Kalgarin towards Coolgardie

farmers with a sense of humour involving hay bales

there were about 8 in total in the paddock

Well the water gods were smiling this morning and we were informed that the road through to Kondinin was open so off we go.  During our stay at Kalgarin we met up with another couple from Bridgetown (Stan and Miriam) who had been held up for four nights waiting for the water to subside.  They had been at Kalgarin the night of the storm and said it was fairly spectacular with thunder and lightning, never mind the rain.  They too are travelling to Kalgoorlie before turning south back towards their home.  So now we have us a ‘convoy’ (of two).  We drove through a few lots of water over the road on our way to Kondinin but nothing too deep.  When we arrived at Kondinin here is a road block set up stopping traffic from travelling the way we had just come.  We asked what was going on and was informed that the road (we had just travelled) was closed!!  Well seems as though there is a variance in information, just depends which Shire you talk to.  We let the nice people at the roadblock know that the road had been no problem however, guess they have to wait for someone higher up to let them know that as the roadblock continued. 

approaching Narembeen

Heading on then to Narembeen (about 50km), we arrive at the outskirts and well here is water over the road and this looks much more impressive, but no signs, no roadblocks, no anything! 

edge of Narembeen

Very cautiously we proceed through the water, probably up to the hubs of our wheels and safely out the other side where we could then pull off the road for a rather impressive sight of the water coming under the railway line and into the channel. 

We made our cuppa and one after the other of locals arrived to take photos, discuss the last time it had been like this, do you remember when etc.  Was very interesting for us to watch other vehicles come through the water and have a local give us a running commentary on who they were and what they might be doing.  A grader was despatched to travel 4km down the channel to then create more channels so that the water would not continue to spread as wide as it was.  It is hoped that this would prevent ‘widespread’ flooding.  Our guide informed us that he had property worked by his son 90km east of Narembeen and there had been 125mm (5 inches) of rain there on Monday night and that water still has to arrive in Narembeen so the flooding will continue for a while yet.  The culvert under the railway line was creating an impressive ‘weir’ look and the sand bank beside the line was starting to break away so who knows what will eventuate with the water pressure continuing for some time yet.

                  water under the railway line at Narembeen

We finally pulled ourselves away and headed for Merredin and the Great Eastern Highway, needless to say the road for all points East.  We enjoyed lunch in Merredin, afternoon tea in Southern Cross and then finally on to our free campsite about 120km from Coolgardie.  Our Kalgarin friends also pulled in for the night and we enjoyed a chat and walk back through the bush after dinner and photos of the beautiful sunset.  Tomorrow, on to Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie where we will stay for a few days.

sunset at our camp site

Pipe carrying water from Perth to Kalgoorlie