Day 27: Sun 14 Apr 24 - Albany

Sun 14 Apr 24 - Albany 

6 Deg, cloudy and no wind all day and reaching 22 Deg - a beautiful day in Albany.

Today was amazing - so much seen and done, and so many photos taken. I have been hanging to get out on the bike again, so while Noel was happy to spend some time in the van this morning, I headed out for a couple of hours, riding out to Emu Point and back via the harbour and Peace Park at the foreshore (about 25km). It was a little more hilly than expected, but it was a most enjoyable ride. Back at the van I quickly showered and changed, then after a coffee we drove out to Torndirrup National Park, about 25km away, stopping at Cable Beach, The Gap and Natural Bridge on the way to Albany's Historic Whaling Station. It was a stunning day looking out over the Southern Ocean and the views were breathtaking. The weather could not have been kinder. 

Our visit to the Whaling Station was a fantastic experience, and highly recommended. We had almost three hours wandering around all the different exhibits, and we were still wanting to see more. Unfortunately we were running out of time, had to return to go out to Vince and Peta's for dinner. We drove away from the Whaling Museum at about 4:00pm, but on our way back to Albany, we took a 4km detour along a corrugated dirt road winding up to Sharp Point in the National Park for more spectacular views. This time the views looked over the expansive wind farms to the west in the distance. We eventually returned to caravan at about 5:30, but only had enough time to get changed and then we drove a short 4km to Vince and Peta's house for dinner. Vince is an ex Navy chef, and a very good chef who continued his trade after leaving the Navy in 1995.  For dinner, we were served home-made Parpadelle with a tasty ragout sauce for entree, and beautiful Italian meatballs and fresh salad, followed by home-made lemon meringue pies. It was all absolutely delicious, and very filling. We had a lovely evening catching up again and eventually returned to the van more than a bit weary. I almost left the blog until tomorrow, but I managed to knock it out before bed. Today was an awesome day - I just wish there were a few more hours left.

Morning Ride - Emu Point

Morning Ride - Middleton Beach

Morning Ride - Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Monument
Ataturk commanded the Turkish forces at Gallipoli and later became the founder and first president of modern Turkey.

Morning Bike Ride - Ataturk Entrance

Morning Bike Ride - King George Sound

Morning Bike Ride - Harbour Silos

Morning Bike Ride - Entertainment Centre

Morning Bike Ride - Princess Royal Harbour

Morning Bike Ride - ANZAC Peace Park.

This park honours the men and women who gathered in Albany in 1914 before departing to serve in the Great War.

Among these first volunteers, and the many more who followed them, were those who would storm the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey and create the legend of ANZAC. Also among them were light horsemen who, on the ancient battlefields of the Middle East, would enter Jerusalem and capture Damascus, and those who fought in France and Belgium to eventually spearhead some of the Allies' greatest victories of 1918. Dedicated to the causes of freedom and peace for which they fought, this park pays tribute to the Australians who served in the Great War of 1914-18 and all those who have served the nation in conflicts and peacekeeping missions since.


Torndirrup National Park - Cable Beach 

Torndirrup National Park - Near Cable Beach 


Torndirrup National Park - Cable Beach 


Torndirrup National Park - Cable Beach 

Torndirrup National Park - The Gap

Torndirrup National Park - The Gap

Torndirrup National Park - The Natural Bridge

Torndirrup National Park - The Gap

Torndirrup National Park - Looking down into the Gap

Torndirrup National Park - Looking down into the Gap


Torndirrup National Park - Looking down into the Gap


Torndirrup National Park - The Gap


Torndirrup National Park - At the Blowholes


Torndirrup National Park - At the Blowholes

Torndirrup National Park - At the Blowholes

Torndirrup National Park - The Blowholes

Albany's Historic Whaling Station

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - The Cheynes IV - Australia's Last Whale chasing ship

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - The Cheynes IV - Australia's Last Whale chasing ship


Albany's Historic Whaling Station - The Cheynes IV - Australia's Last Whale chasing ship


Albany's Historic Whaling Station


Albany's Historic Whaling Station

Albany's Historic Whaling Station

Albany's Historic Whaling Station

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - One barrel to process the oil from one whale

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - The Whale Towboat Georgic

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - The Whale Towboat Georgic

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - Whale Skeletons

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - Whale Skeletons

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - Baleen Plates. Whales are divided into two types - Toothed ie. with teeth (Sperm Whales) and Baleen which is a comb-like fringe attached to their upper jaw (Humpback Whales) which works like a strainer

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - Scrimshaw Display (carved whale jaw and teeth) 

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - Scrimshaw Display (carved whale jaw and teeth)

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - Scrimshaw Display (carved whale jaw and teeth)

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - Scrimshaw Display (carved whale jaw and teeth)

Albany's Historic Whaling Station - The Cheynes IV - Australia's Last Whale chasing ship and oil tanks in the background


Frenchman Bay

Torndirrup National Park - Sharp Point Lookout

Torndirrup National Park - Sharp Point Lookout

Torndirrup National Park - Sharp Point Lookout looking towards the Wind Farm in the distance

Torndirrup National Park - Sharp Point Lookout looking towards the Wind Farm in the distance



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