Tree Hugging

Hi this week we have been tree hugging!

Tried to hug Trees (and gave up as they were too big! – this tree is still alive)

To be fair we have also hugged rocks!

And climbed heights! By the way to get to this platform David had to climb between a number of rocks and then up a 10 metre ladder

This has all come about from numerous visits to National Parks along the South West Coast which has been a fantastic experience. Everything here is large and remote for example one park over  100,000 hectares and covering 130km of coastline and just 4 small roads going to the beach 3 of which are 4x4 access only.

Us on the busy 2WD beach

One of best achievements was the Tree top Walk in Walpole – this is set amongst the ‘Tingle’ trees 40 metres above the ground. As you can see some of the trees are still above us as they can grow to over 80 metres.

Was Dawn posing or holding on for dear life?

One tree we did not climb to the top of was one of Karri tree forest fire look outs. These trees have their tops cut off at 60m and a viewing platform placed on the top. Around the tree trunk is placed metal rods to allow people to climb to the top. No safety netting and no one overviewing, just up to you if you want to go up. Whilst we were there, a dad took his three children, aged probably between 7 and 11. By the way, same way up and down so plenty of opportunity to cross on the stairs if you are superstitious!

How high did David get of the 60 metres?

We also stayed a couple of nights at a camp that is rehabilitating kangaroos. A lovely spot with the roos being fed in the morning. A great camera opportunity was had by all.

The famous two headed kangaroo of ‘Northcliffe’

Worst Nightmare Happens

Whilst chatting to an elderly gentleman in his eighties next to us at camp he explains that he was a ‘£10 Pom’ and used to live in Farnham. Loves football and thinks Aussie Rules is more like aerial ping pong . Problem is he is a devoted ‘Pompey’ fan and used to go to all the games in the 40’s and 50’s, still has all his programmes and his sister rings him up from England every Sunday with the results! We obviously had to leave camp ASAP.

Just got into Alice Springs now and looking forward to our pick up at 5.45am for 5 days in the outback camping under the stars in our swag bags and getting accustomed again to drop toilets! All good fun. We are deciding on dress options for swag bag at the moment to try and stop the spiders, scorpions and snakes taking up residence in our sleeping bags - Dawn is going for mosquito head net and fully dressed option so photos to follow.

See you next week hopefully with some great shots of the ‘Red Centre’.

Love

David and Dawn