Day 16  Sept 4  Perth to Jurien Bay

Today we are off with Mike and Fee on an overnight bike trip. We are headed north to Toodyay and then onto Jurien Bay for the night.
This is a very popular ride for the local bike riders as there are not that many roads with many bends so its more of the sweeping corners rather than tight and twisty. We stopped in Toodyay for a late breakfast and watched all the bikes roll in and stop at this Cafe called the Coco cola cafe and museum.
Good value and good food - a favourite for most bikers.
It was then on to the town of New Norcia that was established by the benedictine monks in the 1800's and there are many historical buildings including the monastery that they still live in. You can wander round and look at the many buildings that have been used over the years. They still produce beautiful bread, olive oil and wine. Unfortunately we were too late so missed out on their bread!!!
From there it was a 200 k trip to Jurien Bay which has changed significantly since we were there 20 years ago but the caravan park is till beautiful . Tonight was the night for Mike's first BBQ lesson. Steak, sausages, corn on the cob and asparagus. Yum !

Day 15 Around Perth for the day

We had a great day today as this morning Mike took us to his job site and gave us the special treatment with a VIP  tour of the site. Absolutely amazing and a sight to behold. After spending a few hours looking around, we stopped in and had a nice lunch and then home to plan an overnighter with Mike and Fee heading north to Jurien for the night .
Its brilliant sunshine and 22 degrees and the weather looks like its going to stay that way so the rest of the afternoon will be out in the sunshine and getting ready.

Here's Mike's job from the car park

Day 14 Sept 2  Albany to  Perth ( Port Coogee)

Today we were back on the bike and straight up he highway to Perth and back to Mike and Fee' place at Port Coogee.
We got back to Williams and then decided to take the road back through Dwellingup which has the better roads an dis much more interesting than the highway.
Back to Port Coogee unpacked , sorted out all of our stuff and then just relaxed and chatted for the rest of the day. Late in the afternoon we had  a beautiful walk along Coogee Beach and watched the sun set over the water.
A relaxing night with a home cooked meal and then off to bed.

The first picture is of Mike and Fee's apartment block - they are on the second floor and their patio is roughly central.

Day 13 Sept 1 Our day in Albany

Today was a rest day in Albany after a big day of travel. After Russ had finished cleaning his"filthy" bike, it was a walk into town to have a look around . Russ and I both enjoyed a bit of retail therapy and its just as well we only had the bike as there was so many places with 50% off- Bargain!! Russ was in his element and I had to keep reminding him about the size of our panniers.
Luckily the rain stayed away so we were able to take in some of the more touristy stuff. There is so much to do and look at in Albany and we couldn't do it all so we settled for looking at the HMS Amity which is the english ship that sailed into King George Sound to claim the area for Britain to become the first major port in Western Australia in the 1800's.
We then made our way through the Albany that covered both aboriginal and white history in the area which included the whaling history of the area.
Stopped by the gaol but they wouldn't take Russ so it was back up the main street with all of its historical buildings to stop in at the Albany Hotel for lunch which has been operating continuously since 1835.
Back to home and then onto the bike for a ride out to Frenchman's Bay and the Torndirrup National Park to check out some more of the stunning natural beauty of the area. Again many places to stop but we chose the Salmon Pools where we saw a lucky fisherman land a beautiful fish. Russ was very jealous!!
Onto the Gap and the Natural Bridge - if you are ever in Albany please go and have a look as they have built a floating platform that you walk out over the Gap where the waves crash in and the whole thing moves in the wind.
Ended our day with a beautiful ride around the bay and home - again looking forward to the go -pro for the tour.
Back to Perth tomorrow to have a couple of more days with Mike and Fee before beginning the trek home . How fast does a holiday go.

Day 12 Aug 31 Margaret River to Albany

After a night of constant rain, we thought it was going to be a terrible day on the bike . We were lucky that most of the rain had gone through so we only had to content with a few passing showers.
Our route today took us through Pembroke, Walpole and then onto Albany. Crossings Bakery was a great stop in Pemberton and yes they do have great aussie pies.This is a great bike road with lots of sweeping bends and beautiful tall timber to admire.
Our main stop of the day was at the Valley of the Giants discovery centre This is where you can walk through the tallest trees you can imagine via a suspended walkway which at its highest is 40 metres of the ground and you are still looking up at these giants.
Found our way into Albany in the afternoon and after the mandatory "conversation" about which way we should be going, we found our lodgings for the next 2 days, grab a few bits and pieces at the supermarket and back to park up on the sofa with a Matso ginger beer and nibbles.