After the long drive south from the Pilbara region, we relaxed for a couple of days at the caravan park in the sleepy town of Yalgoo, rekindling Jack’s memories of classing his first wool clip as a registered woolclasser on a nearby sheep station over forty ago.

During the years 1921-22, Monsignor John Hawes designed and built the Dominican convent school and chapel of St Hyacinth at Yalgoo. Local children attended the school until it was forced to closed due to the lack of pupils in 1950.

The Dominican sisters and the convent are long gone, but fortunately St Hyacinth’s Chapel was restored and reopened to visitors by the Yalgoo Shire in 1981.

Visitors to St Hyacinth’s Chapel and the Yalgoo Museum are trusted with a set of keys to let themselves into both. Keys are available at the caravan park or the Shire Offices.

Feeling somewhat refreshed after our two-day hiatus, we press on westward to Mullewa (MW).

Stopping briefly at Mullewa, we stretched our legs around Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s church, perhaps Monsignor John Hawes’ finest creation.

Arriving in Geraldton just in time to cast our votes in the referendum, we enjoy a breath of the cool salt air after weeks in the hot red dust country of northern Western Australia.

Whats next: Perhaps a few quiet weeks off the road for Jack and Mallie.