Wildflowers and monks

Leaving the coast we soon came across paddocks of sheep, cows, wheat and canola, highlighted by the native shrubs and flowers along both sides of the road. Then there were the grass trees – so many of them!  As we reached the edge of the Badgingarra NP the hillside appeared covered in them. 

Grass trees are fantastic plants - love them!

Moora is the largest town between Geraldton and Perth and has some very nice old buildings.  It was show day today.  We had a brief look around and continued about 20mins north to the Coomberdale Wildflower Farm that we’d read about.  This is a residence and working sheep and wheat farm (14,000 acres) with another 4000 acres growing banksias and other wildflowers.  It was a good visit.  The owner showed us around the sheds where she dries and preserves the flowers for export to about 12 different countries.  She even gave us tea and coffee while we watched a dvd about the farm and WA wildflowers in general.

Our favourite kangaroo paw

Our next destination was the monastic town of New Norcia, where we got a permit to camp by the oval for $10 and booked the town walking tour for tomorrow.  We decided to go to the ‘hotel’ building for a drink and lo and behold were followed in by Helen and Jurgen whom we met yesterday at lunchtime.  

Later Phil and I walked over to the monastery chapel for the opportunity to join the monks at their evening prayer session.  It was a good experience.  There were probably about 20 visitors in all and it was dead silent in the chapel.  Then the 5 monks walked in with heads bowed, followed by a younger monk who sat at the organ.  They chanted the prayers in turn.  The session was ½ hour and we’re so glad we took the opportunity to experience this.

The 2 hour tour of this Benedictine Community was really interesting and informative.  We were able to go inside most of the buildings, which was just as well because within 10 minutes of starting, the wind and rain arrived and it was a bit wild.  In fact the weather remained like that for the rest of the afternoon.  As we were driving anyway, it didn't matter too much.  

We headed across to the coast again as we wanted to visit the Moore River area and Yanchep NP.  This area through the Chittering Valley was more like Tasmania or even Victoria whereas everywhere further north has been quite different.  Fortunately we found a spot to camp that was reasonably sheltered from the wind as it ended up being a pretty wild weather night with constant rain, wind and at times thunder and lightning.  We were snuggled up in the back of Troopy with the pop up roof closed and slept really well.