Geraldton

 Tues 10^th June 

Although we only had a short distance to travel today it was nevertheless a constantly changing landscape. We passed through rich pastures, olive groves and were fascinated by the leaning trees.

They have obviously had to withstand constant wind to end up so bent over. In fact we had quite a stiff breeze behind us for most of the trip. We stopped in Dongara and were impressed by the old buildings, in particular one that might have been a flour mill in a past life but is now undergoing renovation. In Geraldton it started to rain and rain and rain and progressively get cooler. We booked into a park a little north of town for the next three nights. George is getting his car serviced on Thursday. I contacted Barb Stoney, a friend who used to work with me in Shepparton. It’s a while since we have had any contact, so I’m looking forward to catching up tomorrow.

Wed 11^th

It was great catching up with Barb again and we couldn’t remember how many years it has been since we last met. She is living in a comfortable unit that is attached to her job looking after students, some of them international, some doing schooling as part of apprenticeships. She is required seven days a week and does things like transport them to/from the airport, wash their bed linen and must always know who is on campus. She was looking after her grandson while her daughter, who is being delivered of a baby tomorrow, visited the doctor.

We then had a drive around town, visiting the HMAS Sydney memorial which is a very beautiful and meaningful memorial to those who went down on her. It is made up of a large dome which is covered in 645 seagulls, representing the spirit of each man lost. There is also a memorial board listing their names. Our Uncle Lindsay was meant to be on her but was unable to get back on board from leave when she departed unexpectedly from Melbourne. He was very lucky to miss the boat that day. There is also a moving statue of a waiting woman scanning the sea in vain for the return of loved ones.

Along the foreshore is a small sandy area which has large emu egg shapes in it. The tops of them have been decorated in mosaics by women of the local indigenous community.