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Thursday, November 3, 2016

The Gap, Natural Bridge, Albany...

On that recent visit to Western Australia, DH and I were surprised by how cold the weather was...especially in Albany. We had taken very little warmer clothing and I resorted to 'layering'; wearing garments in combinations I had never before imagined that I would. 😆
I was so glad that I had packed that scarf, as even though it was lightweight, it did provide some warmth. I wore a tank top, and then a short sleeved T shirt, over which I wore a long sleeved polo shirt, then the waterproof jacket DH had bought me in Alaska. And the plan was to then wear the purple cape/jacket over the top of all those layers...if I still felt cold outside. 

Our first destination that day was the spot known as The Gap, which also featured the adjacent Natural Bridge. 
We had been warned! Lol
This was one view of the landscape from the carpark...

Looking in the other direction, the landscape looked like this...




And we needed no convincing to obey the sign and keep to the paths. 





First we headed for the lookout...

It was quite an engineering marvel! 

Some views from the lookout...
You can see why visitors must keep to the paths...those rocks look slippery and that sea looks very rough! 

The first lookout overlooks the Natural Bridge lookout; that lookout is smaller and it seemed to be less windy there...

Before we walked down hill to the Natural Bridge, we moved along the walkway of the top lookout to check out The Gap...
It was freezing! The wind blew relentlessly.
The walkway was mesh and you could see the 'wild water' and rocks far below...
I got a bit brave and took photos of the deep gorge...

And even more brave when I held the phone OVER the railing, ignoring the wind...

Then we strolled downhill in the other direction to have a look at the Natural Bridge. 




Huge rocks!
Some islands out to sea...
The Bridge! 


The information boards were very interesting reading...

I'm so glad we were able to see this part of the coastline...very interesting features and dramatic landscapes! One thing we discovered in our exploration of the Albany district, was that the explorer, George Vancouver ( of Canadian exploration and naming fame) explored this area too and his name is on a few places there. 

11 comments:

Nanna Chel said...

How fascinating, Maria. I doubt I will ever visit that part of our beautiful country so thanks for sharing your photos. I actually felt queasy looking at the photo taken over the railing,

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

What an amazing place to see!! I can't help but think about how places like that were created as the earth formed. I feel happy for you that you were able to see it! Really, I AM!! Thanks for sharing another interesting place you have visited.
xx, Carol

Jackie said...

Wild and beautiful. Thanks for sharing your pictures.

God bless.

busybusybeejay said...

Wow!Great photos.

Claud said...

Impressive! And a bit scary too. When I saw your post I thought you were talking about the American store 'Gap' - ha ha. Glad to see you're version of Gap is more beautiful :-).

Cynthia said...

Dramatic is right! What a neat place. And I can't believe you held your phone out over the edge to take that photo. I could never do that, knowing how clumsy I can be!

angela said...

It really does look cold.
Love the funky new look of your layering.

Phil Poggeaux said...

Looking down those gorges makes my feet feel all tingly......what a dramatic view.

Cat Lover said...

What a gorgeous place! It reminds me of Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia. Thanks for sharing!

Dee said...

I think that The Gap may have been a place that I visited with my Family back in the 1960's. I have asked my mother where it was but she cant remember ( I cant understand why !) Obviously the area has changed a lot in the last 51 years and there were no railings or paths there, but IF I ever got over there again at least i would have an idea of where to go to see it again

Bev C said...

Hello Maria,

Oh you were game to walk out on that, it wasn't built when we last went. Scary looking down to the sea isn't it. Albany is known for its cold weather, we joke that it has about one sunny hot day and if you weren't in Albany then you missed Summer.

Happy days.
Bev.