Albany is full of history and there is so much to see. Unfortunately the weather had turned and our first two days saw us batton down the hatches at the caravan park with winds up to 125km/h. However on the 4th it was Mackayla's 9th birthday so we had to get out and about for her. After breakfast and presents she decided it was time to hit Albany's only lollie shop called the Sugar Boy. She was in her element here. We also went out to a bee farm and saw how local honey was produced and learned all about bee making. Birthday cake consisted of caravan made and decorated cup cakes. The gelato shop was closed so we had to put this off for the following day. On the the 5th of May the weather improved so we headed to set up camp just out of Albany on a farm stay called Roys Place. We then off to explore Albany's history which began with settlement in 1826. We toured the WA museam and discovered Albany is the home of the Minany Aboriginal people. It was a little sad to read about their dimise when European people settled here, taking over their land and introducing disease to their communities. Much of the Aboriginal traditional cultrue was lost as Minang people began working for the European settlers. We visited and had a guided tour of the Brig Amity, a replica tall sailing ship that brought the first European settlers to the area. Discovery Bay has the Historic Whaling Station which has the last working whaling boat in Australia housed there. Whaling commenced in Albany in 1947 and ended in 1978. We discovered that to do most really interesting things in Albany such as the National Anzac Centre and the Discovery Bay Whaling Station cost far too much to justify. To do both in one day with a family will costs $145.00. You can walk around the Anzac Memorial for free and it really is great. There are information boards everywhere which were great to read. The views over Albany from the National Anzac Centre are fantastic. There is still a buzz in the air from the centennial celebrations that happened here a few weeks ago. The first WA ANZAC fleets headed off in 1914 from Albany to the Middle East, Gallipoli and the Western Front. We also checked out other tourist attractions such as Salmon Beach and the blow holes. On Wednesay the 6th we caught up with Mandy's cousin Sharna, her little boy Hamish and husband Angus. We hadn't met Hamish before so that was great. We went to the indoor aquatic centre in the morning which was pretty cool for all the kids. That evening Bunnings were having a free Mothers Day BBQ with jumping castle and activities for the kids. So we all went across to that which was great for wearing the kids out. The following day we left Albany and headed to a little free camp about 40km away right on the water at Poddy Shot Cove at Ocean Beach. This was a pretty little spot to stop for the night. Tried fishing off the pier but as usaul caught nothing.