The town of Kalbarri

 

The Murchison River flows from way inland, through

the park, and empties into the ocean at the tiny town of Kalbarri. 

This river is the second longest river in Australia.

 

 

 

Here is where the river and ocean meet.

 The currents are quite strong! Something else we've noticed,

 is that the wind never, ever stops blowing here!

 As we move into summer, (December, January,

February, March) it gets even stronger!

 

Looking South from Kalbarri toward the cliffs.

 

Island Rock on the west coast cliffs south of Kalbarri

 

 

Natural Bridge on the west coast cliffs south of Kalbarri

 

End of a perfect day

 

Kalbarri National Park

Norm finally had two full days off in a row,

 so we headed about 2 hours north of Geraldton

 for some hiking at Kalbarri National Park.

 It was very beautiful.

 

 

 

As most of you know, I had my second foot surgery in June

. So this day was a huge milestone for me!

 I am so thankful that I can begin easy hiking again.

 Every overlook was worth the pain!

 

Sorry, but I can't help myself.

 They have amazing flowers here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was our favorite, and probably the hardest hike!

 It is called Nature's Window! More of God's amazing creation!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Birthday Celebrations

Norm gave me flowers for my birthday and took me to

one of my favorite restaurants for lunch after church.

 He then had to go to work.

 

 

 

Selfie on the windy beach

 

Norm is again grateful to Fiona, who invited me for dinner,

 birthday cupcakes, and Happy Birthday complete with guitar.

 Having dinner in an Australian home with my new friends

 is a birthday I will never forget!

 

 

I knew I had to make something pumpkin for Norm's traditional birthday dessert.

 They eat a lot of pumpkin in Australia, but never from a can.

 So I bought a grey pumpkin, cut it up (needed a chainsaw!),

 boiled, and mashed it up. Then made my own pumpkin pie spice.

 They eat pumpkin as a vegetable in salads, etc but not sweetened.

 

 

Norm loved, loved, loved his Pumpkin Dump Cake.

 So did his co-workers!

 We celebrated his birthday, along with his

team of co-workers, having oven fired pizza!

Quilt Show with friends

 

My new friend, Fiona, and her daughter, Bella

 invited me to go to a quilt show in Northampton

(the next town to the north of Geraldton)

 It was a beautiful day, the quilts were amazing,

 and Norm was sooo glad someone else wanted to take me.

 The 3 of us had a great time. I have decided

 that Australians are very warm, friendly people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The quilts lined the main street of Northampton

for about a quarter of a mile on both sides.

 

 

Sheep Shearing and Hiking

Bernie and Heather, from church, invited us to do a

wildflower hike on their sheep ranch.

 But we got an added bonus because they were shearing sheep that day.

 

"Wonder what is going on?" these lambs must be

thinking, since this is their first shearing.

 

 

"I wondered what that buzzing sound was."

(Norm said he appreciates his job more after

watching this back breaking work!)

 

Bernie separating the good wool from the bad wool.

 

Brand new "Lamb's wool"

 

Packed and ready to go to market in Perth.

 

"Wow, we feel 10 lbs. lighter and it is bit colder."

  

 

 

We will be climbing up that mountain behind their house.

 

What a view!

 

 

 

Heather said to use this rope to help us up.

 What?? Oh well, we hope it is worth it!

 

Right before we started the hike, we had a quick heavy rain

shower and found the plants soaking up the water.

 

Finally found the trail after the rope climb and a little searching.

 

It was soooo worth it! Just look at that view!

 Yes, that is the ocean behind us.

 

 

 

 

This is a "swishy" they gave us to keep away the flies,

 and yes we needed it when the breeze stopped.

  

 

 

It is nearing the end of wildflower season but there were still a few left.

 

That is the ranch down below on Norm's right.

 

 

Back down the hill and the end of an amazing hike.

 Thanks Bernie and Heather for sharing your ranch with us.