Sunset at Middleton Beach

This morning was foggy which then cleared to another glorious day.  No sign of the rain that was forecast this afternoon.

We went to the old Whaling station which ceased operations in 1978 (first extra, second extra is on the way over).  It was interesting remembering our PM, Malcolm Fraser leading the charge against ceasing whaling and looking at videos of previous workers reflecting on those times saying it was their living but now most were conservationists.  Personally I think it was barbaric that 7000 sperm whales could have been killed in it's last year of operation.   We saw some humpbacks breaching and spouting off the third extra, Salmon Holes.  There is a salmon run at the moment and there were some fisherman on the beach.

On the way back we stopped at some formations (the gap) and natural bridge (4th extra).

This afternoon I visited the National Anzac Museum.   2 Convoys of our and New Zealand ships left from King George Sound  here at Albany carring nearly 40,000 troops and 7000 horses.  The first, some 38 ships, left on 1 November 1914.  The museum is in a beautiful location and is so well done with personal stories from Turks, Germans as well as Anzac troops.  Some fabulous footage too.   You are given a solder to follow from recruitment to their end in the war.  Mine was Bugler Otto Siefken, 11th Battalion AIF.  He was born in Australia of German parents.  His father had to report to the police but Otto was allowed to go to war to fight for his country.   He landed in Gallipoli in 1915 but became unwell some time later and was sent to the UK to recouperate.  He was then sent to the Western front and was captured and placed in a POW camp where he succumbed to illness and died in 1918.

I then drove around to Middleton Beach which is where the main was taken.  

This holiday is coming to an end.   We drive back to Perth tomorrow and fly home.   I have to say this South Western part of Western Australia is so beautiful.  Stunning landscapes and beaches.