Canning Stock Route 2004

Tuesday 31st August.

Another great day! The wind started up as usual about breakfast time and we left camp about 7.30 am to go to Well 37 (Libral). It is known as the haunted well and was salt encrusted. There were several graves nearby, one double grave being for Thompson (32 years) and Shoesmith (38 years). Another was for an aboriginal called Chinaman. All these were killed by aboriginals in 1911. A separate grave was for McLernon who was killed by aboriginals in 1922. We stopped at Wandurba Rockhole, a cave that had been used as a shelter. Many sand hills to be crossed today. One southbound vehicle met us today, but we passed easily in an open flat area. Well 38 (Wardabunni) was a hole blasted in the rock with deeper water, however the cattle were very reluctant to use this well. Names were engraved in the rock here. After travelling on over many dunes we came to what we called "washing machine hill", and were tossed dramatically from side to side as the dune was so rough. Having won that challenge, we proceeded to the Breakaways. At Well 39 (Murgaga) a snake about 4' long came slithering out of the well and posed before hiding in the grass. Finches returned to the water once the snake had gone. Tobin Lake was easily crossed, as it was a vast area of low scrubby with no trees and a very smooth track across, with just some sand hills to break it up. Our next turn off was to Well 40 (Waddawalla). This one was also flooded. The grave of Michael Tobin, (speared in April 1907), was there. Ducks were on the foul smelling water but it was still our lunch stop. A party of 3 headed south past us this afternoon as we continued to Well 41 (Tiru). It was another smelly flooded well area. It looks to have been flooded in recent years as the well had been restored. Went on to Well 42 (Guli) with very little water. There were finches but the area was salt encrusted. Lake Guli was crossed and it had an island in the middle covered in spinifex. We lost our mirror today but eventually found it after some looking. A campsite was found for the night at bench marker 74. It was full moon tonight. Wow! This one we called the “garden camp” as there were so many different wildflowers growing that it was absolutely stunning.

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