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September 2015
18 September 2015
September saw us back with family again and attending to commitments with them, and then, today we managed to sneak off for a bit again and to head back out onto the open road for some more touring around the wheatbelt.
Heading out of Perth we made our way out to Brookton and then nice country back roads where the various crops were covering the open plains and hills, some beginning to turn with a slight tinge of colour. Having had cool weather for the past while it was a shock to be enjoying and enduring a 30 degree day, but pleasant nevertheless.
We made our way to a small spot called 9 Acre Rock where, apart from a large granite rock outcrop there are the remains of an old settlers cottage to wander around and explore. The old stone house is almost gone and the stables are much the same, and in amongst the tall grass, weeds and very large aloe vera type bushes old pieces of machinery sit rusting their days away.
The remains of the old homestead.
Leaving the small parking area we were heading for along the Brookton-Kweda Road when we spied an old farmhouse that meant we had to stop for a photo, during which a farmer came along and stopped for a chat. It turned out the house was his parents place and he lived there until he was 10 before moving into the place we had just passed and which is now owned by his son. He told us to go through the fence and have a look around as the fence was only there to keep the stock in, and so after he left, we did.
The remain of the house with the shed at the back still containing the old 3Kva generator they used for power.
Dead tree's framing the dead house as they sit in the sheep paddock together.
Leaving the old house we made our way into the small town (?) of Aldersyde which consists of a CBH Wheat Bin, two old houses, a small hall and a gravel pit that has been created on the old tennis court. We did consider stopping there for the night but decided to push on, eventually finding and stopping on an old piece of highway on the Brookton-Corrigen Road that sits behind a heap of new trees and next to a paddock in crop.
The crops came right up to our door (well, almost).
The smoke haze across the sky began to turn in colour as the sun began to set and so, whilst enduring an onslaught of attack from the very large and hungry mosquito's (which is hard to do in shorts and a t-shirt) became some sort of idiotic dance between framing the photo, adjusting the settings and pressing the shutter button.
The sun took on this strange planet like appearance as it fell between the layers of cloud and smoke haze.
A closer view of the sun using the 55-250mm lens.
19 September 2015.
Safely back inside from the attack of the mozzies we enjoyed a nice peaceful night, the peace only slightly broken by the odd vehicle as it went passed us on the new highway some 200m away. Waking to a cloudy day and considerably cooler day than yesterday we watched the clouds over the crops as we ate breakfast and then headed off towards Quairading.
Coming into town we drove straight out again and up to the Toapin Weir for a look. The Weir was built in 1935 and funded by a local farmer so that he and the town could have "town" water. The weir sits on the side of a very large granite rock formation and as such collects all of the water run off when it rains and is then pumped into town. Looking now more like a large dam on the side of the rock it was once covered to reduce evaporation.
The view from the top of the rock.
Heading back into town Joanne indulged herself with a trip to the local market before we left town and headed out to the free camp at Kwolyin. The free camp sits on what was the town oval and has a toilet block, camp kitchen, tent and vehicle spots and walks to the nearby rock. Set up because the nearby Kokerbin Rock was as the Shire puts it "was being loved to death" and so camping there was closed. This however, is a great little spot with the camping sits sitting amongst the small trees and bushes that are taking over the oval. We managed to snag one of the last three sites and are right near the sign which denotes where the Cricket Pitch was.
23 September 2015
Kwolyn was a great little camp and we could have stayed longer but with an appointment in Merredin the next day we left and made our way to check out a camp spot next to the Hines Hill Wheat Bin, but then decided to go into Merredin itself. Stopping in the RV parking area we spent the day watching TV and doing little else before moving out to the Free 24 hr RV camp at the back of the town for the night, and returning again following our appointment in town.
The RV camp was quiet with only one other in each night. Filling up with fuel we left town the next day and heading for Yeerakine Rock just 28km's North of Kulin where we thought we might explore a little and camp overnight. Leaving Merredin we were surprised to find the China Australia Flight School at the local airport and at least a dozen planes sitting under carports as three or four circled and landed.
Passing more crops and very nice open country we eventually found ourselves at Yeerakine Rock, the overgrown track at the picnic area stopping us from getting any closer. Parking up we took the track up to the rock and enjoyed not only the views across the area but the memorial to the men from the area who joined the Australian Lighthorse Brigade during the war.
The Memorial as it sits atop the rock.
Back down from the top of the rock we enjoyed lunch and then drove back up the hill to where we had spied a level area near the gate that takes you to the rock itself (cars only) and that was where we decided to stay for the night.
The night was very quiet and the only noise was the wind as it howled. Next morning Joanne went for her usual morning walk and took up the challenge for a photo of the Lighthorse Memorial as the sun came up.
Challenge Completed with flying colours!
Upon Joanne's return we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before driving the 28 km's into the small farming community of Kulin. Arriving in town we passed the "pay what it is worth" caravan park before finding a spot in the free 72 hour RV parking area which is right in the middle of the town, has free hot showers and which we had all to ourselves for a few hours.
Taking a stroll around town filled in half an hour before we settled in the for the afternoon. Kulin is not very big and despite looking like it is just hanging on, is in fact doing okay. The Shire seem to be spending money to improve the place and there is renovations and projects going on around the town.
24 September 2015
After a very nice fish and chips meal from the cafe just across the road we and six other campers enjoyed a quiet night in the RV camp last night and awoke to a windy day courtesy of a warm NE wind. So after taking our time to get going and enjoying another nice free hot shower we topped up our water and left town.
We were heading East along part of the Tin Horse Highway where the local people and businesses have made up various scenes involving a horse and placed them along the side of the highway, some very comical and interesting and which is quite a tourist attraction around these parts.
Following a dirt road detour toward a spot on the map called Dragon Rocks we had hoped to find large rocks in the shape of dragons but were disappointed to find that the last part of the road to them was about 20 km's long and as it was part of The Holland Track was sign posted as 4 wheel drive only. So, despite the graded road discretion over valor was exercised and we decided not to risk it we continued on until we found the bitumen of the Newdegate to Hyden Road. Turning South we eventually arrived in Newdegate where had a quick look t town before stopping for lunch at the pioneer park.
Lunch over and another perusal at the map this time we decided to investigate a small town called Varley where we hoped to find a salt lake and some dead trees for sunset photos on the way there, but after finding nothing ended up in the small town of Varley. The CBH wheat bin is the only thing of note in town except for the small RV parking area complete with toilets, BBQ, 10amp power and a Rabbit Cemetery in memorial to all of the rabbits that have perished along the nearby vermin proof fence.
After a short (5 minute) drive around town we decided not to stop and continued on to the locality of Lake Camm where according to wikicamps there is a camp spot at an old tennis club next to Lake Newton.
On arrival we found the remains of the tennis club and a bush track out the back which we negotiated rather slowly while looking for a lakeside camp before eventually returning to park on the gravel next to the tennis courts.
Trees growing in the middle of the court make play a little hard.
Just on the other side of the Tennis club is Lake Newton.
Just before sunset there was time to get some shots down at the lake and to feed the mozzies before making a hasty retreat and heading across the highway to capture a golden sun as it set across the wheat paddocks.
A golden sun sets across the wheat for another day.
Joanne captured this on her morning walk.
25 September 2015
With nothing to keep us at the Tennis Club we made our way towards Lake King, arriving to find the town is in two parts, the industrial area and housing a few kilometers away from the store, school, hall and sports ground. Stopping for fuel ($1.34) we found out that the reason the town is split in two is that the original part where the store is flooded sometime back so the rest moved to higher and hopefully dryer ground.
Leaving town we eventually came to Lake King itself and crossing the causeway through the middle of the lake came across a few scenes that just begged to be photographed, so after getting to where the road widened and we could park it was a short walk back to capture where we had seen.
One of many interesting scenes at Lake King
Another Lake King view
Photo's over we began heading back towards Newdegate and having noticed the nice wild flowers along the way managed to stop and park in a harvest entrance to a paddock, walked back to photograph them.
Quite a colourful collection at this spot.
Such a pretty little plant.
A ground covering Grevillia (we think).
Passing through Newdegate and onto Lake Grace where we stopped for lunch and a look around before heading about 10 km's out to the lake itself and taking up a spot in the roadside rest area with the lake behind.
After setting up camp it was time to take in some of the local scenes and to explore the area. Unfortunately others have been here before and it looks like the lake itself was at some time a dumping ground for many years with remnants of cars and household goods, bottles, cans and concrete slabs and building site debris all rusting away and being over grown by the bush. More recent activity seems to have been motor and quad bikes on the lake itself the tell tale signs of riders enjoying the flat salt plain all over the place. All in all not the best looking place when you look a little closer, but, not to be deterred we did find some beauty here, the first being right out our back window, carpets of bright pink flowers stretching in every direction mixed with interesting shapes of dead bushes.
Carpets of pretty pink flowers adorn the salt plain as the crops grow right up to it in the background.
And then as the afternoon wore on the sky changed as a smoke haze began to cover it, making for an interesting sunset as the day wound to a close.
The smoky sunset begins.
Exploring around to find an interesting sunset shot revealed this little gem with succulents and those ever present pink flowers.
One other camper came in as the sun settled through the smoke and then as the evening wore on the wind picked up quite strongly, no doubt helping to get rid of the smoke ready for the morning.
27 September 2016
Today finds us in the small town of Dumbleyung courtesy of wanting to get some sunset shots with dead trees in them. Having left our camp at Lake Grace we took a trip South through the small town of Pingrup and then turned West towards Dumbleyung. In search of our photo and a good spot on the Lake we headed South out of town and then turned along the tourist drive that takes you on the Southern side of the 13km long and 6.5km wide lake.
Part way along the road we found a sign to the lake itself at Cooran Hill and the closer we got to the lake the narrower the road became and where after squeezing between the wheat on one side and the bush on the other we found a little used ski club and an interesting turning place, but no photo opportunity of interest. But then on the way back out we noticed a small track leading off into the bush and towards the lake again so we took it.
The track led us to a point high up on the hill where we could see most of the lake and those tree's that we had been looking for, but we were thwarted once again because a check on The Photographers Ephemeris app showed the sun would set behind the hill we were on and not the trees on the lake bed, but it would have made a fabulous campsite!
Lake Dumbleyung from Cooran Hill
Negotiating the tall grass, trees and washouts we made our way back along the track and out onto the road which took us back to the highway about 18km's out of town and not far from where we turned off along a heavily corrugated road through private property to Pussy Cat Hill.
Pussy Cat hill is a look out sitting in the middle of a wheat paddock. At the top is an interpretive memorial to Donald Campbell's water speed record which he set here with his boat (more like rocket) Bluebird. Taking AJ to the top with lunch with a view in mind was okay but the parking and turnaround area there was not. Being so steep there was no way we could have parked and got out as we were sliding backwards even with the brakes on, and then turning around was not going to be good because we would probably have tipped over when turning, so there was no option but to carefully reverse about 50m back down to more level ground using brakes and the engine to slow our pace where we just managed to turn around next to the wheat and to head back down to a small car park at a small lookout.
Taking the corrugated road a little further we found the sailing club and with the water so far out and so shallow we parked on the level spot that is/was the boat ramp and had lunch before waiting the afternoon out and waiting for sunset.
Practice shot in the afternoon.
Practicing shots into the sun which can only be done using the Nisi 10 filter.
Almost there, the sun sets across the salt lake.
And finally, the last rays.
With photo's that were not quite what was in mind, but successful nevertheless and with no camping permitted at this part we left as darkness fell, making our way out and heading back into Dumbleyung where we found a spot at the free RV camp in the sport and recreation area and settled in for the night as the wind blew up a storm.
Waking this morning to an overcast day and the wind in full swing we made the short trip through town to the Council owned and operated caravan park where following a call to the number listed we were given the pin number to open the lock box to get a key, which we are told we leave in the other box with our $20 for the day when we leave. So after a nice long hot shower and getting the week's washing going we have settled in for the day.
28 September 2015
Today started with a scramble around 4am when we heard a rushing of water outside. Thinking the water hose had burst off the tap or where it connects to the motorhome a quick check outside was ordered but after racing outside and looking around it was just the sprinklers on the lawn and garden next to us. Grrr! So, with a potential emergency and waste of water over it was back to bed for a few more hours sleep.
Leaving town after a sleep in and leisurely pack up we made our way South towards Katanning where we filled up with the cheapest fuel this financial year at $1.20 per litre courtesy of a Woollies ticket. Being a public holiday there was hardly anything open in town and so after morning tea at a local park we made our way out of town and onto a small typical farming but pleasant looking town by the name of Gnowangerup which was also pretty quiet. We checked out the caravan park which looked quite nice ($25pn powered) before utilising the CMCA dump point just outside of the caravan park and heading off again.
Leaving Gnowangerup we were headed for Borden where wikicamps informed that free camping is available all around the sports oval. Not far before town we stopped at Loui's lookout to check out the vista of the Stirling Ranges before dropping down into Borden itself, which comprises a large CBH wheat bin, small pub, small shop, school, a number of houses and of course the recreation ground.
Finding four other campers in and no view of the ranges we decided to leave and head back to the lookout again where we managed to select a site with a view of the whole range, settling in for the rest of the day and of course giving the camera a workout.
The view from our campsite took 13 shots stitched together to fit it all in.
29 September 2015
We awoke this morning to a blanket of fog over us and obscuring our view of the ranges. We debated whether or not to go to see them because of the weather and cloud but in the end just went, and we were glad that we did.
Entering the park we registered ourselves ($6 Seniors Card) and made our way along the 8 kilometer road to the carpark which already had a dozen vehicles parked in it as the cloud began to clear over the range. Loaded up with camera gear, water, food and just in case warm clothing we began our ascent to the summit at 9.30am.
We are going where?!
The first couple of hundred metres are downhill and paved and then, as predicted it went to dirt and it went up, and up and up and up! The track gradually increasing in grade and with more and more obstacles (rocks and boards) to climb over in addition to the climbing.
An easier part, but atleast there is a view as the clouds came and went, streaking across the sky with the wind at their tail.
Stopping for a rest on many occasions allowed us to not only recover but to admire the ever increasing view. With hearts beating from the climb like they haven't since our last bike ride we were feeling the pinch and still had 1.6 of the 3 kilometres to the top to go.
Just over halfway up and looking West.
Even the tree's were providing something to take our minds off the climb.
Up and up some more, the climb becoming increasingly difficult and even clambering over the erosion boards was an effort, sweat dripping off of us chilled by the occasional blow of the wind. Leaving the treeline and into the rock face area we were open to the elements and able to see specks of colour up ahead as people ahead of us climbed, those coming down all saying the view was worth it - we hoped so!
One of the rockface's as we began to leave the treeline.
Crossing the final 0.5 kilomet we could see salt lakes and crops to the South East and towards the ocean as the terrain eased slightly and then, we were there 1,073m and two hours later. We had done it!
The view from the top certainly is spectacular and it is hard to know where to look and enjoy first, but that decision was made slightly easier by the number of people at the top and who had just sort of stopped at the end. We moved off to one side to give ourselves some space, to explore our surroundings somewhat and to let our heart rate settle before we tried to take some photo's.
On the summit, looking East.
The view is not the only thing to photograph up here.
Small succulents at the base of moss covered bushes as we look West .
Looking North West where the carpark looks rather small from up here.
And so after too few photographs, a bite to eat and a fluid intake it was time to begin the descent, something we were looking forward to and dreading at the same time.
The descent had begun but it wasn't long before we were gladly stopping to get more photo's, and to give the knees and ankles a rest.
Yet another view to the West.
The moss growing under this small tree grabbed our attention and forced a photo stop.
A lot further down and on an easier part of the track again the view ahead helping t take our minds off the fatigue that had begun to settle in.
And then we were there, back at our house with all parts of our bodies aching and begging us to stop. So after cooling off and taking in more food and water we drove back to Loui's Lookout and took up residence in the same spot again. The rest of the day taken up with a shower, nap and more food and drinks as we thought about what we had done and processed our photo's.
30 September 2015
Our aching bodies slept very well last night and we awoke refreshed but rather stiff, and to another blanket of fog over us and the view. Leaving Loui's Lookout for the final time we made our way through the Stirling Range National Park stopping only for a photo opportunity at Toolbrunup Peak.
Toolbrunup Peak (left).
Sharing the road with some tripple roadtrains carrying grain to Albany we made our way into the Porongorup Range where we parked up and subjected our legs, hearts and lungs to another climb, this time only 2 kilomet and although hard, nowhere near that of yesterday.
At the top we saw the big balancing rock and then stretched, scrambled, twisted and climbed our way through two narrow rock crevices to arrive at the base of the 6m vertical ladder that takes you up to the Skywalk which, similar to the tree top walk, seems suspended in mid air as it wraps itself around the side of Castle Rock to reveal views out to Albany and King George Sound.
One of the views from the Skywalk Platform.
Being here with the crowds was a bit of a pain and between getting our spot in the queue and scrambling up and through the crevices mean' t that we didn't take shots of those areas and of course we didn't realise that until after we had left, so if you want to see it then you will have to go yourself.
Leaving the Skywalk to it's visitors we took the scenic drive through the rest of the Porongurups before settling in at the 24 hour free RV camp in Mt Barker for the night.
Mark Twain once said "...years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do that by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - and so we will.
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