Pemberton-Big day out

Below is a picture of our tranquil setting at the Pemberton Caraven Park. We are spoilt with incredibly large sites and are well away from the busy main section of the park. This therefore amounts to peace, except for the noise we make of course and perhaps a little bit more of a walk to the ablutions. But that is quite a small price to pay for this site. What we did notice on the first day were how many gazebo style tents with mesh walls were erected on peoples sites. We were thinking that perhaps the mozzies were bad at night??? But on our first night we did not feel even one.

Perhaps these were why! Linda, the first to awake on our first morning there, sat outside to write the blog and she soon became well aware that she was not alone. These harmless bugs were everywhere, and would you believe the majority of them appeared to be mating. There must have been hundreds of them, on the chairs, in the fan, on anything left outside. Now we are starting to realise the significance of those fly tents!! These campers have obviously been here before! Even funnier, has anyone wondered what we have on our roof racks??? A mesh tent that we have never even opened, let alone taken off the roof!!!!

Once we got over the bugs, well actually just gave in to their existence, we headed off for our next adventure, a ride through the forest on the Pemberton Tramway.

The tram car design was based on the 1907 Fremantle Trams. We did not really think they would leave without us full fare paying passengers, but the kids were not easily convinced.

The ride takes you through the tall forest country, and along some incredibly rickety looking bridges. You would not want the tram to get the wobbles!

You get a rest stop part way through to wander through some cascades. Yes we are back wearing jackets as the weather in the south of Western Australia can be as fickle as Melbourne...many seasons in one day. At this moment it was probably the coldest we had been, during the day, since we left home.

Still the best of friends. It was pretty awesome to watch these two just continue their friendship from where they left it nearly 2 and a half years ago. We were looking at some old photos.....

This was taken Sept 2008.

Back to the train ride.......pretty impressive view. Taken from the rear of the three carriages. It  becomes the front on the way back hence the unmanned controls!

Just crossed one of those eerie bridges. The driver kept up an entertaining commentary throughout the ride informing us he was in the job only three weeks and had only derailed the tram once!

January 2012..........

Sept 2008!!!

Enough of memory lane, back to Pemberton!! So after some lunch we continue the days adventures.

We head for Beedelup National Park. We opt for the short walk through the forest with our main destination being the suspension bridge and the Beedelup Falls.

Who is going to walk first?????

The Beedelup Falls. We had come prepared that they would not actually be running at all...so despite the rather meagre amount of water, we were very satisfied. It actually resulted in a debate as how best to describe the flow, was it a trickle of water, or a very slow flow, either way there was actually water!!!

In true Melbourne style the sun has appeared and we are all beginning to warm up.

Enjoying the view from the other side.

Driving past some wineries the weather continues to improve so we consider that a swim might be in order. Way back in Kalbarri we met a lovely family who recommended that we visit a place called Fonty's Pool. It is not too far from Pemberton, near the town of Manjimup. We had actually enquired about staying at their caravan park, but they were completely booked out. Lets go and see why?

Aha, perhaps this is why. The gods were also smiling down on us. It was 5pm by the time we arrived at Fonty's, and we think it fair to say, that it was probably also the warmest part of the day. So what was so special about Fonty's Pool? Go here to read all about the fascinating story behind this unique place. 

The history of the pool really did not impress the kids in any fashion. All they cared about was the water, the floating tyres and could they jump from the platform and land inside the tyre?????

Yes they could!!!

Yahoo I am no longer on garbage duty!!!!

Life is really extremely difficult....we cannot believe that no one thought to bring the wine from the car. We ask "is it politically correct to ask the children to go and fetch your alcohol for you??"

Back to Pemberton we go. This to be our last night with the Goddens and the funny bugs.

We are still amazed, it feels like decades ago we started planning our trip and first spoke with Michelle and Andy confirming that we were actually going do it. They then kindly offered that we stay with them. It felt like this day would never come, and now all of sudden it has been and gone and now we are having to say farewell once again, just like 2 1/2 years ago.

Michelle and Andy you have been the most gracious hosts and really cool travelling companions. Thank you for showing us places you have loved and for exploring new places with us too. We have loved the time we have spent with you and your boys and we honestly wish we did not live over 3000klms apart. From this visit, we know that the friendship, between both adults and the kids alike, is one for keeps regardless of how far away we might be. So, to our good friends, we have taken some inspiration from the local Aboriginals in Katherine and Kakadu who only say "goodbye" to the deceased. They say "Boh Boh", (pronounced bor bor) which means "see you soon".

So Michelle, Andy, Ethan, Aden and Ryan......... "Boh Boh"!!