SAUNTERING THROUGH SOUTH WEST WA

We are just sauntering around, stopping wherever it takes our fancy. Not covering too many klms, just having a good gander. Normally we pass through Kojonup on our way south to destinations around Denmark or Albany. This time we stopped and discovered it to be a very interesting town. Besides having a great bakery, pies rate fairly high, the Kodja Place takes you on a walk from traditional times to the story of 3 local women's lives from early settlement partly told through a beautiful rose maze. It showed how different lives can be. We loved it.  It also had an Art Gallery to rival anything in Perth.

 

If you have read any history regarding the history of Kokada, this bloke below is a true Aussie legend. Brigadier Arnold Potts and his men were given the task of retaking Kokoda Village and stopping the Japanese advance. Outgunned and outnumbered five to one, Potts realised, as High Command did not, that to stand against such forces would mean annihilation, leaving the way open for the capture of Morsby with all the consequences that would have on Australia.Potts chose a fighting withdrawal over a three week period which so depleted and delayed the Japanese advance, they were forced to start their long withdrawal.

 

AW Potts Kokoda Track Memorial - Statue of Potts is surveying the lie of the land in the direction of his beloved farm Barrule.  

 

View from the loo Kojonup (old railway station)

 

View from the loo at night other side of Chookpen (Kojonup)

 

We have been driving out to lakes to camp and have found many of them dry and dusty. Imagine our surprise when we stumbled across Lake Towerrining. An absolute oasis in what is a water skier's paradise. We loved it and stayed for 4 days.

 (View from the loo) Imagine our super surprise when this light plane scooted up out of the water and parked next to the Chookpen. Flew down from Perth for the night on its maiden voyage. Didn't mange to get a ride but Kim did mange to score a boat ride around the lake from one of our fellow campers.

 Moon over Lake Towerrining

 

Wildlife Lake Towerrining

 

Rolling hillsides around Boyup Brook, Bridgetown, Balingup, Nannup outstanding. We have stopped in Nannup for a couple of days to catch up with things. A good day watching cricket too. (Can't miss out on the important things in life).

 

 View from the loo Balingup

 

Tomorrow we are off to the Manjimup Cherry Festival so time now to practise our pip spitting.