But before setting out we went to the Gwalia Ghost Town and Museum to learn about the history of the mine. Concerned folk have taken it upon themselves to restore many of the miners’ cottages, plus other infrastructure, such as the old hotel and the manager’s residence. We spent a couple of hours on the exhibits and reading material they supplied, all fascinating to this miner’s grand daughter. My mother was born when the family were in Wiluna, about 150 kms north of here.

We didn’t enjoy our overnight at the Leonora caravan park, not their fault, but it was very full of people, both workers and travellers and after our peaceful time at Menzies Caravan Park, then Lake Ballard, we felt overwhelmed. Still, it was useful to get a small amount of washing done, plus fill up on water.

I also cooked a very nice evening meal in the Instant Pot.

We have chosen to park at a WikiCamps recommended camping spot about 3 kms out of Leinster. It is mainly a truck stop, but there is parking in the bush adjacent. There is a caravan nearby, reassuring as we don’t quite want to be entirely on our own.

Part of the exhibition featured local personalities, including people who once lived in the town and people involved in the restoration.

There were restored houses and buildings on the museum site, including the wonderful manager’s residence, with beautiful rooms and a garden, oddly overlooking the open cut mine.

On the wide verandah you could have morning tea with coffee and cake, so we did.

We had a late lunch of cheese and Vegemite sandwiches toasted in the Ridge Monkey.

There were some birds taking an interest in us as we ate, including this hopeful little fella.

And this is where we are spending tonight.