Day 128 - A Little Bit More of Geraldton

We have little trouble describing Geraldton as the "windy city" as we awoke this morning to the noise of it whistling through the she oaks lining both sides of the caravan.

Today was to be a "fix the washing machine" day.  We dutifully delivered the washing machine in the caravan (we couldn't get it out) at 8.30am to the repair shop (on the other side of Geraldton) as requested, only to find the promised repair man would not be in until after lunch.*#*#**.  Final negotiations had him coming to the caravan park between 1 and 5 pm so back we went, set up the van again and waited.  He arrived at 11am, fixed the machine and left us the afternoon to gad about.  Good things come to those who wait!

Our gad about took us along the Geraldton waterfront and along the northern beaches.  Geraldton's city centre is on the beach esplanade and the wharves and marinas are smack dab in the middle of the place.  There are accessible beaches north and south of the town.  The sand is white and the waves whiter again, as they tumble across the many rock or reef barriers at varying distances from the shore. The water is that customary dark blue to turquoise.  Geraldton is a beautifully maintained place, clean, oozing discrete opulence, old buildings beautifully preserved and new buildings modern, yet contributing to Geraldton's subtle flair.  Commerce and industry meld comfortably with the beachside environment.

120814 On the beachfront pavement - even the locals think its beautiful

120814 Many marinas, many boats

120814 A tuna boat in a city marina

120814 Geraldton's foreshore

120814 Typical beachfront development in Geraldton

120814 Looking towards Geraldton from Sunset Beach

One most interesting building was Nazareth House built to plans provided by Monsignor John Hawes, a Catholic Priest who was an architect by training and designed many ecclesiastical buildings in and around Geraldton.  It was built in 1941, initially for young boys and girls from overseas without parents.  It is now a  home for the elderly. 

120814 Nazareth House

120814 Nazareth House across the Chapman River

120814 The Chapman River looking upstream.
It is not currently open to the sea