|
There were those among them who responded to the call…….
Gordo promised the wow factor and we weren't disappointed.
Sunday 25 June 2006 saw a gathering at new Norcia for a WARM day out
.It might have been the thought of New Norcia bread, a delicious lunch
at the New Norcia Hotel or a look at the historical buildings or the
company of friends, that enticed us out for a day in the country.
Whatever it was we duly assembled at the New Norcia Roadhouse,.after
a pleasant drive through farmland and rolling hills (Yes Lance, some
of us were lucky to enough to avoid the Haulpaks) for a welcome coffee
break
And we shall know more of New Norcia ………..
Guided competently by an enthusiastic Gordo Smyth, Head Groundsman,
assisted by Nigel and Jude we became acquainted with St Gertrude and
St Adelphonsus, the girls school and boys school and their respective
chapels, we are just beginning to feel we could be in the Mediterranean
- the jumpers are coming off - and it time to beat those Ducatti dudes
and head to the Hotel for lunch. Just in time too (John has nearly
eaten all the chocolate gingers).
Let us break bread…………
We weren't sure whether Nicole Gifford would indeed see the Chip Monk
or at very least the Friar but we all certainly enjoyed our meals
even Sonny (where's my lunch ?) Rajah eventually was able to tuck
in and now where are we off to?
Who shall join me in the Olive Grove………….
Standing in an Olive Grove planted 150 years ago with the cockatoos
wheeling and calling above with the warm sun on our backs will surely
be a lasting memory . We also know quite a bit more about the process
of extracting the oil too now after a visit to the 'oil' shed. Tales
of the cellars below the mission and their contents also have our
mouths watering. A quick look at the current project requiring a different
sort of oil and then its off to see where the monks reside and worship
- a great privilege.
All things must come to an end………
But it can't be time to go surely. We want to see more. What about the
Museum, the Art Gallery and the Flour Mill ….? Just enough time to buy
some olive oil at the shop and a last coffee on the veranda with the
light fading in the distance. We all drive home knowing that we will
be back.
Post Script
In 1835 the government of Spain dissolved all religious communities
in the country. Among those exiled were Dom Salvado and Dom Serra who
applied for foreign missions and came to Perth with the Bishop of Perth
in 1846. Their original mission was established soon afterwards about
130 kms from Perth. The settlement as it is today is certainly reminiscent
of a little piece of the Mediterranean and has been described as a "living"
history. |
