Saying Goodbye to Western Australia.

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Yes tomorrow I leave my new friends Colleen and Peter and the chooks and the sheep and the little blue wrens. It's been a great time here and I would be happy to stay longer but I must move on to my next adventure.
Yesterday was sheep shearing day and I would't exactly say I helped but I did stand in the gateway to shoo any escaping sheep back into the fold....and then I stood and watched!!! What hard work it is, and Peter told me all about the professional shearers and how the organise to shear 1000s of sheep. We only had about 15 sheep - and the wool- we ended up with 2 bags full. Thanks, Peter, for showing me how it's done.
The sun was shining and sitting on the verandah beckoned but I did feel a bit guilty at times so I got up from the rocker and did a bit of weeding, hung out the washing and made some scones....ready for the sheep shearer's tea....didn't want Colleen to think I was lazy or on holiday!!! Family visitors joined us in the evening and Colleen cooked a lovely roast dinner. It has been so nice to meet their friends and family ...it makes life feel quite normal and not just touristy.

So my last day today in Albany- I did a tour around all the heritage buildings including the old gaol, early settlers homes and also the brig Amity ( well a replica of it) which was the ship the settlers and convicts arrived on to stake a claim to Western Aus. The visit on the Amity was really good with an audio guide.
Also went up to the ANZAC memorial - it is from here that the troops went out to WW1 and so many died at Gallipoli. This is on top of a hill overlooking Albany and its many bays and isands- beautiful views today.

So now I have almost packed - got my maps and will drive back 450km to Perth tomorrow- and no, Suzanne, no chance of stopping to take fotos of snakes....so dont worry.
Might be out of wifi range for a few days till I get to Sydney...so catch up with you all in New South Wales.
1 month down and 5 to go.
Love to all.

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Photos

The wall of the old goal.
A few bits of broken glass to deter th econvicts escaping!

Comments

[Pauline]

Safe journey onwards Lynne.
Stunning photos as always, Lynne. Have a safe drive to Perth. I am off to UK next week--650kms to Dieppe, then about the same from New Forest up to Scotland. Will be a tad chillier than Oz , me thinks!!! Love reading your Blog and look forward to more updates. Lots of love, Pauline xxx

[bob Rossetter]

Hi Lynne, Sounds like you have had a great time. Keep those animals under control. Love Prill and Bob

[Hilary Bolton]

SAD
Hi Lynne. Well I've decided, I suffer from SAD. What I would give for a bit of the sunshine you are enjoying. Not to mention the sights, the experiences and the scenery. Off work for a week so spending some quality time with the kids. Safe journey to Sydney and look forward to hearing more of your travels. Love and hugs, Hils x

[Julie]

Bon Voyage
Have a safe trip to Sydney lynne, love reading your "Book" and looking at the great photos notice that you are naming the plants now, getting clever!!Ohlala

[Alison & Ross]

At last!!!
Well, at last I hear you sigh!!!! I seem to be over my wi-fi problems at home, at least for now, so taking this opportunity to catch up on all your blogs and write a quick reply. It seemed to take ages to catch up on them all but it certainly sounds like your having an absolutely brilliant time and, at times, I felt like I was right there with you, loving the pics too!! Sunny Eastbourne remains the same, although not particularly sunny anymore (not like some people) the house is all fine and the steady stream of guests all seem to be extremely friendly!! Glad you are having such a fantastic time, have my angiogram Tuesday so will let you know how I get on after that. Take care for now and be in touch again soon, much love xxx