Donnybrook Date Day.

A long time ago, back in July so really, is a month a long time...Anyway waaayyyy back in July, the end of so not that far back not even a month, we, Husband and I, had a *date day*  Every now and then I decide we really need to "do something, go somewhere" and I pick a place.   July's pick was a fantastic shop that I had visited for the first time a few weeks before.  That time though I was with other people and didn't feel that I should spend too much time looking around.  But it appealed to me so that was my choice as a *DDD.

 The shop sells a range of secondhand stuff, furniture, bits and bobs...some really old so could be classed as antiques and some really old and could be classed as junk.  My kind of shop.  On my first visit, the quick passing through one, I had seen some security doors for sale and as we were looking for one I was pleased with the different styles and price and decided then that I would be back.   There is a lot of stuff that I want at this shop but only a few things that I needed and so planned on coming back for.

Unfortunately I cannot emember the name of this great shop but will have a look next time I am down that way and make a note of it.  For anyone passing through Donnybrook though it is at the Northern end of town, East side of the highway.  Easily found because it is next to a fruit shop that has these great characters hanging around outside.

Mr Applehead.

Mr Orangehead.

There are these great big wooden boxes that I really like and think are quite reasonably priced but had no room and no real use for them so they stayed there.  I think they were being sold by the fruitshop and not by the fantastic DDD shop.

 And check out these toilets in the carpark of the FruitBarn.  

Aren't these one of the more fun loos that you have ever seen.

 "Hers" is Lady Williams and "His" is Jonathons.  Really, you can't say that is not cool.  

For those that don't know, Donnybrook is an apple growing area and Jonathon and Lady Williams are types of apple.

 And because this DD was taken during a no spend month and so we couldn't buy coffee and cake while out daughter T. made us one.  

We ate this down alongside the river, 'twas nice, both the cake and the setting.

 

How cool are Date Days.  Do you have date days?  What sorts of things to you do, what places do you visit?

 

DDD = Date Day Destination.

Nannup, Some Photos.

Nannup is a quaint little town in the Southwest of WA.  It is a quiet area so if you are looking for some peace and quiet in a lovely place this could be for you.  It is a longish drive, maybe 4-5 hours south of Perth, an hour or so from Busselton but of course this all depends on how you drive, weather, traffic...

I didnt stay at the caravan park but did walk passed it and it looks real nice.  Alongside the Blackwood river it looked clean, tidy and restful.   Keep walking along that road and you come to a park area. This looked like it would be great for picnics, walking, bikeriding.

Below is an old railway bridge going over the Blackwood.  There wasn't a lot of water when I took this but there has been a bit of rain since and I have seen this river with lots more water in it.  This spot is the halfway point for the Munda Biddi Bike Trail.  

 This is actually not that bad to sit on though a bit cool on the butt even through trousers.  It looks like it is made from bits of old machine parts and tools.  I like it.

Part of a path.  People were working in this area the couple of times that I was here.  Painting and planting, making things nice...

 There is a row of these shelters, they are pretty impressive looking.

There is a mini golf course (putt putt) near the entrance to this park and though I never went in it did look like it would be a cool way to spend some time.
There is a Lolly Shop.  This is where I bought a different version of my long ago favorite, the Choo Choo Bar.  Nowhere near as good as they used to be though still nice enough to buy a couple whenever I went in.
There is a small library, a Community Resource Centre, Tourist Information Centre, anything that you would expect to be in a small country town.
 I bought a *pink * jacket from the op-shop.  That is situated near the Info Centre and when I was there they had a good selection and most of their prices seemed very reasonable.  


It depends on what you like doing but there really seems to be something for everyone.

It is a nice enough place to use as a base and be able to go off on day trips and explore all the towns within  a couple of hours.  At this time of the year (June) it is cold and wet but in saying that there were some lovely sunny and warmish days while I was there.  COLD mornings though.

I will be back in the warmer months to spend more time looking around.

Nannup.

Over the last month I have been down to the Nannup area.  My first exploration of the town was a Thursday way back in May.    It was raining so not a good day to go off exploring and really I should have picked a different day.  Did go into the library at the Shire offices though.  It's open during office hours and though small has a good selection of books and DVD's.  And very friendly and helpful staff.

There is a Community Resource Centre and that is where a community bus runs from.  That is every fortnight and it goes to a different town.  During June it will go to Bussleton and Manjimup.   I was hoping to be in the area on the right day and so be able to go on it but that didn't happen.

There's a small but cheap opshop.   I bought a real uncool rain jacket.  I ummed and ahhed about getting this as it was *pink*  Turns out that no-one else thinks it's pink and it came in real handy when I went to Yallingup so the $2. wasn't wasted.  Yep!  I'm so tight that I hesitate on spending $2 for a rainjacket.  In Nannup!!

There seem to be heaps of places to eat, like that must be something that people in that area do a lot...coffee shops everywhere.  And there is a lolly shop!  That sells Humbugs.  And Aniseed Balls.  And ChooChoo Bars but these are nowhere near as nice or long lasting and stretchy like they were when I was a kid.  Still, ChooChoo Bars.  Worth buying just for the name.

I will be passing through there again soon.  It's raining here so probably will be there too so no exploring.   I have taken a few photos though and will tell you all a bit about this lovely town when my housesitting duties are over and I am home to stay.   

Wanda Wont Work...

Well, not like I think she should anyway.
The van is back in the garage being looked at again because it still wont start the way I want it too.  I want to turn the key, wait for the glow plugs, start...Less than a month ago the glow plugs were replaced, new shockies put on...I took it off on an adventure...and felt like the money spent was wasted because really, nothing was different.  It still shakes me up when driving it and it still needs coaxing to start.   AND!  I now have problems with the brake lights staying on.  And coming on when the van hasn't been driven anywhere.  Yesterday we needed to put jumper leads on to get it started, it wouldn't start and husband discovered loose conections so that is easy fixed.  Whether that has been the trouble with it not starting first up or not though will be looked at today.  My mechanic wanted the van overnight so that he can see how it starts (or not) so I am needing to take the blue car away again.  He will look at and fix any problems with the lights and so maybe next month I will be able to take off in Wanda.

I have however still been away.  And been exploring a few different places.  The write-up about them is still coming.  Yes, I am a slck blogger as well as a slack adventurer.

It Glows..

Got the van back this morning.  She's had a service, shockies replaced and...new glowplug.  So the trouble with it starting wasn't the battery at all.   Oh well, son told me that's what it was and he was right.  I could have saved myself some dollars if I had of taken notice.  It fires up straight away now, as it should and ran really well this morning when I went to fuel up.  
Hmmm, that was a bit of a shock.  I don't think I have ever filled it up at a garage and payed for it myself.  Don't think I like it.   Ruddy great 4wheel drives, caravans, more big cars...The unleaded bowsers are never that busy.  Luckily the phone rang and I pulled in to answer that and by the time I finished talking plus 10min waiting there was only one car at the bowser I needed so I pulled in behind to wait my turn.  While filling up a friendly chap got out of a bigger newer van than mine...I tried not to be envious as I pulled away from his big clean van...Stuck ol' Deano in to croon to me and soon felt better about it all.

Will need to remember to grab a few more Cds for the long drive tomorrow...

OK, I put the new battery in.  It still doesn't start as quick as it should when it is early and cold.  I have booked it in to the garage to be checked over as I have lots of adventuring to do over the next month.

I really should have done this a couple of weeks ago but as usual I left it til too late and now my big adventures will be put off for a couple of days.  I also need to go get diesel from somewhere, that's a bit of a shock.  I usually sweet talk the husband into filling it up.  I need chookfood before I go though so will combine the two.

It's going to be cold! where I will be so might throw another blanket in before I leave.

I will let you all know all about my adventures if when they happen.  In the meantime I am off for the weekend but the main one starts soon.  Stay tuned!

Harvey Dam.

Last Wednesday I had a to go to Harvey and after my appointment there we went up to have a look at Harvey Dam.  It's been quite a few years since I was last here and me and a daughter and her daughter took a picnic and planned to get a bit of exercise in while there.

When we arrived we parked near the playground and went for a wander looking for a place to eat.  Grandaughter found the place she liked so we set up our little station, had some food, then after lunch it was time to explore the area a bit.

Follow the path, pass a lovely grassed area where there is a a barbecue and a table and seats overlooking some water.  Onto a wooden bridge

                                                         and a look at some friendly ducks.

Over the bridge and along the path knowing that somewhere up ahead you would find the steps you came to climb.

 And there they are.  It looks like there is a lot and it looks a long way up.

 There were, it was.  I think there were too scarey for *someone* as they chose to climb up the rocks instead.  Naughty naughty. (but we didn't know that until a long time later when we found a sign saying not to. Oops!)

Once up on the top of the dam wall we could see where we had come from and where we had to get back to.

This is a lovey area for a picnic and a wander around.  If you are nearby I think it's worth the few km drive from Harvey to have a bit of an explore.