Western Capital City - Perth

As we left Jurien Bay we were all excited, as next stop was Perth. As Lily mentioned it was  our next capital city... and we were catching up with the Shaw's (family we had met in Coff's Harbour, and a few other places along the way!!). They had made it home, and back to Perth, before us and had our beds made and ready!!

We had a great few days in Perth - great friends, great weather, great city ... great 'real' beds! We visited Fremantle, Harbourtown and Kings Park as well as spent time with good friends, Jo's yummy cooking and of course, a few drinks to accompany the good food. Go the "Gandrey" - very smoove!

The Forrest & Shaw Families

Fish and chips on the Freo wharf

Live music - on board~!! Old Rockers Rule!!



Marina at Fremantle



The Round House - first building and prison in Fremantle

Cold Rock!! A "one and only" experience! Kids had icecream - we had coffee!!

Back to the Shaw Resort after a day out! Great to be able to pull the van up on the drive but sleep indoors! Beautiful House, only about 3 years old. The Park, adjacent, proved to be a nice 'backyard' - with playground, cricket nets, netball court, basketball rings and lots of grass, etc.

The park adjacent to the Shaw's

Emma & I challenged Lily and Kathryn (neighbour),
to a "2-aside" game of netball!! Phew...it was hard work,
and Lily kept saying I was "soooo... embarrassing!"

We arrived at lunchtime of Grandfinal Day! Consequently, we snuck into the Shaw's very quietly and took up a seat to watch Geelong thrash Collingwood - Yay! Not sure that Mark was so keen on the result tho'! We were then treated to a visit from the Shaw's friends - Michelle and Paul and 3 kids. This allowed the 3 11 year old girls to plan a shopping trip to Harbour Town, near Perth City. Consequently, Cate, Jo and Michelle, girls, and some boys, had a lovely day perusing the shops, 'doing' lunch and all that fun sort of stuff. We also visited Perth's answer to Marion - the Carousel Shopping Centre and Jed finally, after about 6 months of "whinging", found his "Windsors"(shoes). Hooray!

Perth city skyline from King's Park

Camera timer's are really useful when no one nearby offers to take the photo for you!
PS. Lily is not as much taller, as she looks in this photo!!

Kings Park, is a must to visit and especially at this time of year with all the wildflowers at their best. It was beautiful. 

The Green and Red Kangaroo Paw, really does exist! It's not just a
state floral emblem!!

Rare 'Black' kangaroo Paw! They come in a huge variety of colours

Lord John  Forrest Statue, in Kings Park! - President
and 'mover & shaker' for the establishment of King's
Park, as well as state explorer.

Not sure if he's related, but John Forrest obviously
had a similar hairline to some other's in the family!!

Lily, on the "Glass Bridge", in King's Park, overlooking the old Swan Brewery and the Swan River



Beautiful Banksia


 

DNA Tower

The Broadwalk - 2.6km, nice walk that Jon & I did, between the 'Synergy' sponsored play ground where the kids stayed, and the DNA Tower (representative of the 'Double Helix'). The only problem is that they need to trim the trees so you can see over them.

Profusion of colour!