Giants

Hi Folks

We are about to leave Nornalup a small settlement (Pop 50) on the south west corner of Oz. We have had a great time here and again have met wonderful people. However the main focus of this Blog is to show the scale of some of the things we have seen. The truck or road train as they are known can tow up to four trailers. In this particular case there are two, the containers are holding liquid fertiliser which is being delivered to farms in the outback. The driver, a huge gentle giant of a man, had his wife and two daughters with him and the cab is big enough to sleep them all. This road train is part of a fleet but it is not uncommon for trucks to be owned by individuals and the trucks are their home as well.
Just outside Nornalup there is a huge forest of Tingle trees. These are giants and we were able to climb a tree top walkway ( a little scary) and this is where Fogg took the attached photo. It was taken from a height of 40 metres and there was a lot more tree above the walkway so you may be able to imagine how tall these trees are. Phileas of course in second heaven. She understands trees. The other photograph was taken looking up from inside a Tingle tree that had been hollowed out by fire, insects etc.... The biggest tree we saw was 16 metres in circumference. Beautiful majestic soft wood trees, the wood is not suitable for building thank goodness so did not meet the same fate as the Kauri trees in New Zealand.
Nornalup is near the Southern Ocean so a brief trip to the beach here revealed a most beautuful and magical place where Phileas and I sat and marvelled at the huge waves that were crashing in . As we looked out there was nothing but sea between us and the Antarctic. Also we were the only people for miles. As always the photograph is not able to tell the whole story but it was a wonderful place. The beach is adjacent to a place called Conspicuous Cliffs.

Our last evening here, Fogg indulged himself with Scallops followed by Marron, a type of crayfish/lobster/langoustine mix. Whatever, it was delicious. So this is Fogg wishing you all well. Over to Phileas.

Hi, Phileas here and as you can see from the photos in tree and beach heaven. This really is all I ask, a place where I can see both. This is that place, just too far away!
The restaurant we ate in last night was in the village and was the best place we have eaten in since we arrived in Australia. That includes Sydney, where I have to say the service was not good and the food mediocre. I had smoked (to order) salmon and a rather excellent local Shiraz (or two!). Tingle trees are a type of eucalyptus, the name is Aboriginal (the meaning has slipped my mind temporarily, must be the Shiraz! I must also tell our readers about Brenda who works in the local tourist site in Walpole, our local town. We have an Aus. mobile but have no coverage here and the local phone booth was not working. She lent us her mobile so that we could phone ahead to book accomodation. Quite a star!

I'll close now as we have a long journey today. Best wishes
Phileas