PERTH 2012

Well we arrived back in Perth after our surprise visit home, so good to catch up with friends and family. Here is a quick summary of what we have done since returning. New Years Eve was a fantastic night with the 4 of us heading out to the yacht late in the arvo. We set up our beds and sat around with some cheese & bikkies and drinks for a while which was good, enjoying the water a slight breeze and the company.

We then headed into the Club where we had a great nite with a nice feed, drinks & dancing with the band playing Brown Eyed Girl for Karen & Carol. We then watched the fireworks over the harbour which was great and had a few more drinks before heading back to the yacht for a nite cap..getting to bed around 2am. Karen, Carol & Rans slept (if that's what you called it) inside whilst the Captain slept out on the seats outside...and boy did he sleep, his snoring could be heard in Darwin, it was that loud it made the boat rock!!!

We all got up around 6.30-7am going for a shower at the club and then having a light breakie & watched dolphins swimming by. We then made our way back home for a real lazy arvo. We also had a day down at Rockingham catching ferry out to Penguin Island and a glass bottom boat around the Isles, seeing dolphins & sea lions.

We then made our way back via Fremantle where we had fish & chips for lunch at the Wharf, also had a drive up to Burns Beach where the van park is but not suitable for caravans mostly permanents. We have done Morning teas at Dome's, either at Scarborough, Hillary's or North, which has been nice. We  had a nice arvo & nite down at Hillary's at the Tavern on the water with the girls enjoying a cocktail and then partaking in Pizzas which were bloody beautiful. We 've had a day out on "Countdown" sailing down the Swan River which was enjoyable except when huge boats raced past us, creating a large waves!!

We decided to head off for a couple of days as John & Sandra are still having trouble with their van with the workmanship that was done the repairs is no where up to the standard you'd expect for Insurance or a new van. Di & Terry are slowly making their way down towards us and will be here some time next week. So it's slowly back into the hard grind of holidaying and this is what we have done.
MONDAY 9 JAN 12...We headed off early and picked the van and drove out to Wave Rock. There are some hills first up with some huge trucks but overall the trip was pleasant with us travelling through the wheat belt. It took approx 4 & bit hrs. After setting up Rans had a rest as he has a touch of "Man Flu" for the past couple of days, and boy did he sleep ! Later in the arvo we went for a walk around Wave Rock which backs onto the Van park, it was another "amazing "thing to see, we then did the Hippo Yawn Walk. It was quite pleasant with a nice cool breeze which picked up around dusk.

TUESDAY 10 JAN 12...We were woken early by a crow walking over our roof & squawking, so we went on a 4km walk around the Rock, The Resort, airport and Magic Lake. We then had some breakkie before driving out to The Humps & Mulkas Cave where there is a good steep walk to the top peak of the hill with great 360 deg views of the wheat belts. We then returned for lunch and a catch up on paperwork before heading into town to see the Street Sculptures.

WEDNESDAY 11 JAN 12.....We headed off to York this morning, travelling through the wheat belt area with magniciant countryside. We stopped at one section of the Rabbit Proof fence before arriving & setting up at the local/only van park in York. After lunch we went for a drive around town and although we have been here before with David & Karen its still a nice historic old town, with  magnificant churches & town hall, a sway bridge over the Avon River, beautiful old homes & a good lookout etc.

The temperature has climbed today and there is only a slight breeze now, but still comfortable.It was a hot night and sleep was a bit disturbed.
THURSDAY 12 JAN 12.........We headed off just after 10am & made our way back to Karen & Davids where we set up the van on the driveway. We then had some shopping to do and it had became very warm, so the shop centre was a relief. Carol speaks with the Butlers and they are still a way off reaching Perth, so we await their arrival whilst the Bewells are unable to get all their repairs to the reapirs on the van until Retreat reopens next Monday. They will find out more then.
FRIDAY 13 JAN 12......The 3 boys Rans, Thomsie & Mitch head off to the Ist day of the cricket, They had a great time, except they all got burnt, even though they were up in the grandstand! .
SAT 14 JAN 12.....We travelled down to Freemantle today to watch Thomsie start in a Yacht Race.They are sailing down to Bunbury then returning tomorrow sometime depending on the wind conditions. We headed into "Freeo!" for a cuppa & watched & listened to a couple of young Buskers....boy they were good, so talented & brave to do it. Another great day finished with a bottle of Bubbly!! ....maybe it was two !!!
SUN 15 JAN 12..... Another hot day with overnight temps over the past 3 nites being over 22deg, Rans does some work around the van & car today, no need for him to bring out the DRILL which was good.
SO HI TO ALL OVER EAST TAKE CARE & HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SANDRA, CRAIG, ELISE,LAUREEN, ISABELLA, AUNTY VAL & FOGGY. Also a big get well to Thomas who goes into hospital to remove his Tonsils. Love Rans & Cazxxxxxxxxxxxxxx