Blogs from Yanchep, Western Australia, Australia, Oceania

The next day, I did another fairly significant bit of birding, which was a visit to Yanchep National Park, an hour and a bit north of Perth. The main purpose of this day trip wasn’t actually for birding, but we were going there anyway to celebrate my grandmother’s birthday in the nice restaurant at Yanchep that overlooks the lake, but I got lots of birding in anyway. There were a few species that I was particularly looking for at Yanchep, including things like White-winged Fairy-wren, Southern Emu-wren, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Elegant Parrot, and things like that. I didn’t actually see any of those four species though, and I think that would largely be because we were at the national park at a fairly poor time for birding (got there after the morning, and left before the evening) ... read more

You know about the best laid plans of mice and man? Well, our eastbound return journey to Brisbane is and has been rather like that. When visiting Western Australia in January and February, be aware that this is 'Bush Fire' season. There have been several severe fires not too far from Yanchep where we have been staying, and we are greatful that those didn't get close to our part. But fire season has changed our return plans, delaying departure for a week, and adjusting our plans some what due to very large out of control fire in the south west closing several National Parks that we hoped to visit. Some of these fires have been lit by young arsonists, others as the result of the amazing electrical storms that hung around Perth for three days during ... read more

This easy one day drive really completes the first half of our journey. We have arrived at Yanchep (north of Perth) a little earlier than planned, and with a landscaping job to complete for our family here. We drove out the northern exit from Kalbarri so that we could turn south and drive through another old time town, Northam. This little rural town looks a little old and tired, but has one of the largest granaries we have seen. We had to chuckle as we drove through the town. There was a large rubbish skip parked in front of a quaint little brick commercial building, and a ramp from the front door. Next thing a miniature Bob Cat shot out the door, drove along the ramp, dumped its load and retreated inside. Not sure what OH&S ... read more

Yanchep-Two Rocks is a strange place. Im not sure if it is a legend or a ghost town....although at least this trip there were people there. In the 1970's Yanchep was the dream of Alan Bond, a self made millionairre and legend to Perth who created a satellite city just out of Perth (about 60km). It had a huge marina that staged the Amercia's Cup yacht race, Atlantis marine park (similar to sea world but now just fenced off land), sun city golf course and club capricorn resort. But 25 years down the track it is seriously run down! The whole town could do with a lick of paint, fresh un-rusted stairs or rails, some weeding and possibly pull down all the weird statues laying around. We must have stayed there around 3 years ago in ... read more

Tues 12-1-10 I slept in & then I caught up on my blog & diary, which took all day. Brett & Kara got home today & it is good to hear from them again. Its hot today 33 deg so air con on again. Well that’s all the news today, very boring. Wed 13-1-10 Should have been Friday the 13th, we changed the sheets & I did the washing & Den went for a shower & the washing machine flooded & all the water went into my cupboards & through the back of the van, (not happy Jan) After mopping up the mess & using all mt towels, the dog blankets, I had 3 times as much washing to do. We rang Jayco & then the repairers, & in the end Dennis talked the guy into ... read more