Blue Sky Bozo Back from the Murchison

[Bozo]

With brilliant weather forecast Bozo could not resist a quick trip to the Murchison.

Leaving on Saturday, the first day was a run to Wubin, Paynes Find, Mount Magnet (and the Mount Magnet Races) and Meekatharra. Day 2 was the dirt from Meeka to Sandstone then to Geraldton via Mount Magnet and Yalgoo. Today I was back in Perth by 1:30 pm.

The only rain was a sprinkle as I hit Joondalup on the way back with Sunday and most of Monday being stunning weather.

The rain in the Murchison meant a lot of fauna and other animals on or near roads. The surprise was the large number of wedge tailed eagles. Over 30 sighted in one day between Sandstone and Mullewa. There were also mobs of kangaroos with over 100 seen on or near the road.

The Meekatharra-Sandstone Road was bone dry and mainly in very good condition. There was still evidence of the flooding experienced by the Club Group that travelled to Paynes Find.

Paynes Find end of Maroubra Road

Granites Mount Magnet

Bone dry Meekatharra-Sandstone Road and Mitas E07 with 15,000 kms on it

London Bridge near Sandstone

Bozo

[Bozo]

At Yalgoo I visited Jokers Tunnel.

Access is now bitumen for all but the last 1700 metres.

The experience of walking through the tunnel is made more dramatic by having mouse sized bats (Finlayson's Cave Bat - Vespadelus Finlaysoni) flying within millimetres of you when they are disturbed from the crevices just above your head.

Finlayson's Cave Bats at Jokers Tunnel (the spot of light in the bottom RH corner is the end of the tunnel

Near Jokers Tunnel is the Brewery where an excavation was made into the rock to keep the miner's beer cool.

Brewery near Yalgoo

[Bozo]

The Brewery still has evidence that the door was strongly secured.



Brewery

[Bozo]

You see some amazing things on back roads.

Barlangi Rock looks like a normal outcrop but was created when a meteorite hit the earth

[BillB]

Chris is that a tent I can see on the back?

[Bozo]

Bill

No...maybe next time...not enough time to pack for camping.

Bozo

[Bozo]

Bill

I found it hard to get a room in Geraldton because the Caravan and Camping Show was on. It seems the people that sell camping equipment stay in motels.

Bozo

[wightman]

Good little sprint, Bozo. Did you sleep in the Queen of the Murchison? Inside Joker's tunnel? You know that a politician is a person, who when he sees the light at the end of the tunnel, buys some more tunnel

[Bozo]

Wightman

I overnighted in Meekatharra. Saturday night is not the best night to stay there. One of the heavily intoxicated guests decided to do circle work in the locked compound that included the accommodation (and my bike) at 11:00 pm at night to demonstrate the grip of his new Desert Duellers on his 4WD and then had an argument with his wife.

Camping might have been a better option.

Impressed with the Swagman at Mount Magnet that did an excellent toasted egg and bacon sandwich.

Drove past the card only refuelling station (91 RON only) at Sandstone because it was obscured by a large caravan but found it on the second lap of the town.

Bozo

[Bozo]

A sunset at Paddy's Flat......not a patch on Nev's sunsets as there were no clouds.

[Swampy]

So I rock up at Cat's on Sunday morning on the VFR and WHERE WERE YOU?? .......................SKYLARKING around the flaming Murchison

Nice pics Bozo

Swampy

[Bozo]

Swampy

Sorry to have missed you, particularly after having giving you a serve for not turning up and then being absent myself.

No wreath flowers at Pindar....still to see a decent sized plant.

Met a guy in Geraldton who had a VFR....said WA roads were not twisty enough to bring it over from NSW. He was working in Newman so his understanding of WA roads might be a bit limited.

Bozo

[Swampy]

Bozo I'm sure you could show that New South Welshman a few twisties for his VFR in WA and give him a run for his money on your GSA if he ever cared to travel South far enough

Head North again in Spring for the Wreath Flowers mate, I can tell you where to find some really nice one's

So where will you be this weekend Bozo?..................Great Central is good this time of year eh?

Swampy

[spacey1]

Hi Boz...

Awesome shots of our great red Western Australian outback, keep up the good work

I know Jamie has a good camera too... he needs to get more active.

spacey

[BillB]

Talking about twisties, the road cornering kind. I have just discovered the most incredible twisties road I have ever been on. The road from Atherton, Yungaburra to Gordonvale ( The Gillies Hwy) on the way to Cairns has 20 km section with about 150 corners as it traverses down the Gillies Ranges. The road is a favourite for motorcyclists and if anyon gets up to Cairns is a must do. I had to make do with the hire car and had so much fun the first time went back the next day for another go. Doris was less excited, especially the second time due to excessive G-forces from excessive cornering