Albany

 Tuesday, 7 June

Our big adventure for today was a whale watching expedition, which took us by catamaran out into King George Sound and beyond into the Southern Ocean. Fortunately it was a relatively calm day though still overcast and cool. 

We saw at least two humpback whales cruising around in the Sound but when we went further they were uncooperative and we only saw a couple blowing. Yesterday’s excursion saw them breaching. It is pretty difficult to get a good photo and keep your balance in the split second a whale’s tail is above the surface. I took lots of photos but didn’t get a decent shot, as you can see below. Judy got a beauty using her phone.

The captain and mate were great and it was a wonder to see the mate carrying 5 cups of coffee on a plunging deck and distributing them to passengers without spilling a drop. They gave us lots of information and could answer any question.

Back on dry land it was good to thaw out with a hot chocolate in yesterday’s cosy cafe.

Only a few kilometres away in Torndirrup National Park we visited The Gap, the Natural Bridge and the Blowhole.

The Gap and the Natural Bridge are connected by a brilliant boardwalk which snakes it’s way through the rocky terrain. Most impressive and comfortingly safe on this dangerous piece of coast.

The Blowhole was another story. It was a much more basic path, partly over rocks, and once you reached the end there was no fence, just a small sign warning about danger.

Another terrific day ended with dinner (delicious!) at the Earl of Spencer, a historic pub, chosen because it shares a name with my great nephew.