Day 17 - Saturday, 30 January

We just finished breakfast under a hibiscus tree with yellow flowers.

The temperature is rising and should culminates  around 32C before dropping to 21 on Monday.  The light breeze is very welcome.

We are in Dongara, on the North bank of the Irwin River with view on flowering agaves and are 100 m from the beach.  

The river is large, but doesn't flow into the ocean.  As for many rivers in Western Australia, the Ocean creates a sand bank holding back the river until it breaks through with rains in Spring (Sept-Nov).

By the way, when leaving the campsite in Cervantes, the police stopped all trafic on the road leading to the Pinnacles.  Cars going south towards Perth had to take a 5-hour detour inland.  We keep the site for the trip back in a few weeks.

Yesterday, we went to Mt. Lesueur, a beautiful national park.  Slow scenic drive of 19 kms with flowering gum trees and a few flowers alomg the road.

It was our first occasion for the 4 WD on the very sandy road leading to the "Stock Yards Gully Caves" east of sleepy Leeman village.  Unfortunately our torch went flat, so we entered the caves just enough to cool off from the midday heat.  The cave is said to be used to stock goods in a cool place.  The  dried out riverbed comes to life in Spring.

The last part of the drive was scenic although not spectacular.  Green and bushy with view on the Ocean far away.  The vegetation looks like at home, but it is indeed thorny, thick leaved bushes and succulents in all sizes.

This should give you an idea about the size of Australia:

We are travelling in a tiny bit alongside the coastline of WA only.

And now off for swim in the first POOL - life is sweet !