Albany - Day 5

We have had a lovely day, despite the weather being decidedly English it has rained all day. This is great for the locals who have not seen significant rainfall for months but not so good for tourists, but actually our day has been very successful.

On the promontory overlooking Albany harbour is the ANZAC Museum and Memorial. It is situated here because the ships taking the troops to Europe to fight in the First World War gathered here before departing from Australia. Albany has a huge natural harbour second only to Sydney in Australia and was an ideal rendezvous point for the two convoys. The museum, which opened two years a go, frames the harbour in its windows so you are always brought back to this starting point.

The photo here does not do justice to the moving memorial that has been designed. The top consists of a flowing stream of water that appears to be disappearing in the harbour. As you look into the water the names of every ANZAC soldier who died in the conflict are scrolling, seemingly synchronised with the water. The symbolism is of the soldiers embarking on the ships never to return.

The museum approaches the war from the perspective of the men, allowing their recollections to build into the bigger picture of the conflict. When you enter the museum you are given a card with a picture of an individual soldier. At various points around the museum you place this on a reader to be presented with archival documents and a narrative detailing their history. Additionally you have an individual speaker that retells the history of the conflict in the words of the participants. All this is pulled together so for instance you can cross reference the ship that each man travelled on and where it was located in Albany Harbour. It is one of the most effective museums that I have visited, using technology to explain not to overwhelm. A fitting tribute to the ANZAC force.

The site of the museum is much larger but almost entirely outside, hopefully we will be able to return tomorrow.

This afternoon we drove along side the harbour to the Tomdirrup National Park that comprises the peninsular at one side of the harbour. It is a very beautiful spot with a wonderful coastline. One feature is a natural bridge of rock that spans an inlet with the sea boiling below. Close by a platform has been constructed jutting out from the cliff so you are seemingly suspended above a deep ravine. 

Even in today’s poor weather it was a lovely spot. On the way back there is a replica of the Amity the first ship to bring settlers to Albany.

I try not to bore you with our eating habits, but tonight it was a first, crocodile meatballs, and very good they were too. Tasting rather like sweet pork served with a cranberry jelly. No more jawing from me then!