So finally hit the road in Big Bessie (my shining white beautiful, not steed, Prado) and first stop was Northam for a coffee and a walk with the Prince (Charlie). Mental note: don’t head off anywhere in WA on a Sunday ’cause it seems as though honouring this sacred day still abounds, which really sucks for a capitalist, shopping-loving, vibe-loving gal like me! In other words, everything is shut – oh except Dome Cafe. After what was supposed to be a ‘quick 10 minute turned into a 45 minute’ stop, Prince Charles and I hit the road again – next stop Mount Magnet. We checked into a lovely place called OUTBACK GOLD accommodation. Special shout out to Mary who welcomed me and the Prince with a lovely, friendly chat and a welcome basket of 2 slices of bread, milk, butter, spread of choice and wee packet of cereal of choice. The room was spot on – very clean, and had everything we needed and Charlie was allowed to be inside with me. I then took Charlie for a walk and came across a lovely Mount Magnet rock (see below)! Despite what you might be thinking, the (3) people who I came across here were super friendly, smiley and gave us a wave hello – gotta love small towns.
At the risk of getting political, what struck me, was despite the countless mining vehicles we saw on the road, obvious prolific mining and mining dollars being made, the locals have to contend with dead, ramshackle, run-down, forgotten, shameful, dilapidated housing. This is not, by-the-way, a stand-alone, ‘artsy’ photo worthy group of houses of a bygone era. This is the general state of many of the dwellings here. The adjectives I used above could easily be used to describe the attitude of the mining companies’ care factor towards the traditional landowners whose land they see fit to take from and give little in return. It’s embarrassing, shameful, sad, and makes me feel angry.
On the road with my dog 