January 2021

01 January 2021

The clock ticked over into a new year at midnight as we were inspecting the inside of our eyelids for leaks, and we awoke to a pleasant but windy first day of 2021.

We packed up and then headed off down the road, leaving behind our home site for the past few months once more. Passing through familiar countryside we eventually pulled into the small wheatbelt town of Dumbleyung. Heading over to the RV camp at the sports oval and was a simple affair and after we found ourselves a nice spot, settled in for the rest of the day rather uneventful day.

02 January 2021

We awoke this morning to two other campers in with us. One at the other end of the area and the other in the middle. Social distanced camping was alive and well.

Another uneventful drive through familiar countryside was the order of the day, as was battling a stinker of an Easterly gale, side on to help drain the fuel tank a little quicker of course.

Pulling into our intended destination at The Gordon Hall just North of the small town of Franklin River, we found the place empty, and after a quick look around declared a spot near the boat ramp (of sorts) to be ours for today.

Gordon Hall Campsite

Our little spot near the boat ramp and just over the back of the old Gordon Hall, and on the Gordon River.

Gordon River

The strong Easterly breeze kept the flies and everything else at bay as we took a breath from our recent labours, caught up on a few things and settled into a more leisurely routine.

03 January 2021

We awoke to a very peaceful, but windy morning and so decided that rather than move closer to our intended destination in Denmark, that we would sit out another day and relax some more. After all, nobody else was lining up for our campsite.

04 January 2021

Another peaceful night alongside the river and with friends in Denmark expecting us we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before packing up and heading off.

Heading down even more familiar roads through the Mount Lindsay National Park we turned off along some back roads so come out on Scotsdale Road and a short while later we pulled into Denmark's Best Winery, and only Cheese Factory open to the public.

We were met with "Welcome home" and hugs all round from the owners and staff as they began their toil with the hordes of tourists descending upon them. We thoroughly enjoyed a quick chat, a coffee and a piece of the best cheesecake around made by Sassy Cassie. The grape vines we had pruned to within an inch of their lives were looking fabulous and healthy, and it will take some work now to keep them that way and away from the marauding birds.

Then it was time to depart and head off to the farm, home of Laurie and Annette and the boys, and where we will be staying for a few weeks. Arriving and finding a level spot we unhooked and settled in before a quick trip into town where we battled the wall to wall tourists for a parking spot and groceries.

30 January 2021

Wow, where did all that time go? So what has happened since we last put pen to, paper? Plenty of work around the vineyard, some photography sessions, receiving acrylic prints of some of my photos to sell and, have had a nice visit from good friends Bob and Julie, moved back out to the cheese factory from Laurie and Annette's farm, some nomads have left and others arrived, and, and?

The vineyard is looking a treat, the vines are in full leaf, the grapes are looking very good, the last spray went on today and the last hedging was also done. Now it is just a case of cleaning up a few things and maybe one more spray before the nets go on to stop the birds from wrecking the potential harvest.

Ducketts Vines

Photographically there was the usual opportunities, and one where the rain played a part. The Karri Tree's bark has been shedding and the old bark and new truck colours have looked stunning when wet, so there was some time spent in the rain, learning to operate in wet conditions and to capture what was easily seen with the human eye.

Valley Mist

Mist and low cloud in the Scotsdale Valley

Rain 1

Scotsdale Road Karri Trees in the rain.

Rain 2

Looking from the opposite way.

Rain Tree

The beautiful colours of the Karri, highlighted by the wet conditions.

So January comes to a close and we are again thankful.

Mark Twain once said "...years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do that by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - and so we will.