Up early for a refreshing swim in the Indian Ocean – no sharks & a bit bracing at first.
Back on the road to Lesueur National Park (named after the French botanist on the 1801 voyage) where we were promised rare flora and 122 species of birds.
The flora didn’t disappoint- although the vegetation looked scrubby it had hidden gems.
We also saw our first snake and a very charming lizard
As to the birds: they were in voice but hiding – although we did spot the wedge-tailed eagle soaring on the grandly named Mt Lesueur (not very high)!
Then we drove up to Geraldton for David to reminisce on his arrival here in 2011 from Cape Town with the Clipper fleet. A lot has changed in this growing town.
They have a replica of the Batavia’s little longboat that was sailed from the wreck off the coast here all the way to Jakarta in Indonesia in the 17th century! They all survived the voyage – which was a better result than for those left behind to mutiny and tyranny on the desert island.
Our drive onwards included a rare glimpse of an Emu and a really pink ‘Pink Lake’:
Entering Kalbarri we saw kangaroos and then whales blowing just off the shore! And arrived in time to see the enormous pelicans on the beach settling down for the night at sunset.