Wildflowers galore

Leaving Northampton we headed out along the Chapman Valley Way which took us up and down the rolling hills that became wheat fields. 

Our rest stop for the next two nights was at Fig Tree Creek and we took the time to go for a stroll and check out the various flora around this area.   On walking down to the creek we saw some nasturtiums flowering in the midst of thick undergrowth showing their shades of orange flowers clearly. 

                                                      this one has a 'grey' beard on top

this one has a white 'beard'

We also found some lovely flowering grasses and loved the colour and their softness.  There were quite a few other campers enjoying the rest area and one chap we spoke to was enroute to taking up a job at a wheat silo where he would be directing the trucks that deliver the wheat from the properties.  He did 6 weeks last year doing the same thing and that had been considered a ‘poor’ season so it would be fair to say that he will be working a bit longer this year as it is thought it has the potential to be a really good one.

Travelling into Geraldton we see wheat growing each side of the road and some sheep as well.  The paddocks are all shades of yellow with some with a tinge still of green.  There are also paddocks that have a lovely purple tinge to them and this was found to be a grass type plant with purple flowers on top.  More delights as we drive along.

up close and personal with the plant

Geraldton was a busy hub and there were masses of colourful bougainvillea in gardens to be admired.   Doing the necessary shopping and refilling water etc gave us enough of ‘civilisation’ and we were pleased to head out of town and get off the main highway and back onto a minor road as we head for Mullewa.  More different wildflowers beside the road and we took any opportunity we had to stop and take more photos.

We certainly seem to be travelling through the WA ‘wheat belt’ now as everywhere we look we see hills covered by golden crops.  When you think that we are only seeing a tiny slice of Australia’s total wheat cultivation it is hard to imagine seeing it all together (even though this would be impossible).

Leaving Mullewa we head out for Mingenew and come across an elderly gentleman broken down in his old trusty Ford Transit van he has as a motorhome.  Yes it started but just wouldn’t go into gear for him (coming up a hill) so he was stopped over on the side of the road.  We were not able to assist in any way other than to go on towards town to try and arrange for someone to come out and help him.  Well Mingenew is not the largest town you could come to, so no mechanic, no one to help at the Shire Office, no one home at the Police station (but the light was on) so finally we went to where someone knows everyone, the local caravan park.  Carol, the manager there was able to ring a mechanic back in Mullewa and he was going to contact the local police for them to go out and check on the chap and hopefully to arrange in some way for the towing of the vehicle back to town.  Who knows how long it will be before he can have it repaired as he mentioned to Lawrie that he had no spare money, so probably lives from pension to pension.  He didn't even have a phone so hope now that he is settled somewhere.

mural at Perenjori

Mingenew, Three Springs, Carnamah, Perenjori, Buntine, with the roads in-between lined with wildflowers proved to be a wonderful couple of days driving.  The shutter finger is getting RSI!   Just as well there isn’t much traffic as we were constantly stopping.  

We plan just one more stop after our camp today at Buntine Rock before heading into Perth on Friday.  Yes Julie we really are coming!