Saturday 10th November 2018 - We were up early and had left camp by 8:30am so that we could drive to the Farmers Market in Albany before it closed at 12pm. We wandered around for a while before setting off to Emu Point where we will be based for a few days.

We set up camp in a nice quiet spot near the beach and the inlet between Middleton Bay and Oyster Harbour. Once we had set up camp we went back into town to refuel and re-stock.

Sunday 11th November 2018 - 100th Anniversary, Remembrance Sunday. We had a bit of a slow start before we headed to the Boatshed Market at the town jetty where there was a mixture of local crafts and produce on sale.

We then drove up to the National ANZAC Centre and walked the Princess Royal Fortress trail that led around the summit of Mt Adelaide where we stopped at the Artillery display of Marin guns and torpedoes before visiting the command centre that was part of Albany's fortress defences during WWII. We then strolled to the Convoy lookout overlooking King George Sound that reminded us of New Zealand. Information indicated that a large fleet had anchored here during WWI prior to sailing to the conflict at various locations.

We walked down the hill of remembrance stopping at the HMAS Perth D38 memorial before continuing to the bottom where we stood to listen to the Cannon fire.

Back to camp for lunch before we headed off to take a leisurely walk around Lake Sepping. We wandered along the path amongst green lush vegetation of peppermint trees, native willows, wattles, banksia and a mixture of bulrushes and reeds spotting a number of birds as we went. (Hoary-headed Grebes, Ducky Moorhens, a Blue-billed duck, Musk duck, a Red-capped Parrot and Australian Reed warblers to name but a few!!

There were also a number of colourful flowering plants and we came across a small pink pond with duck swimming at its edge. In addition to this we were on the lookout for the long-necked tortoise that lives in the lake, but we didn't manage to see one.

After out lovely walk we made our way back to camp where to took a short stroll to the beach near our site before a quiet evening.

Monday 12th November 2018 - So what did we get up today?

Torndirrup National Park - we drove to Frenchmans Bay and visited the Historic Whaling Station that was closed in 1978 and where the last chaser vessel the Cheyne III now forms part of the museum.

Drove around the corner to Whalers beach where crystal clear water lapped upon the pure white sand that was surrounded by low lying bush.

Misery Beach where walked down the granite slope wondering why it was called misery before moving on.

Salmon Holes a beautiful beach that is enclosed by tall steep slopes of granite and heath covered sand dunes where we walked to the look out to take in the stunning turquoise water that met white sand.

Stony Hill where we walked out over the top to the large granite boulders that gave way to a lovely panoramic view across the Isthmus Bay, King George Sound and the National Park. We made our way back to the carpark walking along a pathway between the heathland that was covered in an assortment of wildflowers.

Blowholes that have crevices within the granite boulders at the cliff edge that dramatically drops down in to the ocean below. When the water is pushed up into the cracks (crevices) it produces a spray of water and a loud whoosh as the air is forced up through the gap. The spray only happens when there are high swells in the ocean and today wasn't one of them, but we did get to hear and feel the eerie sound of the air being forced through the gaps by the pressure of the water.

On the way back we took in view of Peak Head and Eclipse Island off shore.

The Gap & Natural Bridge was out next stop where we walked out onto the viewing platform that over hangs the gap where a channel had been formed between the 40m high granite coastline. The platform extends 10m out from the edge of cliff with the swirling and surging ocean below.

For those of you who are afraid of heights it is quite scary walking out and looking down through the grid as you are suspended above the powerful waves crashing against the sides of the gap.

After walking out over The Gap we then wandered around to the Natural Bridge that had been formed by the power of the ocean crashing against the rocks and eventually over time finding a weak spot and eroding a hole. We stood and watched as the waves rolled in under the bridge and over the flat rock below.

Vancouver Peninsula that provides a view over both Frenchmans Bay and Shoal Bay where we stopped at a pristine beach that looked out towards Mistaken Island and pure white sand with a fast running tide of clear water .

Whaling Cove was a lovely place nestled amongst the granite rocks with two beached separated by alow sloping rocks. After a short stay here we made our way back to camp and made our final visit for the day.

Brig Amity, a replica built in 1976 of the Canadian brig that carried the first settlers to Albany on 24th December 1826.

Tuesday 13th November 2018 - We had a break today and stayed around the camp undertaking a few chores before a cool and wet night.

Wednesday 14th November 2018 - Today we set off along the pretty drive to Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve where they rediscovered two 'lost' species; the Noisy Scrub-bird and the Gilberts Potoroo that is a small nocturnal rat-kangaroo with long hind limbs, a hopping gait and is native to Australia.

We drove past Gardner Lake and wound our way around the bay and came to a spectacular little beach called Little Beach with amazing bright azure water and fine firm white sand that squeaked as we walked across it.

As we continued along the shore line walking with the waves lapping up and over our feet and on reaching the end we followed a trail through the low bush and found ourselves standing looking over another small cove. Waterfall Beach was surrounded by steep rounded smooth looking granite rocks that dropped down on to another stunning beach.

This place was amazing with its pure white sand, turquoise and azure water, granite headland and green heathlands scattered with colourful wildflowers - Wow!

Our next stop was the Nippers Café that was nestled amongst lush green fields and a forest. We enjoyed the Farm Feast for lunch with a glass of wine savouring the sweet taste of the Marrons & Yabbies (fresh water crayfish) and a beautifully smoked trout served with salad, fruit, cheese and crackers - Yum!

We drove into Albany to a local pub called Six Degrees so that Phil could sample some beers from the Wilsons Brewery before heading to the Field of Light: Avenue of Honour. We walked along the avenue taking in the sight of 16,000 shinning spheres turning green and red was we passed that had been installed to pay homage to the ANZACs.