Thurs 22/05/14 Another flat battery; after RAC coming and a trip to auto-elec were told car fridge was to blame. Didn't start driving until midday, one stop going back through Norseman for food & fuel (and for A,L&M to 'ride' statue of Norseman) then pushed on south to Esperance arriving upon dusk at 5.30pm...another setup in the dark...dinner and cherubs to bed...then opened a well earned bottle of red.

Fri 23/05/14 Woke up to a cool, breezy morning and headed into town to the chemist for anti-histamines, as Brodie has a nasty rash on her hip and spots down her legs....walked out into a sudden wind/rain storm! Kids & K took shelter in an arcade while Mikey had the task of running to get the car. Took a long, wet, windy driving tour along The Great Ocean Drive - saw the coastal windfarm turbines spinning and picturesque beaches with fine, white sand and aquamarine clear waters - if only it was warmer weather! Stopped in at "Section Glass Gallery & Cafe" run by local glass worker/artist, Cindy Poole. Lovely, contemporary jewellery, but not in the travel budget unfortunately. Back to van and found seveal nieghbours had their annexe and /or awnings blown down ine the storm. The kids found a new friend to play with - 12 y/o Jesse - and made use of the under-inflated jumping pillow.

Sat 24/05/14 Laundry & schooling in the morning, then off to Bandy Creek Beach where you can drive onto the sand for a spot of fishing. A crusty old character in the cvan/park gave kids a rod to practice casting with; girls had a great laugh casting on the grass before we went and continued once we got to the beach...too impatient to sit and wait for a bite. Ominous rainclouds closed over but Lukas perservered and eventually landed a King George Whiting - which was a delicious addition to our dinner!