9th - 10th February 2016
 
It was difficult leaving Denmark, except that the winds are up and the day is cool. Rather than travel direct to Albany we head north to Mount Barker so making a triangular path over the next few days as we will then head south to Albany on the Great Southern Highway. The road north is excellent, wide and quiet like so many travels in this wonderful countryside. Evi has checked out campsites on WikiCamps, there being only two available we decide on the town caravan park simply for its location and central position for the sightseeing and walks we wish to do.  
The Caravan Park, council owned, is old and shows the signs of use, however, it’s clean and shady. Once established we head to the Info Centre which is located in the now defunct Railway Station. The place is huge for the area, and staffed by one older lady who almost perches on Evi’s shoulder as she browses the displays, brochures and goods for sale. We leave with a wealth of Info as well as some cards and a jar of wild honey.  
Lunchtime! At the end of the towns main road sits Plantagenet Winery, already recommended by the managers of the campsite for it’s “$15 lunch and glass of wine” special. It is a very large winery by regional standards with many huge holding tanks and a large production building. Upon entering the Wine Tasting and Café there is one other couple seated awaiting lunch, so we go to the Wine Tasting Bar and wait, and wait! The chef appears with the couples lunch then around behind the bar to serve our tastings. It seems that two backpackers who had been working here for several months suddenly decided to move on with little notice so today he was chef, wine master and waiter. Just as well there are only two couples! The wines were good, we chose a Pinot Grigio and retired to the table ordering a platter (not the special) and were very pleased with the serve. By the time we finished our lunch there were 5 couples in the place, and the chef was a very busy boy!  
About 20 minutes east of Mount Barker is Porongurup NP that features Castle Rock and the granite Skywalk, something which we are keen to climb….apparently! This area also abounds in Wineries, so all will not be a waste of time. Once we leave the farmlands behind Porongurup reveals that which it is famous for, huge solid granite hills and mountains, bald at the summits yet surrounded by tall forests.  
Castle Rock, 570 metres high, stands at the eastern end of the NP and is a landmark for many kilometres around. The large carpark has only one vehicle in it, not surprising as we are here reasonably early and the day is overcast, cool and windy. We check out the signboards for the walk, 2.5klm to the summit doesn’t sound too bad, little do we know! We don walking boots and backpacks and off we scoot, meeting 4 people coming down as we enter the track they report that it is “a little steep”, we are hardy trekkers and not daunted! An hour later and we are somewhat more subdued and definitely warmer as the track is roughish in places, strewn with rocks and tree roots. Not the most difficult walk we have done, but somewhat unexpected, though very interesting and pretty. It was unwise to take your eyes off the track so we stopped briefly and often to catch a glimpse of a view, a flower or something of interest.  
We happen upon the end of the walk suddenly as we arrive in a clearing on a ridge that shows the bald summit just ahead and above us, well above us. There is a steel walkway and viewing platform thrust out over a small cliff that allows a clear view of both the summit and the Granite Skywalk. From here it is a short walk to a huge balancing egg shaped granite rock that has a very precarious grip on its base, then a scramble up a few steep gullies with the aid of some steel handles anchored into the rockface and we stand at the base of a tall, steep ladder to the skywalk. Roscoe is grim yet determined to make the climb, just not a happy chap with heights! The effort is worthwhile though, the Skywalk is a 100 metre long feat of engineering hanging about 100 metres above the steep slope, the view magnificent (in Evi’s opinion at least) and it is good to have conquered this trek.  
Back in the patrol and we can feel our legs from the walk, although the downhill section was quick it was still tiring. Too early for lunch we embark on a tour of discovery around the scenic sights of the NP, by vehicle. The only exception was to visit the “Tree in a Rock”, yep, a Karri growing out of a huge granite boulder, you have to wonder why. Here also is a short 1.5klm “Forest Walk” that we take to walk off the tightness after Castle Rock!
Heading back to Mount Barker we stop off at the only winery open for a Monday, Dukes Winery. Set well down the sloping foothills and with Gibraltar Rock towering in the background we enter a modern yet rustic Tasting Room. On the steps we meet an older bloke who, it turns out, is Duke, and Duke is happy for a chat. The day has turned very hot as the clouds disappeared and Duke and a couple of young backpackers are covering the vines with netting to protect them from the birds, but Duke delays getting back to the sweaty heat. Nice bloke.  
In the Tasting Room a delightful lady attends to us and another couple to guide us through a tasting of their 9 wines, and the tasting glasses are generous, perhaps a little too generous given that the wines are really very good and none of us initially wish to use the spittoon! Well a happy afternoon of tasting and stories ensures. The other couple comes from Broome where he runs an aircraft charter business and has a love of wine collecting. He tells us that this small winery is well recommended in WA wine circles, and that calls for more tasting! We finally depart with as many bottles as we can store and slowly navigate our way homeward hoping to avoid any overly enthusiastic police!
 
http://www.dukesvineyard.com/