In Kalbarri after a visit to the Principality

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We left Geraldton this morning and had a pretty drive north - each side of the road wheatfields as far as the eye could see. At each town there was a very big silo and sometimes the town that was marked on the map was just a very big silo. South Australia and Western Australia must produce so much grain - we've seen huge silos everywhere in both states.

We saw we were in the region of the Hutt River, which, of course, meant a visit to the Principality. Many Australians will remember the battle between Leonard Casley and the Australian, or principally the Western Australian, government in 1969 over wheat quotas being reduced, which resulted in Mr. Casley and his Hutt River property seceding from Australia in 1970. He then proclaimed his property the Hutt River Province, he became Prince Leonard and his wife, Princess Shirley.

We turned off the highway and travelled about 30 kms, a lot of it on red dirt road, until we came to the Province. We were met by Princess Shirley (unfortunately Prince Leonard was away in the next town today) who showed us over the government building and post office which contained stamps, first day covers and coins and notes of the realm and then the souvenir shop. The heraldic banners were displayed as well as photos and good wishes from some notables, including the previous Pope. Princess Shirley told how their Representatives had been invited to the Trooping of the Colour, and had undertaken verious tasks oversees representing Hutt.

We then went into the little chapel which contained many large paintings on the walls, an altar and the royal thrones. Several people have been married there. Next April marks the 40th year since they seceded and will be celebrated in some grand way. They of course don't pay tax to Australia - interesting when a government tries to push someone around and the little person actually wins! http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/

On then, through more wildflower country till we came here to Kalbarri. It is such a surprise - on the Murchison River where the river flows to the sea, the river winding through tall sandstone cliffs - I think there are some interesting gorges here. Tomorrow we'll explore the area some more. Our mail was waiting here for us - thank you Jason and Jules xx

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