Saturday, 28 August
We had a much milder start to the day, followed by warm sunshine and a temperature of about 24 degrees – much more civilised!
Today we set out for New Norcia, about 128 kms away, which is a Benedictine Monastery, complete with eight monks. It was a glorious drive, the countryside was so different to what we have become used to – rolling green hills and paddocks of wheat and canola, which is almost fluorescent. There were a few wildflowers to be seen, mainly wattles and broom, with a few patches of pretty blue flowers – much to Cat’s delight.
New Norcia is almost like a small village, completely owned and operated by the monastery – even the hotel. Two large boarding schools were built there early in the 20th Century (now no longer operating) to complement the monastery and its dealings with the local Aboriginal population, as well as the agriculture. We undertook a two hour guided tour – with about 60 people on the tour, it was a big much for the only guide – which was very informative and interesting. We were taken into the two prayer halls in the actual monastery as well as the church and the two school buildings with their painted chapels (boys and girls were definitely kept well segregated!). The convent now houses a museum and, of course, the gift shop. Lunch was enjoyed at the hotel, which was built especially by the monks for a non-eventual visit by Queen Isabella of Spain.
The monks still operate their bakery on a commercial basis, as well as an olive grove. Tourism is their business now – and they certainly try very hard to relieve the tourists of as much money as possible!
It really was well worth the visit and an enjoyable drive.
We had a much milder start to the day, followed by warm sunshine and a temperature of about 24 degrees – much more civilised!
Today we set out for New Norcia, about 128 kms away, which is a Benedictine Monastery, complete with eight monks. It was a glorious drive, the countryside was so different to what we have become used to – rolling green hills and paddocks of wheat and canola, which is almost fluorescent. There were a few wildflowers to be seen, mainly wattles and broom, with a few patches of pretty blue flowers – much to Cat’s delight.
New Norcia is almost like a small village, completely owned and operated by the monastery – even the hotel. Two large boarding schools were built there early in the 20th Century (now no longer operating) to complement the monastery and its dealings with the local Aboriginal population, as well as the agriculture. We undertook a two hour guided tour – with about 60 people on the tour, it was a big much for the only guide – which was very informative and interesting. We were taken into the two prayer halls in the actual monastery as well as the church and the two school buildings with their painted chapels (boys and girls were definitely kept well segregated!). The convent now houses a museum and, of course, the gift shop. Lunch was enjoyed at the hotel, which was built especially by the monks for a non-eventual visit by Queen Isabella of Spain.
The monks still operate their bakery on a commercial basis, as well as an olive grove. Tourism is their business now – and they certainly try very hard to relieve the tourists of as much money as possible!
It really was well worth the visit and an enjoyable drive.
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