Sat, 7th Jan, 2017 Greenbushes Pool RV Camp, Greenbushes, WA (exploring Bridgetown & Greenbushes)

8am 20 degrees and overcast. Chatted with the other Nissan Patrol owners next door, Ron and Angela, ex Melbourne, been on the road for 12 months. He has wobbling steering at 85km too – so no answers there.

Sky cleared up and it is starting to warm up after lunch as we headed back to Bridgetown. Stopped at the Information Centre which houses a museum and huge jigsaw collection started by Mrs Jessica Brierly who had a boarding house during 1950-60s. Lots of interesting items in the Museum depicting the timber and apple growing industries of the area. An automatic nailing machine for the wooden packing boxes and fruit dryer then the apple sorting table.

Interesting reading about Henderson’s Marionettes in the 1950-60s. The band is modelled on the actual people in the Bridgetown Dance Band. These were the first marionettes to perform on WA National Television in 1961.

Lots of interesting bits and pieces.

Steve thought this pinball game was great.

Into the Jigsaw Room.

The World’s smallest jigsaw – Swedish Ferry - is of a watercolour painting which was cut in Sweden by water jet and has 99 pieces.

One of the large ones with 8000 pieces.

Then Steve pointed out this one – it is the same as the one I did – Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, 3720 pieces - (on and off for many years) and finally finished it and had it under the glass on our dining room table. I was amazed that we ended up with all the pieces the amount of times I had it in and out of the boxes in three different houses etc. Sadly I pulled it apart when we moved the table to Dan’s and donated it to the Salvos – wish now I had kept it!!

A few 3D jigsaws too – I tried one of the building ones – not that easy.

Let alone the double sided one which has the same photo on the reverse by turned by ¼.

The puzzle ball ‘Kangaroo hunting’ has 240 pieces.

Where’s Wally types and even round ones. I had one of two dolphins which was cut in the shape of the dolphins which was quite tricky but looks lovely framed – Steve’s cousin had one and framed it.

Jigsaw history.

This 9000 piece is the largest here and of the Sistine Chapel. You would need a big table to that one.

Another one of the World Map – Steve playing ‘show host’ – “ta da”.

Drove down the road to just before the big bridge over the Blackwood River to check out ‘Bridgedale’ (Blechynden House). It was established in 1863 and was the first home to be built in Bridgetown. Couldn’t work out which tree the plaque talked about.

The house is surrounded by trees so couldn’t get a close up photo.

Walked across the bridge for a view up the river.

Headed up to the Lookout but took a wrong turn – great view down over the river from here though.

Got to the Lookout and it is surrounded by trees so not much looking out was possible!!

Headed off following the river downstream. Stopped at one of the canoe access points for a look.

Turned off the main road onto Maranup Ford Road through pine and eucalypt forests.

Stopped at the Ford area. We would be very wet if we were standing here in 1982. The river is quite a way below us.

The ford spot.

Crossing the high bridge – hard to imagine that much water hurtling down the river as the flood was about this bridge height.

Nearly back to Greenbushes and the mining area. This is the noise we hear all night – a big cylinder going around.

Into Greenbushes for a cuppa near the old courthouse – the table and chairs are a little low.

Headed off following the Heritage Amble. Not many buildings to look at but great information and photos.

The driver of the ute seemed a bit hairy in front of the grand Exchange Hotel.

Continued down the street. Must have been a busy place back then.

Stopped at the Heritage Park.

The plaques continue. Nearly every house block has a story.

The Discovery Centre was closed so we will come back tomorrow.

We saw one of these machines working as we passed through the forestry area earlier.

Heading back up the road towards our truck.

Lovely roses in Thomson Park.

Back to the van. Lots of other vans and backpackers coming in. Rang Mum & Dad for a chat – all well there, loving the tennis.