Trip to South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales #6

#6

Tue 9^th. Today we moved on to the small town of Wagin.  Pronounced Way-gin.  We stopped off at Dumbleyung on the way.  Dumbleyung is the home of the Bluebird and is where Donald Campbell attained his water speed record.  The lake at that time (1964) was a fresh water lake.  It is now salt water due to the rising salt table in the land.  It is a big lake – 11miles (17km) long by 7miles (11.3km) wide but is quite shallow in places.  We are camped in the RV camp at the showgrounds and have water and power for $12 per night.  Went and did some grocery shopping and supplies for dinner.

Wed 10^th.  We had a lazy day in Wagin and at about 3pm we were joined by another van, which turned out to be our friends Margaret and Trevor from Whyalla in SA.  We went to the local Fish and chip shop for dinner and got some lovely grilled fish.

Thurs 11^th.  We were ready to pull out at about 10am and on our way to Mount Barker for the night.  There is a great free camp in town near the railway and town hall, and a short walk up to IGA and several café’s and butcher, baker and other stores.  We all went up (Marg and Trevor had come with us to Mount Barker, and three other ACC members pulled into the camp after us) to the shops and had lunch and then did the full grocery shop to be ready for the week in Denmark.  We had a great Happy Hour and were joined by one of the councillors who told us about a movie being made in the area, starring Sam Neil and Michael Caton called “Rams” and will be released next year.   The production crew were using the town hall as a base and had reserved half the camp spots for their movie trucks and vehicles.  Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see any of the stars of the movie.

By nightfall there were 8 caravans and 4 small motorhomes camped for the night.

Fri 12^th.  All were up and ready to pull out by 9.30am and we all went through town and called into the Bakery on the way out.  This is an “Award Winning Bakery” and we were advised not to miss it.  There was plenty on display and some of the nicest, softest sourdough rolls we have purchased.  Darryl said the pies tasted ok, BUT they were only lukewarm, and he would have liked them hotter.  Apparently, the bakery in Denmark is also an ‘Award winning Bakery’ and a rival for the one in Mount Barker.

We arrived in Denmark at about 10.30am and followed 4 other vans into the park.  The ACC have got sole use of the park for the next 10 days.  We were given site 11 to set up on and it was a little tight getting in but nice and level once we were in.  We then proceeded to set up with awning out and then met our neighbours. Two from WA, One from NSW, two from VIC and one from SA.  Our travelling companion from Tassie last year, is up on the hill opposite us.

We then went into town and had a wander up and down the streets.  A nice little town but quite busy at the moment. :D

Sat 13^th.  I went into town early and had a blood test attended to check my medication levels and then back to the park.  Darryl and I then headed into Albany and went to the National Anzac Centre up on Princess Royal Ave.  This is a brilliant centre and we spent 2 ½ hours here but could have spent more.

You get to hear first-hand accounts of action overseas along with accounts from before the troops sailed from Albany.  You are each given a small card with a soldier on it, and at different parts of the centre you place it on the QR reader and you get HIS or HER story.  You also have a headset where you can scan a small monitor and it will give you the story of the person at that point of the display.  You can also trace your own particular ancestor/relative if you know full name and/or service number.

As we were leaving the centre we met up with Maggie and Steve (who we were camped next to at the National Muster at Bingara last year) and then met John Heath (from the Campertrailer group) who had come in to see the centre also, and parked next to our vehicle.  We were going to stay in Albany and see the lights on the Avenue of Honour that come on at about 5pm.  Maggie was telling us that the path up to them is quite dark and uneven (no vehicular access once the lights are on) and Darryl and I decided that due to my imbalance in the dark it probably would not be a good idea.  We have since seen lots of other people’s photos of the lights and agree that my imbalance in the dark would have been more of a hindrance than a help.

Sun 14^th.  Spent the morning going through my weaving and sorting it out as we were having a market this afternoon from 1 to 4pm.  Up at 12.30 to set up and they have provided tables – 3metres long :D and I have made my table cover 2 metres long :C.  Set up and READY.  Most of the other tables had sewn goods and once the doors opened their goods were ‘walking’ out the door.  I got told several times that mine should be in a gallery, not at the market but most looked at them and then queried the price attached to them.  Several women tried to tell me that my work was crochet and others couldn’t get the concept of making a string bag without using a crochet hook. My sales were disappointing, BUT it is all an experience.

Back to the van and put it all away before heading to Happy Hour with everyone.  Met a couple of ‘First National Muster’ people and tried to make them feel welcome.  We were interrupted when the skies opened, and everyone was running for cover out of the storm.  We were all given a ‘Welcome Sausage Sizzle’ (One sausage, onion and a slice of bread or bun).  Back to the van for dinner and then I went up to the ‘Welcome to Country’ by the local Noongar people.  Joey, Katherine and Graham were brilliant, and Joey did a great painting of the Stirling ranges – in about 15 minutes.  They have a gallery in Denmark called ‘Poornarti’.

Mon 15^th. We all went up to the marquee for the Opening Ceremony and then Darryl and I headed in towards Albany to see the wood sculptures.  We headed to where we THOUGHT they were, BUT we were incorrect, and the Wood Works Gallery was closed on Monday and Tuesdays.  So, we headed back towards Denmark, stopping to take more flower photos along the way, and through Denmark to the Toffee Factory and Elephants Rock Cider Company.  As it was now 2pm we decided to have lunch.  Darryl had a great burger and chips and Jon (the owner) made me a Gluten Free Chicken Burger – which was quite nice.  We then tasted some toffee and purchased some toffee and got some ciders.  Before we departed we also tried one of their ice creams – the biggest cone in the west :D.   All made with your choice of fresh or frozen fruit.  They even had Gluten free cones :D.

Tues 16^th. We went into town and dropped the computer off at ‘3 Point IT’ to see if they could fix my email problem and then I went and had a haircut as my hair would not do what it was supposed to do.  It is a little shorter than what I usually get BUT it will be a little longer before I need another one :D.

We went up to the Poornarti Gallery and saw some beautiful work.  Joey asked that I bring in some of my weaving for him to look at, so had organised to bring it in on Wednesday.  Back to pick up the computer and apparently my problem was caused by the latest security updates on Google.

Wed 17^th. We took some weaving into Joey and he was very impressed. Darryl and I then drove into Albany and visited the Wood Works Gallery on the way.  Some very beautiful wood-turned pieces. And then further into the northern side of Albany to the chainsaw Sculptures at 333 Mercer Road Albany.  WOW. What an amazing artist.  There are so many beautiful pieces in this paddock, where they recommend that you drive through slowly and you can take as many photos as you like.  There is a donation tin at the end of the drive to give ’what you think it is worth’.

We then went to Middleton Beach and had some great fish at ‘Hooked on Middleton’.  All locally caught fish and very fresh.

We then made our way into Albany and to Target for Darryl to source some new shorts.  Today was a very HOT day.  30 degrees.  One of the hottest we have had in a while.

Thurs 18^th.  Today we were caravan bound due to the constant heavy rain.  It continued well in to the night.

Fri 19^th.  Today we went on a ‘Food Tour’ and left the park by bus at 9am.  First up we went to the Swiss Chocolate place where the heavens opened again :D and from there we went to the Honey Mead place.  The poor woman behind the counter was swamped and she was the only one on duty.  This seemed silly as they were warned that there were 4 buses of up to 60 people each coming to see them today.

From here we went to the Cheese making farm where most enjoyed some food.  And our last visit for the day was the Toffee Factory :D  where indulged in some hot chips and then a lovely ice cream.

Sat 20^th. Today we had a day at the van and I did some washing and some weaving.  Tonight is the Dinner Dance and all the tables are named after WA Flowers.  Our table was the Headed Dryandra.  It was a great night, and the band was good with songs from the 60’s and 70’s and easy to sing and dance to.  We were a bit concerned because as we went in there were coloured lights flashing across the roof of the marquee, but these settled and didn’t affect my balance.  We were there until 10.30pm.

Sun 21^st.  Raffle draw was this morning and then the Closing Ceremony.  The end of a great muster and everyone looking forward to Warrnambool VIC next October.  We then returned to the van and headed back into Denmark to have a coffee with friends at the Vietnamese Bakery at the end of Strickland Street.  Darryl liked this bakery as their food was HOT, even out of the warmer.

Enjoyed our final Happy Hour with most of those who are here until tomorrow.