Anyway , off we go on one of our look at the map and follow a road we haven't been on tours . The Chapman Valley has a road going through it - that was it - we found a lookout and ventured up the gravel road .
Some fields are green , others still the silver / grey of harvested canola , and others that have recently been seeded with this years crop of canola or lupins .
North east of Geraldton there are lots of flat top hills , capped with a harder red surface layer .
Our drive was taking us through & past these hills . We had planned to go further north and then head back out to the coast , but we found a gravel road and turned off to the east instead . The road took us around the hills and through grazing and cropping land . We crested one hill and saw what we thought were observatories , the road we were taking was heading away from these , so we turned towards them instead . This road was taking us further east and then south , the observatories appeared on our right hand side , then further up the road we found out what they were - Australian Defence Satellite Communication Centre . There is a lookout that you can view the centre from , you can't get any closer than there and you are on surveillance cameras the whole time - its a bit strange , you are in hundreds of acres of bush and there are cctv cameras mounted on poles watching you !!
Leaving here we found our onto the Mt Magnet Geraldton Rd , and turned left - there was a sign to a flora road and a chapel . Good enough for us , away we went again to St James Chapel at Kojarena - it was designed by Mons. John C Hawes , who designed the cathedral in Geraldton and lived at Greenough - just south of Geraldton .
Checking our Hema maps gps , we took a track to the south , winding our way through valleys and hills , past old farm houses & sheds , some in great condition , others that have seen better days .
Eventually we got back toward Walkaway - south of Geraldton - and found Rocky Pool Creek - one of the few creeks that has water in it .
From here , we headed back into Geraldton and back to the van for a while , we still had another visit to take care of . Last year , we missed seeing the HMAS Sydney Memorial at night . tonight was the night !!
As the sun hit the horizon , we were walking up the path to join about 10 other people to watch sunset . The sun disappeared and so did everyone else , we had it to ourselves , watching as the suns glow shone on the memorial .
The memorial marble walls reflected the late afternoon light . The names of all the deceased sailors are engraved on the walls .
It's a very impressive memorial in daylight , but shifts up a gear at night .
The harbour looks impressive at night also , with ships in being loaded .
That's it for today .
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