Crazy mental winds

They are not actually that bad today but what Western Australia has become unfortunately famous for is this crazy mental wind! You cannot escape it at this time of year but I'm not a fan. What it does keep away are the pesky flies which come out for a couple weeks (now) during the season change. Having said that, we have been to some pretty beautiful spots since my last update - Pt Quobba, Hamelin Station, a little 4wd-ing in François Peron National Park, and a drive down the coastal road through Kalbarri National Park.

At Point Quobba, we had our own beach spot tucked in the safety of the dunes. With a protected fire place, we also enjoyed cooking on the open flame again. This area had blowholes on the cliff's edges, sandy beaches, and beautiful coral swims as well. Our overnight stop turned into 4 and we left just before a marine wind warning was put in place.

A top up in Carnarvon for the night and on to Hamelin Station which is a working sheep station at the beginning of the World Heritage Drive into Peron NP. We used this as base for our journey into the rest of the area. The farm itself is hydro-powered by the water source on the property which results in this beautiful lake in the midst of rocky desert. The next day, we drove all the way to the tip then taking our time to stop at the sights on the way back.

Skipjack Point was a thriller to see all the way along the Shark Bay and peer down to see marine life including dugongs (manatees), rays, and heaps of fish! At Gregories, Matt caught dinner of a flathead on the first cast after a couple there said there was nothing to be seen. The drive was fun through some sandy bits as well as clay flats and bush. We stopped at the Eagle Bluff Lookout where the winds nearly carried us away then Shell Beach for a swim. The beach is made up entirely of one type of cockle shells and has scientists puzzled on how it happened.

Last stop before sunset was the stromatalites which are among the oldest organisms in the world. Not sure what I expected but they are stump shapes in the low water that don't seem overly exciting but their story is, so we took some great sunset pictures and returned to camp to find two couples we'd met along the way to share dinner and a few drinks at the station's kitchen.

Kalbarri was next up with some gorge walks and coastal beauty. We stayed in town which is nestled on the coast between the national park. We did a couple walks in the park and found waterholes that although probably fine, we opted to enjoy the view and not a swim. Then walked up to the Nature's Window for the

required photo and decided not to do the 8k loop walk on the gorge as the temps were high and our hiking feet tired.

The coastal section of the NP is stunning with cliff edges, drop offs, and layered rocks. We ventured down with stops at Red Bluff, Pot Cove, Natural Bridge, Grandstand and Shellhouse.

I'm writing from Sandy Cove Recreational Park where we'll stay for 1 or a few nights before the Pinnacles and then Perth for maintenance of the truck and probably a new tray.