Woke up to another overcast cool day in the peaceful Shannon National Park, today being pack up day. We were heading off to Margaret River country to check out another hot spot in WA. The expectations were high for a varying diversity in touristy sites to see and activities to do. First thing to do was to stop off at Pemberton to climb "the tree". The forest drive was spectacular, kind of felt like we were back in Victoria doing the Great Ocean Road forest drive. The huge ageing trees were both spectacular in width and height with lush green foliage shading the roads. Pemberton itself was a little quant town with a sweet country vibe. Small antique shops and cafes lined the streets, which l stored into my memory for on the way back through to get some lunch. First we were off to tackle the tree climb. We arrived at the "Glaucestor Tree" an old fire lookout that the township used back in the day to spot fires and alert authorities. As we pulled up we were greeted with a neck breaking look at a humungous tree leading up to the heavens. Marty was quick to state that there would be no chance in hell that he would be climbing the tree. Ton, Cam, Jordyn and Riley rocked up with equalling excitement at the site that stood in front of them. Tonya had the same sentiment as Marty. So it was up to myself to tick this feight off my bucket list and overcome my own fears of heights. I fronted everyone with confidence, but inside l was trembling. Although the signs clearly stated "climb at your own risk" and "no children under 12 years old to attempt climb", Boo and myself were ready. Marty had hesitations about Boo but l knew she would be fine. Meg thought she was fine too but was left upset with the whole region around hearing how upset she was with her high pitched cries when she learnt that she wasnt allowed to go up. Jordyn and Riley started the climb but got half a dozen rungs up and were too scared to go any further. So it was up to Boo, Cam and myself to conquer this climb. Off we went, Boo racing ahead with no signs of fear showing, whilst l started to sweat straight away due to the high intensity workout and the internal fear that l was experiencing. By the time l was half way up, l stupidly looked down, followed by a slight dizziness and hands shaking. I kept going, only looking up, no way was l lokking back down, plus l didn't want my 7 y.o girl to out do me. She was amazing, climbed up the rungs with such confidence and spirit. Now this climb wasn't probably the safest thing that l could have taken my girl on, let alone myself. The surrounding safety barrier was chicken wire, whilst the rungs were long steel pegs hammered into the side of the tree. There was no safety catch if l slipped or lost my footing, l would fall to my death. I think this is what increased my fear, not only the sheer height of the climb, but also, what if l plummeted to my death, or worse still, what if my girl slipped and fell. Worse still, my husband and other little girl would witness it all. Oh well, it was too late now, l was 3/4 thru, may as well finish what we started. I was overtaken by two kiwi girls who climbed effortlessly, whilst l gripped the rung so tightly l think l cut circulation off in my fingers. Once passed l continued my climb reluctantly and 153 rungs later, l arrived at the top lookout sweating and panting, red faced and happy to be alive. Boo was so excited and Cam was equally as b*****ed as l. We all took in the surrounding sky top views of the forest, funnily enough spotting a fire on the horizon. Unfortunately, what goes up must come down. Boo was full of enthusiasm and youth whilst l was regretting the climb, not knowing if my fitness would hold me in my fear. This 61 metre tall old fire lookout tree might get the best of me?! I think the way down was worse than the way up. It took a lot more concentration and effort to grip and coordinate my feet than on the way up. My sweaty hands were lucky to keep grip on the steel rungs l tell you. Boo was amazing and gracefully glided down the rungs, landing on the ground to Marty's relief. I eventually made it down and whilst feeling great about completing the climb, l was knackered from all the adrenaline l had used to control my fear. In reflection, it was a magical view at the top and so glad l could do this with my awesome girl Boo. Meg felt a little upset still so l let her and Boo climb to the first level and back, l think Marty stood underneath ready to catch at any moment. When everyone had caught their breath we took the extending walking track thru the forest back to the car. We sadly said goodbye for now to Ton, Cam and the kids, hopefully meeting up a little later down the track.
We headed off back into Pemberton, pulling up at the local bakery to refuel on chunky steak pies and sausage rolls, my body sure needed it. Luckily it was only a short one hour drive to Alexandra Bridge in Margaret River, which we planned on camping at for the next few nights. When we arrived at the campground we learned that it was going to cost us $21 p.n which seemed a bit steep. Especially since it was due to them pricing children on top of the site. There seemed nothing special for the price, a flushing toilet and water supply. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice bush camp spot nestled near the Blackwood River, but for the price l just thought it was a bit of a rip off. But we have been told that WA is known for its steep prices of cheap camps and little free camps unfortunately. Once Marty drove around a few times and eventually decided on the camping site he liked most, we unhitched and set up. The girls were excited by the change in scenery and blue skies were above. There were a few campers already set up, we were pretty lucky to get such good spot really. After setting up we headed into Margaret River, which took at least 30 mins to get to, for a quick look around and to restock the groceries. It was so busy for a little town. We searched around town to refill our water containers, but there was no water to be found, all taps stating it was recycled and none drinkable. Left us in a bit of a pickle, just meant Marty would have to refill and walk a bit back at camp. Once back, Marty and the girls lit the fire and cooked tea over the campfire. God we had missed this.......
Next morning we woke and set off for a day out to explore the area and to go and meet Nelly, Trev and the boys for a catch up in Dunsborough. We headed off to Augusta and to check out the infamous Cape Leewin Lighthouse. Unfortunately when we arrived we found out that it was closed due to restoration activities on the building and the risk of exposure to asbestos was high. So we pondered thru the small museum and saw some old relics of the lighthouse. Bit disappointed as the lighthouse tour was meant to be pretty good. The Cape Leewin Lighthouse is famous for being the tallest inland lighthouse in mainland Australia. So with this part of our day cut short we decided to head off on the Caves Rock Road Tourist Drive. Not that we wanted to check out any caves, as we have explored heaps on this trip and don't think we would have seen anything new. On my mud map of the area l had picked up from the Info Centre there was a small mention of a little bay, Harlem Bay, that said we could see wild stingrays close up. We had nothing to loose and had the whole day so we took the detour and pulled in to be stunned with clear aqua water with old wooden post nestled throughout the bay and outlying huge white rocks. We walked down to the beach and came along a couple of women who were feeding stingrays int he shallows of the water. They informed us that is was safe and was something that the locals had always done. The stingrays were ginormous!! We watched and copied what the women were doing, and as the stingrays approached we let them swim over our hands. Meg and Boo were standing back and watching us with amazement. We coaxed them into the water up to their knees and guided their hands under the water where we watched their faces light up with amazement and wonder as these beautiful sea creatures graced us with their presence. They were effortless as they swam around the foreshore. The women gave the girls some fish to feed them and amongst wonder in their eyes there were squeals of excitement as the stingrays took the fish. We could have stayed there for hours, for amongst the glorious view of the stingrays and our personal encounters with them, the surrounding coastline was also just as magical. We felt so lucky to have had this spontaneous experience with nature, definitely worth the short detour off the main track. Unfortunately we had to keep going and eventually coaxed ourselves back to the car, making our way along the windy forestry road to Dunsborough for lunch. After lunch we meet Nelly and Trev at their resort in town. The kids were all so excited to see one another and picked up just were they left off. It had been just over a year since we saw each other last, and it was great to see them again. They were over here from Vic catching up with family, who didn't mind us gate crashing thank god. We spent the arvo sitting under a marque on the beach, whilst the kids played on the nearby adventure playground and then cooling off jumping off the jetty. The jetty was awesome, with the men unsuccessfully having a fish due to the kids probably scaring the fish off with their bombs into the ocean. The playground was equally amazing with a flying fox, which Meg mastered very quickly, and a Tarzan swing. The kids were in heaven, which helped us adults catch up and enjoy a wine and a laugh. Meg got her first taste of pain from the ocean with getting stung by a jellyfish. I was quite surprised at how well she handled it with only a short time of squealing!!! Luckily it was only a mild sting and once we rinsed her off in the shower, the stinging pain seemed to ease. Pity time goes to quick and before we knew it it was time to head back to camp, we had a few hours drive ahead of us and by the time we had said goodbyes, it was nearing evening. Hopefully the kangaroos stay at bay on our drive home. Once we had arrived back at camp, thankfully free of hitting a roo, we had tea and into bed we went, all pretty knackered from our jam packed day.
Tomorrow we were going to head off to a farmstead camping area just a short distance from Margaret River due to it only being an extra $8 p.n but had power and water provided. Plus we were wasting that in diesel just to get to the tourist hotspots from our camp, may as well pay a little more for the camp site and spend less at the bowser we say....

Bell Xxx