Sandstone, and yet another Goldfields township looking upon lean times, though signs of life are still strong with the residents remaining in town. On the way from Leonora we have also visited another mining community, Lenister, propped up by BHP with a largish mining camp of dongas catering to the FIFO (Fly-In, Fly-Out) workforce. Though still employing a decent sized workforce half of the town’s family houses and shops were empty. The Caravan Park, which is busy with gold fossickers in the winter, deserted, the streets empty during the day.
Leonora, Lenister to Sandstone was a touch more than 200klm, so by lunch we find ourselves at the Sandstone Caravan Park with plenty of choice of sites, and no need to be too fussy in aligning the Lotus! The park is really pleasant with plenty of lawns (though not on sites), enough trees for shade  and plenty of protection from the still vibrant wind.   
Soon we go searching for the Info Centre, closed, the Post Office, closed, so taking matters into our own hands we head off to find the local sights, The London Bridge and the site of an old brewery out of town. Coming into town we spotted a road heading south beside a large jump-up with a sign indicating this as a Tourist Way, which it indeed is. First on the track, a slightly rough dirt road, is the Brewery which was set up and operated by an Irishman, of course, in the late 1890’s. Out of a small cave on the far side of the jump-up from town (of course) he carved a larger cave to store his product at a reasonable 17c, then built the brewery above the cave with a hole carved down into the cave to allow the “beer to flow”, as you do! You can still see where he had gates and service across the cave front to prohibit those of low character (read, no money) from indulging in his sublime ale! God loves the Irish!  
5Kl further along is the London Bridge (photos provided) which someone, perhaps after a long visit to the Irishman’s fine establishment, found a likeness between this sandstone rock bridge and the fabled London Bridge. Very romantic and possibly homesick for Pommie land were they then! We saw, we climbed, we photographed then we saw the storm coming and we departed! A fine bridge it is at that.
The wind howled, deep, dark storm clouds swirled all around us calling an early darkness to the day, and about 20 big drops of rain smashed against the Lotus Inn….that was it! All round on the horizon storm after storm chased eachother from the north but Sandstone withstood them all, so, we went to the pub! And a fine establishment it is, even without an Irishman in sight, though we had a blonde Swedish backpacker to serve us. Met the lady Publican who had just returned from 3 weeks in Cambodia and Vietnam (seems trade is not too bad here), and her husband who has a gold mine lease “a few kilometers out of town” with an overly indistinct wave of the arm in no general direction! But the beer was cold and the Steak’nFries’ with a waft of lettuce, and Chicken Schnitzel with Avocado and Salad were superb.  
“Staying another night” asks the Polish Caravan Park Manager? “Nah, too much excitement isn’t good for us at our age”! ;~))