Esperance WA 16th February 2009 - Perth WA 24th February 2009

DArcy and Kym working on a paper towel holder. Esperance WA



From Esperance we headed a little further west along the coast to bush camp for the next couple of nights.





Munglinup Beach was a great camp and we lucked into a great site out of the wind but still nice and close to the beach. The kids had a great time climbing the large sandhills even trying to 'run' down, but usually ending with a face plant and noses, eyes and mouths full of sand. They also set themselves up a game circuit that kept them entertained for ages and also kept some of the grey nomads entertained as they watched them play rugby, skipping and running an obstacle course.


Of course with the beach so close the boys wanted to give fishing ago so we were up early and down at the beach before breakfast on the 17th. We had absolutely no luck and didnt even get a bite! We were back for a quick breakfast them spent the rest of the morning doing some school work. We decided to give fishing ago again as the sun set but the little boys and i soon lost interest and headed back up to camp leaving the big boy to provide for the family. As we left the fish started to bite and we ended up with half a feed that we have put away in the freezer for when we get out and catch some more. We really enjoyed the camp and the kids enjoyed time with the couple next door from Germany and their nine month old daughter Lucy. They even got to practice their German!


From Munglinup Beach we again headed west along a dirt road, through to Hopetoun on the coast. We stopped for lunch at the local park at the beach front, feasting on fish and chips. This idea of fish and chips howeve has become an expensive event as the boys both now want fish and even want the chance to choose the type or kind of fish they want and then like to comment on the freshness and flavour! No more chip sandwiches for them. We then continued North to Ravensthorp then on to Hyden with the kids entertained with a DVD.


Hyden is where Wave Rock is and because the caravan park is only two hundred metres away, we spent the early evening climbing the rock, visiting Hippos Yawn and the Hyden dam and taking photos of us surfing after first having a cooling swim in the pool. The flies were terrible but we had on our nets most of the time and enjoyed the walk.







Kym surfing the waves at Wave Rock


The caravan park had no check out time so Kym and the kids went 'surfing' again in the morning while i enjoyed a long (but not tooooo long) shower and then got us organised for the day ahead. We head from the park to out to the Muka Caves and saw the Aboriginal art then headed off on a climb around the rocks called The Humps. We only had a 110 km drive ahead of us so by 1pm we had made camp at the Gorge Pool Reserve only one night out from Perth. We were woken at 7.30am by the arrival of a large loader with the local councils grader ready do some work on the reserve so we were up and dressed and on the road by 8.30am.





The night before we had charged up the GPS ready to help us find our way to the Perth caravan park. It was a very easy run in and as long as we listened to the GPS we got to the park with out a hitch. The Woodman Point Caravan Park is not far south of Fremantle and is a lovely park. Its convenient and has got enough to keep the kids entertained, including a pool, playground, great roads to ride on, games room and half court basketball. As most of you know my sister Sheridan and her family transfered here to Perth so we have now got the chance to catch up over the next three weeks while we are here at the park.







Perth setup WA - great site not the tree and shade.


Kym has flow out to Brisbane for a week, then is heading back to Adelaide to work for a week then is back here on the 8th to do some more work around Perth and regional WA. Kym has set up the van and annex and with the kids helping out we are all fine.






News flash. As you all know I have really been stressing trying to get all the work done which really has put alot of pressure on all of us. Well we have finally had a break through with the kids and school. After discussions with their teacher we are now on track to enjoy the the trip and to weave the formal learning into our trip and we will cruise through the rest of the year im sure. Today the kids all had their first online lesson and loved it. Technology really is amazing and it really was fun to watch the kids chat with their other classmates and teachers.

With a quite few weeks ahead our blog may not be quite as entertaining but we have plans for a few site seeing adventures and we look forward to sharing them with you. Ill even try and get the kids online and blog the trip from their perspective.

Love to you all.

The Mitchells on the Move

PS Ive heard a rumour that my spelling and grammar could do with some work. Oh well to bad to sad is all i can say!!!!

Kalgoorlie WA 6th February - Esperance WA 15th February 2009

The Boys and their first fire of the trip - 15kms north of Norseman WA

After a fun night bush camping and having our first camp fire, we travelled to Kalgoorlie - via Coolgardie where we stopped for morning tea at a beautiful grassy, green park in the 'main' street where the kids had the chance to run around and have a "crapa dapa' in the nice public toilets . We took a scenic drive around Coolgardie looking at some of the old local buildings and ruins before continuing on to Kalgoorlie. We arrived about 11.30am, set up, had a swim in the pool then headed of to the Royal Flying Doctors Service Base at the airport.

Taine using the old pedal radio at the RFDS base in Kalgoorlie WA

RFDS Ambulance

We saw an interesting DVD and presentation and the kids got to ask alot of interesting question of the PR lady. She then took us out to the hanger to see one of the planes based in Kalgoorlie.

That just left us a short amount of time to get the groceries done and back to the park before we went out to tea. It was our first dinner out since we have been away and stupidly i ordered the Fishermans Basket. What was i thinking! After a free crayfish on the clifftops and the beautiful fresh seafood we had in Ceduna it is going to be very difficult to top so i should have had a schnitzel! The salads were nice i guess! I havent been to "Kal" since i was about DArcys age and all i could remember about it was Hay Street and the ladies of the night sitting outside their doors waiting for business. Well im sure if you ask DArcy and Taine about Kal that is probably what they will remember. Especially the girls waving to them as we cruised past, the first, second, third, fourth time. Riley well she was just embarrassed and kept her head down. Kym was surprised that they really are just tin sheds in the middle of a street with all other kinds of businesses around them.

Saturday we went for a walk down the main street of Kalgoorlie saw the statue of Paddy Hannan and we were back to the park early as both Riley and DArcy weren't feeling great. I went with Taine to the pool and the others had a sleep which really is a rarity. Both were fine the next day so dont really know what was up.

Riley and Paddy Hannan in the main street of Kalgoorlie WA.

Sunday gave us the chance to have bacon and eggs for breakfast followed by a visit to the old gold museum in town. We also got a call that we had won a raffle at the pub on Friday night so we went to Boulder to pick up our Jack Daniels prize. Monday morning we were up early to get a couple of hours of work done, then a game of cricket and 'whats the time Mr Wolf', before we headed off into town to go on the Super Pit tour. The Super Pit is the biggest open cut mine in Australia and is huge. It was great for the kids to see the types of places where daddy goes to work, and dress in the hard hat and vest of the site. Kym, well he fell asleep on the bus tour!

Taine and DArcy all set for the Tour. Riley looking over the SuperPit
Kalgoorlie WA.


Tuesday we headed off early, leaving Kalgoorlie by 8am. The kids wrote in their journals, i read and we were in Norseman in no time at all.

Playtime at the Norseman WA park




We picked up our mail that had been forwarded on, had lunch, played then headed on to Cape La Grand National Park via a quick stop in Esperance. The kids watched a DVD in the car so again the time just flew. Somehow i got us a bit lost going out to Cape La Grand, but we made it just in time to get one of the last sites at Lucky Bay. It was packed and the camp host closed the gates not long after we arrived. Lucky Bay is a beautiful camp with toilets, water, BBQs and solar showers. There are kangaroos everywhere and the beach and via is truly amazing.




Cape La Grand National Park - Lucky Bay


After a couple of hours school work we went for a walk to Thistle Cove - got phone reception, saw a goanna - DArcy pooed himself - and we all wet ourselves laughing at him. I guess you had to be there but it was soooo funny to see him move with his knees up around his chin!

Lunch followed then we organised ourselves to head down to the rocks to go fishing. It was very very blowy but we still managed a couple of little fish which we planned to use for bait the next day. Pasta for tea, a family game of poker for entertainment, then off to bed with the wind still howling.

We got up early (7am) with the plan to fish again in Lucky Bay. We had some success and Kym was very pleased with his first double header of the trip. They were ugly fish but apparently good eating. We filleted the fish and put them away for dinner before sitting down to a couple more hours school. In the afternoon we headed off for a drive around the National Park then stopped off at Frenchmans Peak. Frenchmans Peak (3kms walk) was a hard climb for me, hot, steep and windy, but the little boys climbed it like they were mountain goats. It really was worth it as you had wonderful views of the whole park. Riley nearly made the top but decided to 'rest' in the cool of the cave. We then headed to the cool of the coast and had a drive along the beach followed by a swim. We were all starving so after an early tea of the fish, crumbed and cooked on the BBQ we were buggered so we were all in bed by 8.15pm and asleep by 8.30pm!






View from the top of Frenchmans Peak Lucky Bay Beach


We were up again early on Friday for a fish at Hellfire Bay. Not a fish to be seen as a pod of eight dolphins played in the bay all morning. All we managed to do was to loose bait, sinkers and hooks. We went for a walk around the bay and found a fresh water creek leading into the salt water. Back again for more school then another big walk in the late afternoon right along to the end of Lucky Bay. Again another early night again.

Saturday we packed up at our own pace and headed 65kms into Esperance to book into the Seafront Caravan Park after spending $300 on groceries at the local Woolies and filling up our caravan gas bottle. After we set up camp Kym washed the van and it looks brand new again while i did loads of washing. While we were in town the kids all got to choose a new video so our Valentines night was spent with pizza for tea and The Bee Movie!!


Today, Sunday 15th, we headed off to the local markets - very average and then for a drive further West along the coast. It is very very blowy here at the moment but the cool is a wonderful change from the heat of the past few weeks. We are having roast lamb for dinner with all the trimmings, cooked in the frying pan so must get prepared.

We are leaving Esperance tomorrow morning heading west to Mungilup Beach to bush camp then onto Hopetoun, Hyden to see Wave Rock and then into Perth on the 20th. Kym has to fly to Brisbane for a week, then to Adelaide for a week then back to Perth before heading up to Karratha for a day!

That will give us the time to catch up on school work and spend lots of time with all the family while we are in Perth. The kids are really excited about getting to Perth and catching up with everyone.

School is still causing me some distress as i try to balance the large amount of work to be done, without it impacting tooo much on the fun and experience of the trip. Ill keep on trying to get the balance right i guess! There is so much to see and do and the kids are having such a great time i have to some how mix both school and the travel together.

Kym and Taine doing spelling. DArcy doing his research on Aboriginal Dreaming

Riley doing her schoolwork

Life is great and we are still enjoying the journey and settling into the lifestyle.

Love to you all.

The Mitchells on the Move.

Streaky Bay SA 29th January 2009 - Norseman WA 5th February 2009

Ceduna Port SA

We finally got away from Streaky Bay on the 31st January - heading for Ceduna and still without our air conditioning working in the caravan. As it has been in Adelaide the weather has been very very very hot and with no ac it has made it tough for all of us, especially at night as the temperature really didnt drop that much. We also started homeschooling which added to the stress and heat. We survived the heat however by visiting the local public library and spending hours floating in the ocean, im yet to work out how im going to survive this whole home schooling thing.

First Day of school - 45 degrees outside

We got away early on the Friday, after packing up most things in the "cool" of the previous night hoping to be set up in Ceduna (109kms) before it got tooooo hot. We arrived via Smoky Bay and had camp made by 11.30am We stayed at the Foreshore Caravan Park - surrounded by high fences and barbed wire! Dont know if it was necessary but there you go.

A friend of mine from high school - Rodney Hillas - lives in Ceduna so i had been in contact with him hoping to catch up with him and his family. I hadnt seen him since we were 18 years old so it would be fun. Rodney called around the park just after lunch and suggested that we go fishing the following day, early. Saturday afternoon we went out on the jetty and went crabbing thanks to the crab pots and bait supplied by the caravan park managers. We had some luck and came back happy with 8 Blue Swimmer crabs ready to cook. The only real problem is that none of us love them, so we cooked them then the kids walked around the park giving them out to other campers. It kept the kids entertained and the tourist were gratetful. Especially the backpackers from Europe and Asia.

Sunday morning we were up early ready and excited to get out fishing. We were hoping that because we were with a 'local' we would have a good chance of getting something. Anything! So Rodney arrived at 7.30am with his 20 foot boat and off we went to launch it at the local ramp. Riley was NOT impressed with the travelling part but the rest of us enjoyed the trip out. Rodney and a mate have the contract to check the water and oyster quality in the area so we combined his testing with our fishing trip. Luckily we were kept busy all day catching Whiting,Tommy Ruffs and crabs, and collecting oysters and razorfish. We were in for a feast. We went to the park for a quick cool down and wash then back to Rodney and Jo's house for dinner. While Kym and Rodney filleted and cleaned, the kids swam and Jo and i chatted. They are doing up the house they are living in at the moment then plan to subdivide and build a house overlooking the ocean. Very nice. We had a fantastic day with them and it was great to catch after 20 years and really was a memorable day. Just a note. When we arrived at Rodneys house his kids saw ours and said to Jo. We know them we played with them at the Adelaide Caravan Park! DArcy then said to me. Mum we saw them at the Marion Big 4 Park. As it turns out, Rodney and Jo and the kids were in Adelaide for a wedding and were staying about five sites down from us. Australia is such a small place! Rodney had organised for the AC guy to come around and check out the ac so we packed up and they come around at about 9am. They got the job done thank god! We then headed out and did a couple of things before going to see the Weather Balloon being released. The kids asked some interesting questions, the technician was helpful and then we were on the road.

Rodney out collecting water and oyster samples

Riley and Marnie - having a swim on a sandbank while out fishing off the coast of Ceduna SA

Watching the weather balloon go up.

Salt lake heading into Cactus Beach

We bushed camped at Cactus Beach - surfing paradise apparently. The toilets and showers were interesting but they did the job. The kids had a ball trying to skimboard down the sand dunes, then gave body surfing a go. We all had a beautiful night sleep on top of the breezy hill. Such a relief after some very hot nights. We took our time packing up then headed around to Pt Sinclair. We stopped for a swim and a fish and the quick stopped turned into 2 1/2 hours of fun but no fish.

Bodysurfing Cactus Beach SA

Outside shower at Cactus Beach SA

We had our lunch then headed off to make camp in Fowlers Bay. All i can say is dont bother especially with the caravan park. No water. Limited power. No laundry. No camp kitchen. Two showers and two toilets shared between about 25 people. Not alot for the $37.00 investment really! Oh well you win some and you lose some.

Wednesday 4th we were on the road early ready for the start of the Nullarbor Plain. The milk was sour (it was long life and unopened in the fridge so who knows what happened) so toast was the order of the day. We also set up the dvd player in the car for the kids hoping that it would make the trip across less difficult.

We crossed the SA/WA boarder earlier than we expected giving up our last onion and sweet potato to the quarantine guy. We made camp at a shadey lovely spot, with about five other vans and motorhomes. We had made the time change so we were ready for bed early and awake by 5.30am and on the road by 7am today.

We have travelled the rest of the Nullarbor today and we really have enjoyed it. The scenery is interesting and we even had rain! Who would have thought. The kids have made the trip easily and the dvd has meant that they really havent noticed the trip. We have made really good time so this afternoon we are bush camping 14kms north of Norseman, heading of to Kalgoolie tommorrow for the weekend before heading south again to the coast of WA. Life is good as we continue to find our place and positions in the caravan and with eachother. Life is fun and interesting, challanging and different.

Head of the Great Australian Bight

The Nullarbor Plain

The SA/WA Boarder 4th Feburary 2009

Bushcamping - 15kms North of Norseman WA

Love to All. Be in touch. Love The Mitchells on the Move.