With a hockey bye coinciding with a long weekend, we decided — somewhat last-minute — to take a trip. And yes, we opted for one of our favourite locales: Dryandra.
Having worked a bunch of extra hours recently, I took the Thursday arvo as time off in lieu, with an annual leave day on the Friday, giving us a lovely 4½-day long weekend.
Rolling into our usual campsite, we were set up in 15 minutes and drinking a lovely Sandalford champagne within 20. And, within 30 minutes — whilst enjoying our champers at the campsite — we’d already spotted a mob of roos, a robin redbreast, and a wombling echidna a wandering past. Life doesn’t get much better than this Frankie boy!
It was a bit of a slow, somewhat dusty start to Friday, though, we’ve only got ourselves to blame, as whilst sitting around the campfire last night, we managed to consume a bottle of Champers, a double old-fashioned each, and most of a bottle of port. Never drinking again…
But freshly ground coffee in the moka pot and peanut butter on sourdough saw us right, as we had a lazy brekkie waiting to see if the sun would break through the overnight rain clouds.
Okay, time’s a-tickin’, and we aren’t getting any younger just sitting here, so, with improvised vigour, we jumped in Sir Gwavin and headed out to see the sights.
First stop, just up Mangart Road to deploy the trail camera on an auspicious-looking log. Hopefully we’ll remember to pick it up again before we leave…
Then, taking a Dryandra road less travelled, we headed up Norn Road for a change. A lovely, picturesque drive, but other than some cute birdies, there was nary a numbat to be seen.
The drizzle set in and the temperature dropped as we exited Tomingley Drive, heading north. But, a fortunate missed turn then led to some great little back roads as we made our way through to Brookton.
Hot tip! The Bedford Arms Hotel in Brookton does an awesome, though ginormous, lunch. Jules ordered a chicken schnitty, whilst I did the parmi Outback Ranger-style. Both were delicious but defeated us in content.
Leaving Brookton, we detoured back to camp via Boyagin, spotting our first numbat of the trip, and our first ever outside of the Dryandra woodlands!
Arriving back at camp, we were surprised to see that four of the eight campsites had a Goldstream caravan in them. One could say it was almost a Goldstream convention, although we treated the others with disdain as a couple of them were running generators and/or had kids. We’re far too old and cranky for that kinda noise.
Then it was hot showers and vegemite on a couple of sayo’s for a very light dinner, before stargazing by the campfire.
Jules opted to chill on Saturday, reading the Kindle and playing on her phone, whereas I went out on a couple of “back to nature” excursions. Driving down tracks until I found a likely looking spot, then just stopping and wandering around to listen, watch, smell, and feel the bush.
Other than simply enjoying the serenity, I was hoping to spot some wildlife or possibly an early orchid to photograph. I lucked out on the wildlife, but did manage to spot a jumping spider, though not a colourful peacock variety I was hoping for. I also took what I think are a couple of beautiful photos of the shapes and colours of the woodlands.
Another hot shower, and it was roast lamb and veg for dinner, with hot spiced mulled wine by the campfire.
During the evening, we were visited by a friendly possum who didn’t give a stuff about us, climbing over our feet and chairs on its search for the odd peanut we’d dropped earlier. We also spotted a small scorpion in my UV light just a couple of feet from where we were sitting.
Sunday morning, Jules treated us to homemade garlic beans on rocket and sourdough, which was yum, and a wholesome way to start the day. It was then out to Sir Gwavin for a gentle meander through the tracks, enjoying the sights and sounds, and finally coming across our second Numbat of the trip, which was well spotted by eagle-eyed Jules.
I then did another walk, this time just out from our campsite with the macro lens to see what I could find. Just goes to show you don’t need to travel too far to find some photo worthy subjects.
Yet another campfire, this time paired with a lovely bottle of red topped off a good day.
Monday dawns and it was time to head home. After brekky, I shot out to collect the trail camera which had caught…….. nothing… No stress though, I enjoyed chasing some of the early morning birds with the camera, whilst Jules prepared tonights dinner in the BillyBoil thermos cooker.
All in all another fantastic and enjoyable trip. Yes, we’ve done Dryandra heaps of times now, but we still love it and will keep coming here until we die (or get bored and find somewhere better).