Kalbarri – Sweet Respite October 28, 2008

Pulling out of Grey Nomad’s Land, we were waved off by the [truly] lovely, chirpy residents and the newly ensconced Netherlanders who happily parked in the spot which we should have been staying in, had we not been map-phobic enough to get our position wrong two days before.  When our European friends first rolled into the bay, it was uncomfortable to share such a small space with strangers, but as Patchouli so beautifully articulated, this is the beginning of our journey…the beginning of a birth, and birth can be cramped and uncomfortable at first, only to bring such great rewards as we pursue our goal.  Girl, when you’re right…

The open road brings me much joy, particularly when I have my precious cargo onboard, sharing each moment.  The short time that it took to reach a well known Fuel Stop in Greenough, on the S bend was all it took to allow any residual negativity for having seemingly waited around at Dongara for longer than we had reckoned, to be blown forcefully out of my open window.  At the S Bend we were met by a genial couple who had just taken over the management there.  We filled our tanks with well priced fuel (a rarity as one moves northward) and talked to the couple about our roadtrip.  They were thrilled to help us, even taping my rear view mirror for me, that had decided to bounce it’s way out of any recognisable driving position.  Drinks and treats for the children purchased, we fare welled them as friends and promised to try to stop in on the way back.

Next Stop:Gero.

Geralton is an easy town to negotiate and we bought mobile phones for Poetboy and Elmo, new SIM cards, thongs, hats and lunch.  Whilst we were there, Patchouli’s phone rang and lo and behold, the Geralton branch of her bank had received her card.  We had honestly given up on ever collecting it and had thought that she was going to have to make other financial arrangements – need a couple of 30 something skimpy’s anyone?!

Pit Stop over, we headed to Kalbarri.

When the world was created, be it by snake, god or science, something went very right at this part of the Western Australian coast.  As we pulled into Kalbarri, an overwhelming sense of peace washed over me, the ocean breeze cooled my skin whilst the ocean itself roared up to me, lifting my heart and prompting tingles of euphoria to flutter through my body.  This is why we had started this journey.  To feel W.A and to know it a little.  The children were quiet as they gazed out of the window, overawed and delighted at the scene before them.

Our campsite also, was this time furnished with a better view.  Instead of our old faithful Grey Nomads, we were positioned between an empty site, a lovely English couple in a chalet and opposite a handful of attractive young Aussie fishermen.  Not the hardest s

Femme and Baby J

cenery change we’ve ever had to endure.

Kalbarri welcomed us.  As my feet touched her sand, I felt instantly at home as though I had been there

before.  Patchouli was in agreement, though she has been to Kalbarri before, making me the dreaming one among us.

On a whim, we looked up someone whom Patchouli had known many years ago, we found her in her Health Food shop and Cafe, the business that she had started when Patchouli was here last.  Having lived here thirty years or more, Syrup knows everyone and anyone that passes through town likes to think that they know her.  Regardless of the fact that such notoriety can surely make a person cagey, she welcomed us with open arms, talking animatedly with Patchouli about the last ten years and showing myself and the children her photos which are all around the shop.

Syrup's Health and Gourmet Store

We left that day knowing that we had made a friend in this town and I was reminded that there is no feeling to replace the one where you truly connect to another person in some way.  Poetby returned the next day to work in the shop, whilst the rest of us packed away the Funbus and The White Knight, overlooking the beach where Elmo had run into a friend and was merrily paddling a boat around the shallows.

To say that it was hard to leave Kalbarri is a huge understatement, but as this was still supposed to be only one stop on our journey, we packed and left, in the knowledge that we would roll back through on the homeward journey.

leaving Kalbarri