We are now settled in at Albany on Middleton Beach. The weather is not great, chilly, very windy and rainy bits here and there during the day. Have the occasional splash of sunshine. On the way here we stopped for 2 nights at Walpole, about a 100 km from Albany. It is the heart of Big Tree country, The Valley of the Giants is nearby. These Tingle forests  are something to see. Great big trees that can grow to 75-80 m tall and 20-25 m round at the base. Upwards of 350 to 400 years old.

Forest drive

This is a Big Tree, 24 m around the base

Many of them get hollowed out at the bottom by fungi and the like, fire then burns this dead wood. It leaves big hollows, a while back one particular tree had cars driving through it. But they keep growing somehow supporting themselves until the time comes to come down. Must be a spectacular sight to see and hear  one coming down.

There is one particular tree near Wapole  still standing that was drawn/painted by a British artist in 1880. Her work along with another 800 is in the Kew Gardens in London. We didn’t see the tree but maybe the drawing is something to see if we ever get to London again!

Grandma

Jump in my car! Allthego at the wheel.

Allthego went for a tree top walk, highest point was 40 m above the forest floor.  The spans swayed a fair bit, Allthego was trying to take photos so this swaying was a bit frustrating. It wasn’t helped by a group of  40 or so senior citzs on a trip hurriedly passing by, seemingly more interested in getting back to the bus than looking down and around. Homealone passed up this whole experience and did her cross words/ puzzles instead.

The tree top walk

Looking down a Tingle tree

A bit later we both went for a short walk down on the forest floor, looking up instead of looking down. The Tingle trees are amazing which ever way you look at them! There is also the forest wild flowers, including orchids of various types to attract attention. We saw no orchids! Despite looking! Many of them are small and blend in with the other plants on the forest floor.

Tassel flower

Holly flame pea

The journey continues to Albany via the Lake House on the next blog.