Hutt River Province

Fri 13^th June   

 
 

 
 
 

After a quiet day yesterday, while George had his car serviced, we left Geraldton and headed north through the Chapman Valley that was dotted with flat topped hills.  At Northampton we stopped at The Old Store, a drapery shop selling new merchandise, which is still run along similar lines as the ones we had when we were kids.   The displays were of a similar nature, with a big range of rubber boots and hats up on the high shelf. Another section was dedicated to wool. Jan and I marvelled over the range of wools and colours available. There were even some skeins. There were racks of clothes, crockery and cutlery, post cards, jewellery, hats, saddles, holsters and in the back room was a collection of sewing machines dating from the late 1800s. It was the kind of shop in which you could browse for hours and it was run by a lady who was happy to chat for as long as we stayed. She didn’t even try to sell us anything.

 

 

Our next stop was Port Gregory where there was a lake that really was pink – bright pink. Along one side was a factory where the beta carotene is extracted. We had lunch near the beach which is protected by a long coral reef that is about 500 metres out from shore, thereby providing quite a protected bay which I am sure would be full of fish.

 

 We then headed off towards Kalbarrie, but turned off along a wide dirt road and ended up in the Hutt River Provence. Prince Leonard greeted us and gave us a tour through the buildings and gave Jan and me permission to sit on Princess Shirley’s throne in the chapel. She died late last year and he has dedicated the chapel, some postage stamps, a book or two and some other things to her memory. In the souvenir room there are many letters, pictures and other objects that are from famous people, politicians and foreign dignitaries.  There are paintings by Pro Hart and one by Prince Charles. We decided to stay in the camping ground that is part of the property. For $10 we had a hot shower, toilets and a campfire and there was also a camp kitchen. There were only three other campers there and we shared the campfire with two other lots. Would you believe that one of the blokes, Bob Croft, was a cook in the navy with Mick?  Neither recognised the other, until they said their names.  There was quite a lot of reminiscing around the campfire as they caught up with what their old shipmates are doing now and told stories of the past. Although the campfire was quite big, the surround was a big truck rim and the heat couldn’t get out. By the time we went to bed our faces were warm and the rest of us was absolutely frigid. Even Mick complained and not only turned on his electric blanket but had an extra blanket as well.