27 January 2012

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This heat wave has really started to take shape. Once the sun cleared the tree line to the east this morning the heat was oppressive as we started to pack up and leave Manjimup. My cousin who lives a few hundred kms away said it hit 40 by 9 am yesterday and I don't think it is a stretch to say the same thing here today.

We started to head south-east towards Esperance though there will be a few stops before we get there. As we pushed into the outskirts of Albany on the coast for lunch we were greeted with a cool sea breeze so having a bite to eat on the shoreline was refreshing.

Our next overnight stop was still another 300 kms away and I can't say I was overly motivated as we pulled onto the highway about 3 pm. Good news is along the way Rachel the little trooper did a bit of research and found a campsite off the beaten track right near the coast. The road there was not sealed and I was worried one of the tyres was going to come loose as it was a bumpy old ride.

We landed on our feet with this little pocket of paradise. More a campsite than a caravan park, Cape Riche is a secluded spot right on the coast. The sun was still shining but not with the intensity to fry an egg on the bitumen. After a swim and a shower to freshen up we had dinner overlooking the coastline as the sun set. Our campsite is almost away from everyone else and as I sit here writing looking at the night sky I thank my lucky stars at the opportunity we have had to get this far.

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