Wed, 31st Jan, 2018 48hr RV Stop, Bruce Rock to Gorge Rock, 20km E of Corrigin, WA (Corrigin, Gorge Rock & Full Moon eclipse)

7.30am 23 degrees, wind seems to have lessened a bit. There will be a blood, blue moon tonight and it will be an eclipse too so that will be great to see.

Headed off back through town then down the road towards Corrigin. This is a seed cleaning facility – obviously so the farmers can get a better price for their grain.

Stopped at Ardath to check out the hotel built in 1925. There is a shed down the road, a house behind the hotel and the grain bins nearby. Oh yeah we saw a sign about the Tennis Club. Another town that came to be because of the railway.

Passed the turn off to Babakin (another railway town) which is now famous for its underground orchid. It produces flowers which are about the size of a 50 cent piece. They were discovered by John Trotter in 1928. Not in season (May to June) now so we didn’t bother going in.

Continued on past Lake Kurrenkutten – a very large salt lake. I see on the map that Salt River ‘flows’ from it. We have crossed over the ‘river’ several times.

Into Corrigin – known as the windmill town as it had an abundant water supply and every house had a windmill. Sadly they have all disappeared since the town got mains water in 1960. Stopped at the Rotary Park for a cuppa. Good information boards.

Next door is the Museum.

On the other side is a huge dog, little train and a helicopter for kids to play in. The dog represents the Dog Cemetery here and also the World Record held for the most dogs and utes in a line. Hence the dog in the ute on top of the road house across the road. The record was set in 2002 and is now set at 1527 utes each with a dog in it in a continuous line. It raised $80,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor and community activities. The previous record was held in Victoria for 797 utes & dogs. Shame there isn’t any photos.

Drove into town past a windmill – a reminder of the town’s past.

The Corrigin Hotel, established in 1915 – now over 100 years old!!

Drove down the shopping precinct.

Most of the houses are fibro style – this one is cute.

Past the Town Hall (1925), always the flashiest buildings in a town. Next to it was the Road Board offices.

Decided to check out Gorge Rock, 20km east on the road to Kondinin as it has a pool in it. Plenty of room to park up. Fire pits but no gas BBQs. People have left their rubbish in the fire pits so we will clean that up before we head back into town. Some people as just so slack – if you bring it out you can take it back and find a bin!!

Wandered over to read the info boards on the site of the Gorge Rock School (1920-2007).

Where we are parked was the site of the old tennis courts.

After lunch we walked up the track to check out the rock and the swimming pool. First we checked out the amphitheatre and the ‘wave wall’. Bit overgrown now.

Continued around and up between the two rocks to the concrete wall which made the swimming pool.

Steve thought he might take a dive off the old dive platform. Certainly would have been great when they were keeping it clean.

Up the rock was a frame which we think was a flying fox across the pool to a concrete pad on the other side.

Continued up to the top of the main rock. Good view of the pool from half way up.

Someone was creative with the broken bits of rock capping.

Good view from up here.

The wind was very strong and Steve’s hat went for a fly.

On the other side of the rock is another rock with a ‘gorge’ between them.

Back over to the other end of the pool gorge where we crossed over to climb up the other rock and down the other side of the pool.

Down to the concrete pad and other bits of iron from the flying fox.

‘Sort of’ steps going down the rock face.

Spotted another concrete pad – maybe for a change room.

Better shot of the wave as we headed around the track to find the scouts area. All over grown now – only a water tank left.

Back to the van for a cuppa. Another couple from Adelaide have arrived with their van and another chap from Perth pulled in with his car and swag. We had a nice afternoon chatting which went into drinks – moving according to the shade.

While I cooked dinner (early) Steve took the chairs halfway up the rock so we can watch the sun set then the moon rise. Made it up there just after the sun disappeared but the colour was lovely.

The wind is quite strong and cool but we were prepared with our jumpers.

I walked up the hill further and spotted the moon had risen. Great view of the sunset too.

Moved the chairs up to the top. Should have brought a blanket too!! Slow process watching the moon rise!!

 It is a special moon event tonight as it is a ‘super’ moon because it is closest to earth, a ‘blue’ moon because there has been two moon risings in this month, ‘blood’ because it looks red as there is also an eclipse tonight. Amazing how well my little camera does on moon photos. 

The other couple came up and joined us just as the eclipse started. Took a while for the earth’s shadow to pass over it completely. The last time I photographed an eclipse was 8^th October, 2014 when we were at Bathurst for the V8s.

By then we were cold so headed back to camp for a hot shower and cuppa. It was 9pm when we got back. Remembered to check on the moon at 11pm and it was all clear again.