After the Nullabor (really like saying that) we encountered more long straights, enough to know this is certainly not Queensland. Maybe QLD has taken WA’s corners and straight is all there is left. Anyway I digress, we arrived at Norsemen our gateway to Esperance so we stopped and did the IGA stop to replenish our food supplies and headed off. Fuel was now only really high priced rather than ludicrous price so I filled the luxxy and we drove to Esperance only to find out that due to the holidays being here there was no accommodation available in the town. It was a pity as it looked lovely. So we headed on again to Albany and we really love the place, it has a kind of feel similar to the Sunshine Coast but a bit smaller and for the first time we saw beaches that rival our own. This beautiful beach was found in Frenchman Bay and the water was so clear and clean it looked like water should (all clear and nice). The temperature was too cold to swim pfffff as if I would swim anyway, but this place got me close. We visited some other lookouts and rock formations and the blowhole near the unprotected beaches. All up it was great days exploring.
Anti Submarine Missile
We went to see the Anzac centre here and it shows a rich military involvement from both locals and others they served with. Being a town with an ocean facing bias it had strong fortifications and gun emplacements built into the cliffs and a great deal of retired weaponry was on display. A plaque showed the placement in the bay of the fleet of ships as they were positioned holding some 30 000 soldiers. As we explored we noticed an area we assumed was for a private event but we later found out that this was a display in honour of the fallen. It was described as the Field of Light installation but I will get to that later. Most of the place is free to visit but the main centre is admission fee. The rest of the walk and displays are very informative and volunteers in uniform are full of interesting insights into the life of those who were stationed here. It is great too see that our nation still not only remebers those who agev their lives for our freedom and way of life but also chooses to remember our history so it never repeats.
As I mentioned the Field of Lights installation was on so we stayed on the next day to visit it and see how it was done and to experience this walk through. It just so happened that this was done in April to commemorate Armistice Day. This installation was done by people not a government initiative but a group of incredible volunteers who worked on laying out everything according to the artist design and intent . So not really knowing what to expect we headed to the Field of Lights. We first had dinner at Joe Joes pizza and kebab place, I only say this because we ordered a seafood basket and it was huge, I mean really big and a salad that filled a mid sized mixing bowl. Just giving them a shout out as they were really friendly and the food and atmosphere was great. Back to the field of light as we drove up we scored a great park as someone was leaving and so began our journey. As we walked through the entrance it was a bit overwhelming as your senses try to take in what you are seeing. The guides were quick to steer us to the commentary via our smart phone as we started the walk. It outlined different characters and events and was very personal in reflections of those who had lost their lives sharing their backgrounds and stories. It was really emotional as you wandered along taking in the entire scene as the lights seem to ebb and flow with different colours made to resemble a field of wild flowers gently swaying in the breeze all while your host delivered the soundtrack to unpack the people and places. As we walked up the hill emotion seemed to build as I found myself really humbled at these amazing young men and women who had given their lives for people they would never meet. No photograph could ever do justice to this art piece but both Di and I were so privileged to be here to see it together. To Bruce Munro who put the installation together we really appreciate your vision and work in giving us this Avenue of Honour. To see some more pics go to www.fieldoflightalbany.com.au and it will give you some insight into this wonderful experience.
