Hyden to Albany

The Don is battling through the pain barrier, teeth gritted but I think as time goes by the back and ribs hurt more. A short look at some albino kangaroos before we leave the Wave Rock precinct and head towards Albany.

We see crops and  mallee type country, much the same as yesterday but more salt lakes, mostly in between timber refuge strip’s and croppping.

We take the back roads via Pingaring towards Lake Grace.

“Rosie’s Cafe – Lake Grace” is on a sign. It’s like a sign from God, we’ve had a few of them, so we stop, and hallelujah the coffee was good and so were the melting moments and GF strawberry tart. Wonder if there is a  correlation between coffee strength and quality and the further south you are in WA?

Lake Grace has both Nutrien and Elders Branches, CBA and Rabo Bank offices. That usually means it’s a strong money area. Nice looking town, a quick flick through the local paper shows evidence of an active community.

South we head again, with bellies full and caffeine levels elevated. The Navigator sees wild flowers beside the road, Wally sees weeds, weeds – flowers, flowers – weeds, who knows? Pink Lakes everywhere, I’m taking their word for it.

Lots of road trains with grain bins are on the road, emptying silos and grain bunkers getting ready for this year’s harvest. And by the look of it it’s going to a big harvest this year.

On the road through Borden  we see the Sterling Ranges in background, very pretty and a dramatic backdrop to the patchwork of canola, wheat, chicken peas, and lupins. We stop for photos near a Dutch type windmill, apparently it’s a B & B.

Wild flowers are starting to bloom in the ranges, we drive though middle of the Sterling Ranges, no climbing or twisting roads. I see huge areas of planted eucalypt forests, I wonder if these are some of the ones that nearly brough Elders undone in 2008.

Albany is close, and we see sheep, cattle, horses, coastal streams, it sort of looks like NSW coastal hinterland.

We check into Lilac Waterfront cottages, leave Don resting and head out to check out the whaling station. It’s a gruesome reminder of the barbaric harvesting of thousands of whales over many years. It’s on a beautiful piece of the bay.

We explore Albany, find a fish and chips place, a few cans of beer at Dan’s and then cards to finish the night. Pauolo is the King of Kings by a long shot tonight. An attempt to teach The Navigator eucha has her eyes shining, and for once she’s speechless. But she still manages to handle the game and successfully partnering Don. L plates on tonight, P’s tomorrow, then  she’s fair game.

Tomorrow we head to Margaret River.

Ciao

Pauolo