7am
19.6 degrees and cloudy. Glad we did the washing yesterday. The corellas are
back in full noise.
Off
to explore the area. First stop was the Wind Farm – not that we haven’t see so
many of these but they had a blade to check out. They are so big I couldn’t get
it all in the photo.
Naughty
Steve – didn’t read the sign!!
At
the other end.
Looking
down along the blade and its curve. Then I took a photo from the other end.
Steve
gave it a shove and it bends a lot.
Info
about the wind farm and the solar farm. Compared the costs and outputs. Wind
farm costs $200 million but puts out 55 megawatts while the solar farm cost
only $50 million but only puts out 10 megawatts.
Continued
down to Walkaway – haven’t found out why it is called that. Cute art display
near the Railway Station Museum.
The
museum wasn’t open yet so just snapped some photos. The goods shed was built in
1887.
Back
on the main highway and across the Greenough River – dry as a bone. There is
some water flowing out of Ellendale Pool under the causeway we cross but
obviously it doesn’t go far.
Turned
onto a dirt track and chased Mr Rabbit.
Hampton
Arms Inn (opened in 1863) – now a rare book store as well as being an Inn.
Next
stop was Gray’s Store. Looks like it still has its original shingle roof. I
wonder what he had in the high fenced enclosure next door.
Across
the road was a Wesleyan Church. The first wedding was held here in 1869 before
the building was even finished. Now the pigeons have taken it over.
On
the road edge were signs ‘crossing pythons’ – probably heading for all the
pigeons.
Continued
down the dirt road which then turned into a narrow track through the dunes and
over to the coast and Lucy’s Beach.
Stopped
here for a cuppa, watching the waves crash on the flat limestone ledges. The
sea is slowly eating them away. Looking south then north.
Got
a good shot of the wave squirting through the hole in the rock.
Beachcomber
Steve came back with a treasure!!
Waterfall
action.
Back
to the farm area. I wonder where this farmer got the life boats from – hope
they hadn’t washed up on the shore!!
The
Convict Bridge is having some repairs. Zoomed in on the barn and cottage nearby
also built by convicts.
Steve
had walked down to the Greenough River and found a chair to rest in. I walked
across the bridge – looking upstream.
The
long approach on the other side had lots of spiky bits.
The
view up river from Steve’s chair!!
On
the other side is the Bridge Cottage.
Into
the Central Greenough Historic Settlement. The visitor centre and café is in
the old store. The buildings in the settlement were constructed between 1863
and 1913 and are all under the care of National Trust. All the buildings we
have seen so far have been and there are more around the area so they will be
busy keeping them intact. It was free to check out the display in the Store but
then there was a fee to wander around the settlement. We decided to skip it.
Got to be careful with our money so we can’t do everything.
Little
notes are painted on the walls telling the stories of the area.
Looking
up the road to the other historical buildings – Greenough Convent on left near
St Peter’s Church etc.
Another
bit of artwork on the ArtDrive we saw first at Mullewa.
Up
the Brand Highway to the Leaning Tree.
More
across the road.
Looking
across the field to the sand dunes and the dark edged clouds – might be rain
coming!
Further
north to the Pioneer Museum which is house in Home Cottage built in 1862 by
John Maley who was known locally as the King of the Flats.
Next
door is the Victoria Store and Mill which needs a lot of work as it is just a
pile of rocks.
Across
the road an old cottage (built in 1857) has been turned into a B&B with
lovely gardens.
Continued
north to Devlin Pool on the Greenough River – looking upstream then downstream.
Just like Ellendale Pool but it would be salty as it is near the coast.
Lots
of bees were on the ground beside the water.
Back
up the highway then we turned west to Cape Burney. Nice view over Greenough
River as it nearly reaches the sea.
Out
to the beach, looking across to point near where the river mouth would be then
north up the beach. There was a sign stating no vehicles past this point but
obviously no one takes any notice as there are wheel tracks going up the beach
and there is a vehicle on the beach further around.
Around
to where the river ends. We drove across the sand to the point on the other
side.
Dune
hill climbs – big blocks of concrete were put across the track but they have
been pulled aside.
Out
to the point – looking back to the blocked mouth.
Across
the bay is Southgate Dunes and then I zoomed in on Point Moore at Geraldton in
the distance.
Out
on the point where the water is eroding the limestone rocks making caves and
crevices.
Back
to the river’s edge for lunch in a shade shelter – mind you the wind is a bit
cool to be sitting in the shade!!
Pretty
flowers.
Cute
doggy doo-doo bin.
Back
to the Brand Highway then we turned north for a bit then east across to Edward
Road so we can see a different area as we head back to Walkaway and then back
to camp at Ellendale Pool.
Overcast,
cold and windy now. I did my blog. Old mate came down to thank Steve for his
help with a nice bottle of wine. That was very nice of him.
Sprinkle
of rain – see I knew there was rain in those clouds.
Drinks
with our neighbours from Hunter Valley.
