Friday 22nd to Sunday 23rd August, 2025

We belong to the Astronomical Society of WA who are leasing a site in Tammin for the group. Last weekend the Chairman and some others volunteered to go there to do some maintenance, mainly mowing, as with all of the rainfall the grass grows quickly. As viewing was also part of the weekend agenda Stephen decided we could go as well.

We set off at about 10.30 a.m. and stopped in at Mundaring to buy bread from the wonderful Mundaring Bakery that I used to patronise when visiting Mum in Mt Helena. We had hot drinks and continued on our way to have lunch at Meckering. Stephen made some lovely sandwiches with our new loaf.

When we arrived at the Tammin site the men had already done quite a lot of mowing. They suggested parking near the viewing area, which worked out well for us as we were able to park on an almost level site.

In the evening we organised our own meals and a couple of the men set up telescopes with cameras for astro photography. I was able to provide a little bit of help for someone setting up a Seestar S50 for the first time. It involved doing software updates, of course!

Although the day had been quite cloudy the clouds cleared for a few hours and we all got some good images, including us on our Seestar S50.

The next morning the men, four of them, got into more work before we all went off to Cunderdin for a birthday celebration lunch at the pub. We enjoyed talking and getting to know each other a bit better. On the way back to the site it started to rain and from then on we had almost continuous heavy showers until evening.

The rules of the club had been changed at the last committee meeting to allow fire on site and they had set up a fire pit chimney. One of the men used a small electric saw to cut wood that had fallen. It was damp, but surprising burned quite well once we threw everything at it to get it started (cups of petrol, matches and a firestarter). If you want to know how many amateur astronomers it takes to light a fire, the answer is at least three, with others to give encouragement and advice.

Having the fire meant that instead of retreating to our separate caravans, etc. we all sat around the fire chatting and having our evening meals (again separately supplied, but eating together). One of the men had packed up his wet tent and left after our return from Cunderdin, but we were joined by another man later.

We were fortunate that we had a few hours break in the rainfall to enjoy the evening. Sunday morning it was still fine, but the journey home was a bit challenging as it rained most of the way. Stephen and I had hot drinks at the newly opened Gypsy Cafe in Meckering, bought fuel in the service station near the Northam lookout, and then went to the Dome in Mundaring for our lunch.

Matthew came to tea, bringing his own dinner and a cake to share. We had discussed it with him on Friday morning before leaving. It meant that we could have a scratch meal in the evening without having to cook a full meal, as I like to do for him when he comes. It worked well and we might do this again in future when coming back from trips.

It has been particularly cold and wet this last few days, but should fine up later in the week, with daytime temperatures getting warmer. The rain and cold meant that Matt and Stephen did not do any gardening, which is what they usually do when Matt first arrives home.

Tuesday 12th August, 2025

The day began with me doing various household tasks and packing up for a picnic lunch in the Sherwood. Stephen worked hard on his music for the Western Australian Symphony Chorus, which has a concert at the end of this month. Tuesdays is when they rehearse and he was making sure he was well prepared.

We set off for Serpentine Falls at about 11.30 a.m. It’s only half an hour drive from Victoria Park. On arrival we went on the walk down to the falls. The brook was running fast and, as I’ve seen on other photos recently, the falls was in good flow, thanks to all the rain we’ve had.

We had managed to find a fairly flat parking space close to the disabled parking, which was good us for having our lunch. The carpark was very busy indeed, lots of people, like us, taking advantage of a rare sunny day. We had leftover mash and meatballs, heated up, and salad and cordial.

After lunch we had a bit of rest, then walked up to the lookout. There is a view of the falls, but it entailed walking downhill again, so we gave up on that idea and just enjoyed looking over the city. There were some people on a shaded rock and after they left we went there too. It was quiet for a while until some children, freshly out of school, came to clamber on the rock. They had accompanying adults who apologised, but we assured them that we had had enough peace it we enjoyed seeing the children. But, the peace when they left was very much appreciated too.

There were quite a few wildflowers, including donkey orchids, on the walk to the lookout and I took some very bad photos of them. Oh well, at least it was fun.

When we arrived home it was time for Stephen to scramble to get ready for choir. He made a cheese sandwich to eat on the bus. I sorted out things in the Sherwood and brough in our dishes and the electric frying pan for washing.

We thoroughly enjoyed the day. We so much appreciate having such a beautiful place to go that is reasonably close to where we live, with views and wildlife, mainly birds, but probably other animals we didn’t see. It was very refreshing and should keep us fairly topped up until we go away.

Yesterday we went out in the Suburu to fill up the gas bottle at BCF. I was able to get a couple of flannelette shirts for $15 each, quite a bargain as they look to be good quality. We then went to the RAC to have a headlight globe replaced. We had to pay for the globe, but the installation was free. Afterwards we went to the Kent St Weir for lunch and a short walk. Although it was sunny it was fairly cold. After all, it’s still winter.

In the evening we went to see the finals of a prize giving for singing students at the WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), which is still in Mt Lawley until the end of the year. We heard six students perform and felt that any one of them deserved to win. There were two categories, classical and music theatre. The students I chose didn’t win, but I hope they are able to have careers. One of the presenters said that being in the arts is now one of the most secure jobs as it can’t be replaced by IA. Let’s hope this turns out to be true.

We drove to Mt Lawley, although we can catch buses straight through, as I felt it would be more comfortable afterwards to drive home. But when Edith Cowan University moves into the city next year we will catch buses always. We are looking forward to having WAAPA so close. There are free concerts during the day and lots of other theatrical events by the students.

Yanchep and Two Rocks – Friday August 1st, 2025

Last Friday there was a break in the rain and we decided to follow up Stephen’s idea of taking a train up to Yanchep. We didn’t get up early, or even fully commit to going, until we were just about to leave. It was not only clear and sunny, but not as cold as it has been, so perfect weather.

The journey involes a bus to the city, then a train up to the Yanchep station, then a bus to the beach and cafe for lunch. It was disappointing to find that the station is sort of in the middle of nowhere. There is also no bus into the Yanchep National Park, a very strange omision, given that it is fairly close by.

The bus ride into the township is ideal as it goes to the main swimming area, a logoon of protected beach, plus a great cafe. We took some photos and then went to the cafe for lunch. It worked out that I ordered a toastie and Stephen ordered a Thai Beef Salad and the kitchen served them about 20 minutes apart. So, it turned into an entre and main course as a shared meal. Followed up by a shared slice of cake. And two hot drinks each over the hour and a half at the cafe.

There was also the possibility of going to Two Rocks, a nearby suburb, and as we still felt like exploring after the long lunch, we took the bus back to the station and then took another bus to Two Rocks. So glad we did as the bus dropped us off at the little shopping centre next to the marina, and we enjoyed walking along to one of the two Rocks. I’d forgotten, if I ever knew, that this rock is quite beautiful, with an arched window. The marina is certainly new, and comes very close to the rock, I hope it doesn’t affect it in any way.

There was some anxiety about getting back to the Yanchep Station as Stephen hadn’t been able to find a timetable where we were dropped off. Turns out you go through the carpark back to the main road. Whilst we waited for about half an hour for the bus we rang Matt to confirm his Sunday night visit.

Getting back into the city was quite a shock. We had to come up to street level to walk across to the bus station and the noise level was incredible. Raine Square was really hopping and there were people on the balcony of the pub across the road drinking and talking very loudly. As well, there was music. We were glad to get underground to catch our bus.

Map at Yanchep Station

Stephen has drawn a map showing that if our journey had been in Gaza we would have ended up in Israel. That’s how small it is.