Sat, 4th Jan, 2025 Bob & Margaret’s place, Dawesville to Robert Hindmarsh Rest Area, Wannamal, WA (Blackboy Hill & Swan View Tunnel)

Blue sky with clouds this morning, still windy.

Sent Dale a happy birthday text. He replied - started planning his retirement.

Went for our last walk then loaded the camper back on.

Upstairs for a last cuppa with Bob and Margaret for a while. We will be back on 16 Feb.

Headed off back through Mandurah and onto the Kwinana Freeway northward. Onto the Roe Highway to head east then turned off to Blackboy Hill to check out the history there. Clearer sky here. First selfie for 2025 in front of the sculpture.

Found some plaques and walked down to check out the sign on the tree.

Around the sculpture and up to the info boards.

Continued on a bit to the John Forrest National Park to find the Swan View Tunnel. There is only a small carpark which we missed so had to go up the hill with lots of big homes. Found a driveway to turn around in and then back to the carpark and managed to back up into a spot. Got out to find out info on the walk etc so just had my camera. No signage here but a bit further along the track we found this little sign. We didn’t have a torch or my phone to use its torch but decided to continue on. 

Found lots of Blackboys here that are now missing at Blackboy Hill that we just visited.

Continued along the track. Nice view from here and more Blackboys.

Took the track to the right to go to the tunnel.

In we go.

There was enough light to see ok for 100m in then in the darker middle section we just walked carefully on the round rocks covering the floor - no big rocks to fall over. Amazing work getting all those bricks up there. It is straight so we could see the other end easily. Managed to get a photo of one of many small alcoves along the tunnel wall.

Out the other side. The date is etched up the top.

Further along we found the information boards. Amazing what those men achieved. Try to get someone to do that nowadays!

The track continues on. I asked a lady coming from that direction about the waterfall - she said it was dry so we will do that one day after the wet season of winter.

Another look at the view. The workers lived in the valley here.

Headed back to the tunnel. The alternate track went around the hill.

Back through the tunnel. Found an old telegraph pole.

Back to the truck for lunch. I checked Wikicamps again and found another entrance further around where the picnic area is.

I noticed a Street Library box across the road so took over some books we have finished and swapped them. Need to keep a supply for speed reader Steve!

Back down the road then turned off just before the rail line to check out Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park. Unfortunately it is closed for maintenance in January but we could still see lots of different sculptures. Will come back again as it looks very interesting. Spotted a big crab that we remember seeing at Cottesloe Beach Sculpture Trail previously.

Across the rail line and back onto the Roe Highway which curved westward and changed into the Reid Highway. Continued along this till we turned onto Wanneroo Road then along to Gordon and Sheila's place for afternoon tea. I had messaged Judy too but unfortunately Richard hasn’t been well so will catch up with them later on.

Had a lovely afternoon chatting again over a cuppa and scones.

Back on the road again heading north then east to get back onto the Great Northern Highway to take us up to Bindoon. Into the Swan Valley (Vineyards since 1829) - sign said. We had come down this way from the north previously and stayed the night by the Brookton River in the Chittering Valley. Decided to continue on to the next rest area on the Bindoon-Moora Road that we haven’t been on before.

Up and down small hills through grazing land - sheep and cattle. Steve keeping an eye on the temperature - going ok with the automatic without the lock-up.

Spotted an emu in one paddock.

Passed a few paddocks of grape vines.

Pulled into the rest area at Wannamal. Another camper set up. We chose our spot and set up.

Checked out the information in the BBQ area which is on the site of the school. There is a history walk which we will do tomorrow. Lovely mosaic work on the table and the replica of the school bell.

Another book exchange in the stool so I swapped another 3 books.

Nice mural by the students on the water tank by the toilets which were part of the school.

Lovely colours of the sun setting through the trees. Quiet spot - only a few vehicles along the road.

Dinner then a movie to finish off our first day this year back on the road.

 

1-3 Jan, 2025 Bob & Margaret’s place, Dawesville, WA

Wed, 1^st

Sunny morning with some wispy clouds when we finally arose! Nice breeze and temperature to start the new year.

Also started on a good note with another walk though the scales are shifting with all this walking - might have something to do with the lovely food we have been eating!

Continued with our jigsaw over a cuppa upstairs. The boys chatted on.

Finished our jigsaw - the sky was easy compared to all the buildings!

Big white clouds are building to the east. Forecast was for only 25 maximum but they got that wrong as it reached 34 today. Malcolm says that farmers relied heavily on the BOM forecasts and have found that since they changed to computer modelling it can’t be trusted compared to the actual weather men who used to do the predictions.

Said goodbye to Malcolm. Steve and Bob are driving him into Mandurah to catch the train to Perth airport (his flight isn’t till 11pm). He decided to have a train ride experience to save us the drive up - we will be doing the same thing when we fly out in February. We will see him and Kerry in early October to watch him ‘race’ his 1926 Buick around Lake Perkolilli near Kalgoorlie. It was great having him here.

Drinks then back to the camper for a quiet evening.

 

 

Thurs, 2^nd

Warmer morning - already 30 degrees in the camper at 9.30 which is totally different to the BOM’s prediction again. Hazy sky - looks like the smoke from the fire to the north.

Another nice walk. Lots of people along the beaches enjoying the warmer weather.

Malcolm had a good trip home.

Steve got to work on making up a frame to support the gearbox when he drops it out in Feb. When he had to replace the seal in it in Adelaide he had hurt his shoulder so he is thinking smarter this time.

The sky has cleared now but it hasn’t gotten any warmer as there is a nice easterly breeze. I did my baking and caught up on my blog.

Relaxed in the afternoon reading.

Rang Terry to chat about Christmas etc at Woodgate. He loved meeting baby Arthur.

Joined Bob and Margaret for our 5pm drinks to watch Tipping Point - game show. They have got us hooked on it now too.

Back to the camper for dinner. A strong wind has come out which is quite cool so closed up the camper again. The wind settled by bed time.

 

 

Fri, 3^rd

7am 22 degrees. Clear sky and southerly wind.

Headed down to the beach with Margaret for a fish. Unfortunately we didn’t get anything, just fed the little fish. That’s why it is called fishing, not catching! But we had a lovely time and chatted with some of the other locals.

Headed back and met Stephen on the pathway. He continued on for his walk.

Back home for a cuppa then we started to pack up the camper to head off tomorrow for a wander north on a couple of roads we missed previously.

Mackerel clouds have spread across the sky. The kookaburras have been laughing too. Mum would say that means rain but I don’t think they will get any here.

After lunch we headed into town for fuel, gas bottle and groceries then home to pack it all away ready to leave tomorrow.

Only got to 28 degrees today.

I made a passionfruit and coconut pie again for dessert to use up the last of the passionfruit we had picked. Margaret cooked the usual Friday night fish and chips and we chatted away.

Cool strong wind when we headed down to the camper which is closed up again! So much for summer down here it changes constantly.