Goodbye Hopetoun... Hello Starvation Bay

It was an early start packing up this morning, bound for the blue Southern Ocean waters of Starvation Bay. Just to ensure no starvation, we did a big shop a the local IGA before we left, but I doubt with my Italian heritage - there is any chance of that :-)

The locals camping on the Bay helped us to choose a prime posse (everyone is so helpful on the camping/caravanning curcuit) and wouldn't you know it, our crazy cycling friend was here as well (I did say I had a feeling we'd see him again) before long we were set up and on the beach doing our daily walks, jogs, sit ups etc.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, Starvation Bay is famous for being the start or beginning of the Rabbit Proof fence, so of course we had to go exploring in search of the fence.
We found what we thought was the fence, after about a 3 kilometre walk along the beach. Nina getting tired had to be piggy backed, not by her Dad, but by her Mum (take some good ammo notes fellas). It was great exercise carrying an extra 18kg on a soggy sand beach walk, I should sleep well tonight and I am sure one of Richard's famous bloody Mary's will help too.

So here we are, Nina has completed day 2 of school, the boys gave themselves a day off (what hope have they got after only day 2) and have decided that fishing is more important at this stage, so the 3 boys are now trying their luck fishing in the Southern Ocean, fingers crossed they come back with dinner and the gals are blogging and watching a Barbie movie... Everyone is happy :-)

We are hoping to stay here for a few days and crossing fingers and toes that the wind does eventually die down so we can get the most out of this piece of paradise.

First Day of School

Well this morning it happened, my baby girl started year 1. It wasn't as emotional as it could have been given that I am her teacher for the year, in fact, it was more overwhelming knowing that I have so much of an influence on her and Jack & Harry's education for the next year.
Harry started year 3 today and Jack year 4, where have all those years gone, I remember so vivily Jack's first day of kindy like it was yesterday.

I can now appreciate (but on a diffrent scale, I only have 3 to teach, not 30) how every school teacher feels at the beginning of each year, knowing that there is such a huge task at hand, to shape, mould and teach each child to the best of their abilities until as their teacher, I can tick off the boxes at the end of the year.

I can report that day one, although a little disorganised, went very well.

Nina, Harry & Jack in their classroom

Just thought I'd mention, for all of our family and friends who think we're crazy - that last night we met someone even crazier.
His name is Jean Mark, a Pom from London, and he's set himself a personal challenge of riding a pushbike from Perth to Sydney.
He set up camp next to us last night in the caravan Park and was greateful for some conversation, a few beers and some good advice on dealing with the harsh Aussie outback, like keeping your swag zipped up at all times.
He spoke of landing in Perth and being charged $9 for a coffee at the airport (robbery) and of the ways he keeps himself sane while riding.
One of them, a roadkill tally, which he says the kangaroos are winning by far.
He was an interesting character, 43, unmarried and a computer graphics designer who decided it was time to set himself a decent challenge... well he's certainly done that.
He left Perth on the 4th of January on his mammoth journey and I have a feeling we'll see him again in our travels.

Jean Mark, the crazy cycling pom

Oh, and we were sure to point out that he was madder than us, naturally :-).
By the way, he also has a blog it's called Perth to Sydney the round about way, if you are interested.

Exploring Hopetoun

Hopetoun is so pretty but a little bit blowy and in the mid 20's, a huge contrast to everyone at home who is sweltering in 40+ degrees.

Richard spent the night up and down checking that our annex wasn't going to blow away.

Today we went for a beautiful drive along the Southern Ocean Road to Starvation Bay to check out a campsite.

It's so pretty there and peaceful that we've decided to move on Tuesday to the Bay for a few days where the kids can fish off the beach and go squidding.

Starvation Bay's claim to fame is that it's where the Rabbit Proof Fence ends.

I have included some pics of the coastline... not even the overcast conditions can make the Southern Ocean look less inviting.

Jack & Harry in the blue waters of Hopetoun

Nina, Jack & Harry

Hopetoun beach

The big rig parked outside the Hopetoun Pub

The Big Rig, Hopetoun

The big rig and all of its toys

Goodbye Albany, Hello Hopetoun

Teething problems ironed out, it was time to pack up shop and move on from Albany today.

The last couple of days have included ticking off our shopping list of things we either needed or had left behind and needed replacing. When we got back to the  caravan park Nina took some bike riding lessons, without trainer wheels.

Nina, without trainer wheels

Yesterday morning the boys arose bright and early to try to add to their crab stocks with an early morning crabbing expedition in the nearby river. We ended up with 5 in all and a black bream (caught by Jack). The biggest ever caught in the region, just ask him!!!!
So dinner last night was an entree of crab, followed by Nanna's pasta sauce & salad. Yum!!!

Jack with one of his catches of the day

We have already met some lovely people. Our next door neighbor Tony was a wealth of knowledge when it came to fishing and crabbing. The neighbors opposite us Peter & Sheila have been my daily source of news, dropping off The West to me each morning after they've finished reading it, although they didn't ever sell it too well, telling me it was "full of crap," even before I got the chance to read it. They were always right!!

So this morning it was goodbye to our short lived, but lovely neighbours, to continue on our way.
We arrived in Hopetoun with very few expectations and were pleasantly suprised.
I suppose the best way to describe it as a quaint little fishing village on the beach.
With only two hours of sunlight when we arrived, the boys quickly disappeared to explore the beach, metres away from our caravan.

Nina, Harry & Jack, ready to hit the beach in Hopetoun

Nina can now skin dive, thanks to her Dad's teaching expertise (just ask him).

Nina gets a snorkelling lesson from her Dad

After dinner at the pub, it's time for a nightcap before Richard divorces me for being on the computer.

Oz Day, Albany

What a blissful few days we've had in beautiful Albany. It's been really nice to finally set up the new caravan for the first time and to stay put in one spot.
It's also given us a chance to iron out the teething problems we were expecting with a new van.

Anyone who knows Richard will be happy to know that the holiday will continue around Australia now that the TV works. Phew!! That had major disaster potential, especially with the cricket on at the moment.

The fridge now also works, happy days for all of us.

So now that the teething problems have been sorted, we will pack up tomorrow and head further south to Hopetoun on Saturday.
I rang Hopetoun caravan park yesterday to book in for three nights and the man on the other end of the phone assured me "no need to book here love, just rock up."
I deduct from that, that Hopetoun either has a huge caravan park or no one goes there, I am hedging my bets on the latter.

The natural bridge

Jack & Harry looking at the view near the Albany lighthouse

All of us at the blowholes

As for Australia day today.... The boys are doing what they love best (hunter gathering) they 're out crabbing and fishing. While the gals have washed their hair, done their nails and baked cupcakes.
Tonight, we'll head to the Albany Oval for Australia Day fireworks celebrations.

Day 4, Albany

We have been in Albany for 2 full days now and although I was here as a kid, my memory of its beautiful coastline had either faded or wasn't etched into the memory of a child.

Some views of the Albany coast remind me of the Mediterranean coastline.

Today we saw the blowholes and witnessed the almighty power of the ocean. The natural bridge and the gap were also beautiful.

We spent several hours learning about Albany's whaling industry of old, at Whale World.
It amazes me still at how smart the human race thinks it is, when in actual fact, at times mankind is just plain stupid by almost wiping out the whale population in the 70's.

Thank goodness government finally had the common sense, in Australia at least, to put an end to it but not before causing generations of damage.

Jack, Harry & Nina in Albany

Richard, Nina, Harry & Jack at the blowholes

Walking back from the blowholes

Nina, Harry & Jack at Whale World

The weather has been average so no beaches yet, we will save that for tomorrow when (fingers crossed) the sun makes an appearance.

Day 2, Valley of the Giants

Today we left Northcliffe bound for Albany.
One the way we stopped at the Valley of the Giants...

Jack, Richard, Harry and Nina on the tree top walk

Bev Funga, Sonia & Jack on the tree top walk "you never know who'll you meet in the tree tops"

All of us inside a tingle tree

We're on our way

After days of packing up house and farm and getting the caravan ready, we are on our way.

It has been a couple of hectic and emotional weeks of goodbyes with family & friends. 

We will miss everyone but we are excited about the adventures that lie ahead. 

Bye Sunnyvale and Harvey -  Hello Oz.

Ready to go

We had to stop for this photo in Brunswick along the way... 

This is to show my Harvey friends that I'm not too far away - yet!

First stop was the Gloucester Tree in Pemberton where the kids only climbed a short way, enough for a snapshot...

The Gloucester Tree

Next stop was Northcliffe to catch up with Nick Kale and his wife Di. 

Di & Nick Kale

Their home among the karri trees

The Kale homestead

We spent our first night with the Kale's... we got off to a flying start with Nina getting a bite on the lip from their Kelpie and Harry tripping over a log, in true Harry style...

Harry does a job on his lip

This is where we parked on our first night of the trip

The Countdown is on

1 day to go!!!!

Not long now. I can see a light at the end of the packing tunnel.

The big red car is packed to the brim and so is the caravan. We have every toy you could possibly imagine to bring (that's Richard's domain) while I have literally set up a house on wheels.

The kids have been given a box each where they can pack some special toys etc. The boxes should all fit nicely on the end of their bunk beds.
Clothes have all been packed and hopefully enough shoes. (stop it!!!! It's all important stuff).
And while the caravan is being packed, the farm house is being packed away with fridges emptied and turned off and a big spring clean. The Harvey Salvo's have done well.

So much to do... but we're almost there.

The Journey Ahead, Map of Oz

What we are about to undertake.
It doesn't look so big on a map.

Out with the Old, In With the New

Goodbye old caravan... Traded in for a newer version.

I week to go

Everyone is getting excited now, we have our new van, which I happened to stumble upon and the Caravan and Camping Show... and we are frantically packing, in between attending going away party, after going away party.

We have been shopping for the kids school books and I have mixed emotions from moment to moment about this trip, whereas the rest of the family is simply excited. Do I over think things too much?

One minute I am asking myself these questions.... Won't I miss home and my family and friends? How will we survive in a caravan for a whole year? Will Richard have to come back for work at any stage? How will we go with the kids schooling? The questioning and self doubt is endless.

The next minute... I can't wait to get going.

I suppose only time will answer all of my questions. In the meantime, I'll keep packing... and then that poses it's own questions. How many clothes do I pack for everyone? How many pairs of shoes should I bring? What other bits and pieces can I NOT live without?
All such important stuff, when the ones you leave behind, you won't see for a whole year.