Whilst it had been initially windy at Warriedar, we were spoilt with the last couple of days being near picture-perfect. En-route to Gabyon Station, the wind started to pick up and it was definitely blowy when we arrived. Helen made us feel very welcome, firstly suggesting we tuck the camper trailer in behind the camp kitchen building to use it as a windbreak, which it very successfully did. She then reminded us of the daily “happy-hour” on the verandah at the back of her homestead which provided us with the opportunity to chat with fellow travellers. The hot water donkey for the showers was really efficient and, whilst being mindful of water usage, we both revelled in the first proper shower since we left home! Handwashing the laundry in the cement troughs in the shower room reminded me that prior to the last 50-60 years, this was how all the laundry was done. Hand-wringing out the sheets and towels really provided a good work-out!
The next day we followed the very detailed map Helen had given us of Gabyon Station and surrounds, and made a day-trip along the Gabyon-Pindathuna Road. Eleya Lake was predictably dry, but the old wooden stockyards were fascinating. The amount of manhours spent on constructing the stockyards is impressive, particularly given the terrain, the dust and the weather. Branches from the scrubby trees were intertwined and threaded through the tree-trunk posts. In other places, the ubiquitous wire and barb wire were still in evidence. On returning to the happy hour that night, we complimented Helen on her attention to detail and organisational skills: Bullocks were dutifully lazing under the tree right at the turnoff to Bullock Pool! After all the red dirt and dust, it was great to see green groundcover and blue water again!
After lunching at Chinamen Rock, we drove down into Yalgoo, down the highway and followed the old highway road to visit Wuraga Dam, where the steam trains used to re-fill with water. It would not have been a surprise to see a train actually pull up at the platform, such was the quality of the workmanship that went into building it!
Black-grey clouds on the horizon, willy-willies and dust-storms the next morning prompted an extremely quick pack-up. We treated ourselves to a final, quick shower, which would be our last for the next few days.
To be continued….