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Xmas 2011 and New Year 2012
Esperance: Stokes, Le Grand and Cape Arid

Arriving at Shoal Cape. Dont let the sign put you off!

Our campsite for the first night. Not much space, everyone was staying local this year it seems.
Later on someone moved and we grabbed a better spot - more midday shade there.

Charcoal residue from camps x 3 children = lots of dirt.

Shoal Cape - Just a few metres from our campsite is this beautiful bay.

Our beach tent - often we were the only ones there.

An exploration down Crisps road east of Farrells road led to a rocky foreshore, some steep descents
and more beautiful beaches.  Some camping possibilities, but none official !

Danny and Kate look out to a rough sea at the bottom of Crisps Road

Cant see anyone being tempted by this, the wood pole gets in the way ;-)

On Shoal Cape beach in the evening

Exploring the deserted Moir homestead, now in ruins.  This tree (Moreton Bay Fig?) was in their garden.

Danny was much taken with the 'broken windmill'

Exploring Stokes Camping Ground by Stokes Inlet.  Oli takes a great picture doesn't he?

Acacia Cyclops - seen on our walk across the top of Stokes Inlet.

Gum (of sorts) - yeah, I forgot what the label was for this one.

Moore river, feeding into the Stokes Inlet.  Very scenic.

How long until I am in another seat, I wonder.

New Years Day on Shoal Cape....

... complete with seafood crudites courtesy of Pip and Oli

Cape Arid.  We visited here last time but didn't camp. 120kms on from Esperance, itself 700km from Perth...
This time we stayed a couple of days and used it as a base for even further exploration.

Surfing on the beach at Cape Arid.  Drive up, pick your spot and dive in.

Getting stuck into the reading for the PhD.  (I didn't make it past Page 9)

Postcard beauty of rocks on Cape Arid's beaches.  This was Yokinup Bay.
Jon's favourite land(sea)scape shot.  (Katie took the picture!)

The only way to travel, but mind the bumps in the dunes.

Preparing for dinnertime in camp.  Oh what a view but the barbecue gets blown out if windy!

Banksia at Cape Arid

An exploration to Thomas Fishery (just a beach and camp for 2 spaces). 
Rocky track provided Katie with the need to use the centre diff lock.

Cape Arid - a very Rothko type set of colour bands.

For the last couple of days we joined up with the Adrianos, who were caravanning in Esperance.
They like their hot cross buns.

Oliver and Oliver (Adriano) playing on the beach at Arid

Arriving at the Cape itself.  Mount Arid in the background on the left.
Very dry landscape, you can see how it got its name.  Very windswept too.

On route back from Arid - some narrow and steep tracks to explore.

Rocks on Yokinup Bay (Arid).  Another postcard shot.  I'm hoping Katie might paint a few of these!

Emus on the beach at Cape Le Grand

Pitching up at Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand for some surfing.

In the sheltered waters of Lucky Bay for some canoeing.  Water incredibly clear.

Ivan prepares the fishing tackle, surrounded by curious and mostly tame kangaroos

Katie tries her hand at Kayaking

At the lookout at the far end of Lucky Bay, on the last day of the holiday.

Xmas Tour 2011 Team

Another postcard picture

Everyones happy, gleefully anticipating the 8 hour drive home tomorrow..... Not.