Perth, finally

Well we’ve made it to the city of streets paved with gold (or is that iron ore et al?). Everywhere you look there is evident money. In Kings Park Mothers Day, people and children everywhere all enjoying blissful weather and with all the toys. Around the streets real estate to die for, beaches crowded with people, restaurants chock-a-block but yes, it was Mothers Day. What does an ordinary day yet bring? Well it certainly doesn’t detract from the real estate nor from the bountiful luxury cars nor from the busy shops that I have experienced this morning (Monday).

It  appears that the  woes of the eastern states have been held at bay by the Nullarbor.

We are presently camped out in the back yard of Ina and George Webber, friends of Judi Dey’s father and her uncle Ray in Perth. Had breakfast out with George and Ina Sunday morning after they arose at 6 to go to a local swap meet. Then we were treated to an all day guided tour of Perth and surrounds. The back yard is perhaps a bit of an understatement cos its 10 acres of prime land about 20 minutes east of Perth near the airport. We’re surrounded by trees, sheep, horses, alpacas and collectable motor cars,  motor bikes, tractors and a Swagman motor home. George is a collector of not only motor vehicles but other ephemera that belies description – juke boxes, musical marionettes, coins, money boxes, petrol bowsers even bits of sky lab and he dabbles in a bit of historic motorsport with an ’84 Reynard (which I might add fits me beautifully). I have rarely seen such a comprehensive collection of motor bikes and unusual motor vehicles.

Before arriving here we spent a couple of nights back in Albany then moved up to Donnybrook where we spent the night parked at the front of Glenys and Wayne Fergusons new/old place. Glenys is a long standing past school mate of Maggie Laytons with whom she has shared a number of travel experiences over many years. We had a great night comparing notes on mutual friends. Wayne too is a collector of miscellany and took great delight in taking me through an incredible collection of Aboriginal artifacts, rare coins and miniature demonstration brass guns/cannons. Fascinating what some people collect and can recognize value in. I know all of these things exist and have marketable or collectable value but I never seem to be in the right place at the right time to find them or even recognize them.

Judi and Rob Dey arrived here Saturday, caught up with us for dinner last night and we’re about to meet Judis’ father today. So, off to lunch – ah the social whirl. As evidence that we are here (and not there) I tender these photos taken on the I-Phone in and from Kings Park  above Perth 

We’ve yet to start exploring Perth but now that I have new orthotics and can walk again we’ll get going. Meanwhile the Winnie has to go to the doctors for an electrical check-up, a service and some repairs. The Suzi also needs an electrician and a service cos I haven’t been able to sort and install the winch electrics and its now 3 years old and under terms of the warranty has to have a service every now and again. So, I think a lot of walking is in front of us.