Today in Esperance

We left Albany around 7.30am for the 475klm to Esperance. Weather was overcast for the first few hours but cleared away to a warm day, perfect for riding. The most notable part of the ride was watching the changing countryside we rode through. Close to Esperance the lush pastures of the previous day continued with the smell of freshly cut Lucerne prevealent. As we continued the land became drier and coastal scrub and plantation forests prevailed. This gave way to open plain farmland mainly wheat. Has been a very poor year for these farmers with little rain. The road was in poor condition in some areas as the it surfed up and down over many hills. Esperance is a pleasant and picturesque place located as it is on the coast. Not much else to report so will report in tomorrow from Balladonia.

Better late than Never

Hmmm, it has been a few days since I last updated. Various reasons but unimportant. The ride from Geraldton to Scarborough was fairly uneventful. We took the Indian Ocean Road rather than the expressway for a bit of variety. For a secondary road that goes no where important, the road surface was excellent. Dropped in at a little coastal holiday town called Lancelling for food and fuel. Both expensive. Of note is the incredibly white sand in this region. The white colour is quite dazzling. From Yanchep to Scarborough was typical city driving but nothing like Sydney. The locals even stick to the speed limits mostly hich is very disconcerting.Scarborough is a seaside suburb of Perth but is otherwise unexceptional. Not much to do here if you don't want to surf or drink. Caught a bus and connected with a train to Prth to have a look around the city.Perth city runs what they call a CAT bus service which is free and follows various set routes around the city. Great service ans saw some of Perth's great colonial architecture. Train and bus back to Scarborough here Ian and I decided there was much more to see and do in Perth so we "upped stumps" and moved to the Hyatt in Perth CBD.Very comfy. I had some lovely seafood for tea and early to bed as I had arranged an all day tram and boat trip to Fremantle for the following day. Had a terrific cruise down the Swan River on the "James Stirling". We must have passed 10,000 or more moored half and full cabin cruisers. Just tied up to a mooring berth. I have never seen so many. Most were what could be termed modest i.e under $100k but there were plenty worth more than that. Had a look at the homes of the rich and famous. O ne had recently changed hands for $56 million,a cash transaction so the cruise commentator said.Arrived in Fremantle wharf area and caught a CAT bus service to the markets where I met Ian who had ridden down. Nothing much different to markets anywhere but we went into a small bar for a drink and were just in time foer seome free entertainment in the form of a couple of small bands. Listened there for nearly 2 hours before catching a bus back to connect with the cruiser for the return to Perth. Had a great day but was very tired and went to bed early but suffered from cramps most of the night and so slept little.After breakfast, went back to bed for a few more hours before we checked out at around 1.00pm for the ride to Margaret River. i must comment on the Perth mass transport system. Absolutely great. Buses, trams, trains and ferries all run on time and a\re spotlessly clean and on the services I used free of graffiti. Well done Perth! From the Hyatt it took 10 minutes to be free of the city and on our way south on the expressway. Margaret River, our overnight stop was only 285klm away and we made good time to be there around 4pm. Wehad a fantastic "carvery" for tea which reminded Ian and I of meals at the "Charmandene" on Phillip Island.Left Margaret River just after 7pm for Albany 485klm away. Took some detours to check out various sites of interest. Ian took lots of photos which you will find attached.Very beautiful country. Dense Kauri forests which are interspersed with mixed farming. Lots of recent rain so the pastures are lush. The black Angus cattle stood out boldly against the green grass as did the flocks of sheep. Great to be on some windy roads again nd we finally gave the edges of our tyres something to do. In Albany now and have been doing some washing while writing this. Might be a week before we are able to use a washing machine again. Very nice rooms in Albany. That's all for now

Our stay in Perth

On Friday we headed into Perth, Phil spent the morning having a look around on public transport, me few photos, and a haircut. Booked into the Hyatt and got organised to do my washing etc. Went for a walk around in the afternoon and that was pretty much the day.



Phil was on an Organised tour Saturday, and I am sure he will add more. The tour was by bus and river boat, and we organised to meet at Fremantle. I rode to Fremantle, did end up seeing the same bits of road a few times as I got messed up with the WA signage and road systems, that being said I ended up where I wanted, the Fremantle markets.



Had a look around, found some one to pound my back, still getting sore between the shoulders, so much for getting in the grove after 5 days ??
Found the pub in the corner of the markets and watched as a for piece band set up, we were in luck they played our type of music.



After a while we decided to head over to the Fremantle Docks, more stores there, I wanted to look at the harbour. After watching he live sheep ship load, and a container ship head out to sea, I decided to head back via the south bank of the swan. Great views of the city, and impressive houses along this side of the river. One thing that struck me was the number of wind craft on the Swan, seemed like everyone was sailing. Snapped off a few photos and got back to the Hotel. Phil arrived back a little later and was to beat for dinner. Had dinner and talked to a few of the locals, seems half the WA state is hear to go to a Metal concert or something ??

Geraldton to Scarborough ( Perth )

After a night out at the Boat shed, a restaurant in Geraldton , that by name I assumed had something to do with the sea or seafood , we were well feed and relaxed. Interesting how you assume one thing and find out the reality is a bit different, I for one thought the Boat Shed would have been on the sea, when I booked I was told we would have a table with a view, well the view was of the massive grain solos of Geraldton, not to bad for a boy from the bush, but probably not to interesting for the city folk !

The weather conditions had cooled quite a bit, we had another pretty average motel, but for me I was quite tied and managed to sleep as the lack of an air conditioner did not seem to matter in the cooler conditions. Didn't have a TV in the room either, but I fell asleep watching the 24 hr news on my iPhone.

Phil and I had decided for an easy start for the trip, we had chosen to travel the new coastal route, named Indian Ocean Drive. I tried to program the Garmin, but it did not want to co operate, old maps perhaps but the new roads were not shown, so we had to go by instructions, turn right about 30 ks out of Dongarra ?? Temp in the morning was about 20 c , I decided to put a singlet and long sleeve shirt on, as I didn't want to put the liner back in my jacket. Phil said 20 was summer and he would be warm riding in the same gear as the heat!

Decided to snap a few shots off of the sea and surrounds, our next door neighbours, two guy who run Fairfax's presses, were getting underway. This was the first day we were confident to leave a little latter without the fear of being boiled alive in the heat of the day.



The ride out was slow as we had traffic, first time in awhile that we did not have the road to ourselves. Green grass, fields, wheat fields, trees, sand dunes. What an interesting road, winding between the sea dunes, and wheat fields. The farm houses were on the sea side of the road pushed up next to or in the dunes, these were old dunes with bush vegetation on them. The reason was plain to see when you came across trees that have been so wind blown that they are a curve from bottom to top with the green top almost curved back to the ground. It sure must be drafty here, no wonder the houses are built against he dunes, wind breaks. We rode to Dongarra and about 20 ks out found the tourist drive to Perth on the Indian Ocean Drive. Brilliant road some nice curves and views were great, winding in an out of scrub with views of Opel blue ocean . This was mostly reserve and parkland, with small seaside home and shacks popping out of the bush on the sea side. We headed for Jurien Bay, and refueled at Leeman. Phil, who had earlier said that 20 was summer riding was hunting for warm gear, said he was freezing, me I was nice. Spoke to the local Copper, who said that they can't go over 140 ks in a chase, I wonder what they would do on the straight outback roads where everyone seemed to cruise at around that speed ?



We left Leeman Fuel stop and headed on, I didn't fuel and we had to get some fuel a bit later, forget the name of the town, but fueled and got on our way. Roads were just nice, but traffic was getting heavy. Got to the outskirts of Perth and headed to Scarborough. Motel was the SunMoon??

Not much of a room, Phil and I have decided to stay an extra day in Perth, I Google Hyatt and am now typing this in good conditions.