May 5 ... Perth

Only 260 kms to drive today ... pretty much a straight run into Perth. We now remember something about the Merredin Caravan Park ... it is on the main highway west AND beside the main rail line! Even though we had road trains and rail trains passing ALL night, it was okay really, but we would hesitate to stay here again.

Our first stop was at Cunderdin, another service town that looked similarily successful to Merredin. It was interesting enough for us to seek out the lookout and we had lovely views over the town and wheatfields. What was alarming though, was the amount of land obviously salt affected. All of the wheat paddocks are on the hills and rises, anything low is white with salt.

The "salt" plains

Cunderdin Lookout

From here we continued to Northam for morning tea. We had not approached Perth from here before and for a population of just over 7000, the town was huge, and busy. We stopped in a park beside the River Avon but it was looking very dry as was the surrounding countryside. Obviously this part of WA has not had the rain that much of the rest of Australia has.

The Avon River - looking dry

Northam Park

Once we left Northam we were at Morgan's within 2 hours. It was refreshing to see her home looking so good. All the plants have grown and it was nice to be back in familiar surroundings.  We spent the afternoon unpacking the van, shopping and re-meeting the neighbours.We really do love it here but I would have to convince the two boys to move west before we could consider the change. We will have a good look around anyway and you never know what might turn up!

Linda: Finished reading Bill Bryson's " At Home. A Short History of Private Life".  Really good. Packed with interesting historical information. Non-Fiction 9/10