Gladstone Lookout The Trifecta

The day had finally arrived and we met up with

 Richard Sandra at Overlander Roadhouse. 

They had just completed the East West  Crossing with the Trackmaster Club.

 We were joined by Ralph & Evelyn.

We had always wanted to "overnight" at Gladstone Lookout,

so the three vans formed a circle on the top.

The reason for me was it was to be a Full Moon,

 and I wanted to photograph "the trifecta".

Sunset...

Moonrise...

A near freezing night's campfire...

Sunrise...

Unfortunately a few too many clouds for all three.

Kalbarri the Things You See

Windy but sunny day in downtown Kalbarri and Stephen

 decided to try the new lens on his allusive spray on the top of wave...

better but still not he wants.....then he saw this

Mother breaching in the morning sun...going up..

...going down...

...and the mother of all bombies!!!!

...then it was the calf's turn....

so cute ...

It is always a joy to see these magnificent creatures.

We followed the whales up to the Lookout over 

Chinaman's Point and was greeted

by these Sea Eagles

Yep, the Lens Is Good!!!!!

Kalbarri.

The New Lens at the Pink Lake just outside Port Gregory.

Walk on the beach at Kalbarri. 

One of the locals...the Pelican, is obviously one that is used to being fed.

We were this close!!!!!

Open wide!!!

Oh all right, have a prawn!

Geraldton

Whenever we come to Geraldton we are drawn to the Sydney Memorial.

It still is, in my mind one of the best in the country.

Even more fascinating is that the Lady waiting appears

to be gazing in the direction that they eventually found the Sydney.

The last time we were here the Water Memorial was not complete...

Nice to see it all up and running.

The co-ordinates that you see in the water are the exact location of HMAS Sydney.

Wind Farm

On the way from Coalseam to Geraldton we came across the Alinta Wind Farm.

We had seen them before of course but never had the

 opportunity to place Toby and Turtle beside one of the blades.

 If you are interested read on.

(Double click to blow up the image)

Alison's Pick of Stephen's Nature Shots.

You looking at me!!!!!

Wedgetailed Eagle, oh I love this new lens!!

The things he notices and I love when he gets the detail..

This is a definite painting as the photo lacks the depth that was there.

Coalseam or should it be Coldseam!

One of our favourite places, but rainbows apart it was b...cold!!!

Even the local Black Faced Woodswallow's huddled together in the morning sun!

( I can see a painting in this one ).

Red Caped Robin...and singing to!

View down the not flowing Irwin River.

Down on the Fossil Walk.

On the Road Again..

As I said we left late on Tuesday and so had no chance of 

getting to Coalseam, which was to be our first port of call.

It was a horrible day with rain and headwinds. 

We discovered later that it was one of the worst storms to hit Perth.

First night a stop on Moora...and Stephen found his Furry Feet.

Coffee Break at Three Springs..this caught Stephen's eye..

it's a sad day when a country pub only opens in the afternoon!!

Mingenew was the lunch stop and some of the best pies...yes back on the road tucker!

The local park gave us a lovely picnic area.

Toby and Turtle sat with us...

we are sure they are happy to be back on the road..

...and heading North!!!!!!

Our Winter Trip Starts Here

 Before we could get going, we had delayed our departure 

because Bassie, Kristian and Mario were coming over 

to see Chuckie (Jane's Dad) for his 90th Birthday.

We could not resist seeing all the boys and had Bassie for a few days before the others...

he may feel that we just had him there to work (seen here cooking up a storm) 

but in reality we were so far behind with the packing of Turtle we were glad of the help.

Above is the reason for our tardiness.

We eventually got Mum into a Nursing Home and if expressions can be read I would

 say that we were not that popular. Oh well, at least the boys got to see her.

Taken in the back yard on Monday morning before they all left 

and we went like the wind to finish everything.

Needless to say, we did not get away until 1.45 p.m. 

and I am sure we forgot a whole load of small items...