We set off early for the markets at Greenough – the amazing
little historical township between Dongara and Geraldton, and were disappointed
as when we arrived that there were few people in the markets (not as many stalls as
we had hoped - we were early birds), so we wandered around and chatted, not
buying anything but raffle tickets at the Uncle Ann’s Writers Group stall, and
eventually decided to have a coffee in
the tea rooms – and we sat outside in the courtyard enjoying the fabulous
coffee and the scenery. It was very
peaceful, but we were somewhat early as we were headed to the Hampton Arms, a
very old Inn also at Greenough, but on another road.
(I cringed at the many spelling errors in the stalls – loved
the ‘stainless steal” book mark one!)
The Hampton Arms is an old inn, “the surviving remnant of the town of Hampton, which was established in
1863, not long after the Greenough Front Flats.
As the district’s first hotel, it was a focal point for Greenough settlers
for social gatherings, balls and political meetings.
It also provided
shelter during times of flooding when settlers on the western side of the
Greenough River were cut off from settlement on the eastern site.”
The two-storey stone
and iron building, which had single storey wings each side of the main section
and a stone stable block, was an excellent example of the Victorian Regency
style.
Unlike other surviving
buildings which once functioned as inns, the Hampton Arms was a purpose-built
hotel”
Frances Pearson, who
designed and built the first smelter in Western Australia and was a key figure
in the early settlement of the Mid-West, built the hotel in 1863 with his two
sons.
The Hampton Arms was
officially opened on May 1st, 1863and named after John Hampton,
Governor of the day. The district’s
first ploughing match was held in 1868 here.”
(The above information in italics was taken from the
Hampton Arms Inn flyer)
There is a bookshop there with the most amazing collection
of second hand books, and there is an Antique and Collectibles shop as well as a dress
shop, so plenty to do while we wandered around the inn. I bought a book on patchwork, which has some
ideas that I might just use one day!
As we were about to order our lunch, my phone rang. I had won the raffle!! The ladies would come
and deliver it to me while we were still there.
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| Fish and Chips and Bev at the Inn |
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| Alpaca at Greenough |
We ordered fish and chips, which were wonderful, and I had a
glass of Moscato, which was filled so much, I had to sip off the top so that I
could carry it without spilling. The
Host of the Hampton Arms was a cheery and full of personality character called
Brian who kept us amused at times!!!
The ladies delivered my prize (which included a St Patrick’s
Day apron, and a bottle of Gossip’s Moscato and a few other items that will return
to them, as they are of no value to me.
After a really lovely meal, we set off to Geraldton. Perhaps the Art Gallery – closed on
Sundays. Grrr. So across the road to McDonalds to have an
icecream, before going to the movies.
As we reached the theatre there was a note on the door “Due
to techincal problems” the movie
would not be shown (that is the movie we wanted to see!!!) When we asked at the
ticket office, about the techincal problem,
the young lass did not understand us. A
laugh for us, as we turned around and headed back to Dongara. Despite missing the movie, we had had another
great day!!!!!
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