On the Wagin

Found our way back to the Albany Highway and continued south. Got as far as Arthur River before the day ran out. By this time we were just a couple 100km from Perth but its taken all day and we’ve covered over 300 km. Overnighted on the side of the road and set off before the constable moved us on (yeh, around 10.00am) and found a turnoff to a historic village and giant ram just a bit further down the road. A GIANT RAM!!!!…… WHAT? ….sand gropers trying to out-do the  banana benders?  Yep!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bye the bye it’s Way – Gin as in wagin’ (war). Anyway, this led us to the historic village – a reconstructed township within the showgrounds displaying styles of accommodation and  living conditions from the 1800’s  – really well done by local volunteers over a period of years……

 

 

 

Wagin is a lovely little provincial township being resurrected by the locals but like all little places the attractions run out. So, on to the big smoke, Albany.

Third stay at the Emu Beach Caravan Park notwithstanding an attempt to get into an alternative for this trip – no one else in Albany could fit us, not because of site availability, just size. Amazing –  I would have thought we were no longer unusual  and other evidence would suggest that is so. Anyway the park is still more than acceptable and we had little intent of being in situ often cos we were here for the RACING.

Historics in Albany – the Albany Classic. Dates back to the 20’s, died in the 30’s, resurrected in the 60’s, died again but came back about 10 years ago. Great event covering hillclimbs, motorkhanas, and regularity circuits around the streets of Albany. The circuit with all of its concrete barriers is set up overnight on Saturday, dismantled overnight Sunday, all by volunteers. Fabulous.

150 entries, limited only because of pit space, it is supposed to cater to pre-80’s but there are a few newer including Georges ’88 Reynard. The hillclimbs are conducted on the Saturday – one for the historics, another for later cars (moderns). Also on the Saturday the Mini Club ran a motorkhana on the foreshore. Didn’t see the moderns and missed the ‘khana and unfortunately a lot of the oldies didn’t attempt the hillclimb preferring to save themselves for Sunday but a good event anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The big day arrived – Sunday – race day. Whoops, regularity day.

20 events on the program, supposedly 3 runs per category over an expected 5 -6 laps. Well, whilst organization was very good the program was ultimately a bit ambitious. A slow start, several accidents and a few observer incursions created a few unmanageable delays leading to just a familiarisation run of 3 laps for each category followed by just 2 events of just 3 laps for most categories but in the case of race cars, both events were terminated after just one or two laps because of incidents on the circuit. Needless to say George and his cohorts were more than disappointed. But, regularity – hah!!  Don’t tell the competitors cos they were having too much fun challenging their nominated times and each other. We were  jealous!

Others managed more laps and obviously much more fun…….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was  a great day of motoring in a really phenomenal setting. The eastern states could learn a lesson in devising an entertaining event. I’m fairly sure the day with lots of other peripheral activities attracted a lot more than motoring buffs —–IMGP2473

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day finished as usual with a night. The night brought on a dinner at  friends of George and Ina’s,  Bernie and Dale, on the far side of Frenchmans Bay with a fabulous view of Albany over the water at night. Also there were other friends Chris and Zac who FLEW in for the event to play pit crew with Bernie. We had a fantastic night, and thanks Dale and Bernie for welcoming two strangers into your home.

Monday was recovery day. Tuesday we headed to Augusta to fill in the gap we missed through the cancellation of the Winnebago Clubs whale watch weekend but on the way we overnighted at Windy Harbour. Windy and wet it was but it is a very picturesque place……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, on to Augusta.

We pulled into the first caravan park on the Bussell Highway inbound to Augusta and what did we find? A “Longreach” rally no less. We had seen only four others over the preceding four months and here we bump into another two together. So three Winnie owners spent two days bad mouthing Winnebago and their dealers over a few (!) drinks. God they’re bastards. What a great couple of days and we also actually got to see some whales………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L – R Chris, Corrie, Ken, Diane, Noel, Marie then some whales.

 

 

 

 

 

Augusta is quite a surprise. Its not much of a place. I’m not sure what we expected but it was in big print on the map and there are lots of signs pointing to it but it is nothing more than a small seaside old time holiday place, just the meeting point of two oceans and two currents ( not raisins) one warm, one cold – lookemup.

Moved on to a farm stay at Margaret River. Chilling out watching sheep – niiiice!