Today was the day we say goodbye to Perth and the generosity of my Sis who took us out for dinner several times as well as drove us all over the place. Still though we were eager to start some ks again on the bikes before too much rust set in. After having sent two big bags of luggage home one would think I would reduce the size of packing on my bike. This was not to be. She seemed to have little room left again and looked no different from before. Johny had now had to make room for Shirl who was to occupy the pillion seat on the 1150. To do this he posted his tent and sleeping bags home and intended on using cabins all the way. I intended to camp where I can.

We waved bye to Serena and Audrey, fuelled the beasts and made our way down the Southern Freeway towards Margaret River. Some 280 klms away. With a perfect riding day we cranked out a quick hundred or so ks before stopping at a quaint little place called the Crooked Carrot at Harvey. A $2 serve of toast and a $3 coffee coupled with great staff allowed us to rave about this place. It was an unexpected stop but would recommend it if you are ever heading this way. Shirl had mentioned upon stopping that the dreaded motorbike seat grind had started but I was allowed the opportunity to brag about my air hawk seat. One which I hooked my boot on getting off the bike and ripped a strap off. Will mend it later.

Back in motion we rode down to Busselton where we headed to the beach front. Now we talk about Victorian beaches being great but we are not even close to what they have got going here. They lay out great shade sails for people on the sand to protect them from the sun. Plus many other features. One thing Busselton has is a big ass jetty like Carnarvon. Must be a thing here to try and build your jetties to Africa. Carnarvon boasted a jetty 1 mile long whilst here it was 1841 metres. Apparently the longest in the southern hemisphere. Carnarvon still held the record for having the jetty train driver with the least amount of teeth.

Moving on from Busselton we headed to Dunsborough. Supposed to be awesome but we did a quick drive through before continuing to Margaret River. This enabled us to ride through a lot of the wine growing region which bragged some famous wines we get to consume in the east.

Finally we settled in the Riverview C/Van Park at Margaret River and had to get a two bedroom cabin due to no camping. We decided to shoot back into town to get some lunch and a much needed sewing kit for the airhawk seat. Lunch was at the Margaret River Hotel and we got to watch the last six laps of Bathurst.

I obtained the sewing kit whilst Johny replaced his much used thongs. We returned to camp where I expertly restitched to tab on my airseat. A short time later some workmates from good old Ballarat arrived. Tony and Janine Walker had flown into Perth a couple of days ago on the same flight as Shirl and had been to a friend's wedding. They had booked the best cabin on the river front and it wasn't long before we were on their deck knocking back a few of Tony's coldies. We all crammed into their hirecar and headed back into town for dinner at the same pub.

It was a great night for a laugh and to talk stuff that had happened in the past. It makes the world such a smaller place when you can meet someone like this in a place you thought was far away from everyone you know.

We came back from dinner and allowed the Walkers to enjoy their paradise in peace. A quick check of our gear and a briefing for tomorrow's ride to Albany and that's another day out of the way.

Tomorrows rode is about 390 klms and the weather shows to be nice and cool.