We were here in 2013 and stayed in a park not far from where we are now but we were camped up with two other matching Winnebago Longreachs. We checked – they’re gone.
We departed Bremer Bay a while back, headed for Albany where we got into the same park that we were in in 2013 but it is now operated by the RAC and has had a lot of money spent on it. It is very good (RAC Esperance).
WA Tourism is very good at providing access to some beautiful natural sites.The Gap and Natural Bridge are just two fantastic examples on the way to the Whale Station out of Albany…
.
One of the key reasons for coming back to Albany was to revisit the Whaling Station. Operating only from 1956 to 1972 it processed (slaughtered) thousands of whales and along with other whaling organisations nearly wiped out the worlds Southern Right Whale population (so called because it was the”right” whale). To see video of the process of catching and flensing a whale is horrific, but whale oil and whale bone and ambergris were highly valued goods up until the final days of whaling. Here are some shots of the station…
Wow that’s a big mouth (don’t presume!).
One of the last whaling boats (Cheyne IV) has been dragged up onshore for viewing by the unwashed, unabashed, unaware masses…
but they are forbidden to use the head.
This, aboard the Cheyne IV, is for’head – how the hell can you tell?
Then again this is out the back….
so which way do we go to get those whales skipper?
I dunno, but melt them down and whack em in these tanks…
and then send the oil off to some poor unsuspecting buyer to power up their lamps or lips.
Whilst in Albany we also called in to the refurbed ANZAC Centre for a soul searching journey through WW1. This centre is a must see for any visitor to Albany and a moving experience.
Next stop was to have been a woodworking shop in or near Denmark in which we spent some time but no money on a prior visit. Couldn’t find it but upon enquiry learnt that it had moved to Albany and we weren’t goin’ back. Probably best cos we still didn’t have the money to spend. Moving on we arrived at the source of much of the woodworkers material, the Tingle Forrest of Walpole where we once again walked amongst these majestic trees….
and, yes, I was hanging on by my fingernails on the treetop walk. Jude and Robyn just bounced along their merry way whilst I hung on for dear life. But I did the walk and I’m still talking. Gee its flexible and I’m not. I’m also sure I took more photos on the treetop walk but I guess they were just as scared to come out as I was. At least this was only 40 metres up, unlike some stupid zip lining experience at 53 metres. Anyway, I digress. The whole experience with nature was very satisfying and interesting, so much so that we stayed amongst it the night before last…
but a pity about the rain that put our beautiful fire out.
Today or perhaps it was yesterday we find (found) ourselves in Augusta as previously mentioned. Got out to Point Leeuwin to greet the Southern and Indian Oceans and the wind was relatively mild – only 50 – 60 Knots. Bloody nearly blew us into the Southern but we got a few photos….
(cow with guns?)
There’s probably lots more to report but my typing finger is very tired so I’ll have to put it in a sling and drink with my other hand so its goodnight from me and goodnight from him!
Recent Comments