We have been at Albany now for 2 days having come down from Walpole through Denmark. We are at a Big 4 camp ground behind the sand dunes at Middleton Beach.

Middleton Beach, our camp site was behind the sand dunes

Along the way we stopped for some morning tea at The Lake House. This was a mistake. The Lake House nestles in a valley up behind Denmark beside a lake (it’s really a big farm dam) surrounded by a vineyard, some rolling grass gardens and wildflowers/shrubs. All very nice. As was the rocky road cheese cake Allthego had to have, along with a coffee. Homealone settled for a carrot cake. Both were drizzled with sauces made on the property. There were also some wines to taste. It was difficult to leave  as it was coming up to lunch time, but we had to make tracks for Albany.

The Lake House label

At the Lake House

In Albany we have had some quiet days around the town. Visited the National Anzac Centre and the associated historical precinct. Albany was the departure point for the first convoys that took  troops to Gallipoli. All up 30,000 left in the first convoy. The Centre tells the story of the departure, something which we haven’t really heard much about in the past. Quite a logistical feat in getting all the ships organised and away. Some great views at the Centre over Albany and the harbour.

National Anzac Centre

View of Albany port

There are some native plant gardens in the grounds of the Anzac Centre and lo and behold there was some great patches of red and yellow Kangaroo Paws. We have not seen these in bloom yet in the bush land so it was a surprise to see them here.

Red Kangaroo Paw.

Yellow Kangaroo paw

Also off into Torridirrup National Park to see the Gap and Natural Bridge sea cliff features. A cantilever viewing platform out into space above the Gap is quite impressive. Homealone stayed away from this one as well. Waves crashing in the chasm below were very powerful, sending up spouts of water and endless spray. The Natural Bridge feature was equally impressive. There was an info board telling the story of  a tourist back in the 1970s wanting to get a photo from down on a ledge getting sucked out when a big wave came in. He was rescued many hours later from the seas by the crew of a whale chaser boat (this was before the end of whaling in Albany).

The Gap view point

Natural Bridge

The weather has not been wonderful  here in Albany. Windy and chilly with a bit of rain. It has hampered the tripping around somewhat and there has been more to do than we allowed time for. Must come back again sometime! We now head off for Esperance with a stopover for the night at Ravensthorpe,  about two-thirds of the way.