On Our Way to York

The other day we took a road trip to the historic village of York.  Nestled on the banks of the Avon River in the gently rolling farmlands of the beautiful Avon Valley, the country town of York is 97km east from Perth.  As Western Australia's first inland settlement, York offers unique insights into a rich and colourful past both before and following European settlement in 1831.

Magi decided we would make a loop and travel first up the Brookton Highway to the village of Beverley and then on to York, returning home through Mundaring.  The Brookton Highway is a winding, mountainous road that passes sheep farms and fields and fields of wheat and canola fields.  Magi travels these roads in his Ford Focus as if we were on his motorbike.  I sit glued to my seat as he winds in and out of traffic.  Every once in awhile I see something that catches my eye and with cameras in hand, we explore our surroundings.

I can't believe the fields of yellow.  At first, I think they are yellow daisies but then Magi explains it is canola fields (Canola oil is made from these flowers.)

Large sheep farms are around every bend.

Then I see these fantastic boulders...."Mag, stop.....look at all these big rocks."  At times, I think he thinks I'm off my rocker, but nevertheless, he smiles and brings the Indy 500 Ford Focus to a stop.

Next I spot what I think was a wonderful old barn that has so much character.  Magi explains it's not a barn but an old country farmhouse.  I wander around taking pictures all the while wondering what family occupied this bleak farmhouse.  Now it is used as a tool shed but peeking in between the old boards, Magi right, it was a home at one time.

Take a close look at what I am wearing.  Mag was tired  of my red sweatshirt and purple fleece.......so this morning when we started out, he handed me his extra-large white Gather sweatshirt that he won for some comment he made on Gather.  So today, I look like the Pillsbury Dough girl or a big hot-air balloon.

No sooner are we in the car then we stop once again.  Magi loves churches and I think I have been in more houses of prayer and cemeteries these past two weeks then I have in the last ten years. 

I think Magi may be concerned about my soul.

As we leave the cemetery, across the street I see a stone marker and beyond a fence the ruins of a farmhouse.  Of course I need to wander across the road to take pictures despite Magi's tummy rumbling.  It's now almost 11 o'clock and the guy is hungry.  He wants to get to the country town of Beverley so he can have his Big Breakfast!  I assure him I will only be a few minutes....and run across the street.

Finally we reach Beverley....like Toodyay and York, Beverley has preserved many of it's historic buildings....but taking images right now is not on Mag's mind.  We go into a Cafe and Mag orders two Big Breakfasts.....and is sadly dismayed to learn that the Cafe stopped serving breakfast at ten thirty. It is also the only eatery in Beverley.

"We're out of here, Bob....we'll get a shot of the downtown area and the Victorian Tudor Railroad Station and be on our way to York."

Will Mag get his Big Breakfast?  Stay tune for our afternoon in York.

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Photos by Magi and Bob.