Thursday 5^th April, 2012

I made a short walk along the Wilson Inlet when the rain stopped for a moment. At the river mouth a couple of pelicans where sitting there. After we continued our journey of discovery. First stop was Swiss Annie's fine Chocolate Lounge. We ordered a hot chocolate and got milk and pieces of chocolate. With a stirrer to we could prepare it by ourselves. The owner asked us where we come from and then told us that his wife is also Swiss. She then joined us and let us test her pralines. She told us how she had came here and that she is glad that it is finally raining. We learnt that there are a few Swiss living in the region of Denmark. Then we went to the William Bay National Park. Here we first watched the Green Pool. The sea is separated through rocks and it looks like a pool. We could observe a kite surfer. Then we walked to Elephant Cove were the sea water flows through an opening in the rocks. Then we drove past Albany into the Torndirrup National Park. We just started to walk to the Natural Bridge when we turn back as it started to rain heavily and we had not put on the waterproof clothes. After the lunch break and with less rain and waterproof clothes we went to see rock formations. The sea was heavy and hit the rocks strongly. That was interesting to watch. We were soaking wet as we were back. It was colder than in the last few days. Then we drove to the blow holes. From 33m distance we tried to see if the spray came from the blow holes or from the surf. It was not distinguishable. We continued to a lookout and looked over to Albany. Shortly after we were in Albany. The town has some charm due to the old buildings. First we bought food, but we were not the only ones. As I wanted to do some sightseeing we departed so I could peacefully watch the old buildings and churches. After we decided to to stay in the proximity. We drove to a camping and paid the Easter tariff of 43 dollars!

Wednesday 4^th April, 2012

The rain was the most faithful company we had today. At times weaker, at times stronger, sometimes a break and then of another time the full programme. Due to the bad weather we saw a few emus and kangaroos on the pastures at the side of the road. We wanted to visit a waterfall at Beedelup National Park. The path led over a suspension bridge from where we did not see any waterfall. Despite all the rain only a little water dropped over the rocks. After this short walk we drove to Gloucester National Park. Here we visited the Gloucester Tree, which is 72 m tall and the worlds tallest fire lookout tree. The platform was used until 1952 and in this area 8 other karri trees where also mounted like that. On a kind of spiral stairs with metal sticks we could have climbed up, but due to the rain it was too dangerous. Armed with rainproof clothes we dared out of the camper and walked a 800 m path to watch karri trees. The karris are a sort of eucalyptus which is only growing in western and south-western Australia. As there is a chain of National Parks in this region we were driving for hours through many karri forests. Our next destination was the Valley of the Giants. Here there are tingle trees, another kind of eucalyptus which can get up to 400 years old. The trees can get 60 m tall and may have a circumference of 16 m. In the trees there is a suspension bridge construction so we could watch the trees from above. The highest point was at 40 m. Then we walked a path leading to old and partially hollow trees. I was impressed how tall and wide the trees can get. As it got soon evening we drove to Denmark and stayed at the water. Next to our camper the Denmark River flows into the Wilson Inlet.