Sun 27 Oct 2013 - Karri Forest

It was so good to see the sun and clear blue sky again today. Also the swelling and soreness on my jaw, where the bee stung me, has gone down and Rodger and I both felt ready to move on. We did check all the surf spots on our way South and Rodger had a short surf at Surfer's Point at Prevelly, with a whole pod of dolphins, about 30 of them, they were so close, I could watch them playing from the shore.

Surfer's Point Prevelly

The road South, and then East, at first ran through vineyards and picturesque farmland but then entered the Karri forest and we drove along for miles in dappled sunlight between these tall, perfectly straight giants, with pools of wildflowers growing beneath them, in their shade.

Redgate Beach

Fishing and expecting a dunking!

At about 3.00 pm we arrived at Pemberton, a small town, surrounded by forest, much of which is National Park. We saw a roadside stall selling all kinds of cherry preserves and, after tasting a few, we chose a jar of cherry and macadamia jam and another of cherry chutney. Just behind the stall was an old steam engine - the grandchildren would love to climb over this one.

 We went to visit the famous Gloucester Tree, which used to be used for fire watching. It's 60 m tall and has 153 metal pegs driven into the sides, in a spiral, so it can be climbed easily (well not that easily), and a small look out platform at the top. I had expected to climb up, but I only went up 10 steps and realised it wasn't for me, I don't seem to have a head for heights anymore and it was just too scary. Rodger went a fair way up, but I was relieved when he came down.

We went to see some cascades and then headed for the camping area in Warren National Park. On the way in, we found another famous climbing tree, called the Bicentennial Tree. This one is a bit taller than the Gloucester Tree, 63 m, I think, and has a lookout platform half way up, as well as at the top. Rodger climbed up to the halfway platform, and that looked very far up! 

The camping area is down a steep, slippery mud road called "Heartbreak Hill" and it certainly would be, if you were on a bike! We were pleasantly surprised to find it had a big camp kitchen with BBQs, gas rings and sinks with running water, though not drinkable.

 We set up and went to cook our dinner and got talking to a man called Brian, who was travelling alone as he'd recently lost his wife. We seemed to be the only people in this camping area.

When we were all ready for a cup of tea, we put the kettle on the gas ring, but it burnt so fiercely, that it melted the whistling mechanism right off the spout!