Day 3 Sunday 22/7/18 Geraldton to Carnarvon



Leisurely breakfast, packed up and went in search of a pearl gallery recommended by the friendly lady at breakfast,  Maritta fancied the black pearls farmed locally . Unfortunately as it was Sunday it wasn’t open, perhaps on the way back?
Dawn from our Motel window
Flower outside window

So we went to the HMAS Sydney II memorial
Outside HMAS Sydney II Memorial, 1 Seagull for each sailor lost (645 in total)
.
This is situated on a hill and apart from the very poignant memorial, has a magnificent view over the harbor.  There were several very large cargo ships just off shore awaiting their loads.
They do a guided tour of the memorial but we where to early (imagine that!!)  and as we had a fair bit of ground to cover so we decided to press on.
Part of the memorial


Maritta discussing the lost Sailors with a local

View out to sea
 
Roundabout decoration on the outskirts of Geraldton

Rain set in for a while but then cleared.
About 300Km from Geraldton the terrain changed from undulating with scrubby low growing trees to flat with almost only ground cover bushes. 
Scrubby low trees but undulating - rain seemed to be following us!

Interspersed with vast tracts of agriculture

Our chariot (the little one in the middle) surrounded by motorhomes and campers


300km from Geraldton, flat with very small ground cover bushes only ...no where to hide...or take a quick pee!

This was interspersed with almost “mesa” shaped small plateaus rising out of the plain.

Memorial at lookout atop a flat topped "mesa"

Difficult to see but the ground drops off sharply (about 200 feet) onto the flat plains below.

Wide open almost flat plains to the horizon.  You tend to feel quite small.  Although not quite wildflower season some were starting to appear prompting a few stops along the way for photographs.The carpets of wildflowers WA is famous for are definitely starting to sprout.
We reached Carnarvon about 3:30pm and after checking in went to look at the OTC & Space Museum but unfortunately it is only open from 10-3pm, maybe next time!
Carnarvon OTC and Space Museum

Kingsford Smith mail run
We did go and see the long pier (approximately 1 mile long out into the bay, unfortunately the structure is in disrepair and so you can’t walk on it. The light house keepers cottage was also closed but we did visit the small railway museum and where very impressed by the honor system for donations, not an attendant in sight and although very small its good to see the heritage being preserved and if our donation even just helps to keep the building painted its worthwhile. Perhaps one day the pier will be restored and the train can once again take tourists along it. Keep up the good work all you volunteers out there.


Mile long Jetty, Carnarvon



Part of the Volunteer Railway Museum

Dale suggested this could be his next project....

Grader was built by engineering firm in Melbourne/ Sydney, where are they now??

Small engine used on the 1 mile jetty.


Carnarvon foreshore

Travel distance today, 511.3Km.


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