30^th August: Geraldton

Saturday is market day in the park in town and none of us, except, Glen can resist a market. So we went up to the site which would be a great venue for markets. But, apparently, most had gone to the Mullewa one-day show and so there were only 5 stalls.We looked around, had coffee but no cake, and then went home!

The rest of the day which was windy and showery, was spent exploring Greenough and Port Denison further to the south. Greenough is an historic village, mostly not inhabitated any more although both the churches are used for worship services on a regular basis. Apparently, a devastating flood in 1888 caused the removal of the village to higher ground and while most buildings were first erected in 1860's, they were rebuilt up the hill after the flood. We were able to enter and exaamine both St Peter's Catholic and St catherine's Anglican churches as well as the old convent, the police station and jail, and various houses – all very solidly built of stone and all very well preserved.

The School:

 St Peter's Catholic Church

 St Catherine's Anglican Church

 St Catherine's Hall

A supercilious alpaca- one of 1/2 dozen keeping the grass mowed!

We moved on for lunch, observing the leaning trees and reserving those for when the showers had stopped. Lunch was on the waterfront of Port Denison – prawns, fresh bread and cold white wine. (I had wine and my diet drink! I am on a weight losing kick and have lost 10 kilos! Besides which, I can't eat prawns!) It looks a busy fishing port but as I had left my camera in Greenough, I haven't any photos. There are two rock walls now protecting the harbour but many ships have, over the years, come to grief on the bar at the entranceof the Leander River which has very rough surf.

Dongara, the nearby town, is noted for a Moreton Bay Fig lined main street. They are on both sides of the street and very old and large. They really seemed out of place!

We called in at Greenough on the way back to get my camera and then stopped at the leaning trees. River gums, they have been deformed by the salt-laden wind which blows constantly and lean over at various angles but always in the same direction.Some, as you can see in the photos touch the ground and grow horizontally.

April cooked dinner tonight and I have to wash my clothes beecause Gln knocked aglass of red wine over me!!