GRASS PATCH - POPULATION: 493

SAT 25 - MON 27.1.2014: HAPPY 'STRALIA' DAY FROM GRASS PATCH! Well may you ask where is Grass Patch! Grass Patch is a small farming town in the Mallee region, located 79 km north of Esperance on the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway. The town was named after a nearby farm of the same name that had been settled around 1896 and was renowned for bountiful crops and good grass. Stayed at the Grass Patch Park "N" Stay, only $20.00 per night (powered site), with lovely facilities and within walking distance of the Tavern - perfect! Tour Coordinator Peel outdid herself this time - the aim as always was a quiet retreat, there were two other vans in the park, but both were away for the weekend. Also, the population "in town" (which is where we were), numbers about 20 people, so all in all the goal was more than achieved. As we were the only van we can hardly complain about others not entering into the Australia Day spirit!

Love everything about the smaller villages - sitting outside and a local chap walked by and asked if we would like some sauce that he was brewing - yes please. Two contemporary preservative bottles (stubby beer bottles), of one mild and one hot sauce appeared. Paid a token amount and also offered our herb farm as we will not be able to take it across the border - now planted in his garden. Next, another local chap - bottle of honey.

The local tavern is under new management and was only taken over some 5 weeks earlier. Needless to say one had to venture forth in search of the grass patch! Went to the local school, tennis club (synthetic surface), and recreation area - nothing, then a breakthrough, at the back of the facilities we struck GOLD, 'THE PATCH'!

'T-H-E' GRASS PATCH!