Best of the West Oct 2008
The Nine Carrot award goes to Roslyn for her Quiz prowess.
The Tour group plan was to travel on a loop around the south west of WA & spend a couple of days in Perth after flying in from Sydney. The tour commenced on the 6th October with an early morning flight on an A330 Airbus. The party consisted of 22 Grandviews members and we were delighted to welcome Cavan & June, John & Bronwyn from the Chatswood Probus club.
The tour plan was to travel north to Kalbarri then east to Kalgoolie, south to Esperance and finally follow the coast around to Perth via Albany, Margaret River and Bunbury - 14 days in all, and as a bonus it was the wildflower season. Our brilliant coach captain Dave W from Scenic/Evergreen was a 'fountain of knowledge' on the flora as well as all the south west tourist features.
The highlights of the tour were numerous and many were outstanding. Western Australia certainly has amazing variation in scenery, coastline and flora. We were treated to lots of good food and the beds were excellent.
My best were:
* Wave Rock
* Kalbarri & the Wildflowers
* Whaleworld Albany
* Pinnacles
* Kalgoolie Mines
* Raptor/Eagle Heritage and Echo the Barn Owl
* Upper Swan River Wine Cruise (starring Pete L & George)
* Giant Karri and Jarrah trees and the Canopy Walk.
* Benedictine Complex at New Norcia
* Dave W's commentary
* Excellent tour group
A 1.8km walk along Busselton jetty to see the underwater exhibit was right on cue to get the 'weight down' - yup, and it was 1.8km back!
Some wonderful memories have been generated by the tour and no doubt the photographs of the wildflowers will appear everywhere - the varieties, colours and the tenacity of the plants amazed us all.
Roslyn V kept us all entertained along the vast stretches of roads with some innovative quizes, two of which were won by Marilyn and Alex.
The last days included a Cape Leewin Lighthouse tour and a Boat Cruise to Fremantle along the Swan River.
Congratulations to the tour committee headed by John T for the hard work it took to put the tour together. It worked!
Everyone had a great time and an additional report may be added later if the Highland Flingers Choir contact George and Pete when they arrive in Sydney.
Stay tuned for more photos shortly.
Best Wishes
Ken V
