Walk 082 - Kelmscott Hills

Date: 20th December
Distance: 2.54 kms
Locality: Kelmscott

Streets walked:

• Bromfield Drive
• Rowley Street
• Howard Place
• Balgor Court
• Kundyl Court
• Anderson Place

Running street count: 996
Running distance count: 337.82 kms

As a kid riding around Kelmscott, no matter which type of bike you and your friends had, this set of streets (particularly Morrison which I didn't even attempt on this walk) rendered them futile; there was no option but to get off and push it uphill as best you could. This is steep country.

There are a lot of characterful homes around here trying to cling to the slopes to take best advantage of the views.

Just one of the many abandoned tennis courts of Kelmscott :(

Walk 056 - Brookwood Estate

Date: 31st October 2015
Distance: 4.22 kms
Locality: Hilbert

Streets walked:

• Caduceus Way
• Vermilion Boulevard
• Allwood Avenue
• Paavo View
• Sharach Retreat
• Hilarion Elbow
• Skiptar Grove
• Levity Cove
• Rowley Road
• Letterkenny Way
• Ardara Lane
• Bundoran Approach
• Portnoo Lane

Running street count: 692
Running distance count: 240.37 kms


Brookwood Estate sits literally right on the border between the City of Armadale and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, as they share Rowley Road between them. Hidden on these outskirts, I've only ever seen the entrance while driving past, on my way to the rubbish tip, only a few kilometres away. The proximity of a waste refuse facility is no barrier to loving this estate. It's everything that other recent Armadale estates claim to be (new-ish, great water feature to walk around and enjoy, underground power) but it has kept all the established trees and the blocks are massive (by comparison). There is SPACE TO LIVE IN. Space to have a big bloody shed. Space to grow food if you want to, or for the kids to run around (which I witnessed first hand, many of 'em in Halloween costumes). It is idyllic.

This is a beautiful neighbourhood and reminds me of the streets between Champion Lakes and Albany Highway in Kelmscott. City farming. It likely costs a fortune to get a spot in the prime areas, maybe $700,000 at a guess ...

Mind you, there are some recent add-ons that fall in line with with other new areas like Sienna Wood, Springtime etc - tiny blocks, back lanes (no front street access), tree-less, affordable homes giving people options and ensuring it's not all high-income folks living near the tip :)

Another thing that brought a smile to my face was seeing Hilarion Elbow. The Hilarions were a performing group around Armadale (mainly Roleystone so the story goes) that played local events way back in the 1940s. Glad a street has been named after them.

Anyway, have a bunch of pics!

Front yard decorative vehicle #1

Front yard decorative vehicle #2

A remaining old cottage on Rowley Road!

The cheaper side of the neighbourhood.