36603 to 41453 kms!!! (2910 miles!!!!!)

We are waiting in Perth airport for our flight to Ayers Rock.   We were both happy campers to drop off the car without any problems or damage, though the cost, convenience and freedom having a car in WA was wonderful.... and now a word from Hope.
Car intact including the left and right mirrors ..  the road trains were a  bit scary especially on the narrower roads : diana's knuckles do turn white
!!!!    Spent our last night in york: a delightful colonial/victorian town.  Took our  usual hike this am only to prematurely terminate it .... just too much grass; too high; and the path too narrow when the brochure warned of snakes.   Good decision as after recrossing the bridge we found the real trail which was both wide and  filled with gravel!!!!    
Our first  two weeks have been fabulous.  We have yet to meet with anything but warm hospitality.  Having the g20 in brisbane has been interesting as the news folks discuss points from a different perspectives involving the abbott government as well the labor party.  I have been impressed at the quality of their self explanatory tours as well as by their intelligent presentation of the aboriginal story?

Humps Reserve and Mulka"s Cave...finishing up in Hyden and onto York

HYDEN (not Hayden as referred to in last post) was our morning activity as we enjoyed Mulka"s Cave  and the Humps Reserve.   Then on the ro to York where we are tonight.   Will explore York tomorrow and drive to Perth for late day drop off of car and flight to Ayers Rock. 

Hanging 10 in Hayden at Wave Rock and a nod to our able vehicle which has carried us many miles.

We hung 10 today.  We encountered our first rainy weather and were in and out of drops all day.  staying the night in Hayden. .. tomorrow is up in the air with only a five hour drive froms here to Perth.  Our flight to Ayers Rock is Saturday night out of Perth so we have a day to chill or freelance our way back to Perth with not much between here in Hayden and Perth.   It was chilly today for this area and the locals were complaining.  Everyone we have met along the way has been informative, friendly and happy in a very contented sort of way.  It's a great country which almost seems to have a bit of an inferiority complex but seems  very open and receptive to global influence, ideas, and wanting to be a good global neighbor

Albany, AU

Spent the day exploring Albany, a coastal whaling town on the southwest coast.  It had much to offer and in the spirit of the G20 Conference, is way ahead of the curve with a phenomenal wind farm...take note Geoff :)...80% of Albany's power is generated here.
A couple of weeks ago they opened the ANZAC Center, commemorating veterans from Australia and United States contributions and sacrifices in WW1 and WW11.  The Australian contributions to the Gallipoli Campaign was launched from Albany.

We saw a natural bridge, blowholes, and the beautiful coastline that used to be connected to Antarctica.  Australia continues to drift as a continent, about a foot per year.

Valley of the Giants. ..Walpole Nornalup National Park

Treetop walk (definitely not for fear of heights folks, Lou...remember Cliffs of Mohr?).   Enjoyed this immensely despite very perceptible sway as we walked along.  TREES WERE IMMENSE.   LEILA, a selfie per your request.   FLORA would evoke reminiscence of familiar species in our country from holly to coreopsis, from iris to coral bells, whether it be color or shape of leaf or growth pattern  but yet so different to be just a whole new feast for the eye.  To remember all the names would take s botany degree!
Long drive to Albany where  we are tonight.  Diana a nervous ninny today...Hope took the wheel and got us here without incident.  Nothing like a glass of  local wine to make it all good.

Breakfast at Surfer's Beach

Beginner's surfers beach where the Margaret River empties into the Indian Ocean had 3 to 5 foot  waves scaring most sane folks (REALLY ALEX?) Into waiting.
Absolutely stunning view despite  overcast skies.  ONTO EXPLORE  MAMMOTH  CAVES identifying and naming stalactites and stalagmites
Back to Margaret River shopping and regrouping for an early morning start to Valley of the Giants.    G'NIGHT MATES

SOUTH MEETS INDIAN

Having left Bunbury on a blessed 4 lane hwy we were dismayed to see it go to 2 lanes.   Beware of  left side!!
Margarrt River is absolutely gorgeous and has given us a new first choice,  Evans and Tate chardonnay.   A wonderful excursion to  Leeuwin Lighthouse.  Climbed 176 steps to observe the impressive meeting of 2 oceans.  Strong winds almost blew, away tablet and hat and prevented video observation of 360 degree view from top of lighthouse.  Ventured further onto Karri forest and then back to hotel with free wifi which allowed for publishing of blog posts!!!