Day 697 – Australia – WA [Baandee to Burracoppin]


07/05/22

40km

  From Baandee (Western Australia) to Burracoppin (Western Australia)

Australia


Back on the road under cloudless skies again – and the ever quiet and superb trails of WA

The pipeline from Irish Charles Yverton O’Connor

I set out this morning and James opted to wait in Merredin for the Railway museum to open. The opening time is 11am to 2pm, it’s a very narrow margin to get in! It’s quite interesting that the crossing of North America, South America and now Australia are all marked (so far) by the importance of the railway that allowed the pioneers to make their way through the country. In Western Australia, it’s not only the railway that was important, but also the water pipeline – necessary for the progression (steam engines), the trade (gold mining) and the people.

On the Goldfields Rd trail

Interestingly, Fergus (the assiduous follower of the world-run – and all world-runs) had mentioned that a fellow named Charles Yverton O’Connor, who lived near where Fergus lives in Ireland, constructed the pipeline. We verified that today, as James was able to take pictures of the history of the pipeline. It was engineered by the Irish chap, who unfortunately buried it, therefore creating leaks and corrosion from the salty makeup of the soil. Wood cladding was added to try and sort the issue out, it did not work and a new pipeline (above ground) had to be constructed.

Herds of sheep

The running was splendid again. I am enjoying the Goldfields Road, its remoteness. I saw a lot of sheep today, parrots again and rabbits, which I had not seen yet. They kept running in front of me, right and left. It reminded me of the problem Australia experienced with the rabbits’ reproduction and invasion following their introduction in the 18th century. The problem is under control now, but I enjoyed their presence on the trail today.

Enjoy the video of today’s run: https://www.relive.cc/view/vPv4e1nBA3O



Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: