and we’re still in Perth.
With all the repairs and servicing out of the way we started to explore a little more. Mind you the Winnebago repairs were pretty much a non-event given the usual excuse that parts are two to three weeks away so ‘we didn’t think you would want to wait’, even though I gave them a weeks prior notice of the parts required. Also I suggested that if they needed two or more days to complete the work we would either live on the premises or find alternate accommodation (and George & Ina had offered to put us up) but they called us late in the first day to say it was ready but on pick-up we were told that some things weren’t done because they ran out of time. We decided there was no point in trying to get them to complete because we had no confidence in their ability to actually do the work properly – a usual experience with Winnebago. At least the Isuzu and Suzuki dealerships seem to know what’s what, even though they also know how to charge.
Any way, onto better things. We have had the welcome company of Judi and Robert Dey over the last couple of weeks and this led to a few road (or boat) trips, not the least of which was a trip to Rottnest for a game of quokka football. Am early morning cruise down the Swan River to Fremantle then a white water crossing to Rottnest Island (well Jude would have you believe it was a white water experience but the pills did their job). Rottnest is fascinating given its history – starting out as a prison for indigenous offenders, ultimately becoming a WWII defence facility. The infrastructure developed for all of its uses has been faithfully preserved…….
and the views along the swan are superb – $57m mansion, Swan Brewery, city-scape all taken from the boat on the cruise out to Rottnest.
The island has some magnificent seascapes. It also served as a pilot base and a replica of the pilot boat sits in a subterranean boat shed. The streetscape is as it was in the mid 1800’s and then there’s Lomas’ cottage
The 1840’s prison is now a four star hotel but the two churches still bring some people to their knees. Then of course there’s quokka football but the little so and so’s bite …….
and after he got a taste he followed me everywhere. There are thousands of the little jump-rats on the island and they know they’re protected.
The trip back up the river in the sunset was spectacular, as were the boats at the marinas. The Fremantle Maritime Museum building is also very different from the water.
The multi coloured building is council chambers back in the city and it is a moving display – I’m so pleased the ratepayers can afford the electricity bill.
Oh there is so much more to tell!
9 Responses
Do tell…..
Regards,
g@z.
yep spill the beans, did you loose a finger to the rabid quokka.
Im picturing a bearded Victorian being swarmed by quokkas with impunity..
And Im laughing to myself
JP
Juz,
This quokka in the picture is the one that ravished your father. It was a baby and stood a whole 10-12 cms tall (about 6 inches for the Americans). As usual dad was teasing it and it did what all animals are likely to do when threatenend. It ATTACKED.
Like you I was laughing also, but not to myself……right out loud. Just about the funniest thing I’ve seen since we’ve been away.
Mum
Haahah! Is pa ok? lose a finger or something???? 😛 Jokes, I miss you guys so much can’t wait until you get home!
Pa’s not OK – everybody is laughing at me. It was a vicious little predator in training that baby quokka. Just as well it was a baby cos it might have eaten me all up.
I’m recovering, but I’ve had to have a lot of medicine in 750ml bottles to get over it.
Nanny loves meeting new people cos she gets to show the videos of you at the AIS every time so I guess we’re missing you guys too.
By for now (and I can’t type with all of my fingers now)
Love
Pa
So glad you’re loving my fav tourist destination – and there’s sooooo much more to see in WA. Buy come home some time ’cause I miss ya both.
Hi Judy and Barry
Great to hear that you had a great time in WA. The quokkas know their rights, look, but don’t touch!
We have arrived back from Bali had a lovely time, Colin enjoyed singing in the different bars(3) around the place. One guy from France taped Colin in the Bamboo Bar in Bali on his iphone and sent it by email to us as we arrived home.
Look forward to catching up, with best wishes, take care .
Kind regards
Marie and Colin
Hi Marie & Colin
we’re now back down in Albany, having driven down from Perth for the historic “round the houses” motor racing here over the long weekend. From here we’re off to Augusta then Margaret River again before we start zig-zagging our way across the south of the state. Before we head back east we will be back in Perth for a few days and would love to catch up with you again. This will probably be around late July.
Anyway we’ll communicate our intent in due course – we have your numbers!
Cheers
Barry & Judy
Hi Lenore
Delighted to hear you’re following our adventures. We are really loving WA and particularly places like Fontys Pool at Manjimup. Just a lovely place to be. I can understand your sons observations though – the township itself is a bit “low country” but the environs are beautiful.
Keep trying to post your comments on the blog though. Trouble is I can’t advise on how which is why they call me the ‘troglodite’ on matters electronic.
Great to hear from you and note that I usually have one or two vinos in hand as I write up the blog.
Cheers
Barry & Jude