Boscabel

Kelmscott to Rocky Gully Tour 1996 – 13 days, 827 km cumulative distance. The aim of this trip was to follow the route of the 1991 ride as far as a resort on the Muirs Highway, then, instead of turning back west as in 1991, to continue east as far as Rocky Gully, then return by some of the route followed in 1987, but this time going all the way back to Cottesloe.

There is nothing special about Rocky Gully except that, before I successfully rode to the Stirlings from Albany in 1993, I had a plan to stay at Rocky Gully on the way from Manjimup to Cranbrook as a way of getting into the Stirlings from the west, by a series of achievable day’s rides.  ... Read more

Kojonup to Boscabel, day 8, Tuesday 22 October 1996. The day was clear but rain still threatened and the wind was still fresh, from the NW. I had no need to get up early or make an early start, so I had a late breakfast and lay in bed reading and listening to the radio, then I cleaned and oiled the bike and checked out of the motel right on 10 o’clock. Then I rode down the hill and made yet another visit to Foodland for some supplies I thought I might need. Then I rode to see the old barracks that were built in 1845. I could not see inside because they are only open for inspection for two hours each Sunday.  … Read more

Proandra Farm stay, Boscabel to Darkan, day 9, Wednesday 23 November 1996. During the night the wind strengthened from the north-west. I discovered this when I needed to get up in the night and find the toilet, which was some way from the house, out the back and off to the right down a path. It was hard to find my way in the dark. The wind swished the trees around and banged the toilet door. The signs weren’t good for the coming day. But there were some hours before I had to start riding so I hoped that conditions might improve.

When I awoke later in daylight the wind was still up. I had a good breakfast and cleaned and tidied the house, moving any furniture back that I had shifted and washing the dishes.  ... Read more