Kalgoorlie (24/10/11 - 29/10/11)

We arrived in Kalgoorlie on Monday.  So much to see, so much to do, so much history, busy and so many pubs!!  And we have had SO MUCH rain!  Spent yesterday visiting Menzies, Lake Ballard and the sculptures, getting muddy feet and eaten by flies (check out our kids lovely head wear - fly net hats!) and ending the day with a beer at the Ora Banda pub.  Great day.  Kids were lucky enough to be invited into the cellar under the Ora Banda pub and hold a 3oz gold nugget that a friend of the owners brought in while we were there.  Ben is so keen to "find some gold".  Visited the 2 up ring this morning and had a few games with the kids - they loved it.  Then lunch at one of the many pubs.

Esperance (18/10/11 - 24/10/11)

We arrived in Esperance on Tuesday and were lucky enough to get a great site at the Seafront Caravan Park - right next to the park and spectacular ocean views.  Perfect!  So perfect that we decided to stay for a week.  So much to see and do.  Highlights so far:

• Visiting Sammy the Seal - Sammy spends all day laying in the sun - what a life!
• Cape Le Grand National Park - lunch at Lucky Bay where the kids were fascinated by the white white squeaky sand; big hike up rocks at Cape Le Grand beach - the kids loved lizard spotting; visiting Whistle Rock, more rock climbing (Donna bit nervous that Ben was doing this so close to the ocean!!) and beautiful Hellfire Beach.
• Stone Henge Esperance - a perfect replica (apparently). Very impressive and the kids loved it.
• The beaches - so many beautiful beaches - Twilight Beach definitely a favourite.
• View from Rotary Lookout - WOW! And more bush track walking (we are definitely getting our exercise)
• Kids making lots of new friends at the caravan park.
• Fabulous walk way along the Esplanade - Donna has even run part if it! So flat - so different to those hills in Albany.

Plus we have caught up with our "Esperance" friends - thanks Lisa and Daniel for the yummy curry and Fawlty and Nola for the delicious barbi last night.  Kids have loved catching up with their buddies.  And so great to see you Phil and Michelle and meet your gorgeous boys.  Fortunately we were in Esperance for Kiera Bell's christening.  Church at 9am, followed by lunch at the Condingup Pub and the opportunity to see some more of the area's stunning beaches.  The Duke of New Orleans will definitely be a destination we want to visit again - beautiful.  Bit cold, but the kids were happy to have a swim. Thanks guys for a great day.

We definitely love Esperance!  Bit like Albany, especially the  weather - we have had sun, warmth, rain, wind (lots of it!) and everything in between.  Nice and sunny today.

We left Esperance on Monday, a day earlier than planned due to not so great weather.  Next destination - Kalgoorlie.

Until the next instalment........take care, Love the Thomas' xxxx

Lucky Bay

Esperance Stonehenge

The Bell Family

Duke of New Orleans

Early Christmas Presents

Chloe and Ben were very excited to receive an early Xmas present from Mum and Dad today - a digital camera each.  Two very excited kids and many, many, many photos taken!

The tenants settle in

It is good to see that the new occupants of 28 Shorts Place have settled in quickly (well Paul anyway).  Borat eat your heart out!!!  Paul, thank you for the many belly laughs this photo has given us.  The neighbours are scared!

Albany - Hopetoun (16/10/11 - 18/10/11)

After months of planning, organising, packing, cleaning and farewelling friends and family, we FINALLY left Albany and started our big adventure.  After handing over our house keys to our wonderful friends, the Camins' and saying our goodbyes (tears welling!) and being waved farewell by Shanayah, Mel and Brad on North Rd, we were on our way and the tears started flowing (from Donna!!) and they weren't helped by a phone call from Treen as we were driving out of town .  It was all a bit too much!!  After stopping in Jerramunup for lunch and a play at one of the BEST kids park I have ever seen we continued on and arrived at our first destination - Hopetoun.  Pretty basic caravan park but right on the beach and the perfect place to unwind for a couple of days.

5 sleeps to go!

Ben and Chloe told me this morning it is only 5 more sleeps until we finally leave on our holiday.  Yippeeee!  So the time has nearly come to hook up the caravan and make our way to our first stop - Hopetoun.

Saying goodbye to our Albany friends! (9/10/11)

We said goodbye to our Albany friends on Sunday - such a great afternoon/night - the kids had fun playing at the park and the adults enjoyed a chat and a drink (or 5!) inside.  We are going to miss you all!!!  Looking forward to doing it all again in 8 1/2 months when we get home!