Back on the road again

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Sorry we have not updated the web for a while however we have spent 3 web sessions trying to download immages on to the blog. However this is not working for us. We are not sure if it is because our new camera is taking photo's too l;arge to download and we can not download the program to make them smaller either. We will share pictures when we get home although I am not poetic enough to describe some of the amazing views that we have been able to see so far on our trip.
16th Sept. This morning we said a sad and fretful goodbye to Dennis and Dave as we put them on a plane for Melbourne and a week later we are having so much fun that we hardly miss them but have been scabbing dog pats where we can. We then drove up to Yanchep National Park where we had been earlier but couldn't visit because we had the dogs. Later this afternoon they have arrived home safely on the plane and are in safe hands and are also not mising us either but leaving dog hair all over Nard's parents house and nagging thm for pats. We made it to Cervantes for our first stop.
17th Sept. We went to the Pinacles this morning which are large rocks kind of like termite mounds dotted all over a desert landscape. We walked out through the Pinacles desert for a few hours and then drove through for another look. Then we hit the road and drove through Beekepers N.P. and on to Kalbari and enjoyed a late night stroll through the town.
18th Sept. This morning we watched the pelican feeding in the main street and then went to the Z bend and made our way down the cliffs (some strategically placed ladders) for the scale down and back up the gorge. Then we made our way to Nature's window and then for an 8km scramble around through part of the gorge.
19th Sept. This morning a quick costal drive which was lovely but after the majesty of the gorge yesterday it did not quite cut it. On our way out of the park we visited Ross Graham and Harks head, more views in to the gorge. We had lunch at the Murchison river and then hit the road to Denham.
20th Sept. We drove this morning out to the homestead at Francois Peron N.P. and had a hot tub water from an artesian bore. We had a look around the station and then 4WD out to Big lagoon. Then off to Monkey Mia where we skipped the dolphin thing and went on an 18m catermaran called the shotover for a 2 and half hour cruise and saw dugongs, loggerhead turtles and dolphins.
21st Sept. Went to the Shark Bay interpretive center and then to Ocean Park to see close up views of local marine animals and then drove to Shelly Beach for lunch where there are 4000 years of shells piled high in ridges. On to Hamelin pools where there is a telegraph station and stomatalites (living rocks that grow bigger by the algae growing on them) thought to be the oldest living organism. From there we drove on to Carnarvon.
22nd Sept. We are here in the morning updating the web with changing plans as we can not decide where to go and how long to stay as there is too much good stuff to see. But as the photo's did not work we did not publish this one yet. We drove up the coast to the Blowhole that blows up to 20 meters in the air. We drove further up the coast to a ship wreck of the Korean Star where clearly in the rocks are fossils of long worm like creatures, giant slugs and coral. We then went to Red Bluff.
Sat 23rd Sept. We went for a walk out along an old train track across Babbage Island and out 1 mile jetty. and packed up camp tp move on to Coral Bay. We had a quick snorkel in the bay but it as a bit choppy so made another attempt to download photo's to no avail.
23rd Sept. Went for 2 drift snorkels this morning and saw bucket loads of fish and coral, 2 rays , a turtle, flute fish. It was fantastic snorkelling. Our glass bottom boat tour was cancelled as it was too blowey so another relaxing arvo and evening stroll.
24th Sept. Went on the glass bottom boat tour this morning and saw more o what we had seen and better coral shows as the tour guide knew where to go. We dorove on up to Ex-mouth and went to Charles -Knife Canyon lookout part of Cape Range N.P. At which point our car troubles begin. The batery lights came on so we drove ourselves to the auto electricial in town. Since leaving Melbourne we put ion new alternater in Albany and a new regulator in Rockingham. A fuse later and a trip to the pub while they check things and recharge bateries we drive to the petrol station for gas. As we drive off and convert from petrol to gas the car struggles and backfires and eventually wont run at all. So we have broken down 400 meters from servo, opposite a phone and another pub. We get a tow to a mechanic where they change points, spark plugs and can not get hold of a condenser so we get put up for the night in a hotel by RACV where we have dinner at the resteraunt, a hot tub and a tv. 26th Sept. The car is fixed as soon as the shops open and we continue our journey to Cape Range N.P. (the other side of the cape) and enjoy a walk along the beach and a relaxing evening playing cards.
27th Sept. Gpt up early to beat the heat and walked Mardu-Mardu gorge (a dry gorge) before going to Yardie Creek (fed by tidal ocean water) where we sat upon the cliff face to watch squid, rays, fish and birds. And a turtle at the beach. Anther relaxing arvo with a nana nap and evening of cards with the neighbours.
28th Sept . Another early start for a long days drive to Tom Price about 6-700 kms inland. On this drive we have petrol spewing out of the petrol tank with built up pressure from the heat. A 40 degree drive for 7 hours we had a swim at the van park and crashed.
29th Sept. Nard fixes the fuel leak by putting some clamps on the fuel line (not put back on when changes over from gas we assume). We went on a tour of the Iron Ore mine here in Tom Prive and got to stand next to ginormous tip trucks and see trains with 230 carriages at 2.2 kms long. We wnnt to a man made billabong and saw about 20 kites hanging out in the trees and an array of other birds. And then the batery lights come back on the car. Which we replace anotehr fuse and make an attempt at Mount Nameless the highest mountain in W.A. However the road is closed and then the lights come on again so we head back to the billabong for some repairs and the regulator blows up. So at present we are waiting for a part to be flown from Perth hopefully arriving this arvo or we will wait till Wednesday. Plan on listening to the grand final at the van park with a BBQ and wait to see if the part arrives on this arvos flight. If this fixes the car troubles we will make our way to Karajini tomorrow and enjoy getting out of the heat in some of the pools in the gorges there. Despite the car hastles the scenery here is magic. 100's of kms of changing scenery from rolling red hills dotted with wheat coloured porky pine grasses to massive cliff faces and countless dry river beds lined with gums between shrubby plains. Sorry no photo's to add meaning to text. See you all in a couple of months.

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Comments

[joanne]

miss u
have a fantastic time, big hug xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx