The Greenough River, at the moment, is a tranquil, meandering water-way. There is a 17 kilometre walk-way that takes you along one side then back along the other bank. We decided to cheat a bit and drive from one section to the next and walk in between. So technically this is a drive-walk-drive-walk…
The impressive barber pole striped Point Moore lighthouse, built in 1879, was the first stop for a walk onto the beach.
The 4WDs can drive along the beach, it is firm sand, and they can launch their boats to go out for a day’s fishing.
Now it is back into the vehicle to drive a short distance inland to the start of the river walk.
The recent rain has made the grass grow and the shrubs are sprouting new leaves. It will be a good wild flower season this year.
Time is passing and it is past lunch time so it is time to go back to Hector and find some where for lunch.
Still following the river I am searching for Hampton Arms an old wayside inn built in 1863.
the two-storey stone and iron building, which had single-storey wings each side of the main section and a stone stable block, was an excellent example of the Victorian Regency style.
“Unlike other surviving buildings which once functioned as inns, the Hampton Arms was a purpose-built hotel,” she said. “Francis Pearson, who designed the first smelter in Western Australia and was a key figure in the early settlement of the Mid-West, built the hotel in 1863 with his two sons.”
The Hampton Arms was officially opened on May 1,1863 and named after John Hampton, Governor of the day. The district’s first ploughing match was held in 1868, adjacent to the hotel and for several decades it was a centre of social life. However, hard times and economic developments began to affect conditions in the area. By the 1870s a series of droughts, floods and fires had reduced the cropping capabilities of the region, which had been important in supplying the colony with much needed flour supplies. A disastrous flood in 1888 further reduced the area’s profitability and population and when the Midland to Walkaway railway line was completed in 1894, road traffic along the Perth-Geraldton road decreased. The combination of these events led to a decline in patronage of the Hampton Arms and eventually it closed in the 1890s. The building was used as farmhouse and gradually deteriorated until it was bought in 1978 by Alistair and Robin McKechnie, who began restoration work. They opened a restaurant in 1979 and completed work on the ballroom in 1981, subsequently being granted the first Historic Inn licence in WA.”
It was almost 2pm but meals were still being served, so we ordered then had a look around.
What a great find this place is, almost like an old-fashioned English pub. At the other side of the court-yard we discovered a room filled with antiques and bric-a-brac. A quick look in the ballroom before our meal arrived.
After a relaxed and tasty meal of Atlantic salmon with salad we were ready to move on but as we paid our bill and chatted to the land lord he told us
“you must look at the river it actually has some water in it”
Every one is urging us to admire their river. So it seemed fitting that our day started with exploring the river and now should end with one last look.
It had been a perfect day, the sun was shining and the temperature was a comfortable 25degrees. This is a day trip back in time and I still have one more place to visit the historic Greenough heritage village. But that will have to wait for another day.
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I have joined Jo’s cyber walk-about group. Each week Jo invites us to take a walk in our areas and show the group where we have been. Jo is walking in Poland go here to walk with her.
Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Beside the Wisła | restlessjo
Thanks for the link Jo
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Such an enjoyable walk, Pauline!
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Pleased you came along with me Amy
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This lovely for the walking theme. I’m particularly impressed with ‘Gray’s Store’ 😉
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I think you could take on that restoration task Dianne 🙂 If you look carefully you can still see the name “Gray’s store on the board on the side of the building.
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Can’t handle 25 degrees? Jude must be an English rose 🙂
Thanks for sharing again, Pauline. It’s so nice to welcome you and Jack on my walks, and then to see your so different environment. I didn’t see much wrong with your egret shot, and the Hampton Arms looks a great place to curl up with a book.
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It would be a cosy place on a cold day wouldn’t it Jo, with the fire roaring, plenty of books to choose from and maybe a wine or beer, or a hot chocolate….
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Lovely walk with you PP, and a lovely shot of the Eastern Great Egret, but 25 degrees is a tad warm for me! It was 23 degrees here yesterday and almost too warm for walking 🙂
Jude xx
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Thanks for naming the bird for me Jude. 25 degrees is heaven for me after summer temps in the high 30’s
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I can see that, I’d never cope in that heat – especially as where you live it is usually very humid.
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Thank goodness this side doesn’t get so humid. I find it is the humidity that zaps all my energy. 😦
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Same here! I don’t have any energy to even go out when it’s like that.
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Unfortunately the humidity lasts all summer so just have to grin and bear it and be thankful for air-conditioned shopping centres…
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Or in our case, hang out by the freezers in Tesco 😉
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Pauline I believe I am your keenest follower.
I follow you closely and am right up with you.
But will never overtake you..
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Ah Jack, you say the sweetest things. You and Pauline have so many adventures – I’m just happy that you share them with us 🙂
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🙂
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He is a sweety Jude. But somehow he gets between you and me, when I try to comment on your posts a message pops up wanting me to sign in as Jack. Very strange it doesn’t do it on any other blogs!!!!
So this is the comment I was trying to put on your Monday Walk…
That garden is MAGNIFICENT Jude. The English have the climate and years of practice with gardening, and, by the standard of that garden, I think they must have plenty of gardeners. It was a pleasure wandering around with you. Hope all that beauty made you feel better by the end of the day.
Will try to get to the bottom of that mystery….
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Maybe it was because he’d just been commenting on some of my posts? How strange! Yes, we are lucky in England to have many superb gardens. Much of this one was farmyard until the 1990s when they redesigned several areas as gardens. They have done a lot of work over the last 20 years! And I for one fully appreciate it.
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I’m so pleased you have shown it to us.
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Hey Jude, you don’t let me down.
I have found her, I have got her.
I remembered to let her into my heart.
Then everything started to feel better.
Not quiet the Beetles but not Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline.
So nice to get a complement via Pauline’s Post.
_/\_ my little symbol of thanks and appreciation.
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You are very welcome Jack 🙂 🙂
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I think we walk together pretty well side by side.
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Lets face it, we dance sweetheart. _/\_
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🙂 🙂
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Now, now you two – go get a room! Oh, you are in a room – the SAME room probably 😀
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Lol
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