28/01/09
We checked out of our cabin and read our books by the pool until the bus to the airport arrived, jumped on and milled about in the smallest terminal imaginable. We didn't have much of a wait though so we were heading for Perth in no time. We landed at 3.30pm and waited around for Joy's friend Greg (this is going to get confusing!) to pick us up. Unfortunately, like the majority of you he was working so we had a few more hours of idly doing nothing ;-). Greg finally arrived and we were on our way to Leederville, a suburb very close to the heart of Perth. We arrived and found that we had our own room, a pool and free internet access - bargain. We did a spot of shopping as the bachelor pad's fridge was completely empty and enjoyed a night of catching up and drinking beers.
29/01/09
OK the accommodation might be free but the bed............ Well it was obviously previously owned by an extremely large person and it creaked for England (actually, make it Europe). We spent the morning updating the blog and uploading photos and we tucked into our weakness - peanut butter on toast! We basically chilled for the rest of the day and watched the Departed and ate a curry (also a first for our trip)
30/01/09
We checked out of our cabin and read our books by the pool until the bus to the airport arrived, jumped on and milled about in the smallest terminal imaginable. We didn't have much of a wait though so we were heading for Perth in no time. We landed at 3.30pm and waited around for Joy's friend Greg (this is going to get confusing!) to pick us up. Unfortunately, like the majority of you he was working so we had a few more hours of idly doing nothing ;-). Greg finally arrived and we were on our way to Leederville, a suburb very close to the heart of Perth. We arrived and found that we had our own room, a pool and free internet access - bargain. We did a spot of shopping as the bachelor pad's fridge was completely empty and enjoyed a night of catching up and drinking beers.
29/01/09
OK the accommodation might be free but the bed............ Well it was obviously previously owned by an extremely large person and it creaked for England (actually, make it Europe). We spent the morning updating the blog and uploading photos and we tucked into our weakness - peanut butter on toast! We basically chilled for the rest of the day and watched the Departed and ate a curry (also a first for our trip)
30/01/09
Lazy morning and then a wander around the city. We saw the big wheel (every city seems to have one now) and the bell tower by the ferry terminal as well as some gardens before a spot of lunch and some browsing in the shops. Greg bought some insoles for his trainers as his feet were starting to smell on a nuclear scale! We met Greg Slater in the most expensive pub in the world and enjoyed our Stellas very slowly! We then moved on to an Irish pub but Joy and I were refused entry as we were wearing thongs - we did check what we had to wear the night before but obviously a certain somebody wasn't really listening to our question!! Home to change before returning to the Irish pub, we then moved on to Mt Lawley where we had a tasty pizza in Sienas and a last drink in the Queens before a night cap at home.
31/01/09
Headed to Fremantle at 1ish and had a look around the town and markets. We bought a delicious juice and Joy got a kangaroo keyring, which was also a bottle opener - handy! We then went to a microbrewery called 'Little Creatures' where we enjoyed some tasty beers (Joy had cider) and some chips. We had a quick look at a statue of Bon Scott (original AC/DC singer) before heading to Cottesloe beach for a swim in the Indian Ocean. It was lush after not being able to go in the sea in Queensland. Next we headed along the beach a bit to watch Greg Slater and his mate Chris kiteboard. It was quite cool but we were lounging around for a while and Greg Slater didn't get much of a go as Chris was using his kite. We bought some burgers for a BBQ and fired it up around 9pm with some beers and crisps and met various neighbours before hitting the sack around 1am.
01/02/09
Can't believe its February! We cooked an amazing fry up on the BBQ before Greg Slater dropped us off at the WACA to watch Australia play New Zealand in a one day international. It was roasting hot and there was no cover for us but we enjoyed ourselves despite the cricket being quite boring. It was a low scoring match at a very slow rate and NZ won on the last ball (but we had left by then!). The highlights of the day were looking out for flying beach balls, watching drunkards get thrown out and building a long snake out of the used beer cups! We were home by 10pm to watch the end of the final of the Australian Open and then Newcastle v Sunderland.
02/02/09
Lazy day planned today. Got up at 10.30 and emailed some mates then watched Beverly Hills Cop before a dip in the pool. We then had some dinner before a nice walk around the lake to watch the sunset.
03/02/09
More emailing in the morning before we headed to Scarborough. Had a quick look around before hitting the beach for a few hours. It was quite breezy so we weren't too hot from the sun which was good, but it meant we didn't realise when we were getting burnt - until got we home! We had a swim in the very strong current sea and then a quick shop before we headed home to get ready for dinner at Peter's - Dominos pizza with crisps, garlic bread and cheese and crackers. Had some beers and chatted the night away.
04/02/09
Train into the city to buy a box to send some things home to England. We also popped in to the Tourist Information Centre for some advice in where to camp at Margaret River. We then hopped on the blue CAT (free bus) to Kings Park where we had a wander and heard Simply Red rehearsing for a concert. Back to the house to get picked up by Greg Slater to play golf. We had to share clubs and he was quite precious about a few of his so Greg was a little on edge. It took him a while to relax and then he played some good shots. Unfortunately Greg Slater was excellent!! Joy did a great job holding the flags and keeping score! Beer afterwards and an early night.
05/02/09
Packed the car and headed off to Margaret River. We left at 11.30ish and arrived just before 4pm. There wasn't much to see so we did some souvenir shopping and looked at the river before looking for somewhere to stay. We drove to Pevelly to look at the campsite and almost checked in until they told us that they didn't have a kitchen. We decided not to stay and headed to our next choice, but 5 mins down the road Greg realised he'd pocketed the bathroom key to the campsite. It didn't stop us though and we carried on toward Gracetown Caravan Park. We got a nice shady spot as we thought it would be roasting in the tent. Had some gnocchi and were joined at the table by a Kookaburra before we drove to the beach to watch the sunset. It was very windy and cold so we stayed in the car! The sunset was OK and we went back to the tent, quickly discovering that it was very small!
06/02/09
A really bad nights sleep as it was freezing cold and very uncomfortable, but at least it only cost us a tenner! We checked out around 11am and headed to Yalingup for a cup of coffee and a muffin. We enjoyed this on the beach before heading to Busselton. There we had a walk along the extremely long jetty and then drove through Bunbury and Mandurah, finally arriving at Fremantle at 5.10pm for a chai latte and a slice of delicious cheesecake. Headed to Cottesloe to see the sunset and meet Greg Slater who was kite boarding with Chris. Found them on the beach and headed back to Leederville for fish and chips. Watched Tropic Thunder before heading to bed!
07/02/2009
Discovered that our fish and chips cost us alot more than planned. Greg Slater went out to clean his car and found a parking ticket on it!! All the way to Margaret River and back no problem, and back in Leederville while we ordered our fish and chips, we get a ticket! In Australia, seems you can park for free through the day, but after 8pm, you have to pay! Wish we'd seen that sign! With our wallet $60 lighter we headed to town to post our box back to England. Had a quick wander around town and bought some aboriginal art. Back in Leederville we did some shopping for dinner tonight and some internet and photos before heading back out for a delicious ice cream! Chilling out for the rest of the day before our final Aussie BBQ and a visit to Peter's for a house warming party.
