Monday 3 December Left Joondalup at 0800 hours to start seven-day trip up to Exmouth, north of Perth. First stop was the Pinnacles,limestone formations covering acres of ground. If it weren't for a marked track through them, one could get lost, big time. So many of them look the same. Found a gecko, or a 'Bobtail' lizard as it is known locally. Blue tongue- very attractive…. Passed through Julian Bay, a very quiet seaside village but the developers are on their way. For about a mile outside the village on the approach as far as the eye can see roads and electric street lights have been put in - I expect if I go back in two years' time the whole area will be developed. Nowhere seems to be safe from development over here. Saw some red gum trees that have taken root, tried to grow but because of the prevailing wind, grow parallel to the ground - weird. Went sand boarding at Geraldton but didn't stay long as it was very windy and trailing up to the top of the dunes was exhausting. It was good fun though. Long drive on to Kalbarri where we stayed the night.

Tuesday, 4th Not impressed with one of the Japanese girls, who decided to get up at 0430 to start to get ready for the day. An hour later she was curling her eyelashes - bit wasted as we were on an early morning hike through the Z bends and up to Nature's Window, (seee picture above), a hole in a rock formation that looks as though it might collapse at any time! The walk through the gorge was tough going but well worth the effort. Long drive up to Shark Bay to see the Stramatolites, the oldest living fossil in the world. There are concerns about them as at the moment they stick out of the sea and are never completely immersed as they need oxygen to live. If the sea rises they will die. There are only three sites in the world where they can be found.Went to an aquarium in the making and saw sharks, turtles, rays and other fish - the aquarium takes in injured species and looks after them until they can be returned to the Ocean. On to Shell Beach, made up of broken shells thought to be up to six metres deep, white beach and aquamarine sea - beautiful. Stayed the night in Denham. After supper went to a hot tub at a homestead miles out of town, the sky was inky black and the stars were amazing. Saw shooting stars and satellites moving across the sky.

Wednesday, 5th Up at 0515 to get to Monkey Mia ready to see the dolphins come in at 07 30. They are real show-offs and pose for the tourists (or so it seems). One of them had a baby, two and a half weeks old. The dolphins are wild and are only fed twice a day, early in the morning,.I got to feed one of them - very impressive line of teeth for such a gentle looking creature. Went for a bush walk with Capes, an Aboriginal guide, whose ancestors have lived in the area for thousands of years.. Fascinating guy to talk to - and, if I ever have the need, I can now track a kangaroo, know which trees to dig under to get water and which berries to eat if I am hungry. Let's hope that doesn't happen as you need to collect an awful lot of berries to make a meal. Dropped off half of the group at the Overland Roadhouse - I love the roadhouses, if only because they are air-conditioned and do great tea 'to go'. Stopped in Canarvon and bought chocolate covered bananas and mango - lovely mix of flavours and a bit different. Big agricultural and fruit and vegetable growing area. Stayed the night at Coral Bay.

Thursday, 6th Today we get to swim with Mantarays. The sea was very choppy and a strong wind was blowing - apparently, unusual weather for the time of year. Anyway, a spotter plane goes up, finds the rays, the boat we are on makes its way to the site. They then put a 'spotter' in the water. He is a very strong swimmer. The passengers then go in,in groups,to swim out to the rays. I was in the first group, the spotter was about fifty yards away. I managed to swim to him but then the ray took off and I and another two girls just could not keep up so we went back to the boat. Anyway we got a second chance to go in and this time I saw them and managed to swim with them. They are huge between three and four metres wide, they were doing belly rolls, they have a huge mouth that sucks in food.Quite an experience. Then moved on to another site and went snorkelling. Fed the snapper fish - they were everywhere, seemed like there were hundreds of them.T hen to a protected sea turtle site and saw a lot of turtles. Coral Bay is spectacular - Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays on the east coast is quite special but Coral Bay was equally if not more special. Uncrowded - a hidden gem. Drove to Exmouth where we were staying overnight. Went up to lighthouse to see sunset and had fresh prawns sandwiches - great.

Friday 7th Had pancakes and syrup for breakfast. Went to Turquoise Bay, another contender for best beach I have ever visited. Went snorkelling in the Bay, saw sea snakes and other fish, some spectacular colours, shapes and sizes. Some of the others did the 'Drift' snorkel. However, you had to keep to an exact line and if you went off line you were likely to get swept out over the reef and on your way somewhere in the Indian Ocean. Decided to be a wimp and stick to the bay. After lunch went for bush walk to Yardie Creek - home to the rare black footed wallaby that lives on the cliff face. We were lucky enough to spot one, quite small but very surefooted. Don't know how they managed to hang on to the side of the cliff. On the way back saw a Paranti lizard, he was big and was getting a bit cross so after a couple of photos left him to his own devices. Wouldn't want to argue with him. Visited sandy Bay and Muldura Wreck beach. A drunken sea captain had a load of cattle on his boat. He managed to hole it on the reef and you can still see the boat sticking out of the water. Overnight at Exmouth.

Saturday 8th 0500 hours start for drive back to Perth. Went to Hall River Province and met Prince Leonard. He ceded from Australia in 1972 over a row over farm payments. He fought a legal battle and won. He now issues his own stamps, can issue passports that are recognised worldwide. A great character who could talk for ever. He is now eighty-four years old but still going strong. We then went through the first settlement north of Perth. The settlers asked the government for financial help to get established. Instead they were sent 8000 convicts who built most of the properties in the area, including a Weslyan chapel and a local village store. Could almost have been an English village! On to Dongara, a lovely seaside resort, again very quiet but with a marina and gorgeous beach. Every time you think you have seen the ultimate in beaches and sea, you find another one - West Australia is blessed with a coastline unlike anything I have ever seen anywhere else. Stopped at Wildlife Park and saw some snakes that were being looked after, prior to being released back into the wild. The pythons were very soft to handle and surprisingly heavy, even though they were not very big. Arrived back in Perth about 6 30 - good trip, lots of new experiences and met some great people.