Mon, 26th Dec, 2016 Bob & Margaret’s, Florida Beach, Dawesville, WA (exploring Peel Region)

Nice surprise for Bob, Margaret is coming home this morning so we changed our touring plans to go up to Perth to pick her up from the airport. We cruised up the old road towards Fremantle then turned off into Kwinana to check out the major ship building area. Bob kept us entertained with lots of stories of his younger days around Perth.

Down to the edge of the Swan River for a cuppa at Point Walter.

Long sand spit.

Looking down Blackwall Reach to the limestone cliffs and caves.

Across the river to the rich area of Mosman Park.

Walked out to the jetty on the other side of the park looking across to Freshwater Bay.

Then upstream into Melville Water and along the waterfront. Lots of people out for Boxing Day enjoying the water.

Continued along Canning Highway then along the water’s edge into Applecross where Bob was lived as a child. Great view to Perth City.

Continued on along the highway to the airport where we picked up Margaret. Good to see her again. Down the Tonkin Highway through Armadale and North Dandalup where we turned off to go across to Mandurah the other day. Bob and Margaret were great telling us about all the places we were passing. Turned off to check out Fairbridge School Farm and Village built to house immigrant children north of Pinjarra. The houses were large and are now used for holiday accommodation etc. The museum was closed.

The church is used for weddings a lot. Took these photos then the camera jammed with the lens stuck out – just like the last one did. Couldn’t get it to work again so had to use my little phone. Found a nice spot for lunch with a few peacocks.

Into Pinjarra to check out their old home by the Murray River – funny saying that. Maybe that’s why the other one is called the River Murray a lot. High banks but the river has flooded the town a few times.

Stopped at St John’s Church.

Under the road bridge down to the weir. When Bob & Margaret built their house they Council said they were going to move the weir upstream so people could bring their boats up to the back of the house but they never did. The Murray River flows from here down into the Peel Inlet.

The road bridge which has been built 5 times so far.

The townsfolk wanted another access across the river rather than having to cross the road bridge so the Government sent down the Army to build a suspension bridge.

Very wobbly – especially when I got it rocking.

Upstream then downstream of the Murray River.

Bob & Margaret - new friends who are old friends now.

Walked through Pinjarra – Margaret said it got its name from a war with the aborigines where a constable was ‘pinned to a Jarrah tree’ – pin jarrah, but then they dropped the ‘h’.

The first settlers home, Edenvale built 1860.

Found a memorial to that early conflict.

A couple had a fabulous property with lots of wonderful things on it – like this replica of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sadly they passed and it has been left unloved.

Lovely drive around the countryside. Lots of dams around here providing irrigation water.

Into Yarloop, an Alcoa mine town, but a lot of people had bought their own homes there. Sadly there was a major fire through the area and so many homes and two men’s lives were lost. The museum which volunteers had spent years making it into a great place to visit was completely burnt out. The burnt homes have been removed and only the old steam engines etc remain of the museum area. So sad but they are working to rebuild the town.

Through Harvey which is known for its milk, cheese and citrus. We will have to come back through to get some more photos when I get my camera fixed.

Turned off above Bunbury then headed across to the coast and back up again. Wound in and out of the holiday areas where Bob & Margaret used to bring their kids for holidays. Stopped at Lake Clifton to check out the Thrombolites. The wind has come up and it is a bit chilly out on the boardwalk. Bob said he touched one and it is hard.

Back up the Old Coast Road to the bottom of the Harvey Estuary that feeds into Peel Inlet too. My phone camera didn’t do too bad but it isn’t as clear. There is an island out there.

Lots of people were wading about collecting Blue Swimmer Crabs. Looking north up towards Mandurah.

Back home again – fabulous drive especially when you have locals to fill you in on the history etc.

Time for a drink then dinner in the van. Clouds have come over with all the wind.

Rained on and off all night.