Now, a couple more photo's from previous days if I may.
View from our room at the CP PER
Bunbury sunset.
Some side notes, as Erk has noticed recently, VA Points and SC's are posting very quickly. Ours were there by the next day, IHG isn't so quick as seems to be the norm. Our returning flights to the East coast have stuck with the A330 for the PER - SYD leg and We remain the pax in the J Cabin for the E190 Leg to CNS, let's hope both things stay that way. I know most aren't a fan of the E190 J cabin but every time I've travelled (Excepting 1 time) we've been the only ones aboard and told by the CSM to spread out, that makes things entertaining for an Aviation keen child. It's also the last time we'll probably travel J as a family unit until at least October in the US as little miss bass_ke will be on her own childs ticket by the time we return from this current trip.
Now that we've got that sorted let's get onto today!
This was always going to be the big one, Bunbury - Walpole/Valley of the Giants - Pemberton. It ended up being just a tad over 400km in total.
The day started by checking out of the Quality Inn Lord Forrest. Overall the place wasn't great, and as with a lot of things in WA it was overpriced. The Choice Privilege's program that I status match into at Platinum Elite provided absolutely no benefits, althought nothing was expected!
A quick coffee was had on our way out of Bunbury and we wound our way into some really quite pretty Apple and Pear Orchards. This part of the country get's more amazing the deeper we drive into it. Getting into Donnybrook nice and early we noticed the biggest playground I've ever seen, it was awesome for our little one to get out and have a run about. Donnybrook also provided some stamps and postcards for us, sending a postcard daily has been a tradition we've had when holidaying with our bubba since her first adventure at 6 weeks old. We wrote a quick blog entry which you can find below
Postcard a day and other odd travel habits | My Little Earth
We had a small stop in Balingup for another coffee and for a look around in this very cute little town
Travelling onward took us onward straight to Walpole with only a quick stop or two on the way to refresh and get attacked by carnivorous man-eating flies, why me? I'm supposed to be an animal friend, spared from the chaos of the animal uprising (It's been a long tiring day and I'm still recovering from the horrors of the flies and watching the oldest truck in history blow a tire from my wooden balcony in Pemberton. The truck, with a tray full of probably illegally felled trees proceeded up the hill with said blown tire breaking down and then with the rim making sparks on the ground)
The Ultrawide got a workout today, I don't usually ride shotgun but was more than happy to oblige!
I absolutely adore the open road, it helps even more when it's this pretty!
Walpole provided us with more nutrition and a visit to the centre of information excellence to gather brochures and tickets for the valley of giants. Our visit was in the mid afternoon, and felt a good time with not too many people about. The walk itself is quite enjoyable, especially the swaying motion of the walkway.
All that was left for the day was to get to Pemberton, an easy 2 or so hour drive rough some more lovely and dominating forest.
Check Inn at the Best Western was easy, I think I may have gotten an upgrade as recognition of BW Diamond Status, I'm not sure though! The promised keysleeve however was not provided, I was tempted to go back and hassle the poor overworked Reception lady in a most DYKWITIA (Don't you know who I think I am) manner.
I leave you tonight tired, but fulfilled after another big day in this big countries South-west. Hopefully the hounds that appear to be rounding up the towns drunks will go to sleep shortly and I'll get off this balcony and sleep well. Tomorrow brings a short hop up to Margaret River and Augusta.
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