Sat, 8th Feb, 2025 Bush camp by Blackwood River, near Eulin Crossing to Railway Dam 72hr RV Stop, south of Narrogin, WA (exploring Wagin, Highbury & dam walk)

Heard a vehicle at 3am and it was the 4WD coming back but it kept going and left the other 4WD there - weirder.

Around 5am a 4WD came in towing a big ski boat. Obviously getting in early to get the best spot! They waited till 6.30am to put the boat in the water - brings back memories of all our skiing day on Tinaroo Dam.

Min of 18 degrees, overcast and light wind. Another chap arrived so they took him for a barefoot up the river - did a deep water start, got up but didn’t get to far before he fell off. Steve barefooted but I was never game enough.

Packed up. Steve checked if the chap needed a hand with his car - no, he said he will rope the young guys in to get it back on the trailer.

Headed out then along the gravel road and across the causeway that we walked to on our last visit. No water coming through now.

Back onto the main road heading towards the Albany Highway near Arthur River township. Through honey-coloured grain stalks with sheep wandering about. Doesn’t look like much to eat in there. Passed the turn off to Lake Towerrining and Darkan that we took last time so now on a road I need to mark off in my map book. Across a wide section of water of the Arthur River.

Met the Albany Highway south of Arthur River then turned off again beside an abandoned shearing shed and brick building. No history about it.

Continued on towards Wagin - home of the Big Ram which we visited in Feb 2018. Another road to mark off in my map book too.

Through more grain growing country and sheep of course and into Wagin. They have a lovely park here so we stopped for a cuppa by the pool. Shorter to go to Antarctica then USA from here.

Went for a wander to check out the murals etc. The 6 seasons the aborigines follow. Love the cheeky Emu. Spotted a big white fish, a Koi, I think!

Up to the say hi to Baart. He will be 40 in May.

Headed into town as I saw there were murals on Wikicamps. Found a lovely church first - St Georges Anglican Church (1899).

This was first a Union Bank in 1927 then Elder Smith & Co (wool) used it. Now it is a community centre and RSL.

Found 2 murals.

Nice stone homes around here.

The 3^rd power house building became a cinema.

Found another history trail sign and old pressed metal ceilings as we walked along the main street.

Checked out the house prices at the real estate. Only place you can get a cheap block of land or house. Love the descriptions of these places “for sale”.

Mitchell Hall Hotel (1895) is a very long building though it says in the middle, Federal Hotel and that’s what plaque says so it’s a bit confusing. First section isn’t being used so they have lovely dresses etc displayed in the windows.

The other end.

Across the railway line to the Palace Hotel.

Back over the railway line again. Comparison of building styles - I much prefer the old ones.

This water fountain is nearly 100 years old and was bought by mail order.

Across the road to the Court House and Town Hall.

The Wagin Hotel is getting a facelift.

Spotted our next car - only $17,500 and it has the boomerang on the back like in the Crocodile Dundee film.

Back to the camper and headed around to the Showgrounds to use the dump point. They have 72hr camping here for $10 per night which is good - a few people are parked up there.

We continued northward on the Great Southern Highway with a water pipe and railway line on our right.

Across the Arthur River again - only a little pool here.

Stopped at Highbury (1894) - an old railway siding town. Still has a general store, hotel and a few houses. Had lunch at the picnic table in the trees with the crows singing the mournful songs. They do make me laugh when I hear them - poor things, ohohoh.

Wandered back to check out the sun dial - correct 12.30pm. Built to celebrate the Centenary of Federation. The times around the edge also tell the history of the area though they are hard to read.

Continued northward toward Narrogin. Turned off before town to check out the Railway Dam and 72hr RV Stop. Great and there is BBQs so will dig out some steaks for dinner and Steve can cook. I wish we had room for a BBQ as for so much of the year you can’t have fires and it is too hot to cook on an open fire any case as the sun doesn’t go done early enough!

Chose a spot then realised this is a big bull ant nest beside the sign but hopefully we won’t disturb them so they won’t bite us!

The wind has settled so the temperature is climbing - was to be a hotter day. 1pm 30 degrees. Went for a wander to read the history of the dam etc.

Got our hats and headed off for the short walk around the bottom dam. Will do the other one tomorrow morning.

Great seat though the back rest mightn’t be to comfortable.

Interesting reading about ducks that were given names that aren’t relevant to them - Pacific Black Duck isn’t black etc.

Continued around the dam to the next info board and seat.

No birds or turtles about. Then we saw some ducks come out from behind the log below us. I think they the Pacific Black Ducks we read about.

Across the bridge - not much water but of course we are in the dry time of the year as they get their rain here in winter.

Back to the camper for an icy-pole. Starting to warm up a lot now. Worked on my blog till smoko then we moved outside into the shade and the breeze. 4pm up to 35 degrees.

The sun is on the side of the camper so by 5pm it was 36.6 degree which was the forecast for today. Luckily it is only in the latter part of the day. Now to wait till the sun sets so we can cook dinner. A few little mozzies about as we had drinks outside reading our books.

Nice sun set colour on the clouds to the west as we went up to the BBQ to cook dinner. A chap came past on his push-bike and raided the rubbish bin for 10c cans and bottles then a lady came and cleaned the toilets. I went over to use them after she left but it was locked. Luckily we have our own which I prefer to use any case.

Only a chap with his dog are here - parked further over so we have the place to ourselves really. All quiet.