“Powerline Run - Noel & Jean"

A fantastic turn out of 16 vehicles gathered for the drivers meeting on a dry, chilly July morning.
Quickly on the road we all set forth, past the Western Power yards onto the King Jarrah. This magnificent tree is sadly all that is left of a once magnificent jarrah forest indigenous to this area.

While tyres were being let down many explored this icon and looked, in vain, for the Sawyers Valley Sawpits.  These sawpits were excavated by convicts in the 1860’s when the timber felling industry was in its infancy.

Tyres deflated we left behind the tree, traveling southwards towards the power line track. This track follows the power line that feeds electricity from the Muja power station to the wheat belt.

The first part of the track was extremely rutted and sadly very dry.

Noel explained how different the track was compared to when they had done the reckky in the rain. You could see that the terrain would be very different and much more of a challenge if weather conditions were different. No problems were encountered and the drive was both enjoyable and scenic.

Noel advised us that the Land Rover Club was ahead of us so we kept our eyes open to see if we could catch a glimpse of them.  Up ahead in the distance we could see the smaller Land Rover convoy complete with BYO mechanic. After a short time we finally caught up to the smaller convoy – whose BYO mechanic was stopped, bonnet up having just transversed the only water for miles. Unfortunately we were unable to play in the water due to the disabled Land Rover.  Onwards we pushed past a large burnt out area.

We had good fun negotiating a steep ascent that was heavily rutted. No vehicles had any problems so we continued on to our morning tea stop.  It is quite amazing how degraded the track is becoming over time. I remember my first time on the track some 6 years previous and the other subsequent meanders up this track. Many areas that were once easy to negotiate are now rapidly becoming extremely rutted.

With every one fed and watered we set off.  Passing through dense thickets of parrot bush we came down into a valley to find - yes, the Land Rover Club stuck. One of their party, a defender, was very stuck in some rather deep ascending ruts. It was very unfortunate for the driver that not only did he/she have the spectators of their club but also the thirty plus spectators of our club to endure. And of course many of us were quite happy to snap as many photos as possible. The driver of the defender was not in a hurry to admit defeat; really punishing the poor old defender.

Eventually it was our turn. Some of us opted for the easier track but those who were brave enough to tackle the harder track did so with relative ease.

Lunch break was on a high area over looking the vast areas of bush land. After sometime we could see the Land rover club coming up behind us- so with hast we packed up and set forth. The trip continued to be most enjoyable with the banter on the CBs informative and fun.

Coming down into a deep gully we could see a much smaller convoy heading towards us. As the opportunity to pass this group was minimal we pulled over to await the smaller group to pass. And along came the Land rover club, driving past our convoy headlong into the oncoming convoy causing a momentary gridlock.  Gridlock sorted, the Land rover club behind us, we set off again to a wonderful challenge.  A somewhat challenging hill was handled extremely well by most. Sadly the poor old Hilux needed a helping hand, many thanks to Noel for his expertise and assistance.

With the day drawing to a close, we headed off to a local play area just east of Bunyip Road.  This area is usually very wet, with many very deep pools.  Though water levels are extremely low this year one brave soul ventured off for a play whilst the remainder of us inflated our tyres. It was truly amazing the amount of traffic we encountered during our day. Even whilst we were pulled over at this spot two other clubs past by, as well as the obligatory motor/quad bikes.  The Land rover club stopped and had a play and got stuck (again) staying longer than I think they had anticipated.

A fantastic day was had by all. Thank you to all club members who attended; your company was most enjoyable.  A huge thank you to Noel and Jean for a wonderful day that was excellently organized and truly fantastic.

Julie.