Archive 1  
visit previous pics and stories of Kay and Swanny's "Excellent Adventure" across the Nullabor to Perth and other parts of Western Australia.

Augusta & Cape Leeuwin We arrived in Augusta, on the south-west coast of Western Australia, and met a delightful group of 3 semi-retired professional ladies. These ladies had cashed in their superannuation retirement funds, rented their homes out and had hired a most wonderful and luxurious Campervan for 12 months to explore and witness their Australia.

They were a tad upset that Swanny had sweet-talked the caravan park owner into allowing us to stop the night "dog-toll free" and they had to pay $50 bond for their overnight stay with their Boxer!! I never did work out what the bond was for - and hey, at this stage of my life - I don't want to know.

To the left is the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, built in 1896. Volcanic ironstone quarried locally was used to construct the 39-metre tower - its original light was powered by kerosene and was visible for 50 kilometres.

"The first recorded sighting of our south-west coast was by the Dutch ship Leeuwin in March, 1622 and since 1627 Cape Leeuwin has appeared on our maps." "Mapanew's Quartererly, Map & Guide to the South West Capes"

It is at Cape Leeuwin that you sight the "edge" of the Southern Ocean and the Indian Ocean, as shown in the picture to the right, with Kaysie.

In the early days of Australian settlement, most Australian-bound ships came via the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Leeuwin, however the lighthouse was only built after the establishment of the Western Australian goldfields.

Dongara, on the mid-north coast of WA. This is as far north along the coast we travelled. Swanny was yearning and earning to get up to Monkey Mia (many kms/miles up north) to swim with the dolphins - but we hit Dongara and both Kay & Swanny were caught up in a dream that perhaps we could spend our eternity in this Paradise.

It was here we bought two crayfish (perhaps a wee bit undersized, and perhaps a wee bit illegal, off the fishing boats) for just $AU16.00. Swanny performed culinary skills in the campervan galley and created "Crayfish Mornay and Risotto" and we drank cheap wine and listened to Bob Dylan as the waves caressed the sands.

It is from Dongera that the crayfish boats leave, some up to 6 months of the year, to live off islands just off Dongera. They take their families and live on the outer islands. Their children are educated by teachers specially flown in for those "catch" months of the year. Other boats leave at about 5.30 am for the cray fishing months. (Did you know, that those months all have "r" in them; here in Oz?) 

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Perth, Western Australia On 12 August, 1829 the birthday of King George IV, the wife of Lt. Dance made a mark on a tree. There followed a few cheers, some speeches (naturally - they were British after all!!), a volley of shot - lo and behold - Perth was founded.

These people were private investors setting up a colony in what the English navigator, William Dampier, called "... the barrenest spot on the Globe".

And the rest of Australia thanks Mrs Dance - Perth has to be the prettiest Capital City in Australia.

When you plan a trip to Australia include Kings Park - a wonderful vista of native flora and panoramic views of the City. You should also visit Freemantle (oops - should Swanny mention here WE WON THE AMERICA CUP!!!WE WON THE AMERICA CUP!!! 

This pretty port has much to offer the day tripper to Perth.

Visit and shop in the Malls throughout the City. Armadas of pleasure launches travel along "The Swan" - to the beaches of Leighton, Cottesloe, and Swanbourne ( ooooo - a Nudist Beach). A visit to Perth isn't a visit, unless you visit Rottnest Island. Pack a picnic lunch and get the ferry to Rottnest. Hire a bicycle and tour the island - when Perth is hot (and boy, can it ever get hot) - Rottnest isn't.

 

Even in the suburbs of Perth, there are wonderful picnic areas to have a BBQ and watch the locals set out in their little dinghies and powerboats to go out to fish in the evening. Cast a line, put a few "snags" (sausages to the USA folk) on the barbie and enjoy!

Shoot!!! WHO took this photo of Swanny - before she had a chance to "breathe in"!!! However this is Kaysie and Swan cooking up a storm one evening down by the riverside. (hmmm.... is that a song?)  
There are many pretty parks with set up for families to cook on electric BBQ and just sit and watch the sunset over the river.

 

 

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