Monday, 6 September
Blue skies and sunshine again, this morning – but rain is forecast for the remainder of the week!
Before setting out this morning, we headed back to the beach for a quick whale count and discovered a cow and calf very close to shore, as well as a few others a bit further out. Our drive into town took us around the headland and we joined the large throng of people at the lookout and discovered there were about half a dozen whales directly below us – absolutely amazing!
Today we had to visit the Post Office to collect some mail – not as easy as it looked on the town map we now have in our possession. Even though the streets on the map are names, there were very few signs actually on street corners (reminded us of Ireland). The map also failed to indicate that a large number of streets are one way!
Our next stop was the information centre (again, not easy to negotiate the streets) and a chat with a very helpful lady. We headed to Clarence Mountain, its ANZAC Memorial and sweeping views of King George Sound and the harbour. (The photo is of Middleton Beach and out caravan park is among the Norfolk Island pines.) As we walked to the lookout, we came across two large lizards (similar to blue tongues but much larger) sunning themselves on the path. The thought of other types of reptiles immediately sprang to mind!
On our way down from the mountain (more a big hill), we turned into the Princess Royal Fortress, not really planning on stopping for an extended look. However, we discovered the fortress was actually a military establishment and decided to have a closer look – this took nearly two hours! Albany was the port where the first Australian convoy to Gallipoli was assembled – it must have been an amazing sight to see 38 ships at anchor in King George Sound. The fortress was actually constructed in 1893 to repel the Russian invasion that never happened (just like all the other forts around the country). We spent time looking at the gun placements and slit trenches, military memorabilia, the restored buildings and playing with the big guns!
Tomorrow will bring more whales, I’m sure.
Blue skies and sunshine again, this morning – but rain is forecast for the remainder of the week!
Before setting out this morning, we headed back to the beach for a quick whale count and discovered a cow and calf very close to shore, as well as a few others a bit further out. Our drive into town took us around the headland and we joined the large throng of people at the lookout and discovered there were about half a dozen whales directly below us – absolutely amazing!
Today we had to visit the Post Office to collect some mail – not as easy as it looked on the town map we now have in our possession. Even though the streets on the map are names, there were very few signs actually on street corners (reminded us of Ireland). The map also failed to indicate that a large number of streets are one way!
Our next stop was the information centre (again, not easy to negotiate the streets) and a chat with a very helpful lady. We headed to Clarence Mountain, its ANZAC Memorial and sweeping views of King George Sound and the harbour. (The photo is of Middleton Beach and out caravan park is among the Norfolk Island pines.) As we walked to the lookout, we came across two large lizards (similar to blue tongues but much larger) sunning themselves on the path. The thought of other types of reptiles immediately sprang to mind!
On our way down from the mountain (more a big hill), we turned into the Princess Royal Fortress, not really planning on stopping for an extended look. However, we discovered the fortress was actually a military establishment and decided to have a closer look – this took nearly two hours! Albany was the port where the first Australian convoy to Gallipoli was assembled – it must have been an amazing sight to see 38 ships at anchor in King George Sound. The fortress was actually constructed in 1893 to repel the Russian invasion that never happened (just like all the other forts around the country). We spent time looking at the gun placements and slit trenches, military memorabilia, the restored buildings and playing with the big guns!
Tomorrow will bring more whales, I’m sure.
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