It was great being 2 of the 102 participants at the 2009 West Australian National TSOA Rally in 2009. 

6 Queenslanders decided to do the journey. 2 were Chris & Christine Roberts who left weeks earlier as they were the courageous ones to accept the task of driving a vehicle over. It was a V8 Discovery but by the time they reached Busselton it was a TR 8 FHC [4WD], of course. It was capable of being a recovery vehicle while it was there and thankfully it wasn't called upon to do so. Brian & Linley Falloon and Kayetryna & I had made last minute decisions to make the trip, in so doing we were happy little aviators taking the journey to the "wild west" in comfort in a TR Boeing. 

The Strong's had decided to leave earlier then required to have a look around Perth, Freemantle and areas north of Perth before setting off to the South to discover the wonders of the SW corner of WA. Our second afternoon in Perth fpound us tracking whimsically thru unkown carriageways into "Freeo" in the search of a brewery called "Little Creatures" along the wharf front, thanks to Simon. Amazingly, the "Navman" we took with us did not have the capability to find anything within WA so it was only of assistance in telling us our current location, speed and direction. We successfully located the brewery and found Simon's friend who showed us the inner workings of this boutique brewery which certainly pumps out a good drop, it is also available in our own State cellars, and bought some samples for "Ron". If you are ever over there between now and then it is worth a look in. 

Our journey north on the Thursday was to see the northern beaches and beyond. We journeyed off to Cervantes via many stops for a look see of the sea, Indian Ocean, that is. The journey ended with a drive around the great spectacle that is the "Pinnacles" a desert of some magnitude and considerable geological significance. Check your googles for that info. 

Our first Friday in the wilds of WA led us to Bunbury and a chance meeting with a chap up a lookout from Carseldine area in the "De Lorean Club", small world.

Our first sunset dinner observing the golden orb sink into a blustery Indian Ocean was quite inspiring as we toasted the next day and registration in Busselton, only a short drive further south through and past strange Tuart forests and windy thrombocytes. 

I can tell you folks the roads and the speed limits are of a greater standard than our over-rated Queensland byways. The WA registrations are also much less the Captains Bligh and Teflon Pete's misleading advice and the petrol prices weren't that bad considering the location of several off our pit stops. 

I think this will do for this month. A second installment will be available in the new years edition and we may even get some wonderful comments from the Falloon's travels and also a great story from the adventurous Roberts' family.