Duke of Orleans Bay

We had cut a couple of days off our Cape Arid stay as the weather was just so windy..

On to our next destination with a quick stop at Condingup Tavern

 for one of their famous Hamburgers!!

Then on to Duke of Orleans Bay.

Rock formations worth a photo..

One of the Points between the Islands..

Stephen drive down, turned round,

and took this picture...

I sat in the car and did not move!!!!

Above the picture of the beautiful coastline.

Stephen went to take picture of the Banksia's for me to paint..

and discovered this joyous couple!!!!

Pink and White all together...

the wild flowers have followed us down to the coast!!

The weather changed and we had heard that  

Stephen's Mum was being moved in the Nursing Home..

so we decided to come on home...

one last picture..

Stephen had noted this property entrance on our way from Stokes Inlet..

so quick stop to take the pic of the windmill entrance..

then a 785 k drive in a day!!!!

Finis

Cape Arid Continues

Morning Noon and Night the views across this Bay are incredible!

Bearing in mind in that the wind was so bad

 (never got the awning or the chairs out in 5 days)

we still had a great time...

the picture below was a bring a pot night..

and last night for Di and Bill.

The beach... the dots on the sand are these beautiful Terns.

And the Whales kept on coming..

or going!!!

Stephen was back to his waves and manes!!

Fairly rough hey!!

Sitting in the sun was this Blue Tongue.

...see told you I had a Blue Tongue!!

Sitting on the rocks watching the whales go by!!

While back at Turtle the NewHolland Honeyeaters were having a great time.

Expression says it all!!!

Cape Arid Part 1

We moved on from Stokes Inlet and travelled many k's to Esperance..

The convoy is now three cars....

After a lovely dinner out ..lots of washing...food supplies etc..

we moved to our next destination....

Cape Arid.

Unfortunately the rain came to.

The front looked very threatening....

but the views were still spectacular..

Quick trip to Dolphin Cove to see this lovely pair...

Sooooo close...both Stephen and I wished we could get in the water with them..

and tickle their chins!!!

On the way back ...

the rainbow chased us!

Our wish now is for some clear skies and no wind!!!!

Then the fishing will begin again....Salmon!!!!

Stokes Inlet Part 2

Stephen and Richard had done a couple of canoe trips

 out in the Inlet and caught a few..

then they decided to fish from a sandy peninsular

 and came back with these beauties.

The following day Bill and Di caught up 

with us so there was three in the camp!

The weather was still up and down but this rainbow was a beauty!

Last day so off we went to the sandy bank to try our luck..

Lots of Black Bream but no more Whiting!

There were a lot of tiddlers being caught ..

and being put back on the other side of the sand..

quite a battle going on with Richard and Stephen!!

Have to have the photo!!!

The largest of the day..

Stephen let this one go having read an article 

as to how old they have to be to get this big!

The Pelican's going mad for the off cuts!

Last Dinner at the Camp Kitchen 

Stokes Inlet.

Left to Right

Richard, Bill, Di, Sandra, Alison and Stephen.

Ravensthorpe & Fitzgerald National Park

Our third trip to the Ravensthorpe Flower Show.

The top of the Royal Hakea showing the colours.

The camera & I were not getting on inside...

Alison having a close up!!!

A lovely Spider Orchid ( I think )

The Lady of the Show.

Each year a different outfit of course.

The flower basket at the entry was gorgeous.

On the Hopetoun Road were a couple of "plants" not seen before...

Now as I said earlier the weather "left a bit to be desired"

But it did get the bottom of Toby another chance to get rid of the Red Mud.

After 3 years the road into Fitzgerald River National Park was opened at last.

I was looking to get some photos of the Royal Hakea.

So dodging the rain.....

The seas at West Beach were angry, 

so a jump out "snap" & back in Toby.

Another Royal Hakea with Culham Inlet 

& the Ocean for a backdrop in the rain....

A near perfect Banksia Flower.....

Stokes Inlet

The first morning at Stokes Inlet, I was greeted by this SPECTACULAR

cloud formation "rolling in"

Unfortunately this was a precursor of the weather to come....

A tiny bit of the foam Alison was standing in fishing

 last time at the shore line

The curves in this rock were fascinating.

Looking down the Inlet showing the rest of the cloud.

Tracks in the sand, hmmm.

I wonder what made these?

Sea Weed Art, a meter up a tree, 3klms from the sea??? 

Another spiccie cloud.

In the afternoon it was time to look for wildflowers.

A Cowslip Orchid.

Would this then be a "Herd of Cowslip Orchards?" 

Giant Spider Orchid

Another Variety

Purple Enamel Orchid

All these on the road into the campsite, and many more.