The year 2009 has come and gone. It is also my third year living in this stranger land. So far so good. I've also had friends and families visiting, so it was kinda like Visit Beth year :-) Anyway, here are some of the interesting activities taken during those visits:

First up, a visit to New Norcia, a small town north of Perth. It is a monastic town, set up by the Benedictine monks in 1846. The town boasted some historical sites like the boarding schools, St Ildephonsus' and St Gertrude's and the aboriginal boarding schools, St Mary's and St Joseph's.There are no longer students staying or schooling there, and these buildings have been converted for accommodations and venues for social functions. There is also the Abbey Church and the old flour Mill. The town still produces freshly baked bread daily, which is the most delicious bread I've ever eaten. Nowadays, you can take a local tour and visit all the historical buildings, including the monastery where Benedictine monks still live.You can also pack your bags and spend a weekend there. The town is quiet and peaceful and indeed a good place to go for a retreat.And hey, rumour has it that there are sightings of spirits in the town too!!!!

This memorable visit happened in November when Sr Celestina, Helena (Sis's sister) and mom came for a visit. We drove up there in the morning and it took us about 1.5 hours. Arrived there in time for lunch, which we had at the New Norcia Hotel. Afterwards we walked around the area and took lots of pictures.


Statue of St Joseph


Outside New Norcia Hotel


Waiting for food -look at the hungry faces!!! :-)


Outside the Museum & Art Gallery-formerly St Joseph's


Outside the Abbey


The Abbey Church

The flour mill

St Ildephonsus

We also saw some old machinery

More to come.... :-)