Tues, 11th Feb, 2025 (am) Bush camp at Yornaning Dam Reserve, north of Cuballing to Bush camp at Gwambygine Park, south of York, WA (Beau 11 months) (Popanyinning & Pingelly history)

16 degrees min, cloudy with nice sunrise colours through the trees.

By 7am dark clouds have come over from the west and are now blocking the sunshine.

Our darling Beau is 11 months today - can’t wait to play with him soon. Tracy’s birthday today too so sent her a message.

Misty rain as we packed up and headed back to the Great Southern Highway to continue northward.

Next little railway township is Popanyinning, Hard to Say - Nice to Stay, the sign says. Pulled into the rest area. Saw there was a history walk so put the boots on and off we went.

The wind has picked up and is blowing the dark clouds away. More blue sky appearing with the white puffy clouds.

At Birds Silos & Sheds we watched them put the base on a silo. They had a vinyl cover laid out on the ground and a big gust of wind picked it up and rolled it about.

Nice plant borders and ‘art’ in front of a house in a back street along from the old school.

Unusual school building. Across the road was the site of a church which had fallen into disrepair - just like the sign is.

Heard some black cockatoos then saw them fly and they were the white-tailed ones. Down to the main road which we crossed to read a sign about the tennis courts but like the courts the sign is no longer any good. Across from that was the barracks site.

Back across the road and continued along heading back to where we started. Couldn’t read the next sign. Next one was the site of the post office, now a home. Then the General Store - another sign that needs fixing. Should have got fuel here as it was 181.9c/l but unfortunately the price isn’t marked on the fuel app. Beside that was the site of a bank.

Lovely big palms here.

Crossed the road to the old railway station. Love the seat and table. Steve’s trying to use the seat as a wheelchair! Big peppercorn tree shading the table - pulled off some leaves to smell the pepper.

Peered in the window at the old school bits and pieces.

Nearby was the war memorial.

Back to the camper and we continued northward. Still in grain country. Past a dry lake that Steve said was Lake Popanyinning on the Hema. I spotted some ‘fins’ on a frame that looked like they would go around like sharks circling when there is water!

Across the Hotham River which is dry at the moment.

Into Pingelly which is a bigger town. Turned across the railway line to find the dump point near the sports ground. Lots of things to do here.

Headed 8kms east to Moorumbine to check out the heritage trail. When we got to the church I remembered being here and doing the walk in Feb 2018 when we were coming back from Wikepin to Pingelly. Oh well at least it wasn’t a long drive!

Back to town and parked by the Soldier’s Memorial Park to have a cuppa. Another nice playground area.

Wandered along checking out the buildings etc.

Tinkled the ivories on the old pianola - not as good as Margaret’s though.

Nice mural near the old school.

No history info on the signs, just picture and date.

Nice ‘meeting place’ park.

Old servo on the corner. Should check out Steve’s Place but we didn’t.

Nice church but no info board and I can’t read the date on the foundation stones.

Back along the main street passed the Town Hall.

Down a side street to the Exchange Hotel.

Info on a window about the Glider Club. The members built the first successful glider in WA.

Lovely big building across the road was the Union Bank.

Continued on to the end of the block to what used to be a service station.

Diagonally across is the Pingelly Hotel - photo shows it similar to now but I doubt it was built like that back in 1888.

On the other corner is another lovely building.

Up that side of the street to the Post Office which is now in the building beside the old one.

Back to the camper and continued on to the next town, Brookton.