We left Kalbarri munching happily on our last delicious bakery treats - a creamy chocolate eclair for me, a crispy doughnut for ned and pies for Tom and Oscar, our sweet and savory tastes clearly defined.

We meandered towards Geraldton, heading for a free camp on the Chapman Valley road. Coronation Beach was graced with our presence for lunch, but the hope of a little paddle was dashed by the unrelenting southerly. Nice campground though, only 7.50 per night and right on the beach.

We found the Chapman Valley camp at last via a picturesque rural drive that took in sweeping grassy paddocks and little mesas dotted about like giants pimples. The grass looked inviting, but was in fact land mined with the spiniest bindis I have ever encountered. True three cornered jacks, they could breach the flimsiest thong defences with disdain and we soon agreed that any outside forays required proper footwear. After shopping in Gero, we returned to camp for an early night- a curfew that was enforced by the fearsome squadrons of mozzies thrilled to have such unwary prey park so close to their little creek.
The next morning dawned bright and clear so we headed to Greenough Rivermouth, with the hope of finding surf. Alas, it was onshore, with a lot of water moving through the break. It was a sunny, warm day, however and this was our first beach break for Ned, so we went out regardless and had lots of fun just playing on the inside. Next stop, lunch at Dongara at its homely bakery and finally, Cervantes, to watch the sun go down over the Pinnacles. The walk around the national park provided lots of entertainment with the boys ambushing us from behind the ancient fossilised trees, but the silence as night fell was potent.

We left quite late and were fortunate to find a generous rest stop in which to spend the night.

camp just down the road in the national park.