Would you believe the first phase of the Great Western Trip is over so soon. Farewell to our apartment by the beach. After a few galleries and a trip back to Happs to ship our wine home, it was farewell to Laris for a few days. Stan and I ventured back to Busselton with a plan to walk down the 2 km pier and visit the underwater observatory. Unfortunately the wild weather had closed both the train and the observatory. We briefly contemplated the walk, but decided the wind won.

Moving inland down the Coalfield Highway, we made our way to Collie. Found Phil and Steph planning some red chilly Thai. Steph and I found some red wine and the boys spent their evening playing the only WII game (bowling) that Phil had and drinking JD. Good night was had by all...