15-Jul-2001 -- Having managed to take some time off work, we set out to tackle some of the unvisited confluences east and south of Perth. Heading east on the Great Eastern Highway (what an unimaginative name!) we passed through Northam, Cunderdin and Kellerberrin before heading southeast at Doodlakine and down to Bruce Rock. From there, we headed towards Ardath and 32S 118E.

We nearly skipped this confluence as it was over 2km away from a public road and we had other apparently more accessible visits planned, but as we were so close.....yeah - why not!

The nearest property was Breakell Farm, so we visited the farmhouse to ask permission. After explaining why we were there, Kingsley Barber and some visiting kids from Merredin led us by car through their property to the closest boundary, sure that their neighbour would have no objection to us walking across his land.

Climbing over a barbed wire fence, we had a short 417m walk across a fallow paddock before doing the confluence dance (which had the kids and ourselves laughing!) and ending up with all zeros.

We went back to the farmhouse for coffee before we left, and talked more about the DCP. Kingsley was interested in the project from another point of view, as well. They grow lupins, wheat and other cereal crops, and use a GPS during seeding, fertilising and harvesting to produce yield maps. I didn't realise farming had become so technologically advanced!

It was a good start to the trip after the long drive from Perth, and we drove back to Bruce Rock to camp for the night before heading off to our next planned attempt to 32S 119E.