Apr 7, 2013 - Perth, Roadtrip down south west, wwoofing

03.04 Ich lande um ca 09.30 Uhr Ortszeit (musste die Uhr 1,5h zurueckstellen)in Perth. Ich finde den oeffentlichen Bus (fuer 4$, der Schnellbus kostet 16$) und fahre in die Stadt. Ich weiss nicht wo in der City ich aussteigen soll. mein Ziel ist die state library, da es dort Internetzugang gibt und ich mit meinem Gepaeack nicht zuviel laufen will. Ich versuche mit meinem Handy zu orten, wo ich auf der Karte bin. das gelingt mir auch. eine frau sieht meine versuche und nimmt mich einfach mit. sie ist braslianerin und lebt seit ca 4 Jahren in...

Mar 25, 2013 - Fremantle

Neil & Susan both had to work so I amused myself. Walked into Fremantle & looked around the shops then drove into Perth with Neil who had to call into his IBM office for a few minutes. I figured that dining out was the last thing Susan wanted after a hard day at work so we got some beautiful Chinese take-away.

Mar 24, 2013 - York, WA

Had bacon & eggs cooked on the BBQ then had a very pleasant drive to York, Western Australia's oldest inland city. Had lunch at the York Mill although I really wasn’t hungry after the big breakfast. After we got home Neil & I watched the Malaysian Grand Prix then had a beautiful Cassoulet Susan had cooked in the slow-cooker while we were out.

Mar 23, 2013 - Fremantle

Susan went out early, shopping & some work. Neil & I went to the Salvos & BBQ place then he did some work around the house while I started my diary. Went to the local bar for a drink after Susan came home then a visit to “Peaches”, a Famous Fremantle market, to get asparagus, etc & cooked marinated chicken on the BBQ.

Mar 22, 2013 - Fremantle

Neil took the day off work & we walked to the fishermen's wharf at Fremantle for lunch of fish & chips at Cicerello's (the first of many, I'm sure). Then we wandered across the road to the Shipwreck Galleries & had another look at the Batavia. Neil & Susan have recently been to Geraldton & flew out to the Abrolhos Islands so he was very interested & up-to-date with the Batavia story.

Mar 21, 2013 - Melbourne to Perth

Continued on to Perth. We left about 1/2 an hour late - seemed to wait on the runway forever waiting for our turn. A very smooth flight & Neil was there to meet me. Had a guided tour of the new house which is quite spectacular although it's still a work in progress with on-going renovations. He looks well & has no lasting effects from the Christmas stroke. We bought some pink snapper for dinner, plus white wine & bourbon so had a good night. Susan got home from work about 7:00 looking very tired - I think this job is really taking its toll.

Mar 4, 2013 - In Flight

Up at around 5 am I think it was to catch our 7:30 flight from perth to Brisbane, it was a great early morning flight with beautiful clear skies. The ocean along the south coast was in clear sight for quite awhile. Once we landed in brisbane, we had about an hourmto hang around the boarded our connecting flight to Cairns. When we arrived in Carins, Once we arrived in Cairns and jujutsu stepped off the plane, it was amazing how fast the humidity hit joy. Not even into the airport, and you could feel the sweat building. We drive into the...

Mar 3, 2013 - Perth

Today we were up early to get some face time chatting in with family. Once we finished that up, we packed up all our stuff and headed to the beach for breakfast! We took our own bowls and had fresh fruit and cereal on the sand and watched the kids get washed up on the shore in the waves. We sat at the beach for a while enjoying the morning sun then were on the road back to Perth. We stopped at the info booth in Margaret River to ask about a scenic route back to Perth. We were able to locate it and started back on it. Along this route there...

Feb 28, 2013 - Perth

After a late arrival to Perth, we picked up our new rental car ( a Mini Cooper this time!!) and made our way to our hostel. We stayed the night at they perth city YHA. We didn't get much sleep this night because there air conditioner, even though it was off, was squeaking all night. Then early in the morning a group of people decided to do laundry which was conveniently located right across the hall from our room. So needless to say, we were up early and decided to go get some breakfast at a palace the receptionist recommended. It was...

Feb 24, 2013 - Perth

We arrive in Perth and find our way to our hotel without too many wrong turns, and are delighted to have a room overlooking the Swan River, however, as we settle in for the night we are unable to ignore a loud noise coming from just outside the room, it sounds like and industrial tumble dryer is operating full tilt outside the room. My inability to sleep at the best of times is well known and Jim decides that he can’t bear the thought of the noise continuing through the night and heads off to speak to the duty manager. I don’t know what he...

Feb 9, 2013 - Australia here we come!

We arrive safely into Perth, Western Australia, albeit 15 minutes late. However, we were glad to have arrived as 2 hrs into the flight we heard the ominous announcement, "if there is a doctor on the plane please make yourself known to the cabin crew"! Jim and I looked at each other and wondered what was happening, I then glanced back and saw the senior flight attendant and others hovering by a young woman just behind Jim’s seat. You do try not to look but as the cabin crew bustled back and forwards it was hard not to notice the oxygen mask...

Feb 2, 2013 - Mandurah/Perth/Fremantle

Leaving Margaret river we travelled to Busselton. We headed straight for the famous Busselton jetty. The jetty is just under 2kms long and you can choose to walk out to the end or ride the train. Of course we opted for the train, both kids were really excited. We were amazed at how many youths were jumping all along off the jetty. Clearly the local hang out spot! The water did look very inviting. After our train ride we did some shopping at Woolies, still undecided where we were to camp that night. Our minds were made up for us after we...