Day 15 - Thursday 12 January - And so the adventure begins again

DAY 15

THURSDAY

12 January 2017 – 

Denmark – Manypeaks – Wellstead – Pallinup River Rest (Camps 8 WA#66)

Today. The day. It had arrived. I didn’t sleep well last night. My stomach was still not happy with me and let me know most of the night. The anxiety levels were also up knowing we were making our move and that we would be leaving Yogi behind.

Paul hadn’t slept well either, especially after we were both up at 4am bringing in the awning, as the wind had picked up significantly. Keen to get under way, we had our brecky and then began the necessary prep for departure. I was still very much in a daze, while Paul was on auto pilot.

To make things a little easier Dad took Yogi to Albany with him, so it was very teary goodbye to both, as we waved them down the drive, before getting back to it.

First thing was a trip into town to dump the loo, fuel up, fill the tyres with air and do a quick shop. Once back we hitched the trailer, loaded the bike on and then for the first time on went the Getz. A little longer than the Charade, it hit the bike as it sat in the wheel wells of the trailer. Nothing major, but something we will have to watch or alter.

I had a shower while Paul finished the tie downs. By the time I was ready Dad was back. Bugger. We were hoping he wouldn’t get back til we were gone. Oh well. Paul followed suit with a quick clean up and then after a second goodbye and not looking back we were off.  Not far though. Back into town to do the tyres of the car and trailer then it was onwards and upwards.

We decided to head to Betty’s Beach, but along the way changed our mind, as the wind was whipping up. A spot for another time. Paul had a battle with the van. The crosswinds were really knocking us about making the van feel like a “Boat”.  We watched a three trailer truck wobble all over the road. Slowing to make sure it passed us with no issue, though it did spray us with stones.

We drove along roads splitting fields, plantation forest and pines. We saw Mount Manypeaks from a distance before passing through the town and beyond into Wellstead. Not far beyond this we stopped at a rest area for lunch. By now, it was well needed. We could finally take a breath, take in the surroundings and begin to see the anxiety lift. We’d made it this far. The car was fine on the trailer. All vehicle tyres were being monitored in the cab and all were within correct levels. My eyes were sore from the constant gazing at the screen.  I am hoping this constant need to check will slowly ease off.

With a check of the Camps 8 book we decided to move on to Pallinup River Rest Area another 40 min up the road and close to the Bremer Bay turn off. We found a fairly flat area and parked, set up the van for the night and then went to explore the river. One end was quite shallow and rocky. There was very little flow, however on the other side of the bridge it opened up into a wide deep river. If only we could get to it. Wish I had the canoe for this bit.

We did a fair bit of wandering up either side and over the bridge, mindful of the very large vehicles using it, before returning to the van for a well-earned drink and rest.