Day 93 - Parkwood!! The Final Blog!

OMG - I can't believe we are here.  It certainly doesn't feel like 3 months.  Although it's amazing how big our house looks after 3 months in a caravan! 

Well, the final day wasn't without incident.  We travelled nearly 17000 kms over 3 months around Australia, and 200 kms from home on our final day a rock flicks up and smashes the back window of the car!!  Oh well, it could have been worse.

Stopped for a couple of photos on the way out of Hyden



Hyden

 and in Corrigin,



Corrigin

 but everyone was pretty keen to get home.  The animals were very excited to see us (they need to go on a diet, think Leigh spoilt them a bit) and the kids were really happy to be home, although Kaleb couldn't remember where the toilet was!  He also said he didn't want to sleep in his 'real' bed, he wanted to sleep in the caravan.  He was worried he wouldn't be able to find the toilet or me if he needed me in the dark, how cute!


We made it!!  Home Sweet Home!


Off to bed now.  My new little niece or nephew arrives tomorrow morning so have to be up and out early.  Very exciting! Farewell, until the next adventure! xxx

Day 92 - Hyden

On the home stretch now.  Drove to Hyden and staying here the night.  Went for a walk after setting up and had a look at Wave Rock.

Think I need new pants for all of the kids - they thought it was great fun climbing up as far as they could and then sliding down on their backsides.

Did the loop and had a look at the Hippo's Yawn - made it back to the van before the rain came.  Looks like we might arrive home the same way we left it.  I can't believe we are home tomorrow!

Day 91-Esperance

Day started off beautiful again today.  Ian took Josh down to the jetty to do a bit more squidding.  By the time Caitlin, Kaleb and I got down there Josh had caught a huge squid and we caught another 2 fairly quickly.  We had them for dinner - they were really yummy!

Went for a drive to have a look at some more of the magnificent beaches down here.

 Got in a couple of walks before the rain came.  Found the coolest little shop in town that I could have spent hours browsing in (and lots of dollars in) but restrained myself.   Kids had a great time on the playground.



I' m king of the world!

 Can't believe it is nearly over!

Day 90 - Esperance

Beautiful day today.  Went to Cape Le Grand - we have the most spectacular beaches in the world.

Did some squidding and fishing - no squid but the kids all pulled up a fish (not edible but they didn't care). 

Had a look at all the different bays - Lucky Bay in particular was amazing.

Did some 4WDing on the beach - even the kids had a go.  Kaleb is never getting his licence!!

Back in to town and a ride down to the jetty for a spot more fishing and to see Sammy the sealion.  No more fish so back to the caravan park for a game of volleyball and a play on the playground.

Day 89 - Esperance

Another golf hole this morning at Norseman in the Nullarbor Links golf course.

Drove to Esperance this morning, got set up and then headed to the pub to watch the football.  Enough said.

Afterwards we went for a walk along the jetty and saw a couple of sealions which were really cute. 

Came back to the caravan park and the kids had a play on the playground while Ian went back to do some squidding.  Caught a couple for tomorrow night's dinner.

Day 87 & 88 - Border Village to Norseman

Crossed over the border yesterday after teeing off on the Border Village hole of the Nullarbor Golf Links. It was really good! (I had a great time - my drive landed on the green).



Border Village



Then over the border and back on the road.

Not too sure about these bush toilets!

Teed off this morning on the Cocklebiddy golf hole - managed to lose 2 balls very quickly!  (didn't enjoy this hole so much lol). 



Cocklebiddy

 Stopped at Caiguna Blowhole to have a look - not my idea of a blowhole but anyway...

Caiguna Blowhole

Bit of driving today - drove along the longest straight stretch of road in Australia - 146 kms of it!

Stopped at Balladonia to have a look at the museum and the pieces of Skylab that landed there.


Balladonia

 Staying at Norseman tonight before heading to Esperance tomorrow. 



Norseman

 Very disappointed about the football tonight - thought the Hawks had them!!

Day 87 - Border Village

About to cross over the border and head back in to WA so limited service for a bit I think (didn't expect to get on here actually).  Left Penong yesterday and stopped at the Pink Lakes which were awesome.  There was a road separating the lake and it was blue on one side and pink on the other.  Very cool.

Pink Lakes Penong

Then heading along the Great Australian Bight.  Stopped at the Head of Bight to watch the whales.  Saw probably about 12 mothers and calves lolling about in the water which Ian and I thought was really cool. Kaleb says 'but we've already seen whales!'

Stopped at the Bunda Cliffs - lots of beautiful spots for photos.  Had a bottle of champagne watching the sunset over the cliffs last night which was lovely.

 On the home stretch now....

Day 85 - Penong

First stop this morning - Smoky Bay.  Ian decided to stop for awhile and do a bit of squidding and fishing.  I took the kids for a walk along the beach (more shells) and for a play on the playground.



Smoky Bay

 The fish weren't biting so we packed up and kept driving.  After a lot of rain last night, the sun was out and it was quite warm. Saw lots of snakes and lizards on the road.  Drove through Ceduna and on to Penong where we are staying the night.    Bit scary when you go past the sign that says 'last shop for 1000kms!' 



Penong

 Went for a walk, found another playground for the kids, and one of the golf holes in the Nullarbor Links, and then a family game of Trouble before bed.  Can't believe how quickly time is going.

Penong

Day 84 - Kyancutta

On the road again.  Long day in the car today.  Up to the last chapter of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on talking books and it wouldn't play.  Not happy Jan!  Saw some emus and a not so bright lizard in the middle of the road. 

Stopped at Kimba to get a photo with the Big Galah.



The Big Galah...and a big bird!

 Camping at a little town called Kyancutta.

Kyancutta

Day 83 - Gawler

Beautiful day today.  Went to Semaphore and walked along the jetty, then soaked up the sunshine while the kids played on the playground.

Sonja, Clinton and the kids met us there for lunch and then the kids spent the next hour on the waterslide. 

They all had a great time, except for Kaleb who managed to end up with a fat lip and a bruised chin after crashing in to the people in front of him......twice. 

Last night here so we decided to go out to dinner.  Love all the restaurants and hotels around Australia that have playgrounds - it makes going out to dinner so much more enjoyable.  Food was okay, kids were happy cos it had a soft serve icecream machine (selfserve even better!) and nice to spend our last night with everyone.

Day 82 - Gawler

Had a lovely couple of days here in Gawler.  Went to the Barossa yesterday and did some wine tastings before having lunch at a beautiful winery called Pindarie.  Took the kids to the driveins last night to see Smurfs and Zookeeper - very funny.  Nice relaxing day today.  Went with Son for a dress fitting and a sneak peak at her gorgeous wedding dress.  A bit of shopping - more shoes...I think I have a problem!!  The kids played soccer and went to the BMX track.

 A quiet arvo and then a bbq before settling in to watch the footy.  OMG!!  What a game!  GO EAGLES!  Trying to convince Ian that we have time to go back to Melbourne to watch the game next week and then drive home and be back by the 28th.  It could be done!!!

Day 80 - Gawler

On the road again this morning.  First stop Hahndorf.  Went to the strawberry farm and the lolly shop and checked out all the shops along the main street. 



Hahndorf

 Next stop - the cheese factory and  Melba's Chocolate Factory. I love chocolate!!  Then to the Big Rocking Horse at Gumeracha. 



Gumeracha

 The kids and I climbed to the top and then we walked around the wildlife park.  I don't think they feed the animals very often.  They were VERY excited to see us.  They saw the bag of food and we had the alpacas, sheep, goats, ducks all running towards us! I tried to give the bag of food to Caitlin but she wouldn't be in it so Josh ran over and gave it to Ian.....we let him be the one that the alpaca bit and the sheep jumped on.  He's good like that! LOL!

Arrived at Gawler about 5ish - staying with Sonja, Clinton and the kids.  I can't believe how much they have all grown.  Caitlin has bonded with Siobhan and convinced her to let her share her bed for the night.  Looking forward to having a few days to catch up and relax before the trip home begins.