Day 195 Albany, (The Gap & Natural Bridge and Whaling Station), WA

We woke to glorious sunshine this morning and the predicted showers didn't arrive at Albany until late this afternoon and by that time we were back in the caravan.  What a difference sunshine can make.  We were both getting a bit disheartened by all the gloomy weather and why wouldn't we.  We have had very few clear days in the past two months!

The Albany Historic Whaling Station was our destination today as we thought it would be better to be inside on a rainy day.  On the way to the old Whaling Station we passed the sign pointing to The Gap and Natural Bridge and as the sun was well and truly shining we decided to head there before the whaling station.  We didn't know how long the sunshine would last so it's better to change plans slightly and adapt to the weather.

Just when we think we have seen some of the most scenic sights in Western Australia we are handed The Gap and Natural Lookout.  These two scenic lookouts are within the Torndirrup National Park and The Gap lookout is another of the magnificent cantilever lookout platforms that hangs out over the cliff edge at a height of 40 metres above the sea level.  We have now visited all three of these incredible structures that Western Australia seems to favour in their National Parks.  They are all wheelchair accessible with beautifully constructed pathways.

The Gap platform is not for anyone with a fear of heights.  To see the waves come crashing into the rocks below, invokes in me a feeling of fear and when I read about the rescue of a photographer who got a little too close to the edge of that cliff and fell into the water, well, I don't know how he survived.  He will be forever indebted to those that put their own life in danger to rescue him. The power of those waves is, of course, how these cliffs have been formed over thousands of years.

In our travels both in Australia and overseas we have seen quite a few "natural bridges" but the one that we saw today was by far and away the best we have seen anywhere in the world.  Philip and I always ask each other how long will the arch stand before eventually falling into the ocean below.  I hope many generations get to see sit because it is quite amazing.  It is very difficult to photograph it from above but you get the idea.

As we left The Gap and Natural Bridge we saw a sign pointing towards Cave Point Lighthouse so we took a bit of a detour to check it out.  It is a bit of an uphill walk to get to the lighthouse but the path is wide and paved so it is easy going.  But the most brilliant thing about this walk is the wildflowers.  In our travels I have never seen such a concentrated area of so many different varieties - many that I have never seen before.  It is just a carpet of intense colour and beauty.  The lighthouse is just another lighthouse but it is still in use so it is well maintained.

After our lighthouse detour we are back in the car and heading towards the old Whaling Station when we see another sign saying "Blowholes".  Who can resist a blowhole.  We recall the amazing blowholes that we saw north of Carnarvon at Quobba and hope these are the same.  What a disappointment.  After walking 800 metres down a steep path with many steps (and of course there is the uphill!) we reach a cliff  that points towards the very edge of the cliff and says "blowholes 30 metres".  There is no way I am going to the edge of that cliff but Philip does (along with some other people we got talking to along the track) but there are no blowholes, in fact you can't even see the water! Ah well.  Lesson learnt but good exercise!

We finally make it to the Historic Whaling Station, after all our detours, and it is just in the nick of time as the rain starts coming in off the ocean.  When Philip visited here in 1976 it was still a working Whaling Station and it didn't close until 1978.  It has certainly changed since then and undoubtably smelt a whole let better than it did when it was still a working station.  To be honest I felt very emotional when we went from killing shed to boiler shed on the interpretive tour.  I know we have come a long way from the days when we killed anything and everything (thankfully) but why or why would anyone want to kill these magnificent creatures.  

We were home by 1.30 and I had placed a piece of blade roast in the crock pot for our lunch that was perfect by the time we got home.  I boiled up some potatoes in their jackets and then threw in some peas and beans in the last five minutes.  When cooked I drained and smashed the potatoes and greens with a huge amount of butter and fresh herbs.  Delicious with the pot roast and gravy from the roast.

Yesterday afternoon we took the scenic drive to Middleton Beach where there is a terrific boardwalk that runs all the way into the heart of Albany - around 6.5km.  We only walked a short distance as it was after 5pm when we started but it is a lovely walk that we may do a little more of tomorrow, weather permitting.  We also visited Anzac Centre where they have the most beautiful Avenue of Honour that leads to a magnificent sculpture in honour of the Lighthouse Brigade.  I ran out of battery in my camera so didn't get photos but we are going to go there again tomorrow for sunset so I should hopefully get some pretty decent snaps.

Philip the cameraman got quite a bit of GoPro footage today so here is a condensed version edited by yours truly.....