Having an early time of it tonight, it’s way too cold to sit outside, the wind has no warmth at all. Not much blue sky either, lots of cloud cover!

Reading in bed this morning when just before 5 there was a dreadful racket outside. Ravens, galahs and something else all screaming their heads off. Looked out and there was a hawk with a galah in it’s talons and the ravens frantically mobbing it. By the time I got to the door everyone had disappeared leaving the galah fluttering on the lawn. Grabbed an old towel and caught it, only a baby but with a damaged wing. I wrapped it up and put it into a bag as well and then sat outside doing the usual morning ritual. It was a very foggy morning! Told Tess about the galah and she and Sam suggested leaving it in an empty chook cage for a while. Once the morning moved on a little bit, I phoned work’s Jurien office and they said I could take it into the Cervantes office. So did that, leaving baby behind in towel and bag for an assessment.

Had a drive to Thirsty Point and it’s easy to see why this is called the Turquoise Coast, the colour is lovely. Popped into Cervantes Information to ask about the road to Lake Thetis, as it’s being upgraded and had a couple of heavy-duty vehicles working on it. Road is open, just need to drive around the graders, etc. As they are working on the road, the sign to Lake Thetis had disappeared so I ended up at the end of the road at Hansen’s Bay. So came back and found the correct road. Had a short stroll on the boardwalk as didn’t like leaving my car for too long in such an open area with an open window!

Then I noticed a munzee basically in the middle of nowhere, and thought it would be a nice drive. Up Cockleshell Gully Road (unsealed) through Lesueur National Park. Lots of wildflowers showing, capped the munzee then back down the road to the entrance of Lesueur and the 18 km scenic drive. Amazingly it was all sealed, but only a one-way road. So did the loop and then headed back to the Indian Ocean Drive and popped into Jurien and filled up with fuel. It was an old BP garage where they fill it for you! I checked the bowsers as I went past, all unleaded, so asked where the diesel one was. It was right in front of me, behind the huge fuel tanker that was sitting there. The owner was rather astonished when I said ‘No problem’ to his comment that I would have to reverse into place. His comment then was that most people don’t know how to reverse!!

I’ve been lucky with the gravel roads, they’ve been maintained fairly well so quite good drives, even though I stick to 60 km, checking for those kangaroos! Even on the local sealed roads I’ve stuck to 80 km and on the main roads 90 km, no real hurry to get anywhere.

Headed to Cervantes for a very late lunch where I got a call to say they had to euthanise the galah, the wing was too damaged to repair. I also shepherded a western skink out of the eating area back to the outdoors. Yesterday it had been 2 bobtails off roads, LOL.

Back at NS, once again feeding time, but too cold to chat this afternoon. I can hear a pair of kestrels calling outside.

Foggy sunrise Lesueur wildflowers That munzee Thirsty PointLake Thetis

Once again, the morning was very still, so sat outside nice and early, still lots of birds and bugs humming in the trees. A rather thick smoke haze though from the bushfire near Moora. The wind did start up at 6.13 but not as strong as it has been. After breakfast and feeding the animals I went out in the gator with Sam and Tess. The gator is an all-terrain, John Deere, vehicle. It’s nice and low so easy to get into!!! Sort of looks like a bigger version of a golf cart. Anyway, we did a run around the station and checked water troughs and the cows and fences. There is a lot of boundary fence next to Nambung National Park which has to be maintained, but the kangaroos keep making holes under the fence travelling between the station & the park! They don’t go over they go under! I didn’t attempt the Painted Desert walk as it involved a very steep climb in sand!

Once again sat and chatted for a bit and then I headed out for Jurien Bay. Nice enough drive even though still very hazy with smoke. Parked the car at the old jetty site so I could go for a walk and my drivers side window stopped working, stuck open. So googled auto electrician and found Jurien Tyre & Auto. 2 guys spent an hour trying to get it working again, but looks like the motor has gone. All the other windows are fine, just not this one. I usually drive with windows open, but sometimes it is nice to have it half up. Had a very late lunch and then headed back to NS.

After the evening feed (a couple with small children to help) and the girls found a plastic bag big enough to cover the window overnight so nothing can climb in (several pythons around here!)

More chatting then blog time!

I have the 2 baby wagtails on my front doorstep this evening. Sam mowed the lawns today and she said she had a wagtail escort the whole time, catching all the bugs.

 Seagulls at Jurien Cute donkeys Painted Desert Lovely NuytsiaGrasstrees galore

A very still morning, especially considering the very blowy evening. I had a horrible night of not much sleep and tossing and turning. So went outside to the patio around 5.30 and spent an hour out there with the birds and bugs, lol.  The sheep are very noisy in the morning and there were several emus making their thrumming noises as well.

It got too hot too quickly to do the station run so sat and chatted for a while after breakfast. The only other person staying in her motorhome came over for a chat as well. She’s lived in hers for 2.5 years and loves the grey-nomad life.

Accompanied the girls, Sam and Tess, on their feeding run, 2 cows, 3 donkeys, 2 alpacas, 4 lambs (still being bottle fed, though much to big for bottles, but there is still formula left over so instead of tossing it, the lambs may as well have it (I did feed one, lol) 5 rams and a few chooks. Didn’t even see the guinea fowl, they obviously feed themselves.

Oops, the mudlark just paid his visit to the kitchen window, silly beggar! He does it lots apparently.

Anyway, I grabbed the camera and headed out, planning on visiting the stromatolites at Lake Thetis, only to discover the road is being rebuilt with huge graders going up and down it, so headed to the Pinnacles instead. It’s changed quite a lot since we last visited. There’s now a really long road around the area, a great lookout and a discovery centre. Took lots of photos and then headed into Cervantes for lunch at the Lobster Shack. Very big place that caters for lots of international visitors, so it was rather quiet. Had chips, salad and lobster in garlic butter. Very nice indeed. I had a chat with one of the staff as I was leaving as I commented it would be a nightmare when it was very busy. He said their record was 1300 meals in one day!

Headed back to the stationand once again the wind had started blowing. It was so strong that, sitting out on the patio, I could feel the plastic chair under me rocking every so often, so I must have been moving too!!

Once again acompanied Sam and Tess, on the feeding run, but this time last years lambs got some too. What they didn’t eat is now being eaten by an emu.

Supposed to be a lot cooler tomorrow so hopefully the station run will be on if the wind stops.

 Alpacas Lambs  Pinnacles

 Random moth Outside the Golf Club Great weather vaneView from back door

Well, I was going to leave home at 8, but then it became 9, but I did pull out of the BP with a full tank of diesel at 10! Headed up the freeway and then Wanneroo Rd/Indian Ocean Drive. Took a left into Yanchep National Park and just had a drive through and a couple of munzees, lol.  Also had a little teary session as it was one of the places I took Zack when he was ill and it was also where we had had our honeymoon!  Anyway, headed north again and took the road leading to the Gravity Discovery Centre. There are a couple of special munzees there, but of course, Monday is the only day they are closed!!!

Kept on that road until it got to the Brand Highway. Much quieter road to drive on, only one idiot overtaking on a double white line!! 20 km north of Cataby and the road into the station, 22 km of gravel. However got there a bit early so took the other gravel road up to Cervantes. Had a pie for a late lunch and headed back to the Station arriving just after 3.  Hot drive on the gravel, 38-40 most of the way, but the sea breeze had hit Cervantes and it was only 29 there. By the time I got to the Station the very strong wind was blowing, apparently quite usual. Lots of sand flying in the distance off the little desert around the Pinnacles.

Settled in and chatted with the caretakers, watched the mudlarks feeding their nest of babies up in the eucalypt, sheep grazing, galahs feeding, a visiting emu and the little flock of guinea fowl!  It’s quite dark out now, but looks like they have some fairy lights on the patio outside, I can see them through the back door.

If the wind has stopped in the morning then there’s a station tour they do which includes the pinnacles, but Sam says it’s quite a steep walk, so we will see. May just have to drive the 40 km around to see them on the level, LOL.  I had wanted to see a sunset there, but from the number of kangaroos I saw on the road during a hot day, an evening drive would probably see a lot more.

I’m having issues loading the pictures, will see how tomorrow goes.

Actually saw the sunset last night from my bedroom window! When I woke at 2.30 there was a brilliant full moon shining and stars, No clouds!!

Had on and off rain today, but not enough for Phillip as yet.

After breakfast Cathy and I went to Braintree and Thaxted for a few errands, and then back to the farm for lunch.

We then returned my car to Stansted Airport, after an extremely slow refuelling at the airport BP. We saw a young green woodpecker on our return to the farm.

I spent some time with Jess and Keith and the daily walk with Roxy. This time watched the kestrel fly over, they have babies in the barn. Also a flock of swifts were flying over and around the farm.

Cathy & I, Jess & Keith are heading out tonight to have dinner with Jeremy & Cheryl at an almost local pub. This will be the last blog as I’ll be on the plane this time tomorrow.

 Cathy with her Ffee fur stoleSunset!!!!!

It was raining when I got downstairs this morning, that fine English drizzle type rain. Waited until the traffic would be quieter and headed for Saffron Walden for a few munzees. Drove down the same street 4 times as it has a one-way system. Some amazing old houses there though. From there headed to Thaxted. Sat around for a while and then found a free car-park and left the car there. The rain had stopped so had a nice little walk.

Arrived at Parrishes early and after 3 table changes, I saw Claire at the front door. She said she had a surprise for me, and she sure did. Claire had arranged for her mother, Lynn and her carer to come to lunch as well. We had a lovely lunch and chat, and Claire and I carried on chatting for a couple of hours after Lynn and Karen left.

Back at the farm again in time for the walk with Jess and Roxy, and then drinks and a chat with Cathy and Phillip.

After dinner Philip headed out to start drilling, he is planting mustard as cover for the pheasants, but he’s hoping for more rain.

 Thaxted Thaxted Thaxted Guildhall 1462

Hit the 30 days, will be home again soon!

P.S. to last night, Philip didn’t find any foxes, but it’s rabbits tonight!

After breakfast this morning I headed to Felsted and visited Gerald. He looks good and is happy in his retirement home. From there I headed for Little Leighs and as I was a little early I visited St Johns Church. Lovely lot of hollyhocks growing along the side of it.

Sat up at the memorial garden for a while, had a cry, of course, and then watched a jay foraging around the churchyard, listened to the birds, watched butterflies and damselflies.

From there drove up the road to Ardwyn and had a very nice lunch in the garden with Janice. Sat and chatted and then had a tour of the garden. She is growing red gooseberries (we had a few to eat) and the raspberry bushes have gone mad, they are taking over!!

Back at the farm went for the walk with Jess and Roxy. Jess had been repotting some of her garden!

Cathy & Philip are preparing dinner and I’m blog writing, so catch you later!

Had a dreadful night, it was one of those can’t go to sleep ones. Anyway, had breakfast and then packed up my case. I didn’t want to get on to the roads before 9. Headed north about 9.30 and paid a quick visit to Sand Bay to grab a few munzees. Not quite sure about the sand, all I saw were rocks, but it was probably under the water somewhere lol.

Merged into the motorway and just kept going. I am driving a Golf which has a few bells and whistles. One of them is the cruise control. Once set to the desired speed it monitors the vehicle in front. If that vehicle slows down or another vehicle cuts in front the Golf automatically slows down until once again I’m a couple of car lengths behind. Then if the front vehicle turns off I go back to the speed limit I’ve set. All quite nifty.

I spent most of the trip in the slow lane behind a truck. Not so quick and whizz by as the other lanes. There were lots of roadworks but the traffic flowed reasonably well. I stopped at Membury Services again, but of course, on the other side of the motorway and it wasn’t as busy as the stop southward had been.

Back at the farm I left my case at the back door as Cathy & Phillip were out and popped into see Jess & Keith. Good chat, some raspberries and a walk and then back to the farm again. A chat, dinner and Cathy finished her book, Philip’s out looking for foxes to shoot and I’m blog writing. Sorry no pictures, I didn’t take any today!

Last full day here and I’ve been rather lazy! Had a walk along the esplanade before breakfast and then met up with Ann. Ann used to run online egg-decorating lessons which Zack participated in so it’s going back a long time. We only kept in touch very rarely, but the hotel has a Facebook site which linked to me when I connected to their wifi. Ann saw this and we arranged to meet up this morning. She has two lovely little dogs and a Bambi campervan which we sat in and chatted for a while.

Afterwards I headed back to the car to find I had been given in infringement notice. The warden obviously hadn’t checked their electronic system as I definitely had paid for parking. After filling in their online form I headed out to the munzee emerald garden and grabbed some at the other end of the beach front which has a road and parking spots along it.

Parked the car again and then went for a wander down the esplanade the other way. Stopped for a quick lunch and then a wander back to the hotel. The tide is fascinating, as it moves so fast, there being 2 low and 2 high tides each day.

Checked my emails as I hadn’t for quite a few days, organised lunch with Janice and then just watched the tide out of the window.

Downstairs for dinner soon and then probably not doing much again lol.

After brekky I headed south down the M5 to Taunton and Vivary Park for the first event of two.

Lovely park, but my GPS took me to the wrong side of the houses running alongside it. So after driving around in a few circles I actually managed to find the correct car park and as it is Sunday it was free parking!! (Unlike the one near the hotel which is costing me a small fortune, LOL). Then a cut lunch and water-bag walk to the toilets at the opposite end to where we were meeting, of course! The middle of the park was fenced off as they were having a music in the park type thing over 3 nights. They kept doing sound checks and had the bass going at one stage, horrible!!!! Tom Jones is tonight’s music!

Had fun watching Alex feeding the rather tame squirrels. Anyway, did all we had to do there and then headed to the final venue, The Master Thatcher, a pub Sally had booked the function room for us all to sit and chat and relax a bit before getting the outside munzees. They had a great looking carvery so had that for lunch, the parsnips were very nice.

Sally has had a theme running through the events, the first icon was an apple cut in half, the 2^nd a cider press, the 3^rd a barrel and the 4^th a glass of cider. So several indulged in the real thing. After saying goodbye to those still around, I headed to Bridgwater for some historical icon munzees, managed to get myself lost in some very small lanes, but finally sorted out the GPS and got back to the hotel. I did fill up with fuel and grabbed a sandwich for dinner, as not really hungry after that lunch, lol.