Yes, here we are back in Geraldton again. Not by choice. We were keen to be further north, but the demands of our mechanical draught horse and the need for supplies took priority. On this occasion we decided to try the Batavia Coast Caravan Park rather than Drummond Cove. Not only is it somewhat closer to the heart of Geraldton, but it had to be more sheltered and hopefully a touch more salubrious.
Batavia Coast promised trees, birds and a country atmosphere. The approach road certainly fitted that bill as it took us past open grazing fields
to the somewhat imposing park entrance.
Here, galahs feature prominently in a mural across the gateway wall in what was a portent of what is obviously a regular evening invasion. Bloody noisy things they are, but, in their defence, I have to say they are not as bad as a flock of corellas.
We had been allocated a 'big rig' site (and paid a $4.00 per night surcharge for the privilege....that really did annoy me....a classic rip off) I decided that I would let Liz deal with the payment on her own on the basis that if we come back to Geraldton for any reason this will be our park of choice. I was so outraged by this impost that I may well have worn out our welcome before we had even settled if I had joined her in the office. I have no objection whatsoever to paying a fair price, even an inflated one further north, but I hate being exploited.
With your correspondent muttering to himself, off we went past the office,
the pool and camp kitchen, which are both more than adequate,
and past a row of 'regular' sites
to our little patch of heaven. At least we got what we paid for. Our site was enormous. No need to back and fill here. One sweeping turn and we were on.
There was no doubt that our atmosphere was 'rural' as this back shot of the van across the paddock behind us shows. We did have more than adequate elbow room. My ire about the surcharge was tempered slightly. And the other great advantage of this park over Drummond Cove was a complete lack of heavy traffic noise....that really is worth something.
Whilst they advertise the bird life and country feel, there is one inhabitant of Batavia Coast which does not get a mention in the promos, and I have to say they are 'up there' with some of the funniest things we have come across.
Notices nailed to a number of the park trees both proclaim and warn of their presence. That mercilessly malicious marauding marsupial of the eucalypts, that fearlessly ferocious furry felon of the forest, that capable, calculating carnivore, that terrible tourist terrifier, the very though of which can bring burly and buxom backpackers to their knees and fill their long and sleepless nights with breathless anxiety, the dreaded Australian Drop Bear.
I just had to share this notice with you, hence the extra large presentation. I would love to have met its author. I am more than certain we could have spent a very convivial time together. The only small print is the disclaimer "This safety notice is not endorsed by any Aust. Government or agency". What a hoot.
And these warnings are not idle.....look up and there it is, ready to pounce. These rare examples of carnivorous koalas were dotted throughout the park. I had now forgiven the management the surcharge!
I have previously described how, in the two days we spent in Geraldton, we splashed money throughout the community in a grand show of largesse, so I'll not bore you, dear reader, with a repetition and keep this blog to possibly the shortest on record. This one is just for you, Neil J!
No comments:
Post a Comment