Sunday 5 October 2014

Kwolyin, Mangowine, Marshall rocks, Yanchep

Stopped at Kwolyin again - was there this time last year. OH NO - it has been discovered and heaps of people there - and a group of school kids camping for a few days. Getting hotter now and the grain is getting riper.
Stopped at Kulyalling park for 2 nights as the forecast was not great and too windy still. Nice spot but no facilities. Happy hour with 2 other couples round their campfire.
So much for my trip planner - which does work well but not when I keep changing my mind. At least I have learned a lot more about how my Garmin works.
 Still some pink wild flowers in the more shady places but so often I am unable to get off the road to take a photo which is a shame.
 Called into Bruce Rock for a few groceries - but the baker and butcher are now closed. On to Merriden - should have bought everything there. Much better choice at the IGA.
A night at the Shire CP at Nungarin. Very busy newly refurbished  camp  but only about 8 sites. Full up as it is their Harvest Festival the first weekend in October.  Good facilities and cheap, but no washing machine.  Then spent 3 days at Mangowine Homestead. Annual concert Saturday night which was well attended. For $110 you can order a picnic hamper for 2 including wine - but I just bought a hamburger for dinner. Entertained by a Perth tribute band - Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis.
The caretaker here does such a lovely job of looking after the old Adams homestead and hotel and is most hospitable.


 Went out to Eaglestone Rock camp just for a look. Nice spot with plenty of camping areas, and I gather there are toilets there somewhere but I didnt see them.  A large salt lake runs along the edge of the rock. Good dirt roads around this area. So many dry shallow lake beds everywhere.



 Everything much drier north of the Kalgoorlie highway. Grain ready to harvest and the land looks very thirsty. Has been trying to rain but maybe too much wind.



Spent a few days at Marshall Rocks. Nice spot, new toilet, scattered trees and so peaceful. Large areas for camping and a few picnic tables. A large group of parents and children who belonged to a walking group were here one night - all in tents or sleeping in cars.

Friend who runs a caravan website here also so we have had some lovely long conversations. We went to see the Pergandes sheepyards made from granite slabs again. Much shorter grass this trip but so many flies everywhere now.

Went for a walk up on to the rock. Such great views from these amazing monoliths all over Aus.
An eclipse of the moon tonight - and early enough to see for a change. Stunning orange moon but photos not so good.
From Marshall to Trayning CP. Run by the shire, very new and tidy. Another stunning orange moon.
Called in to Lake Ninan but decided not to stay so on to New Norcia. Camped in their paddock then to Wannamel for a night before heading to Yanchep. Will be here for about 6 weeks so no more updates.