Cape Le very Grand

On arrival into Esperance we will be approximately 700 klms southeast of Perth, and way too close to Victoria (sorry!!!). We have said farewell to all our travelling friends, some have already crossed the Nullabor and others have, luckily, many months of travelling ahead of them. The drive this morning leaves us thinking and talking about our new/old friends. We always knew that we would meet and chat (of course) with lots of fascinating people, but we did not realise that we would meet people we would want to continue to see even after our journeys end. We know that time will tell as to where these friendships will go, but we do know that as a family unit we have been privileged to meet some very special people. 

As we drive off from Albany it looks like the cloud might be breaking up as we can start to see some blue sky once more.

E.C.S

We do love the different welcome signs to the towns.

This piece of farming machinery looks like something out of the Transformers movies! We all had a good giggle especially when we realised we first saw one these odd pieces of machinery at the beginning of our trip way back in Clare S.A..

About 50klms east of Esperance is the Cape Le Grand National Park. From what we have heard about this place it sounds like Exmouth's Cape Range but minus the Ningaloo Reef. There are 2 bush camps, equally as popular as Cape Range's, where people line up from very early in the morning to try and get one of the few  camp sites. We had always thought we would try to stay here, however we have decided to stay in town for a couple of nights so we just visit for a day trip. We will then head further east towards Duke of Orleans bay on the advice of a friend who has been pretty spot on so far.

We take the scenic drive through the National Park.

This is Lucky Bay, apparently voted the 'whitest beach' in Australia. This is the first beach we have ventured onto where the sand is so fine it squeaks. It appears, in real life, even more dramatic than in the picture.

Obviously nothing to do with this incredible beach that we have found ourselves on, but this is the aftermath of our drive from Albany to Esperance via the wheat belt. Now Linda understands why cars out here have mesh sheeting in front of their radiators. We have hundreds of grasshoppers, or their remains, caked all over our car. We think we should give each child a pair of tweezers, and see how many they can pick out.  

Back to the beach. We do have to share this beach with a few others however not too many. It is rather a windy day and we are also  appreciating that we are no longer swimming in the Indian Ocean anymore, but now the much cooler Southern Ocean.

Despite being on the road for over 4 months the novelty of driving onto the beach still has not worn off. It is so easy to take all the stuff you need or don't need because no one has to carry it anywhere!!! The added bonus is the sand is very firm so no tyre pressure dropping needed.  

Here are some of our favourite shots from this magical place.

Lucky Bay was named by Matthew Flinders in 1802 during his circumnavigation of Australia.

Can't get much better than this. This journey has given us so much, but nothing is more valuable than the incredible amount of quality time we have had with the kids. If we told you they were always great times we would be telling you porkies but of course it is about the good, the bad and everything in between that makes it all so special. Do we have to come home???

This is whistling rock.

Back at the camp in town. We forgot to mention that when we arrived into the visitors centre yesterday we were greeted by the very familiar faces of Tania, Peter and the boys. They had spotted our van in the car park and came in to find us. We ended up being able to find a site at the park they were at and thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with them once more and, even more so, enjoying the yummy dinners Tania spoilt us with. Once more we have to say farewell as they head into the national park tomorrow and us to Duke of Orleans. Perhaps our paths will cross once more.