SW Tour - Day. 7

Leaving the Porongurups, we made our way south before turning east towards the coast with our destination Two Peoples Nature Reserve. Stopping at the Visitor Centre, we learnt that the name was coined from a chance meeting between an American whaling ship seeking shelter in the harbour and a French ship exploring the region. They named it Baie des Duex Nations - Bay of Two Nations or Peoples.

This is another picture perfect spot. The weather was not super ideal - overcast and still breezy. While Andy ran the Baie des Duex Nations Heritage Trail, the girls and I headed down to Little Beach. The turquoise water against the white sand and grey of the granite rock was simply stunning. A few cars pulled up at the same time as us but neither parties made it to the beach - just admiring the views from the carpark. Keen to be away from people, we made our way across Little Beach, climbing the wooden steps at the far end which took us over a little headland to Waterfall Beach, a smaller more protected beach.

Andy appeared a little later sweaty from his run. He was happy to plunge into the chilly waters while we took time to adjust the to water temperature! Post swim some of us felt the need to sunbake to get warm!

After everyone was dry and changed, we enjoyed a picnic lunch. Then it was time to play in the sand...at what age does one stop doing that??

From Two People's Bay, it was a short drive into Albany to the Rose Garden caravan park our next stop. Having spent many childhood holidays staying in the chalets next door, I was amazed at the amount of change that had occurred over the 30 years since I'd last been here. Funnily enough the chalets looked pretty similar and I could pick our one! The trampoline park was long gone with a Big 4 Park now occupying the spot. There was a bike path from Emu Point to Middleton Beach where dunes had once been. I'm sure the caravan park we were staying in had grown engulfing more of the dunes. The area where we used to play spotlight in the dunes was now a carpark and toilet block.

Once checked in, we walked over for coffee at the cafe overlooking Emu Point. This area had also changed, the harbour was still there but a jetty, swimming area, park and playground had been built. Back to the camper we hung out for the rest of the afternoon before once again walking over to Emu Point for fish n chips. Here we encountered a closed fish n chip shop with a sign 'Closed for dinner due to potato chip shortage' What? Another family had the same idea and were also disappointed to see the sign however they had local knowledge and pointed us to another fish n chip shop which required a short drive. No chips shortage at this one and we sat outside in their garden for a great dinner.