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Published: November 30th 2017
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Western Grey Kangaroo
They become quite demanding of some handouts. So far during this vacation we have experienced many different aspects of this great country. We’ve experienced the urban scene in Melbourne and Adelaide. We’ve been on the bus with locals who may not have showered for a while. We’ve slept under the stars, hiked with young folk 50 years our juniors, we’ve been in the desert and in rough Outback towns, in the tropics where’s felt the 95% humidity, came within a foot or so of killer crocs, been on the beach at 6:30 AM with young and old. And much more. Now we’ve experienced the bush.
After stops in Mandurah and Bunbury, we head for Donnelly River, way inland. April told us about this place deep into the karri forests, more than an hour away from civilization and cell phone coverage, and that includes GPS capability. We understand that many Australians and most tourists do not know about it. Donnelly River has wild kangaroos, emus and “28’s” parrots, the local name for the colourful birds that swarm you when you have crackers at hand. They get their name from their tri-syllable call that sounds like “twenty-eight!!” Also called “ring necks” because of the yellow ring around their neck.
Donnelly River is an old logging village, located deep into the forest, right between the towns of Nannup, Bridgetown, Manjimup and Carlotta, to be precise. There are some permanent residents still here, but the majority of the cottages are privately owned and rented out to tourists through a rental agent. Our cottage #7 has two bedrooms, plus additional bunks for a sleeping capacity of about 8-10 people, but the toilet is outside. Style and furniture date back to the fifties. It’s cold and damp inside, thank goodness there is firewood, starter and matches. Of course, picking up the firewood outside requires some banging with tools and careful movement to avoid ever-present snakes and spiders. Within an hour or so, we feel comfortable. What a difference in temperature from last week in Darwin! We decide to go for a walk before dinner to meet the local wildlife. They don’t disappoint. We soon are surrounded by a multitude of Western Grey Kangaroos, emus young and old, and 28’s. What a zoo!
Dinner is home-made nachos with chicken from last night. We play Christmas music on Ferdy’s iPhone and take it all in. What an adventure. No TV, no cell phone
coverage, not even a radio. Just sitting around the fireplace looking at our vacation photos and videos, and sipping on some CleanSkins Wine from Margaret River, or as my friend Joe used to say “second wine”, made from a second fermentation of grape skins. At 14% alcohol, this Cabernet Sauvignon tastes pretty good!
There are snakes here too, of course. Dugites and Tiger Snakes, both quite venomous. Hope we won’t see them. Not to worry, we have instructions as to what to do, as if that’s going to help. The airtight fireplace looks in very good shape, but Ferdy opens a window to let in some fresh air before we retire for the night.
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