Aus Day 56 - Farewell to Perth and Eileen Arrives Home

Sunday 14th November    Aus Day 56


Rose at 07.30, missing Eileen but, have to soldier on. Shower and quick breakfast then gathered all my bits and pieces together in readiness for departure. Thanked Pat and Jean for their fantastic hospitality and set off at 09.45. Made my way back to the Kwinana Freeway via the Roe Hwy and headed south, heading for Bunbury. I exited the freeway at Pinjarra, preferring to take the slower but more scenic route down the South Western Highway through Waroona and Harvey. I was taking things easy but still arrived at the Bunbury Visitor Information Centre by 12.30 and after making enquiries and doing a bit of shopping booked into the Discovery Koombana Holiday Park by 13.15. This site is just by Koombana Beach and the Dolphin Discovery Centre. I may stay another day here as I need to spend some time getting right up to date with the Blog, my laundry and to do some research and planning for the remainder of my journey in Australia.

The Discovery Koombana Holiday Park - Bunbury

Went for a walk on the beach, which is right across the road at the back of the van. I am lead to believe that dolphins get into the bay but, I didn’t see any on this occasion.

Koombana Beach Thataway

Bunbury Roadside Flora

Koombana Beach - Bunbury

Returned to the van where I spent some time getting notes updated and finally made contact with Eileen, who had arrived home safely, at about 6.45. Unfortunately, the connection was very sporadic so will hopefully make better contact tomorrow.

Had a simple tea of sausage and beans and then spent the remainder of the evening updating the Blog. I have now completed up to Aus Day 55 so will be fully up to date before much longer.

Aus Day 55 - Kings Park, a Sad Farewell and A Party

Saturday November 13th    Aus Day 55


Rose at 07.20 and soon heard the clatter of grand children’s footsteps at 07.30 as Jean had promised to look after them for the morning.

Quick breakfast and then Pat took Eileen and me into Perth for a final wander through Kings Park which overlooks the City and the Swan River. We spent an hour or so strolling through the grounds, concentrating on the views over the river before having a coffee and then heading back to Thornlie in time for Eileen to do any last minute packing.

Journey Into Perth

View From Kings Park

JB and Eileen in Kings Park

View Over the River Swan to the South East

The North Bank of the Swan River

Perth City Centre from Kings Park

Eileen in Kings Park

After a spot of lunch, Pat ferried us to the Airport where we arrived at about 1.30 pm. Eileen checked in and managed to get her boarding cards all the way through as well as being allocated a window seat all the way.

Very reluctantly we said our farewells at the departure gate at about 14.20 and then Pat and I returned to Thornlie. I am really going to miss Eileen during the final 4 weeks of my Aus travels but hopefully we will be able to remain in contact via Skype.

In the evening, Pat, Jean and me attended their friend Barbara’s birthday party where I found that Alan (her husband) had been in Aden at the same time as myself back in the mid sixties. (It’s a small world). It was a good evening even though the temperature dropped considerably and we all ended up wearing sweaters. Got back home at about 12.30 and straight to bed.

Aus Day 54 - Freo And a Bit of Retail Therapy

Friday 12th November    Aus Day 54

Rose at 07.20 from the lovely soft bed at Pat and Jean’s place. Today is Eileen’s last full day and she is hoping to get in some serious retail therapy in Freemantle. However, I have to get the van into the garage but managed to get Monday’s Blog published before doing so while Eileen and Jean took the dog for a walk and had a quick photo session.

Cousin Jean and the dog Under The Local Flora

Local Perth Flora

Jacaranda Trees in Bloom

Just after mid-day we all went into Freemantle (locally known as “Freo”) and had fish and chips for lunch at the quayside then wandered to the Market where Eileen managed to get most of the keepsakes she wanted for her family.

Entrance to Freemantle Market

Freemantle Market Interior

Eileen and Jean Browsing the Market Stalls

Jean & Eileen "Ignoring" the Lolly Shop

Boats For Sale

We returned to Thornlie by 16.45 where a message was waiting to say that the camper van was ready for collection so Pat and I zoomed off to collect it.

On return, a couple more of Pat & Jean’s friends were at the house and invited us to a party the following night. Unfortunately, Eileen will have set off for the UK.

At 6.30 we all went over to Carleen’s house for a lovely dinner with cousins Anita and Pam. A good time was had by all with numerous holiday and travel stories being recounted.

JB, Carleen, Pat, Cousins Pam, Jean and Anita

After a lovely evening we returned to Pat and Jean’s place just after 10.00 pm for a night cap and off to bed just after 11.00.

Aus Day 53 - Into Perth and a Proper Bed

Thursday 11th November    Aus Day 53


Rose at 07.30, shower and breakfast and departed the site by 09.00 heading south down the recently completed Indian Ocean Drive between Cervantes and Lancelin. As we had plenty of time in hand, we made a point of calling into all of the small towns and bays along the way. After a while it becomes difficult to remember which is which but, I think the following are labelled correctly.

View From The Lookout at Lancelin

Guilderton - The Moore River Estuary

Aboriginal Sculpture at Two Rocks



Two Rocks Harbour - Can You Spot Why It's Called Two Rocks?



Neptune's Head at Two Rocks

We joined the Marshall Freeway at Joondalup and following the directions given to me by cousin Anita arrived safely at cousin Jean’s place at about 15.15.

Entering Perth on the Marshall Freeway

Perth City High Rise

Crossing the Swan River in Perth

We were made really welcome and are looking forward to spending a couple of nights in a “Proper” bed.

Everyone was tired as Pat & Jean had only arrived home early that morning so we had Chinese take away for dinner with a couple of drinks. Pat then entertained us with a showing of Avatar on his home cinema facility. An excellent film but rather long. We didn’t get to bed until mid-night.

Aus Day 52 - Pinnacles, Flies and An Offer Too Good To Refuse

Wednesday 10th November    Aus Day 52


Rose at 07.00, shower and breakfast and cleared van ready to move. We vacated the site by 08.30 despite trying not to rush, and set off towards Cervantes and The Pinnacles.

We hadn’t gone very far when we stopped off at the Molah Lookout which affords a good view out over the coast line between Jurien Bay and Cervantes.

View of the Coast From Molah Lookout



Molah Lookout Sign

We arrived in Cervantes by about 09.30 and decided to reserve a caravan site for tonight while we were there. Having successfully achieved that we continued to the Pinnacles in the Nambung National Park. We first went into the Discovery centre to get some idea of what the Pinnacles are, (still not clear) and to see what flora and fauna might be in the same area. We then set out on the 1.5 km walk through the Pinnacles which was unfortunately plagued with hoards of flies. So much so that we were eventually forced to cut short our exploration and beat a hasty retreat to the van.

Eileen Among the Pinnacles

JB at the Pinnacles

More Pinnacles

On our way back to Cervantes we diverted to Kangaroo Point which turned out to be yet another small beach similar to many others we have visited. With time on our hands we opted to return to Jurien Bay for a bit of shopping and an “all day breakfast” at the cafe next to the caravan park where we had stayed last night.

Eileen at Kangaroo Point

During the day I had been trying to arrange a caravan site in Perth for tomorrow when we received an offer of accommodation from cousin Jean and her husband Pat which was just too good to refuse. I had also finalised arrangements with Apollo to get the camper van into the agents in Perth in order to have the temporary repair to the turbo hose fixed with a permanent solution.

Thus we eventually returned to the Caravan site in Cervantes just as the rain set in for what seemed to be the rest of the day. This is the first real rain we have had since Eileen arrived. We were comfortable enough in our van and so spent the evening watching TV before turning in early.