Swimming, Markets and ANZACs

 Sunday 20 September – 181995

After a long sleep in we had breakfast and went to Middleton Beach for a swim. It was probably very entertaining for the locals watching two Queenslanders get into 16 degrees Celcius ocean water. We swam for about 15 minutes, although most of the time with our faces out as the cold made our sinuses hurt. I quickly lost all feeling in my feet and when we got out my toes were waxy yellow and I struggled to walk normally. We headed back to the van for hot showers to warm up.  Middleton Beach

Next up was the Albany Boatshed Markets which had a variety of lovely items, but were smaller in size than I had expected.  Albany Boatshed Markets  Drew visited the National ANZAC Centre in Albany this afternoon – he spent two to three hours in the main building, enjoying all the multimedia displays. He then explored outside, including the Coastal Gun Emplacement Magazine, the Naval Walk and the Convoy Lookout. We have previously visited this as a family and it is a very informative centre for all ages. National ANZAC Centre

Exploring Denmark and Surrounds

 Saturday 19 September -181848

This morning Drew ran and I walked the Wilson Inlet Heritage Trail Parkrun in Denmark. This is a very pretty run at this time of year due to the wildflowers.  Wilson Inlet Heritage Trail Parkrun

We then explored the town of Denmark – which also had some lovely flowers. 

Our next stop was Wilson Inlet to have a look at the potential water crossing on the Bibbulmun Track – now it would involve getting completely wet and Drew ferrying my pack on his head. If we can get back on the track, it may be passable by the time we get here, fingers crossed!  Bibbulmun Track at Wilson Inlet  Wilson Inlet

We visited Ocean Beach, and Lions Lookout – you are looking at Wilson Inlet from the ocean side.  The water looks so beautiful but is freezing cold. 

We then explored the sand island at Prawn Rock Swimming Channel.  

We took a scenic route back to Albany, via Torbay Inlet Campground and Perkins Beach – both very pretty.  Torbay Inlet West Campground

Patrick Taylor Cottage Museum and Church of St John the Evangelist

 Friday 18 September – 181827

The physio this morning has said I can start doing some more walking – some inclines and up to an hour or so. We have booked in to stay here for another 11 nights, while I continue my physio. The remainder of the morning was spent pottering around the campsite.

After lunch we explored Patrick Taylor Cottage Museum – this is the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia.  There was an internal section of wall that had been opened to show the construction of the wattle and daub. There were also some beautiful period displays of all sorts of items – we have certainly gone for less decorative and intricate pieces over time.  Patrick Taylor Cottage Museum

We explored the Church of St John the Evangelist in Albany – the first church consecrated in Western Australia. Like many older churches the stained glass is beautiful. We explored the older part of Albany town centre.  Church of St John the Evangelist

Middleton Beach was pretty this afternoon with a rare blue sky and warmth in Albany.  Middleton Beach

Albany Convict Gaol Museum

 Thursday 17 September – 181814

We started the day with a sleep in, then Drew went for a run before a leisurely breakfast. I spent the morning sorting through photographs from both the Cape to Cape Track and the part of the Bibbulmun Track that we have already done; all while resting my calf.

In the afternoon we visited the Albany Convict Gaol Museum, which is located in the Convict Labour Hiring Depot from the 1850’s to 1870’s.  Albany Convict Gaol Museum

The remainder of the day was spent doing some of the boring stuff – swapping the gas cylinder, minor repairs and maintenance, paying bills and buying fuel. Western Australia has a government website where service stations are required to post both their fuel prices for today and tomorrow – this is very useful, as we could see that tomorrow fuel would be 8c per litre more expensive, and with a big tank this quickly adds up.  WA Fuel Watch