Drove to New Norcia today through hills with the windiest roads, heavy rain and avoiding two huge wide loads which took up two lanes of the highway. It is still raining now and doesn't look like stopping any time soon. We certainly don't pick the most glamorous spots to park. either, the roadhouse advertises itself as a caravan park, but when you get here there only some power points on the outside of the building and no water. The toilets are those used by the general public and the showers have a code if you want to use them. Here Benedictine monks move quietly amongst historical buildings on their way to pray together seven times daily. New Norcia was established in 1847 as a mission for the local Aboriginal people by Spanish Benedictine monk Bishop Rosendo Salvado. 160 years later New Norcia is still home to Benedictine monks and the monastery is one of the 27 heritage buildings listed to be retained for National heritage listing.

Today 2nd July Ross and I went on a two hour walking guided tour of New Norcia. It was very informative with lots of photo opportunities. We walked through former orphanges and boarding schools some of which housed Aboriginal boys and girls who later on were part of the Stolen Generation. We walked through two colleges one a Ladies College (St Josephs) and the other the first Marist Brothers College in Australia for Boys (St Mary;s). Every building we went into had a chapel and there was also a church which seriviced the whole area and still does to this day. The artwork, the history and the architecture are all just beautiful, but there is lots to be done if this place is to be preserved for future generations to see and enjoy part of our history. I must say though having been in so many chapels today we should be feeling decidedly holy. Lastly we looked around the Art and Artifacts museum. The monks bake the bread that is sold here. It has to be the best bread we have tasted for some time.