9th October 2010 ~ Dayboro

Carpet Pythons making themselves at home in the shed!

Dayboro 18/19th September 2010

The kids enjoying the vege patch!

Perth 10th September 2010

On our way home from a fantastic holiday. Sitting at the airport filling in some time on my favourite gaget! Heather has bought herself a lovely mother of pearl bracelet:)
Graham is pacing the carpet!!! Our flight leaves 12.40pm Perth time arrive Brisbane 7pm.

Mandurah

Mandurah Boardwalk 9th September 2010

Graham & I went for a walk along the foreshore and the marina today, it is a very pretty area. We had lunch in the park and had a visit from a very friendly pelican who came right up to us, mind you he did'nt take his big eyes of me clicking away with the camera. Reluctantly I attended to the necessary packing ready for our departure in the morning. Our holiday has been great, WA is a beautiful place.

Pemberton to Mandurah 8th September 2010

On our travels today we had 4 seasons in one day except for the snow! We were heading back the inland road but took a wrong turn and ended up in Bunbury on the coast, from here we headed back to the South Western Hwy and up to Harvey. After looking around the township we headed north about 3kms out of town to Honeymoon Road where there is a wildflowers trail, unfortunately for us we are about a month too early, can imagine how beautiful it would be in full bloom! We took this photo coming out of the area.

~ Some Wildflowers ~

Common Clematis

Pemberton 7th September 2010

Cascades in the Karri Forest

We have had our 2nd very cold, wet & windy, day. We drove down to Point D'Entrecasteaux this morning with our minds set on doing the cliff top walk with views of the coastal vegetation. Oh no this was not to be, the further south we went the heavier the rain got as you can see by this picture. Graham braved it a couple of times to get the photo's! On our way down we saw a small turtle crossing the road and a rabbit. Graham & I decided to go on a tram ride this afternoon through the karri forest, it was freezing. Heather the wise one stayed behind to do some reading. During our tripping around we have seen some beautiful wild flowers and spend quite a bit of time trying to identify them!

Lake Cave, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse 6th September 2010

Redgate Beach 6th September 2010

Our 1st visit this morning was to Redgate Beach, rough rugged coast line of the Indian Ocean. From here we visited the Lake Cave, absolutely beautiful once you get down the 320 steps, best is yet to come, climbing back up them, it was well and truly worth the effort:) Have to say I am fitter for walking the steep incline to Kings Park and now Lake Cave than when I arrived in Perth, Graham ~ 'no problem', Heather, of the same opinion as me. From here we visited Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, another 176 steps, once again worth the effort! Our experiences have been wide & varied and that is what makes our trip so enjoyable. From here we travelled back through Augusta, onto Nannup and settled for the night in Pemberton.

Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park Calla Lilies

Calla Lilies grow in large area's of the national park - we have 2 small plants at home - much more impressive display here.

Mandurah to Margaret River 5th September 2010

After leaving Mandurah around 8.50am this morning our 1st stop was a coffee at Busselton. Then onto Cape Naturaliste Light House, here we did a 2km walk. Along the way we saw about 6 whales in the distance. There were some pretty flowers amongst the wind blown vegetation. We arrived in Margaret River around 2pm, we went to Settlers Tavern for lunch, great meal. Booked into Adamsons Riverside Motel overlooking the state forest. Did the necessary walk up each side of the main street to check out the shops. It is very cold now but during the day was mild & sunny.

Abingdon Miniature Gardens

Mandurah 4th September 2010

After a leisurely morning we headed out to Abingdon Miniature Village which is a display of historic buildings of the UK plus beautiful manicured gardens. On our way back we went for a drive around the foreshore and ended up at Murphy's Irish Pub where we had lunch. Reminded us of being in Paris!! We are all having a restful afternoon.

Fremantle

~ Scots Presbyterian Church ~

~ Boat Harbour ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Town Hall ~

Fremantle ~ Mandurah 3rd September 2010

On our way south of Perth to Mandurah we called in to the Fremantle Markets, we had a lovely time here making some purchases, even Graham!!!!! We walked around the main mall area on our way to the boat harbour where we had lunch at Cicerello's Landing (The Original & Still the Best), it is a vibrant busy area with an air of excitement about it. As we walked back to the car I was snapping away with the camera as I usually do. It was a nice drive down to Mandurah, our unit at the 'Silver Sands Resort' is really nice.

Perth Hills 2nd September 2010

Today after Graham organized hiring a car we headed off out to Parkerville which is east of the city to visit Graham's sister Helen & partner Peter. We spent a lovely few hours with them and were very well looked after with Helen's delicious cooking ~ zucchini slice, quiche, to die for baked cheese cake, needless to say we do not need any dinner tonight. A little organizing once back at the unit for our departure tomorrow and of course the necessary glass+ of wine & must not forget the XXXX. Oh I forgot the fresh baked scones & fruit cake!!!!

Perth 1st September 2010

Graham & Heather

The WACA

Swan Valley ~ The Pink Bus Wine Tour ~ 1st September 2010

We headed off this morning down to the pier to catch the ferry up the Swan River to Water's Edge Winery, it was very pretty along the way and very relaxing with a bit of help from wine sampling and cheese & biscuits. There we met 'the pink bus tour' for a day of wine tasting, coffee tasting, lavendar scones & lavendar tea which was delicious, gourmet lunch with more wine, a visit to an aboriginal art shop with a demonstration of a didgeridoo being played, german beer tasting then last but not least 'the chocolate factory'. Pure indulgence and even better arrived back at the unit feeling very relaxed & satisfied with our day. Heather & I are very pleased we have posted a carton of mixed wines home, so much fun!!! No german beer for Graham!!!

Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island 31st August 2010

We started off dry and ended up cold & wet! Our first day of miserable weather and it just happened to be on our trip to Rottnest Island. By the time we arrived at the island it was raining steadily, we had several minutes walk to catch the railcar up to Oliver Hill where we viewed the guns & underground tunnels that were built in 1935 to defend the port of Fremantle from enemy invasion. It is incredible how the tunnels were built all by hand without any machinery. My brain left me, blame the cold, I did'nt take any pictures underground! On returning from the Oliver Hill it was pelting down, had no choice so we headed back to the jetty area looking like drowned rats to get some lunch. We saw some Quokka's, one in particular was very friendly, Graham was feeding it chips!

Dinner Perth 30th August 2010

We set off for a leisurly walk this evening looking for somewhere to have dinner. After several blocks from where we are staying and still no sight of anything remotely looking like a pub, obviously we went in the wrong direction, decided to hop in a cab and head back to where we had lunch yesterday, oh no this was not to be upon the recommendation of the 'english speaking' cab driver. He took us to Sorrento's Restaurant in Northbridge, (equivalent to Park St. Milton) where we had a delicious meal of lamb shanks and vegetables accompanied by the essential alcoholic drinks of course. After leaving the restaurant and wanting to savour the atmosphere of the area walked a couple of blocks before getting a cab back to the unit, a nice little variant of what we set out to do!!!

Government House & Gardens

Perth 30th August 2010

We headed out to the 2 huge shopping malls this morning, Graham stayed with us long enough to buy a pair of shoes, then he went down to the pier and a walk along the river. There is a gorgeous little arcade called 'London Court', made me think I was back in London. Here I purchased a chocolate shaped tool set for Graham for father's day! While we were having a coffee in the mall I felt this big plop on my shoulder and sure enough a seagull had pooped on me, you should of seen Heather cleaning it up in between swearing & laughing! I was very happy to find the place mats for Marilyn to match her coasters! We hopped on the Blue bus for a further look around the city. Just as we were heading back to the unit there was a very heavy shower, first rain since arriving, otherwise a mild cloudy day.

Perth City to Surf Fun Run ~ 29th August 2010

Perth 29th August 2010

Just a tad weary with a few sore spots after our mammoth trek yesterday!

This morning after a leisurely breakfast we walked to ~The Perth Mint~ there was great potential to do serious damage to the bank account here but NO. From here we hopped on the Red CAT (central area transit) bus which took us all around the city. It has well & truly lived up to it's name of being a beautiful city. Next we had lunch at the Grosvenor Hotel, along with a couple of beck's beers and tia maria, no prizes for guessing who had that!! So far since arriving on Friday we have had beautiful sunny, mild days with very little wind. We are waiting for it, expecting it will get us before our holiday is over!

Boab Tree estimated to be 750 years old

Kings Park ~ Botanic Gardens

Ovalup Bell~~~~~~~~Mangles Kangaroo Paw

Kings Park & Botanic Gardens Perth 28th August 2010

This morning Graham's sister Helen & partner Peter came in from a farm sit place they are looking after about half an hour east of the City. We ventured out to Kings Park & the Botanic Gardens. From where we are staying is was a long walk and up some very steep steps, a track called "The Kokoda Track" lots of huffing & puffing by the time we made it to the top. We spent several hours looking around the park and as you will see by some of the pictures it is a vast beautiful area.

Perth 27th August 2010

Perth 27th August 2010

We had a good flight over with no head winds which meant we landed 30 mins. earlier than schedule. Been off to do our necessary alcohol & grocery shopping, all at IGA! Now on the balcony consuming same and soaking up the beautiful view over the Swan River. Of course here it is only 4pm, but something told us it was time for a drink!!!

Birds at Dayboro August 2010

Eastern Yellow Robin

Rufous Whistler ......................................................Scarlett Honeyeater

Graham with his Grandchildren 65th Birthday Party 19th June 2010

Graham with his Grandchildren -Ryan William Henry Thomas

Dayboro 19th June 2010

Seven of the Jackson kids,

all grown up!

L-R Heather, Andrew,

Ruth, Christine,

Peter, Wendy and Helen.