Prior to arriving in Geraldton, we were aware that a cold front was approaching with strong winds and rain that would remain with us for a few days. It was a test to our Van set up with both Jess and Ryan sleeping outside in swags in the inclement weather. We had our awning set up and tied down with double ropes but ready to put them back up if it got too rough. The kids swags were set up under the awnings up off the ground on stretchers. The forecast was as predicted, accompanied by a storm. The swags worked well with a bit of leakage to be expected for first time, as for some of the time the rain was coming in sideways under the awning! Fortunately we had small sunny breaks in between blustery showery conditions and were able to dry out things in |
This Memorial is very interesting as it is in two parts. Part of it was created and designed prior to the wreckage being found and part of it afterwards, creating an entire and moving story with each structure. Take the time to have a look at the link and read about the different aspects of the memorial, particularly the Waiting Woman - it is very moving.
Over the 2 days we were in Geraldton, despite the weather, we managed to get to several places including the Geraldton Visitor Centre that had a wildflowers display, the Port of Geraldton, the Geraldton Foreshore including the Yamaji Art of Emu Eggs which is very eye catching placed on the foreshore. We also ducked into the grand St Francis Xavier Cathedral that was opened to the public just as the rains returned and found ourselves in a very unusual interior for a church.
We also visited the Old Gaol at Geraldton and the Museum of Geraldton which had an excellent collection of taxidermy much to Jess's delight as well as informative exhibits on the numerous shipwrecks in the area and along the Western Australian coast (which we, in the East heard very little of in our education, or that we weren't listening!) and also many artifacts from the indigenous communities that lived in this region.
Our time in Geraldton also gave us the chance to repair a few things around the Van and also to get our trusty old Prado a service to ensure everything was running as it should before we continue on the next part of our journey!