Summer Holiday Continued....... - Jan 3

Sunday 3^rd January 2010

I write this as I sit next to the Quantum watching the sun set over Mason’s Bay, east of Hopetoun.  New Year’s was a pretty quiet affair for us this year.  We were in bed well before midnight and were only awoken to the New Year by text messages on the phone.  On New Year’s Day, Paula’s family got together for a barbecue and it was wonderful to spend some time with everyone again.  On Saturday we went to town to top up our supplies before we set off towards Esperance.  We really enjoyed the short stay on the farm.  It was relaxing and made us both feel that the holidays had really started.

Today we set off at about 8.30am on our two day trip to Esperance.  The Quantum is a dream to pack up compared to the Kimberley Kamper.  We decided deliberately not to pack anything away the night before and it was surprising how quickly we were ready to hit the road.  It was a warm day and we made good time to Jerramungup and then to Ravensthorpe.  We filled up with fuel and then decided to have a look around our old stamping ground.  We visited our old house where little has changed since we were there.  The road is now sealed, and I was secretly pleased to find that the pergola I built 15 years ago is still standing strong and proud!

After a short drive around the town we headed down the hill to the school to have a wander around.  It was very nostalgic!  Much was the same as when we left, however some impressive improvements have also been made and the school looks wonderful.  There were even people swimming in the pool – a project that consumed a great deal of my time and that was only completed just before we left!  (We only swam in it once I think!)

After our wander around the school we headed towards Hopetoun and then along the Southern Ocean Road with plans to camp at either Mason’s Bay or Starvation Boat Harbour.  We arrived at Mason’s Bay at around 2pm and found a wonderful site immediately adjacent to the beach and decided that this was meant for us!  The weather is magnificent and the water calm and blue!  We have done little else except wander on the beach and relax.  A delightful place (when the weather is good)!

Tuesday 5^th January 2009

The last couple of days have seen us move from Mason’s Bay to Thomas River (east of Esperance).  Yesterday we set off reasonably early from Mason’s Bay.  The wind came up over night and the cloud cover set in so there was not much to dawdle about!

We reached Esperance at around 10am and filled up with diesel and contributed to our retirement plan (put Lotto on) and then met up with Vicki and Rod.  We spent some time at Rod’s mum’s house as they finalised some last minute bits and pieces, filled up with water and purchased some yummy pies at the Esperance Bakery.  Some time after lunch we set off towards Thomas River.  The drive is a bit over 100km and surprisingly much of it is bitumen (if you use Fisheries Road).  We reached the camp sites at about 2.30pm.  There are two camp sites at Thomas River.  One is a CALM run site that is on a hill overlooking the beach.  There are about 18 sites here but it is very open and exposed to the wind as a consequence of fires a couple of years ago.  The second camp site is closer to the beach and doesn’t have the spectacular views.  This site is owned by the Shire of Esperance and it is far more protected from the elements.  There are only 10 sites here but as a rule they are larger than the CALM provided sites and we were lucky enough to score one that was easily big enough for both vans with plenty to spare.  Perhaps the only downfall is the charge of $14.00 per night for what are basic camping facilities.  Both sites charge the same and it appears that Glenn’s principle of management by exclusion is being applied once again.

We both set up our camps with a minimum of fuss and then settled in for the evening.  Vicki had organised some tea so we all hoed into a lamb stew and vegies and quite a few drinks!

Today saw us sleep in a little.  We were up and about at a reasonable time still however and Rod decided to take us down to the beach in his car.  The beach here is difficult to describe.  The words pristine, white and expansive come readily to mind.  We were able to drive east along the beach for about 25 kilometres until you run into Cape Arid and can drive no more.  As a rule the drive is on reasonably firm sand with only a few boggy patches along the way.  There are a number of bays that allow you to escape the wind no matter which direction it blows.  The beaches are beautiful and the water cold, but an alluring aqua colour that will no doubt see us swimming over the next few days.  We are planning to load up the vehicles with fishing gear and supplies and spend a whole day just meandering sometime in the very near future.

Thursday 7^th January 2009

Well, as the adage goes….. “the best laid plans…..”.  Wednesday turned out to be one of the hottest days I can ever recall.  The official maximum recorded at Esperance was 47 degrees!  My thermometer registered 48 to 49 degrees, but suffice to say that it was bloody hot.  The wind was scorching and there was no escape from it!  The weather bureau issued a catastrophic fire warning and given that part of this area was decimated a couple of years ago, we were pretty edgy.  We decided that it was too hot to go fishing, but a swim was definitely in order.  We drove about 10 km up the beach trying to find somewhere that was relatively sheltered from the wind.  In the end we found a little cove by some rocks.  The water was beautifully refreshing, however as soon as you came out the hot wind hit you in the face.  Eventually we decided that we might be better off back at camp and using the air conditioners in our vans.

The drive back was interesting.  The temperature gauge on the Nissan rose a little as we churned through the soft sand.  Not surprising given the weather and it never rose above the “normal” range on the dial, but when it did get up there the computer automatically turned the air conditioner off!  Nevertheless, we made it back safely and set about turning the air cons on!  Paula and I decided that we would watch the end of the cricket (what a great win!) in the relative cool of the Quantum.  I use the word “relative” advisedly.  The temperature in the van was cooled to a wonderful 37 or 38 degrees compared to the 48^o outside!  The air conditioner was working fine, the temperature of the air coming from the vents was 20^o, however the heat was just so intense that it just couldn’t cope.  Vicki and Rod had no better luck.  Their air con would run for a short time and then the generator would switch to overload mode as the air con worked hard to bring the temperature down.  (The generator was able to run the air con later when things cooled down a little but the intensity of the heat meant it just couldn’t cope.)

We spent the rest of the day either in our van where it was 10^o cooler at least, or sitting out under a tree drinking ice cold beer (at least the fridges coped).

Things cooled down a little in the evening and Vicki and Rod cooked a wonderful roast for us all.  (Rod’s brother Moggie turned up unexpectedly during the day and we also shared our meal with Luke and Fiona who shared our site with us over the last couple of days.)  It was still very hot when we went to bed at about 10.00pm but fortunately a cool change reached us overnight!  Today the forecast is only for 26^o.  A difference of over 20^o!  Who could believe it!!!

We spent today just recuperating.  Paula caught up on some washing, and I spent some time editing photos and getting the blog up to date.  A relaxing day!

Monday 11^th January 2010

It’s been a few days since our last blog entry.  We have really just been chilling and enjoying the location.  Fortunately the weather has been a bit cooler!  It did reach the low 40’s on Saturday however we used this as an excuse to head into Condingup to have lunch in the tavern.  (We can recommend the food, especially the fish!)

Speaking of fish – we did get the lines out on Friday and fished for a while off the beach.  It was pretty unsuccessful, but very relaxing.  The word around the camp site is that herring and skippy are the go around the rocks further up the beach.

Yesterday was a particularly quiet day.  We did very little but relax and read – absolutely wonderful!  We cooked up a roast for tea as it was Vicki, Rod and Moggy’s last night.  They are heading into Esperance and then home by Wednesday.  We intend to hang around here for a couple of more days before meandering home.  Perhaps the highlight of the day for me was seeing a beautiful carpet python around the water tank early in the morning.  Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera with me!

Today we pottered around camp until Vicki, Rod and Moggy left.  Then we headed up the beach to have a look around.  There was only one other car on the beach and that guy was surfing by himself.  The park has emptied out significantly with only a few vans left around.  We wandered over rocks and I thought about throwing a line in, but we decided that a drive was just as nice.  The beach was pretty soft today so the car had to work hard through the sand.  On the way back Paula spotted a couple of seals playing in the surf.  We stopped to watch them for a while.  It was just the seals and us…..wonderful!

After the drive along the beach we decided to check out Tagon Beach.  The drive over to the beach starts off pretty well, but eventually the road deteriorates into a sandy track to the beach.  The beach was very sandy, but beautiful!  We had a short wander along the beach and then headed back to camp for lunch.

Wednesday will see us leave and head back towards Perth.  We will probably spend a night somewhere along the south coast and then move inland back towards Perth.  Sadly our time is coming to an end…. But at least we still have a few days left.

Wednesday 13^th January 2010

Today we packed up and started the depressing journey home!  We have had so much fun on this trip that we just don’t want it to end!

Yesterday was a beautiful day weather wise.  The wind was balmy and it was warm with out being too hot.  Paula and I decided that we might wander along the rocks.  It was just beautiful!  The water was blue, the sand white and the swell was up.  We spent hours just watching the waves break over the rocks and couldn’t resist taking too many snaps! 

In the afternoon we decided that we would pack up a little, reloading the Nissan and packing up the annex (after the mandatory afternoon nap that is!).  The tyres were reinflated and the chores completed with very little fuss.  We were able to watch our last sun set at Thomas River over icy cool drinks before retiring ready for an early start the next day.

We were able to hit the road early this morning and were keen to get to Mason’s Bay as the weather had started to warm up again.  We filled up in Esperance, did a little shopping and made it to our camp site by about 2pm.  The camp was busier than when we stopped over last time, but we managed to find a reasonable site however we soon discovered that lots of bees loved it too.  We were able to reach an agreement however, we supplied them with a bowl of water and they left us alone!  We spent the afternoon reading and enjoying the scenery.

Friday 15^th January 2010

Home today!

Yesterday we left Mason’s Bay by about 8am.  The day was pretty warm again and we were planning on heading towards a camp site 20 km east of Corrigin.  We soon reached Ravensthorpe where we topped up the Nissan and then headed north via Lake King, Varley (where we stopped for morning tea), Hyden and then east through Kondinin.  We made very good time again and reached our campsite at Gorge Rock where there was supposed to be a man made dam that the locals used to use as a swimming pool before they built a pool in town.  By this time it was very warm (about 40 degrees) so we quickly set up camp.  We were the only ones there which was nice.  Two other vans rolled in just after we set up but after I loudly suggested to Paula that she sharpen the axe ‘cause we had company tonight they left!  (Actually they just left but that sounds funnier!)

We spent the afternoon exploring the rock and the pool.  (Yes it did exist!)  The signs said no swimming, but it was so hot that I couldn’t help myself.  Paula made do by paddling on the edges – she couldn’t get the thought of leeches and other bugs out of her mind.  We took some drinks to the top of the rock at sundown to watch the sun set and take a couple of photos.  It was our last night and we wanted to make it special.

This morning we had a rather leisurely pack up, but we still managed to hit the road just after 8am!  The remaining trip home was relatively uneventful and we pulled in the drive before lunchtime.  It was lovely to see the kids again and just as pleasing to see that the house was well looked after.  We REALLY loved the comfort and ease that the Quantum provided and it has changed our camping experience for the better!  Camping is all about compromise – space, weight, comfort….. – but the Quantum is the closest we have come to the perfect solution.  We are looking forward to many more years of exciting trips with our van!

More pictures of our trip can be found here.