Wednesday 20th March

Today we had a short but fairly inefficient (due to strong headwinds) 100ks into Albany where we will meet up with the other BT owners for our mini muster.    The Rifle Club is the venue this year and is ideal, there is plenty of space and good facilities.

There are quite a few people already there when we arrive and we immediately renew some  acquaintanceships from last year.   Soon there is a steady stream of BTs arriving and by nibbles and drinks time there are 27 vans here. 

We like these gatherings because there are things to do but you don’t have to do them, so it’s all very relaxed.    Having said that, it seems that we have been quite busy one way or another.

Rather than do a day by day thing,here are some photos of the coastline around Albany and particularly Sharp Point.

 

The island is called Eclipse Island and the old lighthouse can be seen together with the lighthouse keepers cottage, which we think you can rent if you want to get away from it all!

 

The islands above are Green Islands and the view is across Torbay.

  

Much of the sustrata is granite and the Natural Bridge (see above) is something like 30 metres wide, the sea is white with the surge, as it is at the Gap a rather daunting feature since you can walk right up to the edge of 40 metre drop into the ocean (if you’re that sort of person!).   Several people have died here over the years.

                  

Some idea of the rocks around the features above.

                            

The farmer’s markets in Albany (every Sat) sold some very good fruit and vegetables, all local produce.

We’ve been for some good walks.    Visited a Sandalwood factory, where all sorts of sweet smelling products are made from this small tree which is farmed up in the Kimberley region.    Apparently, they need to be 14 years old to get the best fragrance, then they uproot the entire tree, so replanting is necessary.  This is probably why the products are so pricey!

The bush tucker factory was another day out, in this case lunch in the cafe was the highlight, warrigal and herb soup, smoked roo, croc cakes and various quiches and dips, made a really good lunch.

Back at the ranch we had several early evening activities together, swapping trip stories and learning about places to go.   Meeting people as they go about their daily tasks and following up on the previous evening’s discussion.

 

Trips out and about………getting those difficult shots…………………

 

and trying to get a picture of all the BTs in one shot..

eventually achieved, nearly …………………

Left Albany about 0930 after many ‘see ya next times’ a fairly unexciting and uneventful run up the Albany Hwy and home about 1500hrs.   Good to see the sunshine improving as we head north, 200 ks, and the warmth is much more appealing after the last few days of cool temperatures strong winds and quite a lot of rain.  

Unfortunately, the rain wasn’t enough to clean the rig, so have started to clean the troopie and the caravan and start on the work to prepare them for the next trip, probably to Cape Arid, just before Christmas.

Really enjoyed the Eyre Peninsula and would like to get back there again sometime in the future.   This trip 6700 ks, used 1250 litres of diesel at an average of 18.6 l/100ks, more than happy with the fuel consumption.

Highlights –  difficult to narrow it down but certainly fresh oysters, abalone in butter, the Lincoln NP and fixing the AC side of the inverter!

We hope you enjoyed keeping up with us, any comments would be gratefully received, especially if you can think of any ways we can improve the blog.   I am looking at options for a better mapping system.