27 September Kalbarri

Cheeky as ever!

Hamelin Pool (looking more and more ferral)

Lukes dead fish pose:)

Moon Set at dawn, Francois Peron

Moon Rise at Francois Peron

Dolphins at Monkey Mia

Toilet at Gladstone

Wel here we are in sunny Kilbarri after another week of sunshine on the West Australian coast. Our last stop at the beach before heading inland for the trek home. Since leaving Coral Bay we headed further south to Shark Bay, named for that reason except we didnt' see any (well maybe I saw one little wobbeygon?). We stopped on the coast for one night at the former port of Gladstone, where now there is only a jetty and a wooden toilet, but we were able to have a campfire and be on the beach. Next day we headed to Monkey Mia where yes, we saw the dolphins (well one dolphin) being fed and watched some other dolphins playing around in the afternoon. It is a beautiful beach and they are very enthusiastic in their treatment and approach to looking after the dolphins. Rather than staying there we headed into Francois Peron National Park, and had a beautiful but very sandy drive to the northern part where we stayed for 3 nights. The boat got another work out, as did the fishing lines, but fishing is definetely not in the Kelly blood. It hasn't dampened the boys enthusiasm however. We saw wild dolphins out in the boat and Mandy saw hundreds of fish out snorkelling. Most of the time we had only some WA farmers for company, who weren't there during the day so had the beach to ourselves. Now they were really good fisher people and generously gave us some beautiful taylor to eat one night (the remainder is currently being used for bait on the Kalbarri pier). We were there for the full moon and had beautiful rises and sets of the moon in the morning as well as sensational sunsets. We went twice up to the far point where we saw more dolphins, lots of dugons, rays and manta rays. From there we headed back down to Denham visiting the local aquarium, where we did see sharks, and had a very interesting tour of the local fish by very enthusiastic guys there. After realising we were supposed to book to bush camp on the coast we headed down to Hamelins Pool, where there is a campsite at the old telegraph station and post office. A really pleasant campsite and also famous for its Stalactites which are very very important and have existed longer than anything else and are our reason for existing. They look like red rocks. Today we have arrived at Kalbarri, stopping at the Murchinson River for a picnic and swim. Boys went on strike so we did not visit the gorge. They are now fishing, whilst I update. Tomorrow, last swims, snorkels, fishing, toy story 3 and pizza by the stars and then the big trek home. We have decided to be semi adventurous and will go inland from Geraldton and do the Anne Beadell and Connie Sue tracks, bringing us on the Eyre Highway at Cocklebeedie or something. Everyone is very well, but maybe starting to get a bit tired and home is looking good. See you all very soon.