7.30am
21.4 degrees, overcast. Light showers through the night and again this morning.
Rang
Mum and Dad. They haven’t had the rang south Qld is getting but it is forecast
to come back up over the next few days and give them some good rain.
The
sun peeked out as we packed up and headed north to Northampton then on to the
Principality of Hutt River Province. Erica and Terry were here in 2001 and met
Prince Leonard. He has recently handed over the throne to one of his sons,
Prince Graeme. Stopped at the border – we are entering another country, will
need to get our passports stamped at the Government Office!!
Across
Hutt River. Flowing well after the recent rain.
Into
the main ‘township’, past the big bust of Prince Leonard and the chapel. We
parked outside the Government Offices and went in to pay our camp fee and buy
some souvenirs for Erica and Terry.
The
official flag is flying well.
Prince
Richard greeted us – in his flannelette shirt – well they are wheat farmers
really. Beautiful tea table. He said it was a gift to his father Prince Leonard
and because he was royalty the dragon only had 3 toes whereas if we bought
something like that the dragon would have 4 or 5 toes.
The
Principality started in 1970 so there are lots of stamps, coins, books and
other souvenirs for purchase. A lot of things to arrange when you start your
own country. They have their own currency but it is equal to the Australian
dollar and we can use Aust money here!! If it wasn’t such a serious thing you
would think it was just a tourism ploy but they are fighting the Government
again over GST in the Supreme Court.
The
coins are souvenirs. The notes are the currency 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2.
Rocks
and shells from all over the world.
Aerial
view of the City of Nain. The campground is in the top left.
News
article about the handing over of the crown in February this year.
Drove
down to the campground and set up – two other vans are here.
Had
lunch then headed back up to see Prince Leonard as he and Prince Graeme are
heading to Perth shortly to attend the Supreme Court tomorrow.
A
photo for Erica.
Some
creative artwork.
Met
Prince Leonard and signed his book after he asked how many countries we have
visited this year – I said only this one. I told him about Erica and Terry
meeting him years ago. He is now 93. He told us his story and that they now
lease a lot of the land out but still grow wheat. I think the tourism side is
helping this nowadays. He certainly has a very brilliant mind – very much into
mathematics.
He
said he sent a copy of this letter from the Queen to the Prime Minister who
apparently was not impressed.
Lots
to read. Further info about the battle at the moment with the Government.
I
asked him why ‘Nain’ and he said he had a chap painting pictures for the chapel
after his visit to the Holy Land. Prince Leonard was impressed and bestowed on
him the honour of Earl and then he asked “of where” and the chap said “Nain” in
the Holy Land so then the name stuck for the city here. There are buildings but
no shopping arcade etc.
The
national anthem by Jon English.
Headed
outside to the shrine to his wife Princess Shirley and the Gateway to Nature’s
Spiritual World. It is all to do with mathematics – all over our head. Dad
might make sense of it.
The
Stone of Light has an interesting story.
Up
to the bust where there was some more info on the creation of the Principality.
Into
the Chapel. Very peaceful with the blue light. In a small room off the side was
all about Princess Shirley and how she supported her husband and family.
Prince
Graeme was in the office and stamped our passports. Got a photo with him too as
the reigning monarch. We chatted with him about the GST problem which appears
to be very worrying. I asked if they had any plans for their 50th
anniversary and he said they have to get through these court proceedings first
then hopefully they can plan something.
Got
an envelope to send off to Erica – I didn’t forget to put Australia.
The
map of the area.
Still
overcast and cold so we had a cuppa and I did my blog ready to explore the
Kalbarri National Park tomorrow.
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