it would be too much and I'd need to share.
We had a great day and think we will come again. I'd like to go to York and Toodyay so when we go up there we will make it a 2 dayer and will definitely call in to Noble Falls again on the way home.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Ironstone Gully Falls 29/6/19
Yesterday we took a daytrip down to Ironstone Gully to see if the falls were flowing. They weren't. Not anything dramatic like last time anyway, just a trickle going over the wall of rock. The top area had a lot of water though.
"We" were myself and 2 daughters and 2 grandkids. An older grandkid was sick so stayed home where it was warm and dry...
I keep telling myself that I will come here and camp, maybe I will, one day...
It was drizzling a bit, had obviously been raining, when we turned off into the big parking area of Ironstone Gully, quite a few puddles so the whole area was wet and muddy. We drove up and parked near a table and tried to get ourselves organised while the excited 2 year old took off. After grabbing him we went and re-explored.
There was water around but not flowing over the rocks like last time we were there. This is the top...
And down the bottom...After scrambling through bush and clambering over rocks we reached the base. That sounds much more exciting and adventurous than it actually was and was probably an easy scramble for the people I was with but this fat and unfit 60 year old scrambled and clambered and had a great time fighting through the wet and overgrown underbrush...
Last time we were here, August 2018, we would have been washed away if we stood here.
"We" were myself and 2 daughters and 2 grandkids. An older grandkid was sick so stayed home where it was warm and dry...
I keep telling myself that I will come here and camp, maybe I will, one day...
It was drizzling a bit, had obviously been raining, when we turned off into the big parking area of Ironstone Gully, quite a few puddles so the whole area was wet and muddy. We drove up and parked near a table and tried to get ourselves organised while the excited 2 year old took off. After grabbing him we went and re-explored.
There was water around but not flowing over the rocks like last time we were there. This is the top...
And down the bottom...After scrambling through bush and clambering over rocks we reached the base. That sounds much more exciting and adventurous than it actually was and was probably an easy scramble for the people I was with but this fat and unfit 60 year old scrambled and clambered and had a great time fighting through the wet and overgrown underbrush...
Last time we were here, August 2018, we would have been washed away if we stood here.
It was a great day, wet and cold but fun. We will come back.
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Ironstone Gully Falls 12/08/2018
I am on the computer too much, reading about what other people are doing, what they are seeing, where they are going...I read about places that I have never been and often think that I really need to just get in the car and go see some of these great places that other people are seeing.
I have been seeing, on and off over the last couple months, pictures of a place that is not too far from where we live and have thought that I could go there without getting lost or being too scared. So I looked up this place on the internet and looked at videos people had put up on YouTube, it was totally doable.
We have been having lots of rain lately, dams in the area are filling up, paddocks are under water and rivers are full. Recently I heard that there was a lot of water at this particular place and the waterfall was impressive so I decided that I would go have a look. By myself if I had too but I was going. Last week I asked husband if he was interested but he wasn't, no matter, I was going anyway, going today. Yesterday I asked him again and he said he would come too.
Ironstone Gully Falls is on Goodwood Road, halfway between Donnybrook and Capel and I had looked at maps, looked at Google Earth so I was pretty sure I knew how to get to where we were going but when I said to husband it was on the left of the road he looked at me and told me I was wrong, the track in was on the right. Hmmm, we'll see. This morning we set off from here just before 9, we stopped off in Donnybrook to buy fresh rolls to have with lunch then husband headed South and turned right. Umm, I had looked at maps, looked at Google Earth, this wasn't the way. He kept going, turned left, umm still not the road I would have taken. Of course he was right, he always is and he knows these roads. And the track in was on the right. HoHum, not sure why I bother really but do know why I worry about going anywhere. I haven't yet looked at my directions and worked out where I would have ended up.
There were a lot of cars in the car park when we arrived but we drove through and parked up near a table and seats where we made coffee before walking to see the falls.
This is looking at the falls from Donnybrook side of the river. We had to climb down through bushes and shrubs to get to the base of the falls, we basically followed some other people and hoped they knew where they were going.
Turning back to go out there were a couple of other small falls, husband pushed through the bushes to see if there was an easier way out, there was but I had to climb out onto a rock in the middle of the steam for a photo-shoot.
We climbed up and over some rocks back to the top then walked up to the road and across the bridge to get to the other side of the river.
These photos are taken from Capel side of the river, again we had to walk through long grass and around bush and shrubs to get down to the rivers edge.
It was even worth tripping over alog stick and falling flat on my face in the wet grass. I'm glad we went, definitely worth the drive and I will go again. Might even take the grandkids down for an adventure.
I have been seeing, on and off over the last couple months, pictures of a place that is not too far from where we live and have thought that I could go there without getting lost or being too scared. So I looked up this place on the internet and looked at videos people had put up on YouTube, it was totally doable.
We have been having lots of rain lately, dams in the area are filling up, paddocks are under water and rivers are full. Recently I heard that there was a lot of water at this particular place and the waterfall was impressive so I decided that I would go have a look. By myself if I had too but I was going. Last week I asked husband if he was interested but he wasn't, no matter, I was going anyway, going today. Yesterday I asked him again and he said he would come too.
Ironstone Gully Falls is on Goodwood Road, halfway between Donnybrook and Capel and I had looked at maps, looked at Google Earth so I was pretty sure I knew how to get to where we were going but when I said to husband it was on the left of the road he looked at me and told me I was wrong, the track in was on the right. Hmmm, we'll see. This morning we set off from here just before 9, we stopped off in Donnybrook to buy fresh rolls to have with lunch then husband headed South and turned right. Umm, I had looked at maps, looked at Google Earth, this wasn't the way. He kept going, turned left, umm still not the road I would have taken. Of course he was right, he always is and he knows these roads. And the track in was on the right. HoHum, not sure why I bother really but do know why I worry about going anywhere. I haven't yet looked at my directions and worked out where I would have ended up.
There were a lot of cars in the car park when we arrived but we drove through and parked up near a table and seats where we made coffee before walking to see the falls.
This is looking at the falls from Donnybrook side of the river. We had to climb down through bushes and shrubs to get to the base of the falls, we basically followed some other people and hoped they knew where they were going.
Turning back to go out there were a couple of other small falls, husband pushed through the bushes to see if there was an easier way out, there was but I had to climb out onto a rock in the middle of the steam for a photo-shoot.We climbed up and over some rocks back to the top then walked up to the road and across the bridge to get to the other side of the river.
These photos are taken from Capel side of the river, again we had to walk through long grass and around bush and shrubs to get down to the rivers edge.
Worth it though.
It was even worth tripping over a
Friday, August 3, 2018
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Weekend Down South
A couple of weeks ago the husband suggested that we go down to Hamlin Bay for a couple of days. Well, yeah, I wanna do that, thankyou very much, when?
We went last weekend.
I love Hamlin Bay, the beach, the rocks, the rays that come up real close to shore...We have been a few times now and I always wonder why we don't go down there more often.
Son has been down that way recently and he told us about Prevelly Caravan Park where they have stayed so we looked it up online. It looked like a nice park, lots of trees, close to beaches and not too far from all the places we wanted to see. Some reviews on-line weren't the greatest but we decided to take a chance and stay there anyway and see for ourselves. For what we wanted, clean, basic, cheapish, it ticked the boxes.
Contacting Prevally Caravan Park took awhile, I tried ringing them at various times over 2 days but only had someone answer the phone when I rang at 7:30am, their opening time, the day before we wanted to leave home. The desk for the caravan park is in a shop next door to the park and as we saw when we were there this shop gets busy.
We weren't real camping but wanted a cabin, onsite van, unit of some sort, and ended up with Cedar Cabin 4, $80 a night, no bathroom. I thought this was dear but husband was happy to pay that and it was a lot cheaper than anywhere else he looked at on-line.
We left home around 9 on the Friday morning with the intention of going to Hamlin Bay first as check-in to Prevelly is 2pm. Or 2.30, I can't remember! It was cool when we left here but had the promise of being a lovely day. The car was packed with our stuff, some food if we got hungry, coffee making supplies and a small camp stove.
We had a stop here on the way down, does anyone know where this is? We have been before but today was just a quick stop. Another quirky town and one we will go to again.
We turned off the main road here so as to miss the very over-rated, to us, town of Margaret River and travelled the rest of the way down along Caves Road.
The sun was shining when we got to Hamlin Bay around 12.30, a slight breeze but lovely day. We walked down towards the beach and there weren't many people but we could see the rays from the top of the boat ramp. Back to the car to put shorts on as I knew I would get wet then back to the water. It was cold but never too cold to stand in close to shore where the rays come.
The rays were there as usual, they seem to patrol the beach, up one way then back the other, over and over. They come right up to people, swim over your feet, brush up against you, get touched by various people... I love being there.
After an hour or so we left to go into Augusta to buy food for the weekend and to have lunch. We had a picnic down by the river/estuary, another lovely spot to be. The seagulls wanted some of our food but we told them no.
We left Augusta around 3 and made our way back to Prevelly to where we were going to be staying.
After a couple of mix-ups with checking in we found our cabin and went in and started to unload the car. I usually take so much stuff for a weekend away I was pleased with myself this time that I took less. But still too much!
This shower/toilet block was close to us, down these steps. The facilities themselves were as clean as a busy caravan park ablution block could be but of course, not everyone cleans up after themselves so sometimes it was wet and messy but a phone number was listed to be called if needed.
There was another ablution block up the other end of the park but we didn't go into that one.
Saturday morning was a bit cooler, more wind but still sunny. Our plan was to explore a bit of Prevelly then go back to see the stingrays again. There are some nice places in Prevelly and one I liked was the dog park. There is an area for exercising dogs, a cycle path, swings and barbecues, toilets. We went up to Surfers
Point but there was a surfing completion on so didn't stay.
Went out to Rivermouth for a look and a paddle. Umm no, that water was cold!
There are some pretty cool statues in the area but we didn't find them all. Maybe next time.
Did see this and wondered why.
It must mean something but I just wondered, why is she breastfeeding a fish? Weird
After driving around Prevelly and calling in to look at different parts we went back to the cabin for breakfast then back onto Caves Road and back to Hamlin Bay.
It was a lot busier this time, the car park was nearly full but also this beach is right next to Hamlin Bay Holiday Park and there were a lot of people coming and going from there. The wind was up this morning and there was a bit of swell so the water was murky with sand and small waves. And so many people! I was glad that we had come the day before but we still got to see the rays and today we also went for a walk up to the rocks and cliffs at the end of the beach. I didn't go through the hole in the rocks that I like as the wind was pushing waves and spray through and that water was cold.
After leaving Hamlin Bay we saw a sign for a sculpture park so went to have a look, but it was closed.
So we decided on a self guided tour of a cave instead. I sooked out of doing the Giants Cave, really disappointed myself, but instead we did this one. Turn the torch off and it was dark!
Sunday was our last day and with only 2 things on my list we had a leisurely breakfast and were checking out by 9. Indijup Natural Spa was the first and on our way home, if we went that way. It was early and not very warm so I figured I wouldn't be getting wet, just having a look. Go left from the car park, down a rocky track, climb/scramble over more rocks...See how beautiful and inviting it looked so scramble over rocks and back to the car to get changed. Pass dozens of people heading down to my water! Get changed then back down the track, over the rocks and into the water. It was cold!! But so worth it.
I did get dunked and that was a timely reminder that the ocean is very powerful and should be respected. Be careful if you ever get to go here. The water crashes over the top of rocks and the first 1/2 a dozen times it's lovely but then...wham! monster waves crashing onto you.
We went last weekend.
I love Hamlin Bay, the beach, the rocks, the rays that come up real close to shore...We have been a few times now and I always wonder why we don't go down there more often.
Son has been down that way recently and he told us about Prevelly Caravan Park where they have stayed so we looked it up online. It looked like a nice park, lots of trees, close to beaches and not too far from all the places we wanted to see. Some reviews on-line weren't the greatest but we decided to take a chance and stay there anyway and see for ourselves. For what we wanted, clean, basic, cheapish, it ticked the boxes.
Contacting Prevally Caravan Park took awhile, I tried ringing them at various times over 2 days but only had someone answer the phone when I rang at 7:30am, their opening time, the day before we wanted to leave home. The desk for the caravan park is in a shop next door to the park and as we saw when we were there this shop gets busy.
We weren't real camping but wanted a cabin, onsite van, unit of some sort, and ended up with Cedar Cabin 4, $80 a night, no bathroom. I thought this was dear but husband was happy to pay that and it was a lot cheaper than anywhere else he looked at on-line.
We left home around 9 on the Friday morning with the intention of going to Hamlin Bay first as check-in to Prevelly is 2pm. Or 2.30, I can't remember! It was cool when we left here but had the promise of being a lovely day. The car was packed with our stuff, some food if we got hungry, coffee making supplies and a small camp stove.
We had a stop here on the way down, does anyone know where this is? We have been before but today was just a quick stop. Another quirky town and one we will go to again.
We turned off the main road here so as to miss the very over-rated, to us, town of Margaret River and travelled the rest of the way down along Caves Road.
The sun was shining when we got to Hamlin Bay around 12.30, a slight breeze but lovely day. We walked down towards the beach and there weren't many people but we could see the rays from the top of the boat ramp. Back to the car to put shorts on as I knew I would get wet then back to the water. It was cold but never too cold to stand in close to shore where the rays come.
The rays were there as usual, they seem to patrol the beach, up one way then back the other, over and over. They come right up to people, swim over your feet, brush up against you, get touched by various people... I love being there.
After an hour or so we left to go into Augusta to buy food for the weekend and to have lunch. We had a picnic down by the river/estuary, another lovely spot to be. The seagulls wanted some of our food but we told them no.
We left Augusta around 3 and made our way back to Prevelly to where we were going to be staying.
After a couple of mix-ups with checking in we found our cabin and went in and started to unload the car. I usually take so much stuff for a weekend away I was pleased with myself this time that I took less. But still too much!
This shower/toilet block was close to us, down these steps. The facilities themselves were as clean as a busy caravan park ablution block could be but of course, not everyone cleans up after themselves so sometimes it was wet and messy but a phone number was listed to be called if needed.There was another ablution block up the other end of the park but we didn't go into that one.
Saturday morning was a bit cooler, more wind but still sunny. Our plan was to explore a bit of Prevelly then go back to see the stingrays again. There are some nice places in Prevelly and one I liked was the dog park. There is an area for exercising dogs, a cycle path, swings and barbecues, toilets. We went up to Surfers 
Point but there was a surfing completion on so didn't stay.
Went out to Rivermouth for a look and a paddle. Umm no, that water was cold!
There are some pretty cool statues in the area but we didn't find them all. Maybe next time.
Did see this and wondered why.
It must mean something but I just wondered, why is she breastfeeding a fish? Weird
After driving around Prevelly and calling in to look at different parts we went back to the cabin for breakfast then back onto Caves Road and back to Hamlin Bay.
It was a lot busier this time, the car park was nearly full but also this beach is right next to Hamlin Bay Holiday Park and there were a lot of people coming and going from there. The wind was up this morning and there was a bit of swell so the water was murky with sand and small waves. And so many people! I was glad that we had come the day before but we still got to see the rays and today we also went for a walk up to the rocks and cliffs at the end of the beach. I didn't go through the hole in the rocks that I like as the wind was pushing waves and spray through and that water was cold.
After leaving Hamlin Bay we saw a sign for a sculpture park so went to have a look, but it was closed.
So we decided on a self guided tour of a cave instead. I sooked out of doing the Giants Cave, really disappointed myself, but instead we did this one. Turn the torch off and it was dark!
Sunday was our last day and with only 2 things on my list we had a leisurely breakfast and were checking out by 9. Indijup Natural Spa was the first and on our way home, if we went that way. It was early and not very warm so I figured I wouldn't be getting wet, just having a look. Go left from the car park, down a rocky track, climb/scramble over more rocks...See how beautiful and inviting it looked so scramble over rocks and back to the car to get changed. Pass dozens of people heading down to my water! Get changed then back down the track, over the rocks and into the water. It was cold!! But so worth it.
I did get dunked and that was a timely reminder that the ocean is very powerful and should be respected. Be careful if you ever get to go here. The water crashes over the top of rocks and the first 1/2 a dozen times it's lovely but then...wham! monster waves crashing onto you.
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