We had no choice but to ignore the inclement weather today, as we headed out to do a spot of sight seeing. The blustery winds that lashed us yesterday had at least appeared to have blown themselves out, although a spattering of dark stormy clouds were still hanging about overhead.

Cervantes is known as the home to the Pinnacles, at the nearby Nambung National Park. The Pinnacles were also a leading factor in our decision to stay here. Thankfully, we were granted special permission from the staff at the caravan park to leave the dogs behind for the day, as they aren’t allowed within the environs of the National Park. Thus, with the dogs remaining in the warm comfort of the van, we took the 15 minute or so drive from town, to the Nambung National Park, the entrance of which is relatively non-descript. A small gatehouse where you pay the $11.00 entry fee, which allows us to visit as many national parks as we like for the day, then a little further up the road, a spacious discovery centre and gift shop. This was worth a quick look, but was not the reason for our visit. The reason is of course the Pinnacles themselves.

There are two options for viewing these structures. You can either take the 1.5Km walk across the sand dunes and among the towering plinths, or utilse mechanised power, by driving the 4Km loop track in and amongst the Pinnacles.
We chose the latter option, as this gave us the opportunity to pull into the regular parking bays to get out for a closer look at the pillars.

By now, you might be asking yourself, what these Pinnacles actually are? Well, to answer your question, they are a multitude of limestone pillars raising up randomly from the surrounding sandy drifts. Of all shapes and sizes, there are thousands of rocky columns scattered over the nearly 17,500 hectare area. Not much more is known about their origins.

Selfie amongst the Pinnacles.

Unfortunately for us, they are not at their best in the subdued light of an overcast day, but better seen in bright sunshine, when they cast solid shadows that grow longer as the day goes on. Regardless of the light, there is still something magical about navigating the tight, winding path through the park, pointing out some of the more statuesque like columns. Whichever direction you peer, wherever you look, the land is dotted with ‘The Pinnacles’.

Overlooking the Pinnacles.

The sun made an appearance for this shot.

Across the drifts.

One of the taller examples.

Wildlife is also meant to be prevalent in the area, although the animals must have been having a rostered day off today, as apart from a few birds, the fauna was hard to spot.

Following our slow loop of the Pinnacles, we decided to get our monies worth out of our National Parks day pass, by making the 50Km drive north to the Lesueur National Park. After a 10Km run along a dirt road that saw ‘The Beast’ ending up as dirty as it was before I washed it in Geraldton, a sealed road takes you on a 20Km loop of the park. From the roadside, an abundance of wildflowers can be witnessed, dozens of different varieties all blooming in their colourful best. From tiny little blossoms the size of a small finger nail to great big Banksias and everything in between.

BECS WILD FLOWER ALBUM.

I feigned interest mostly, while Bec was jumping energetically in and out of ‘The Beast’ to point, poke and prod at them all, the camera almost continually clicking away. Admittedly, there were quite a few flowers, that even I pointed at, ohhing and ahhing at their delicateness. At the midway point through the drive, a walk was on offer, but neither of us had the energy to endure a 4Km walk up the hill. We managed a couple of hundred metres along the path, before deciding that it was all too much effort, and we turned around for the comfort of ‘The Beast’. The weather wasn’t helping our efforts of exploration either, alternating between warm and sunny, or blisteringly cold, accompanied by a freezing breeze and biting droplets of heavy rain.

On the way back to Cervantes, we rounded out our sight seeing with a quick look at Lake Thetis, which boasts a colony of Stromatolites. These aren’t nearly as picturesque as those on the Exmouth peninsula, so we viewed them from ‘The Beast’, before moving onto the Hansen Bay Lookout. Bec was intent on remaining in ‘The Beast’ when she saw the steep flight of stairs leading up to the boardwalk, but I cajoled her into creeping up the steps. It was worth it for a view out over the dark green of the raging ocean, stippled with lines of white capped waves, all beneath the stormy looking grey clouds filling the sky. Off to one side, the township of Cervantes stood doggedly along the rugged coastline against the incoming weather. I thought the climb was well worth the effort, although from the minimal amount of time Bec spent at the pinnacle, I think she thought otherwise. Her statement of “Hmm, is that it?” might also have been an indication as to her negative contemplations of the view.

With the cold, wintery weather working its wiles on us, we returned to the van feeling exhausted and lacking energy. Our afternoon was then spent in the artificial warmth of the van, relaxing in front of the tele again. Even the dogs don’t seem to mind being cooped up within the small confines of the van, when it’s cold and wet outdoors. They know the rules, a gentle scratch at the door gets our attention, and them a quick pit stop. Other than that, they are happy enough to curl up on whatever soft, cushiony surface presents itself to fall asleep.

Come dinnertime, our lack of enthusiasm continued with respect to the preparation of fulfilling sustenance. Rather than resort to dining on a bag of potato chips, which was a seriously considered option, we decided to dine out. Of the 3 venues from whence a meal might be obtained, the menu at one suggested a cost that was in excess of what we wanted to pay. The second sounded good on paper, but a drive by suggested otherwise. The dining room was an agoraphobics worst nightmare, with the sole occupied table taken up by one who may have been the chef. Not a ringing endorsement on their quality of food, so we moved on to our third and final (barring the still available crisps at the van) option.

The car park at the sports club was at least patronised by a few cars, and what we took to be a few real, live, paying diners were seated in the dining room. The menu was short, but promising, and we both at least found a dish that sounded tasty.

As we waited for our meals to be delivered, we discussed getting a drink. We have been left without cash, after the caravan park took an extortionate $50.00 per dog cash bond from us. We will get it back tomorrow, but that wasn’t going to satisfy our thirst tonight. A dredge through the depths of the centre console in ‘The Beast’ luckily divulged enough loose change to get us a beer each, although we’ll be washing dishes if we want a second.

Dinner was palatable, the creamy sauce in which our chicken floated in was very tasty, although the vegetables could have done with another minute or so in the microwave. Whichever way we looked at it, it was better than having to cook and clean up for ourselves, and infinitely better than the allure of potato chips. They can wait for supper now.

Until next time, stay safe, have fun and don’t forget to write.