8 January 2012

---

Not an early start this morning. Following breakfast and packing the van

we commenced the trek west to Dwellingup south east of Perth.



The farm land in and around Bruce Rock is quite lush after summer rains so

the winding journey made for some nice viewing. We pushed through to

Narrogin for lunch. It was a nice little town and after a few blocks of

the town centre we came across the local bakery (first time we've had a

sample in WA). It did not disappoint - a steak and potato pie for me and a

veggie pie for Rachie.....some of the very best.



As we headed towards Dwellingup the vegetation changed quite dramatically.

At this point you head into the start of a few very large conservation

parks and this is the first time we have come across anything other than

plains and paddocks with a spattering of green since we left Adelaide. As

the area got greener and the tree line higher it started to remind me of

the unique national parks in Tasmania. Special.



A little further down the road we pulled into Dwellingup and it is just

spectacular. Similar to Blackwood or Hawthorndene in Adelaide as far as

the density of trees and plants goes; however, there are many more native

plants and ferns than you would find in SA.



Next stop was checking into the caravan park - jackpot. We are already a

part of the surrounding conservation parks and are camped among the trees.

The camp sites are very well spaced out so you have a little patch of

paradise to yourself. A quick trip up the road was in order next to The

Wine Tree. It is a little orchard set on a picturesque piece of land and

we sampled their ciders and fruit wines - gold. Walked away with a bottle

of boysenberry and apple sparkling wine which should almost be chilled by

now so I better finish this entry quick.



Walking, riding, camping and kayaking awaits over the next few days and the

weather looks to be a gem........now, where's that wine glass gone?

---