Sat, 31st Dec, 2016 Kev & Linda’s, Eaton, WA (exploring Greenbushes & Bridgetown)

Up early to head off exploring. Lovely clear morning as we left to head south east towards Bridgetown to see Kev & Linda’s friend that they will be house-sitting for in March.

Through a few little towns then up into the Darling Range. Turned off the highway into Greenbushes – it is situated on the highest point on the Darling Scarp. A lovely little mining town with lots of history plaques everywhere. Tin was discovered here in 1886 and mining began in 1888 and is still operating making it the oldest and longest continuously mining operation in WA.

There is a free camp here by a lovely pool so we will be back to do the town and other walks.

We think these are the ‘Green Bushes’ the town is named after. The aborigines had a well here and travellers could locate it because of the bright green bushes around it.

Up to the mine lookout – amazing huge hole. Freezing cold up here – should have brought a jumper.

Lots of information.

A miner’s hut and huge tyre but the windlass has been taken away.

A couple of buses pulled up with a super-modified speedway car on a trailer. There is a race meeting south at Manjimup. The Underwoods are racing again in Speedweek around Terang, Warrnambool area where we joined them last year. Hope all goes well.

Back onto the main road then we turned off before Bridgetown to Dave and Sue’s farm. Lovely area with fabulous views. The clouds have come over and the wind is cold.

Sue had the fire going which was lovely. I thought this was summer!!

Little Blue Wrens were flitting around everywhere but it was a bit hard to get a photo with this phone camera!! They are all blue and so cute, of course the female is brown with just the blue on her tail. Got one male on the ground and a female in the feeder though they are hard to see in these photos.

Even spotted a Red Robin – wish I had my camera!!!

Fabulous elk horn which his father had previously.

Dave took us for a drive around the property – hilly. Geegelup Brook runs through the property – the original name of the town.

Down into Bridgetown for lunch by the Blackwood River. Another big one like the Murray River. The first survey was carried out in 1852. Two of the first settlers, EG Hester and John Blechynden, arrived in the mid-19^th century and leased areas of land for grazing stock. The 21 year old Blechynden took up 4,000 acres and built his homestead ‘Bridgedale’ close to the river. The house is now owned by National Trust – will check it out next time.

As the population grew, the town site was gazetted as ‘Geegelup’ in 1862. Later, John Allnut, the first settler to establish orchards in the area, suggested the name be changed to Bridgetown to reflect the town’s location on the Blackwood River and also after the ship ‘SS Bridgetown’ which had put in at Bunbury to load the first consignment of wool from Bridgetown. After many debates it was gazetted as Bridgetown on 4 June, 1868.

I forgot to put in the forks so Steve made one out of a stick!! Luckily Kev had some in his truck.

A bit of info about the Blackwood River which flows down to Augusta.

This is the 5^th bridge to be built here. The first one was built in 1862 but this one was washed away just before completion. A second one was built upstream but that was replaced by a 3^rd bridge in 1888. None of the timber was milled – it was all sawn or hewn and the bolts were made on site. The 4^th bridge was constructed in 1936 and they widened to cope with the increasing traffic 30 years later. This current bridge was built in 1980 using jarrah timbers. It has a total length of 127.5 metres and has 17 spans which makes it the longest road bridge in the SW of WA. The boys calculated some 500 trees were used to construct the bridge.

This sign doesn’t make me want to go for a swim.

There is a town walk which we will do when we visit again.

The toilet block was painted by the children in 2003 showing the history of the town.

Headed off west to Nannup through Karri, Jarrah and Blackwood forests. There was some logging happening in the forestry area – pine trees probably heading to Bunbury and the wood-chipping plant there. Crossed back over the Blackwood River then headed north west towards Busselton. Off the Darling Scarp and down into the sandy soils and smaller coastal shrubs etc.

Turned off before Busselton then up to Capel then back to Boyanup. Stopped at the Lions Park next to the Preston River. Another old bridge.

There is a nice river walk to follow.

Back home for a late cuppa. Rang Mum & Dad to wish them a happy new year. Andrea rang to wish us happy new year as they were out with Wendy & Dave watching the 9pm fireworks on the Esplanade.

Started watching a TV series, River, on Netflicks which we found out had 5 parts which will keep us occupied till midnight. At 9pm sent off texts to all the NSW, Vic, SA & Tassie family and friends then at 10pm sent off the Qld ones. Lovely texts back which was great.

Midnight came with hugs and kisses then we finished off the series and headed off to bed. Another year done with another wonderful one to look forward to. Great to be able to see the new year in with friends too.