I didn’t want to write when tired. When I write tired I sound all sad and mopey, and I really wanted to write about how much I am enjoying Albany. But, of course, I am tired. I will do the best that I can.
If you hadn’t worked it out already, we are in Albany. This is the first time that we have stayed somewhere for four nights and it has been *bliss*. I am not sure if I want to continue with the trip, I have enjoyed staying still so much!
It has also been a lovely place to stay still. We are staying in a terrific caravan park (the Big 4 on Middleton Beach – and I mean, right on Middleton Beach. It is about 30m from our door to the beach.) It is big enough to have some nice facilities (not that we have time to use them) but small enough that Horatio can enjoy having his bike down and assembled. He is getting to be a very clever rider, too. (He calls himself “Rossi” and refers to himself in the third person. He also tells us that his bike is a Yamaha.)
The wind in WA has been something else. We have been told that it has been unseasonably windy, but that is kind of obvious, or else no-one would ever have inhabited these parts. It has really been awful. However, here in Albany it hasn’t been so bad (you can even stand up!) which has given us a chance to open our eyes slightly beyond slits and enjoy the sights.
I have been a little disappointed with the historical aspect of the town. (Yes, I know, I am supposed to say “city” but it really is a town.) It was the first white settlement in WA and was set up as a penal colony, but with a view to rehabilitation. The place should be crawling with cool stuff to see and read.
Yesterday, we went to the old gaol, which I found interesting. It gave some insight into the town, not just the history of the gaol. I found it particularly interesting that there was a special cell for runaway seamen – they were kept locked up until their ships were leaving. There are engravings on the wall from Swedish seamen who were kept there. I found that is particularly interesting, given how my great-grandfather arrived.
We then wandered down to the Brig Amity – a life-size replica of the original in which the first settlers saled from Sydney. We didn’t go aboard as it was another entrance fee. ( Everything is another fee and another fee, here.)
We have also visited the Sandlewood Factory (hmm. Very touristy, more’s the pity); okay, here is an embarrassing bit of holiday brain… I can remember what all this stuff looks like, but do you think I can remember a single name? And the map is back in the cabin! Ai-yai.
One thing that has really struck me in a most surprising way about Albany, is how much it reminds be of Vancouver (in Canada). The Royal Princess Harbour here, just reminds me so much of the harbour there. And what is also more surprising is that I have since discovered that Vancouver (the man) was one of the early captains of the settlement here. Wow. Maybe he really left his stamp on things?
So this has been Albany. Tonight Sel is cooking a bbq here – I hope the weather holds for him, as it has been rather squally the last two days. I will be supporting my latest habit – pumping coins through the washing machines (I did four loads as soon as we arrived here…) and goodness knows what the boys will be up to – probably chasing bandicoots (did I tell you that we have some bandicoots living right next to our cabin? How cool is that!) or standing by the roadside calling out “Bump-bump!!” every time a vehicle goes over the speed humps.
