DAY 228 - 03/10/2010 - Esperance, WA

The Tanker Jetty, Esperance WA

We had a late brekky of pancakes then we set off to the local jetty to see if Sammy the seal was there. We didn't get the chance to see if he was there yesterday because of the sudden weather change.

Sure enough, Sammy was there, hanging around the jetty under the fish cleaning station waiting for some scraps from two local fisherman cleaning their fish. He was a chubby seal and very cute. This is the first time for us to see a seal up close in the wild.

We couldn't stay here long because it started to rain and anyway the footy grand final was on shortly and we needed to get back home for that.

Getting ready for the game to start.

Back in time for lunch and footy. Waz's beloved Dragons are in the grand final against the Roosters. People we met today join us to watch the game. They are from Rothwell in QLD and are too travelling the country with two young children but are managing to do the whole trip in a couple of months. I don't know how they are doing it in such a short time. I thought we didn't have enough time.

We are happy to report that the Dragons kicked arse and won the grand final. What a game!!!!!

After the game we duck back out for a drive for one last look from the lookout and watch the sunset from Twilight Beach.

Awesome dinner of Kung Fu noodles. As usual we over order and there are plenty of leftovers.

DAY 227 - 02/10/2010 - Esperance, WA

It was an overcast morning but by lunchtime the dark clouds had all but disappeared and the sun was shining bright. We were blessed with this change of weather and we were going to make the most of it while it lasted.

We quickly got organised, packed a picnic lunch and off we went.

We drove along the Great Ocean Drive which takes you 40km along the coast line and here we see views of some very beautiful beaches. White sand and the bluest of blue water.

Blue Haven Beach

In one of the coves we managed to catch a glimpse of a whale playing close to the shore and dolphins playing in the waves at Observation Beach.

Salmon Beach

Observatory Beach - Waves crashing up against underwater rocks causing a blow hole effect.

Twilight Beach won the Best Beach in 2006 award and it was well deserved.

Twilight Beach

Twilight Beach

The cove end of Twilight Beach

We drove back into town to have our lunch by the jetty and hopefully catch a glimpse of Sammy the seal. It was not to be. The weather turned bad, the temperature dropped and the wind picked up. So instead we took our lunch back to the van to have.

I'm just happy that the sun came out long enough for us to see Esperance in all its glory. What a beautiful place it is.

The girls spent the rest of the afternoon playing with the other kids on the jumping pillow and then they worked on their journals while Lilly harrased the neighbours.

DAY 226 - 01/10/2010 - Ravensthorpe, WA & Esperance, WA

The Canola fields between Ravensthorpe and Esperance.

We arrive in Esperance and its cold and raining. The visitor centre tells me that this is the forecast for the next 3 days. I am very disappointed but I am adament, I'm staying till the sun comes out.

A detour via Macers for lunch then we check into the Pink Lakes Caravan Park. Its a nice park and there's a jumping pillow here and lots of kids around. The rain has stopped and the girls run straight for the pillow while we unpack.

In the late afternoon the girls and I went for a walk down to the local IGA to get some milk and I organised for Waz to pick us up. While waiting for our lift the sun had finally broken thru the stormy clouds and was setting. Instead of making our way back to the van we quickly drove up to the lookout to see the 360 degrees view of Esperance and to watch the sunset from there. The views and the sky looked awesome.

Theres nothing much elso to do so we plan for a lazy night in.  We joined the local video store, hired some movies, bought a bbq chook and returned home for dinner and movies.