Well last night was interesting, now we have an early start as Dirk has been up since five in case the police wake us. Exploring our neighbourhood we had rather a surprise as across from our parking place was a small cemetery- no wonder the neighbourhood was quiet! Around the corner from our space was the local court house and next door the local police station. Dirk was a little concerned to say the least. We set off and found a park space on the sea front next to a few campers who had obviously spent the night there. Well the camp grounds were full!!
After breakfast thought that we had better find a place for tonight . After a few disappointments we were lucky to find the lovely Mandalay Holiday Park were the staff were very welcoming and soon found us a space where they store boats. We had a really good space in a pleasant area on a really good camp site.
Next exploring Busselton. There is a beautiful beach front here and a really long pier complete with train. We decided that the best way to enjoy the pier and its views was to walk the 1.8.. metres out into the sea. This pier known locally as a jetty was built between 1853 and 1865 to enable ships to come into collect locally cut timbers; sea level is too shallow here. The pier was last used commercially in 1971.
The pier is amazing lots of interesting photo displays, memorials and art works as well as the quiz to complete about the pier. The train weaves past as you walk but it has its own rail route and doesn't interrupt walking. The is an under water observatory and two gift shops, one housing a small museum.
The weather was fantastic and the walk was great, one last thing to finish the morning coffee at the lovely sea front cafe mingling with all the week enders enjoying a long early lunch .
A stroll down to the beach, a quick paddle for Dirk and we were back to Mandalay for a picnic.
With such a short time in this lovely area there was more exploring to do in the afternoon. A trip across to Dunsborough, home town of Claire and Darryl: sadly we were unable to make contact so it was independent sight seeing! Being a holiday weekend Dunsborough had a market and an amazing sculpture display. The locals were very friendly and we were invited to vote for our favourite pieces as we wandered around. Great fun and some interesting discussions as we each had our favourite. After our cultural exercise there was another amazing beach to walk along, fantastic ice creams to eat and live music to listen to. A really great way to pass the day.
Back at Mandalay the day was completed by the Indian take away truck that was visiting the site, so curry for tea and no cooking!!! I really like this area.