Heavenly Beverley : All Roads Really Do Lead To Heavenly Beverley

The Wheatbelt has come alive again. Almost overnight, the rain has turned the paddocks from dusty grey to vivid green underpinned by thick chocolate soil. Lambs, lambs, lambs and lambs are being born in spite of cooler and wetter conditions. We can view them from the roads, skinny legs in full flight as they flee from the scary shapes passing at speed. The braver ones turn their heads in mild interest as they bask in the sun or huddle against their mothers for shelter against the elements.

I do enjoy the changing of the seasons here in Heavenly Beverley. My favourite times of the year are the days of warming sunshine after an episode of windy showers. Monday was a perfect example. Released after a busy weekend in the Gallery, even a trip to the Big Smoke didn't dampen our spirits, driving through the forest and around farms under a glorious blue sky. Except there appeared to be more traffic than usual on West Talbot Road. I continued to ponder this occurrence as we sped towards Perth.

We had managed to snag an early appointment with the Boy Wonder and Orthopaedic Surgeon to the Stars, Mister Ben Kimberley. Michael was finally in so much pain with his right wrist that he really needed to be seen. Plus his left ring finger had become dodgy as well, but not to the same extent.

Ben sent him off for a cortisone injection into the ring finger and we booked an MRI for next week. Nasty bone spurs rubbing along his wrist's tendons are expected to be the culprits. Nearly fifty years of repetitive activities had landed Michael in these circumstances. Surgery appears likely. A double-edged sword. We want to head north in just over five weeks. Yet another episode when we are grateful for private health insurance. If Michael needs surgery, we want to have the procedure done as quickly as possible.

I drove us home to Beverley. As ever, we were heartily relieved to leave the suburbs behind. I thought again about the increased traffic. With the lifting of many COVID 19 restrictions, I realised that city slickers were spreading their wings after the weeks of lockdown. They were looking for any excuse for a day trip or a short break away.

And so began an inkling for this post. The stubble and dust have been replaced by the luscious dark brown soil that supports the crops. All the ground needed was a flourish of water from the sky. A verdant carpet popping into view almost overnight has changed the face of the Wheatbelt. From now until late spring is the perfect time for an escape to Heavenly Beverley.

So, what are you waiting for? Pull out the beanies, the padded jackets and your walking shoes. Visit our extinct volcano Quadjabin and marvel at the view from the top. Even if you tumble, as I did, injury is highly unlikely. Only my bum and dignity were bruised. Gaze onto the stark splendour of Yenyening Lakes and pop over for a closer look at our "beach" in the Wheatbelt. Poke through old churchyards and read the stories of our pioneers. Look for any relatives in our cemeteries or have a chat with Billy Noongate, John Forrest's tracker, buried in the Vincent Street cemetery. His grave has pride of place at the highest point. I'm sure he would have had some great tales to tell.

Consider a glider flight or just watch the spectacle. The Beverley Soaring Society is the second biggest club in the world, based on the number of kilometres flown. Those magnificent men in their gliding machines are in the skies most weekends and may often be found in the evenings in one of the pubs. They are more than willing for a chat.

Have a meander through Beverley's streets. We have wonderful examples of Federation and Art Deco architecture. Street art by James Giddy is dotted along Vincent Street. The main residential road, Forrest Street, was wide enough for a horse and wagon to turn around. Beverley has a big and modern playground on Forrest Street, adjacent to the new sports Pavillion, where the kids can burn off some energy.

Take a break in the garden of the Dead Finish Museum on Hunt Road. Although the museum hasn't resumed operation yet, the building which was Beverley's oldest hotel is charming from the exterior and the garden is based upon the early settlers' yards. Well worth a wander.

The Visitors' Centre, open Monday to Friday in the Cornerstone Building, has a number of self-guided interactive displays concerning Beverley's history, particularly early aviation. The friendly and informative staff at the Beverley Community Resource Centre are just across the hall to assist.

There are plenty of accommodation solutions. Beverley boasts two pubs, an Airbnb, Beverley Bed and Breakfast, Sheoaks Bed and Breakfast, Avondale Farm Cottages and Lavendale, halfway to York. We also have the world-famous Beverley Caravan Park (right in town centre behind the Shire Offices) and an RV Friendly site on the Avon River.

For anybody feeling a tad peckish, the Hotel Beverley, Freemasons' Tavern (bookings only), the Red Vault Cafe and the Beverley Bakehouse Cafe (closed Sundays) have all resumed business.

Station Arts, located within the beautifully restored railway station will open again in July. The Artists-In-Residence programme is also resuming, with an array of interesting practitioners available to chat about their artworks.

Lastly, we invite everybody who is coming to Beverley to visit the East End Gallery. We are situated on Vincent Street, adjacent to the pharmacy and opposite the Red Vault. Now open for over five and a half years, we showcase over ninety artists and their works. With the aim of supporting and promoting Wheatbelt artists, they are our priority. We also welcome artists who have links to Beverley, the Wheatbelt or us.

Michael and I look forward to meeting you at the East End Gallery. Did I mention that there are lambs being born?