Half way around Australia, 6 months through and this leg had moments which were not as beautiful as some of the images below portray. There were quite a few moments where it felt like the travel honeymoon was over.
We rolled over the WA border into the the mining town of Norsman which is the crossroads North to Kalgoolie, ahead to Perth or south to Esperence. We pressed on south to Esperence. On the day we arrived there the clouds rolled in and the rain fell. The bus was feeling very small. Thank fully we had a few clear days to explore the magnificent coast.
 |
| We spent quite a few hours at the very picturesque Twighlight Beach, Esperence. |
 |
| Hard to get a bad photo of this guy |
 |
The kids still keen to get wet in the chilly water
  |
 |
| We did a little walking in the nearby national parks |
 |
| We have seen some interesting things on the road |
 |
| We made an out of the way trip up to see Wave Rock which itself was very impressive, however the torrential rain and howling wind was not! |
We drove around the bottom of WA from Esperence to Albany where we spent a few more wet days.
 |
| Sonny had his 7th birthday in Albany |
We spent mothers day visiting a beautiful beach which was home to a group of boulders aptly named Elephant rocks.
 |
| On mothers day we also visited a place called 'The Valley of the Giants' where we strolled under the huge Karri trees and nervously walked across 75m high, swaying walkway. |
From Albany we headed north, Perth bound. We stopped at Margaret river for a few nights and got to see some impressive west coast sunsets. Sime even managed a few surfs with some East coast friends, Jonny and Jess from www.rebelonarainbow.com The weather continued to dampen our travels so we made the decision to head straight to Sime's Aunty and Uncle's farm on the outskirts of Perth.
 |
| The kids enjoyed the cousin time on the farm |
 |
| Winter waterskiing with bonfire to warm up |
We moved the bus a little closer to Perth to Simes's cousins place as it was more convenient for him to do some work. So off to work went Sime while the kids and I kept on with a little school work but mostly spent many precious hours with all the relatives and their kids. It didn't take long for the kids to be so familiar with each other that they were playing and fighting like siblings.
 |
| An education day to the WA museum |
We were so lucky to have mum and dad visit for 10 days while we were in Perth. The kids didn't know they were coming and were so excited when they saw them. While they were here we did go and spend a little more time down at Margaret river and looked around but mainly we spent some wonderful time just hanging together. Everyone was a little teary as they boarded the plane.
 |
| Surprise! |
 |
| Mum and Dad bought a suitcase full of letters and stuff from all the kids friends at home which they loved looking through and reading. Clearly the board above Sonny's bed shows a little bias. |
 |
| Fremantle Markets |
 |
| Sime feeling very at home |
 |
| Eagle Bay, Dunsborough |
 |
| Dakoda loved getting to know her second cousin Nikayla and making a new forever friend |
 |
| Aunty Monica |
 |
| Nearly all of the cousins and second cousins |
 |
| Everyone made us feel very at home and the kids got to be a part of traditional school life at a Pioneer Day the Carmel Adventist had on. |
 |
| Yet another picnic in Perth's iconic King's Park. We had quite a few of those |
 |
| So many things to keep little people busy |
 |
| Dakoda celebrated her 9th Birthday |
 |
| Simon's grandfather Kurt |
So although this leg was not full of beautiful sunsets and roses it was a time where we got to make some wonderful memories with family who are now lifelong friends.
Our travel marriage is far from calling it quits just yet
