David's moving toes: Walpole and the giant trees

We were off to see the giant trees of South West Australia. Apparently these are the third tallest trees in the world. One is the California red wood, 2 the Victorian mountain ash ( close to Melbourne) and three is the karri and tingle forests around here. The Tingle tree is amazing as it grows fast and tall, then base spreads out as it has small roots, then the base is hollowed out by insects and fire. Even though the base is hollow the tree continues growing and is healthy. The wood is so strong it can support itself to 60 or 70m and live 400years.

The one below was the 2nd biggest. A bigger one was popular for people to drive through until one day without warning it fell over. No cars inside at the time.

The Giant Tingle near Walpole

Drove through the forest for about 60kms from Margaret River to Nannup. Sunshine and lots of flowers. Delightful.

Garden at Nannup. 60kms from Margaret River

On to Pemberton a timber town in the hills. Walked 3kms to the Gloucester Tree and was amazed to find you could climb the 53m to the top using spikes in the tree trunk. After about 10m Dave returned to earth and sat with the parrots deciding when to try again.

Birds around the Gloucester Tree. Good company while deciding if to climb

Climbing the Gloucester Tree. 53m of Karri with spikes to climb.

Having watched a dutch guy get to the top I tried again three times and on the last attempt reached the fire watching platform at the top. I didn't dare to leave the spikes for the platform in case I lost my nerve. Back to earth with the old heart pounding and the sugar level going up. I had eaten lots before climbing to make sure my sugar level didn't go down while on the spikes. If it went down too far I would black out and fall off.

Four english guys then tried the climb and two made it to the top. The Bibbilum track went close by and I walked a section in the hot sunny weather. The Track is 1000kms from Perth to Albany and looks good

Karri trees

Burr on Karri ? tree

Decided to Drive on from hot sunny Pemberton-mistake. Arrived at river campground at Walpole where it was freezing and windy. Luckily there was a good camp kitchen to shelter in for the evening and the new tent didn't blow down.

The wind had gone on the next morning. Walpole nothing special but a few kms drive brought us to the Giant Tingle tree and its mates. Amazing. Met a couple who had almost completed the Bibilum trail. They said good huts all along the way and the lady had lost 12kgs over 50 days.. From the Giant tingle to the Giant canopy walk. Hot and sunny and big trees. Amazing. The tassle plant below was used used as a design for the walkway supports.