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Published: February 11th 2015
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You know about the best laid plans of mice and man? Well, our eastbound return journey to Brisbane is and has been rather like that.
When visiting Western Australia in January and February, be aware that this is 'Bush Fire' season. There have been several severe fires not too far from Yanchep where we have been staying, and we are greatful that those didn't get close to our part.
But fire season has changed our return plans, delaying departure for a week, and adjusting our plans some what due to very large out of control fire in the south west closing several National Parks that we hoped to visit.
Some of these fires have been lit by young arsonists, others as the result of the amazing electrical storms that hung around Perth for three days during the week. We were awoken in the night by an electrical sizzling sound. No evidence of a lightening strike, so we can only assume it was a static dust ball or similar. Marg hid under the blankets, the hairs on my arms were waving to passing royalty, and then quiet!.
During one of
the thunder storms we observed a most unusual and colourful rainbow effect. There was a redish rainbow surrounding an orange semi circle. My photo (taken out the motorhome window) only shows one third because I didn't want to go out in the storm to get the full picture.
The weeks delay has been good to see the grandchildren settled into school for the new year. We also visited SciTech in Perth with the family. This is a fun learning experience with some interesting devices that test your skill and in some case, fitness. Michael was the only one to successfully keep a slinky walking on a treadmill. Then his experience as a distance cyclist came to the fore as he peddled one of the kinetic energy devices so fast that he propelled the ball so hard that it hit the clanger with an ear shattering clang.
Two years ago we went to the suburb of Alkimos – an up and coming suburb a little south of Yanchep. We had been looking for the wreck of The Alkimos, but on that occasion we failed. On this visit, there was a very low tide and the
engine block which is now the only remaining portion of the wreck visible was clear out of the water. Also what a change. The beach front development is almost complete and very attractive.
Finally, on Monday we set out across Perth to the south east heading through Wandering to Narrogin where we had heard about a low cost camp. As we journied south east, the sky became quite dull and murky, all smoke from the southern fires. We were concerned that the smoke could give us wheezy breathing, but fortunately we didn't experience that.
The area around Narrogin was still quite smokey, but we decided to check out the cheap camp spot any way. After talking to the unhelpful camp site manager, we travelled a further 50ks to Wagin. As it happened, the smoke cleared by the time we got to Wagin and we found that the low cost camp there is very tidy and good. It was a pretty hot day, and unlike the coast, there isn't the afternoon cool breeze, so we expected a warm night. The sunset was quite spectacular and with towering cumulus cloud, we wondered if a storm would
follow. Not this time even though the locals would have loved a down pour.
It was sleep on the bed until about 3.00 am when a cool change came through, so under the sheets for the balance of the night.
Wagin is a wealthy centre with large grain production through this area, and it also has a long history with Merino sheep. There are some cattle farms, but they are less significant than the other two farm types.
In the centre of town, Wagin has an attractive park on the main street which features the largest ram you will ever see – about two stories high. Other local artists have made some humerous sculptures to put a smile on your dial.
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Mum & Dad
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On the way home
Good to see your blog off again. As usual interesting and informative. Loved the photos keep up the good work