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Happiness Is The Road
We got up covered in mozzie bites but thankfully not a spider in sight. Upon checking the plastic holder the spider had gone. We just hoped to hell he wasn't going to be hitching a ride with us today! Just after we'd had our brekky Helen the camp host called round to check we were okay. She was a very lovely lady and we had a long chat with her about the wildlife,plants and flowers in the park, our travels, their travels as camp hosts and loads more. It was really wonderful to talk to her. We then went on a walk around the inlet. The weather today was glorious with a deep blue sky and the inlet shimmered and shined in the sunlight. The park was very quiet and we didn't see anyone else on the walk which was bliss. The walk took us past lots of zamia plants that were bearing a gorgeous orange fruit. It looked good enough to eat but looks can be deceiving. An information board informed us that early European explorers were ignorant of the zamia's poisonous fruit and ate it to ill effect. In 1802 Captain Matthew Flinder's gardener Peter Good wrote in his journal that the crew ate numerous zamia fruit, which were 'very palatable and full of juice'. But very soon after the crew sufferred 'pain in the stomach, a headache and repeated retching which continued all day'. The walk took us to various lookouts where we got some great view of the inlet and finished right on the waters edge. We kept an eye out for any crafty snakes that might've been sliding about but luckily none were to be seen. Normally the walk trail continued along the banks of the inlet to the Southern ocean just around the corner but due to high water levels the path was under water and we couldn't go any further. We followed the path back to the campground and had covered about six kilometres by the time we got back. We were in two minds as to whether to stay another night here or go to Hopetoun. It was decided by a flick of a coin that we would go to Hopetoun today. Just as well really as the vicious mozzies were already out and eyeing us up with malice! On the way out of the campground Jay dropped a note off at Charlie and Helen's caravan thanking them for being such great camp hosts. The site was very clean and quiet and the pit toilets here were the best we had ever used! Helen came out and Jay asked about the zamia plants. Helen gave Jay a seed from one of the zamia plants and she told us to throw it somewhere on our way out of the park, somewhere that we would remember. She said that following rain the seed would take hold and grow a new plant and that if we came back in about twenty years we would see our plant flourishing. She also told us to make a wish when throwing the seed. It was extremely nice of her to do this. On the way out we saw a big tree and decided that this would be a good memorable spot. I threw the seed near the tree and made a wish for us both. We left the national park full of happiness and full of hope for our zamia plant. Very appropriate really as we were off to Hopetoun. The highway was very quiet and we went past lots of beautiful yellow fields. We stopped off at Ravensthorpe at the IGA supermarket and then we took the road to Hopetoun on the coast. I was last here back in November and I was looking forward to taking Jay here. When we were checking in at the caravan park a very friendly dog came to see us. She was a pretty shiny sandy coloured dog and she wanted to play. We found out that her name was Kody. She had a stick in her mouth and we threw it for her and she retrieved it over and over with her tail happily wagging. After quite some time she let us go and we went to find a spot. The caravan park was just how I remembered it, really tatty and very quirky, but an extremely friendly place with a lovely vibe about it. Instead of being regimented rows like a lot of commercial caravan parks this place is set amongst the bush behind the sand dunes with little tracks going off in tangents all over the place. We drove round for a while, trying not to get lost in the maze of tracks, before settling on a place near the reception. Just after we'd set up Kody spotted us and came running over with a stick in her mouth and eager to play again. I don't normally like that many dogs but Kody was ace. She seemed to have taken a real shine to me which was nice and I spent ages throwing the stick for her to bring back to me. Eventually I went off for a shower so Jay took over the stick throwing. As soon as I came back though she dropped Jay like a stone. It's obviously not only Jay who think's I'm gorgeous! When Kody was called back by her owner it was getting late. We got our tea and chilled out for the rest of the day listening to the waves crashing behind the sand dunes.
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