Why the west is best...

Kalbarri revisited

This photo was taken last time I was in Kalbarri, when Sandy (pictured) and I visited the Murchison River Gorges. I thought I had posted it, but apparently not. I will find the one with me in it too!

Kalbarri

Yesterday I headed up to Kalbarri (150km N of Gero) to go Kayaking which is something I have gotten into lately. I dragged along a pilot friend who I met on my trip to the islands. The kayak hire place was near the river mouth and you weren't allowed to paddle far up stream which is a shame. But we were able to paddle to the sand dunes over the other side of the river which separate it from the beach.
Later we found a secluded spot on the river, watched the clouds and the pelicans glide across the water, and played guitar. Then we headed to the pub to enjoy their gourmet vegi pizza!

Ellendale Pool

This is Ellendale Pool, approx 30km SE of Gero. Unbelievably, someone told me that it wasn't worth visiting! How wrong they were!

It is such a picturesque spot. Had we not been starving, we would have stayed a lot longer.

After seeing the sign (below), we decided not to swim...Although the ducks looked healthy enough as they greeted us. There was a family swimming (left), but they may have gotten in further up where there wasn't a sign. Or perhaps they didn't care!

Could this be the Australian dream? 4WD, caravan, tinny and a sattelite dish. Everything you need!

Beautiful red soil

harnessing natural resources

On a hill about 40kms from Geraldton stand these turbines. The are, according to the sign, the world's largest turbines - 78m high with 41m blades. There are 54 of them. The sign also claims that they can supply enough electricity for 60,000 homes.

Surprisingly, more wind does not mean more power. The blades turn at a steady 14.4 revolutions per minute (220km/h!) in winds above 35km/h or 18kts. If winds reach 65km/h or higher, they shut down to avoid damage.

Walkaway

Strange name for a town - Walkaway. Despite looking through all sorts of things from the early days of this town, death records (most were children), old rail and farming equipment, in the museum, I didn't find out how this place got its name.

There isn't much here - just the museum (which doesn't have a sign pointing to it), the old general store (closed I think), two churches and the pub. Oh, and a tennis club.

leaning-ish tree