POSITIVELY PERTH
POSITIVELY PERTH
To be perfectly honest, I didn't know what reception we would get in Perth. Bob and his wife, Barbara (my actual cousin) immigrated to Perth just after Linda and I got married 35 years ago (was it something we said?) and we had rarely been in touch since. Sadly, Barbara passed away two years ago, but her memory is very strong. There is a marvellous picture of her, Bob and their whole family hanging on the wall.
This was a great way to start Australia as we were made to feel so very comfortable and welcome and Bob looked after us really well. We took the local train into Perth, an impressive city; we went to Fremantle (or Freo as the locals call it) and then up to Cottesloe Beach (see picture 1 left). Bit windy.
On Saturday, we again took a trip into Freo (it really was worth seeing the older style buildings with their wrought iron balconies - see picture 2 right),visited the Roundhouse which was the old jail, and walked through the wonderful old market resisting the urge to shop. Lunch was in a typical oldie pub then over to Bob's youngest son, Neil, for a barbie and meet the family. I had seen Neil only a few years ago when he came to the UK and he popped in when we were having lunch in Perth on day one of our visit. However, I hadn't seen his older brother, Ian (my godson) for many years. Neil's wife, Deb, gave us great big hugs which eased any concerns I might have had over the warmth of our welcome. She really is a lovely girl. We met Neil & Deb's daughter, McKenzie and son Luke and Ian's son Kaden, who is now 25 but for whom Linda made a playmat when he was a baby. We were also introduced to Kaden's girlfriend Harley.
The barbie went well with much alcohol and good food. We heard lovely stories about my dad when he went to Perth, first for Neil & Deb's wedding and two years later for Ian's wedding. All about how he couldn't take his drink and bounced down the hallway to his bedroom, apparently the bumps in the walls are still there!
I came away feeling fantastic and knowing that I had discovered a new family where we would always be given a very warm reception.
Our final day in Perth started early with the appearance of Neil on his motorbike ready to play chauffeur as the three of us went off on a wine cruise down the Swan River. Departing from a pier in the centre of Perth we passed the old WACA cricket ground as well as the new Optus Stadium. It started very sedately. At 10.15 the first of four tastings appeared accompanied by a cheese board. This broke the ice and people started chatting. The boat docked quite a way up the river and we transferred to a mini-bus for the brief ride to the picturesque Mandoon winery for lunch. After lunch we returned to our minibus and the fun truly began when we met four girls/women, Kim, Eileen, Donna and Sharon (see picture 3) who had come this far by coach.These ladies were determined to have fun and the laughter didn't stop thereafter as they adopted the three of us into their group.
The next winery was only notable for the lack of good wine. Very disappointing but the cheese was excellent. The final visit was to a chocolate factory! A free taste of a truffle and chocolate liqueurs and great ice cream for Linda to enjoy..
Returning to the boat for the trip home, Bob sat inside with the ladies and we sat outside, but we were joined by four Kiwi ladies who were celebrating two birthdays and were also in the mood to party. There was, of course, free wine and beer for the whole of the journey back.
Neil picked us up back at the Perth docks and drove us to Bob's place. Bob had wanted to drive us to the airport for our flight to Cairns, but we felt that he had had too much fun and alcohol, so we said our emotional farewells at home before taking off in an Uber.
Our flight to Cairns left Perth at 01.10 and arrived at 7.30 in the morning, a five hour flight allowing for the time difference.
To be perfectly honest, I didn't know what reception we would get in Perth. Bob and his wife, Barbara (my actual cousin) immigrated to Perth just after Linda and I got married 35 years ago (was it something we said?) and we had rarely been in touch since. Sadly, Barbara passed away two years ago, but her memory is very strong. There is a marvellous picture of her, Bob and their whole family hanging on the wall.
This was a great way to start Australia as we were made to feel so very comfortable and welcome and Bob looked after us really well. We took the local train into Perth, an impressive city; we went to Fremantle (or Freo as the locals call it) and then up to Cottesloe Beach (see picture 1 left). Bit windy.
The barbie went well with much alcohol and good food. We heard lovely stories about my dad when he went to Perth, first for Neil & Deb's wedding and two years later for Ian's wedding. All about how he couldn't take his drink and bounced down the hallway to his bedroom, apparently the bumps in the walls are still there!
I came away feeling fantastic and knowing that I had discovered a new family where we would always be given a very warm reception.
Our final day in Perth started early with the appearance of Neil on his motorbike ready to play chauffeur as the three of us went off on a wine cruise down the Swan River. Departing from a pier in the centre of Perth we passed the old WACA cricket ground as well as the new Optus Stadium. It started very sedately. At 10.15 the first of four tastings appeared accompanied by a cheese board. This broke the ice and people started chatting. The boat docked quite a way up the river and we transferred to a mini-bus for the brief ride to the picturesque Mandoon winery for lunch. After lunch we returned to our minibus and the fun truly began when we met four girls/women, Kim, Eileen, Donna and Sharon (see picture 3) who had come this far by coach.These ladies were determined to have fun and the laughter didn't stop thereafter as they adopted the three of us into their group.The next winery was only notable for the lack of good wine. Very disappointing but the cheese was excellent. The final visit was to a chocolate factory! A free taste of a truffle and chocolate liqueurs and great ice cream for Linda to enjoy..
Returning to the boat for the trip home, Bob sat inside with the ladies and we sat outside, but we were joined by four Kiwi ladies who were celebrating two birthdays and were also in the mood to party. There was, of course, free wine and beer for the whole of the journey back.
Neil picked us up back at the Perth docks and drove us to Bob's place. Bob had wanted to drive us to the airport for our flight to Cairns, but we felt that he had had too much fun and alcohol, so we said our emotional farewells at home before taking off in an Uber.
Our flight to Cairns left Perth at 01.10 and arrived at 7.30 in the morning, a five hour flight allowing for the time difference.
Sounds like you are rediscovering family and memories in a fun and amazing way. I can sleep the barbie, but am sure it is not as good as a braai. 😁. Have an amazing time going further into your sunshine tour as the weather sets in here in the UK.
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