Kangaroo Paw, Western Australia

 The plant Kangaroo Paw is a native plant that you find growing in the Australian Bush in Western Australia.  The flower reflects a kangaroo paw hence it's name. A collection of colours of Kangaroo Paws [ here ] plus photos of the plant close up.  The colours are more intense in cooler climates.

These photos were taken by me not far from Ravensthorpe in Western Australia several years ago. I'm really enjoying looking at my past travels of Australia in our caravan and finding photos to share. 

The Kangaroo Paws like to grow in sandy soil slightly acidic so the air can get to the roots.

Salt bush growing in a similar area and the Indigenous Australians used saltbush as a versatile food, natural seasoning, and traditional medicine.  They roasted and ground the seeds to mix into damper (bush bread), used the salty leaves to wrap and flavour meats, and applied crushed leaves as a poultice to soothe burns, wounds, and skin sores.

Many farm animals, native wildlife, and insects eat saltbush which serves as a tough, salty food source in dry area - including sheep.

From Launceston to Ravensthorpe is 3,550 km, 44 hours and 9 minutes (2,205 miles)

Two maps as it gives better idea of the distance. You can see the marks on the map.

A Special Day it was

 Update, I've added a video that has just become available - it's below!

Yesterday, Sunday 23 August 2026 the new ferry called The Spirit of Tasmania 1V arrived to it's home port in Devonport, Tasmania about 1 hours drive from home, Launceston, Tasmania.   It is now berthed in the Mersey River, Devonport for a trial run to see if all fitted!  The ferry sails between Devonport and Geelong in Victoria across Bass Strait some 459 kms (285 miles).

The river isn't that wide it's about 200 to 300 meters (656 to 984 feet) from one side to the other.

Our Great nephew A in his early 30's (his parents I mentioned in the post before last) was the Pilot of the Pilot boat that guided the ferry into the river and berth.  He is the Harbour Pilot and he had been a Captain of a ship previously for a few years before taking on his current position.  

Some photos I borrowed from the Internet, the remainder his Grandmother sent me (my husband's sister) of Sunday's morning happenings in Devonport.   

A, with Pilot written on his clothes in the Pilot boat.

Amazing how the ferry fits into it's mooring backing into it, and of course it has to turn around to do this.

The Spirit of Tasmania 1V and there is another called The Spirit of Tasmania V, this latter one will arrive later, as the ships cross in the night one of course going to Geelong in Victoria and the other coming to Devonport, Tasmania.  

The ferry is built to carry up to 1,400 passengers and 500 vehicles per crossing across Bass Strait.  The ships were built in Rauma, Finland. 

A, in the Bridge of the ferry as he had to climb up the ladder of the ferry to enter.

The video of the arrival in Devonport on Sunday.  The video just became available.  If you wish to view it and see how it turns around, that happens about 6.34.  Beautiful sunrise to welcome The Spirit of Tasmania lV.  The birds are having their say, you can hear them.