This moning we went to watch Josh participate in a swimming carnival for his school. I sat next to a lady who was a grandmother and got chatting only to discover that she used to live in Bicnacre before her family emigrated to Perth in the 50s. She remembered having swimming lessons in Maldon. Another example of what a small world it is!

We left on our travels at 1:30 - Mick, Monica, Claude, Josh and I. We drove along the Indian Ocean Drive and stopped first of all at Lancelin for a drink. We then continued to the Pinnacles, a desert area of limestone pillars the tallest of which is 2m. It was another highlight, a spectacular site. Unfortunately we didn't arrive until 4:45 and the centre was shut but we drove the 4km route around the desert. This is a hidden treasure as it is about 3km from the main road.

Then we continued driving until we reached Dongara at 7:30 and booked into a motel for the night. It never looks very far on the map from one place to the next but out here you drive miles and miles through farm or bush land and hardly ever see another car.

We have spent most of the afternoon driving and are only half way to our destination - Shark Bay and Monkey Mia.