All photo's were taken with all environmental considerations related to flora and fauna taken into account.

Total:

Sofia me and the boys started packing the truck around 3.30pm Friday and because of all the food that was to be transported down, it wasn't going to all fit into the mighty 60'. Thanks to Mudslide,  Michelle and DNA for coming to our assistance at 4.30pm on the dot. Thanks guys.

By the time we headed out towards the freeway,  MacGyver was on the radio as well was Chups - whom nearly didn't make it, something about falling off a crane? By the time we ended the freeway and a couple of laps around a confusing round-a-bout, MacGyver caught up with us.

We arrived in Mandurah 4 in convoy and headed into fast food ally where Chups and Bullet caught up with us whilst we were in the old feeding frenzy... and Fish drove straight passed. We caught up later with Fish in Bunbury and with Pluto as we exited Mandurah. Maverick was already in camp - Uniting Church camp.

 First stop, cheese factory

 Inside cheese factory

 Buying up bunghole

Where it all happens

Second cheese factory

Conto Springs

Conto Beach

Heading out of car park

Sofia got everyone settled into their sleeping quarters (and that is basically all it was) - nothing too flash Friday evening with Mike and Siska the last to arrive at around 9.30pm, Rocky and Joe arriving in record time a little earlier. The dinning room was fantastic and came with central heating. The lads that braved the cold outside later got a nice campfire going, and great to see DNA use his fire bug talents trying to start a fire with damp news paper, full points for keeping it going with wet wood as well.

The morning was a very relaxed affair, not moving out of camp before 10.30am. Gave everyone plenty of time to do whatever. The day was set for visiting many great establishments that had one thing in common, putting on a few more ponds around ya non vital parts. Cheese factory first where the milk shakes we incredible, then onto another Cheese Factory, moving onto Margaret River - B line for the bakery then onto Alexandra Winery for a BBQ lunch and wine tasting. We had 2 BBQ's going on of which Mike managed to get fired up after the owners spent most of the morning trying to get going.

Alexandra Winery

MacGyver & Brandon standoff

Great scenery from the winery

Another shot of the lake 

Everyone enjoying a great luncheon

Kids out mucking around

BBQ's ablaze and great weather

Another shot of the lake

Very happy workers of the Alexandra Winery

The view from the balcony of Alexandra Winery 

Guinea Fowl at the Chocolate Factory

Now at the Coffee factory to soba up some of us

After the winery, like spending the best part of 2 hours there, we headed towards the Chocolate factory up the Bussell Hwy, 14 strong in convoy. Once entering the Chocolate factory and rapidly filling it with 53 people, many of us smelt the aroma of coffee. A few chocolates and we were ready for a coffee of which they did not want to serve us. Bloody hell? WHY?! Anyhow, a quick on the spot decision was made to head off to the coffee factory. Someone made a quick call to let the Coffee Factory know that there were 53 people headed their way.   

The BEST coffee I managed to get a look in on was the X rated coffee... very, very strong! Just the trick to bring you back after a few wines and a lazy afternoon. A few lads and gals stayed behind when we headed back to camp, only cause they found the PORT sampling bar, hey Michelle? :-)

All aboard the bridge

Awesome landscaping too!

The lake above the Coffee factory

Looking down from the lake

Just magnificent

Perfect postcard

Secret spot off-road

Heading towards the falls

That evening was the absolute best evening of all, the big Italian COOK UP! Michelle organised some green, red and white streamers and balloons to get in the swing and mood of the occasion. Real genuine home made spaghetti was served with the traditional garlic bread to go and then the Lasagne came out to top of it all. So many people overdosing on carbo's that evening. It was just the best social gathering, everyone interacting, it was just great to see!

We got the campfire going with wood that was somewhat a little dryer than the evening b4 and we had a great campfire a-blazing right up to midnight. After the meal, members eventually made their way out to the campfire. Even all the girls that put in a massive effort helping Sofia clean up made their way out to enjoy the cosy close and warm environment the campfire had to offer.

All clean fresh water too!

Half the party went the beach was, did they get lost?

Last of the group catching up

Up towards the falls

And yup, this is NOT Karrijinni National Park 

Cold too!

And fresh

 Should have brought a bottle of Champagne

In the morning, we all packed up, or attempted to pack up b4 10.00am. booking out time. Moving out of camp and heading off to Dunsborough and the bakery around 10.30am.

Most of everyone getting their fill at the bakery and fuelling up. Sofia put a time limit of a 15 minute stop at Dunsborough, quite a challenge if one needed fuel and a visit to the bakery.

Next stop was to head out to a little spot I use to visit frequently during my surfing days. Sofia had the up to date details on the new 4WD track to get in there. I decided to try and get in the way I knew which we found later, was all closed down, not happy about that at all! Anyhow, with some help from MacGyver and Pluto, we managed to pick up the right 4WD track which was the one Sofia was talking about. Should have listened to her first, what?

Anyhow, the drive in was bloody fantastic, great scenery and when we got to the end, we were rewarded with walking (who says 4WDrivers don't get any exercise?) to this exceptionally beautiful spot of which I will not name. Try and keep it a bit of a secret as long as we can ;-).

Everyone amazed that this area has such a place

Be careful! Can be very slippery

Heading around the other way to check the other water fall out

Nice and pleasant with the rush of water

Heading back out

We opted to give the '3 Bears Track' a miss as the Ice Cream Factory seemed a little more enticing, especially for the kids. So we headed straight for Meelup Beach for lunch where a few of the group after lunch broke away and headed for home. The brave ones stayed on and headed for the Ice Cream factory! Yum, Yum, Yum.

Back to the carpark

Lunch at Meelup Beach b4 heading for home

Where's Mummy?

No surf - BUGGER!

Who said 4WD's aren't aloud on the beach?

Let's bury the BOY!

ha ha - catch me if you can!

I would personally like to thank my darling wife for putting on such a great event. Not a lot of 4WDing, but the social interaction with everyone was first class. Really gave everyone an opportunity to get to know one another, especially some of the newer members of the club. For me, Sofia and the boys... we thoroughly enjoyed all your company and hope you all had a great time.

Also thanks goes to everyone that made Sofia's efforts a little lighter, especially all the girls that pitched in around meal time...

Looking forward to the next West Coast 4X4 (Inc) 4WD Club event - off the beaten track where EVERYONE gets the chance to get their gear off - ROAD! :-)