I’m writing this on Thursday 25th September, 2025, but we actually arrived home on Sunday the 21st. We stayed at Cervantes Caravan Park on Friday 19th September and Gingin Caravan Park on Saturday night.

That means we left Sandy Cape Campground on Friday morning and explored the Lesueur National Park nearby. We’ve been there before and it’s quite beautiful. We stopped at the peak area where there is a carpark and a walk up to the top, which we didn’t do. As we drove on further the normal picnic area had it’s parking areas filled with sand, for some unknown reason, and we eventually found a beautiful viewpoint further on for lunch.

From the park we drove to Cervantes to stay the night. We enjoyed a walk down to the shore from the caravan park. It’s very different to Jurien Bay and there is a fishing port and processing plant which gives a sense of a working village, less of a tourist spot. The caravan park was quite nice, however and we were on grass.

In the morning we drove to the Pinnacles National Park. It has changed beyond recognition with someone on the gate to check our pass, an interpretive centre, and a walkway to the pinnacles. We weren’t allowed to drive through due to maintenance after the rain, but walking amongst the pinnacles is actually quite a good experience. There were lots of other tourists and I can see a time when they may have to limit the walking as well.

From there we headed to Gingin and stayed the night in the little roadhouse caravan park. It’s cheap and we had friendly neighbours, plus a view over fields, so not too bad. In the morning we went to the Gingin Cafe for hot drinks and a shared cake. We enjoyed walking in the park and visiting the tiny church.

In Bindoon we drove through the town and out to the little church further on where Stephen had heard there was a wildflower exhibition and a volunteer run cafe. We enjoyed going into the church and talking with one of the local parishioners who told us that it is run by the people, with visiting priests. It sound like it’s very much a social hub for locals.

The cafe only had sweet food, so we decided to find a place for a picnic lunch. We had been told about a parking area with a walk to views, but I didn’t like parking under large trees. We went to another spot near the brook. Apart from someone on a ride on mower it was very peaceful.

Driving home was a challenge with the sun coming in my side window. We stopped at a layby to wait for it to set and eventually arrived home after dark. We backed the Sherwood up the driveway, but not into the narrow parking space. Our neighbours were away, so it didn’t matter if we blocked the driveway.

I’d had several nights of severe coughing as a left over symptom from the cold I caught from Stephen. The first night home was still bad, but at least I could move around easily and go out into the living area to have a good cough. Fortunately, I seem to be on the mend and from Tuesday night have enjoyed good sleeps without coughing fits.

We’ve come home to a busy week, starting with choir practice on Monday night, Stephen had choir practice on Tuesday night, we had a gig on Wednesday morning, and then went to another choir last night. I was clearing out the Sherwood as she was due in this morning to have the rest of the new blinds installed. I dropped her off at about 8.40 a.m. this morning.

Today has been more restful as I finished off the huge amount of washing in the basket and we’ve done a click and collect shop which I will pick up later. Up to now we’ve had food delivered, a meal on Sunday night and a small shop on Monday.