Home from the western front

It is 10.30 so downstairs I go to checkout and ensure my little herd have done likewise. No surprise there, that they have all done so and are milling about in different areas of the foyer. When I told Little M that I was going for a walk along the river bank, she said that she was thinking of doing that too! I simply said that we might bump into each other there then. I simply couldn't amble along at snail pace with her any more! And then when she comes to a dead stop to talk I am ready to do the 'scream' face. So I leave her in company with MS and decide that they can drive each other nuts for a change. Being well satisfied with my cunning plan I then go to leave the hotel for my walk, but am collared by one of my kittens to find out if she can come too as her room mate had gone out to see relatives and this little sweet kitty hadn't had to be on her own all week. As she is the one who stepped in the bull ant nest, I know how quickly she can move so decide that as she won't slow me down, she is welcome to come too, so as I then attempt my second getaway another kitty is sitting right by the foyer door (I think she may have been there all night just to make sure I don't go anywhere without her) and wants to come with me, without even knowing where I intend going. With a barely disguised sigh I agree and as I think I may now be able to make the great escape I make the fatal mistake of looking back into the foyer to see the remaining kitty looking at me very forlornly so I tell her that I am going for a walk along the riverbank, but it is quite steep going down to it and as she is also on a walking stick that she probably won't want to come. Well, that was a waste of my breath,because of course she wanted to come too. Soinow have three kittens following me out if the hotel. We take less than 10 paces down towards the river, last kitty decides she can't take the stairs but will walk down the street to the next block and one down that road as there are no stairs there. At this stage I'm beyond caring who goes where as my solitary riverbank walk has now become a. Fully escorted flipping tour! However it is 19 degrees, beautiful blue skies and our last day together so this little princess is attempting to suck it up and just get on with it. At a fairly slow pace we get down to the sport playing field park which runs along the waters edge and I tell the kitty's that I am heading for the bell tower so at least they know what direction to head. We meet up with my walking stick kitty again and head towards a beautifully maintained park which is behind the Court House. Two of my kittens decide they can't walk any further so are going to find a seat in the sun in the park. I ask them if they know where they are so that they can find their way back to the hotel, when they both look at me horror stricken saying, "but aren't you coming back here for us?" So bull ant nest kitty and I continue on through the park to the bell tower and then turn back into the park to collect my pooped kitty's. Back to being a Gang of Four we then amble around to the front of the court and find even more lovely gardens to stroll through. It is now about 11.30 and I know they are ready for lunch but I said that I was going to find a place for a coffee and they were welcome to come too if they wanted. No prize for guessing their responses...

Thankfully found a Coffee Club nearby and we all went for a cuppa. Then headed back towards our hotel and as it was now about 1 pm I said I was going for lunch. Found another CoffeeClub one block away from our hotel so in we all went, only to find Little M and MS already in there having lunch, I figured that they had managed to move about 100 metres from where I left them this morning. Had a lovely vegetarian bruschetta and then it was about 2.30 so we head back to the hotel with the idea of sitting in the informal lounge area until our 3.10 pick up for the airport, however we had only been there 10 minutes when our driver arrived. Thankfully all my kittens were present so on the little coach we get and head to the airport. Very easy book in and a couple of my kittens even did their own kiosk book in, that they had to come and tell me about as they were so proud of themselves, and so was I! On board our flight departing at 5.20 and arrived in Adelaide at 9.30. All kittens safely delivered to loved ones or taxis and time for me to head to the pick up point for my car which went very smoothly so I was home at about 11.45 pm where it was straight to bed for me.

Perth really is a beautiful city and very easy to get around. If you haven't been before or for a long while, then add it to your 'must visit' list. But time to sign off now as I have to rest up for my next trip. You'll need lots of light clothing and tropical strength insect spray for when we head off to Thailand in October... So until then...

Photos

photos of New Norcia Abbey, a Pro Hart painting from the art gallery and photo of the Spanish monk with a group of locals, the medal awarded for best macaroni in the world.
Have tried to add more photos of the Pinnacles but my iPad is telling me that it has no more room for photos and I'm damned if I can work out how to create more space to do so.... Deleting photos isn't cutting it!!!!!! Bah humbug.... So this is your photo lot for the time being. As it is now our last day I'm just heading out for a walk along the river bank which is only one street away. No doubt some of my kittens will want to come too as they aren't necessarily the most independent souls and love to chatter on the way. It has been a lovely week but all good things apparently have to come to end.... Just ask Tony Abbott about that one.... tee hee hee....

New Norcia and the Pinnacles

Our last full day in Perth and the forecast is for 19 and sunny. So after breakfast we head to the foyer for our 7.20 pickup. I had been trying to call the coach transfer company who are booked to take us to the airport tomorrow, over the weekend but couldn't get an answer so tried them while waiting for this morning's coach. Imagine my surprise when the coach representative told me that her records show that five of us are on one flight and the other two on two other separate flights! So she has three different pick up times for my herd. As it is now time to get on the coach I have to reconfirm all our flight times to another staff member when our coach gets to the Convention Centre tour start point. I now have two very worried kittens..... However I have convinced them (and myself) that it has to be an error on the tour operators part and we will all be going home together so at the Convention Centre I tell the staff member to change their records and pick us all up at the later time. We will find out tomorrow if I've made the right move or not... None of us had our flight tickets with us to confirm as we won't be back at our hotel until late tonight, there isn't any more I can do now.

But back to our tour. We have a full coach of 48 and our driver for the day is Paul, who turned out to be really good. We head north of Perth and travel through some really pretty towns. It is a good two hour trip to get to New Norcia where we stop at Australia's only monastic town, founded by Benadictine monks in 1846. So the story goes that 4 monks(2 Spanish, 1 French and 1 Irish) made their way to Western Australia to set up a monastery in the hinterland of WA once they determined an appropriate site.  So this took a couple of years and then somehow the French monk whilst cleaning his gun one day managed to accidentally shoot and kill the Irish monk, was then so upset over this, he returned to France, while 1 of the Spanish monks ended up spending most of his time sucking up to the bishop in Perth that it fell back on the remaining Spanish monk to settle New Norcia and be a jack of all trades in his efforts to bring the local indigenous population to Christianity (I've ad-libbed a bit with the facts, but it's my version of it). The latter dude sounded like a real good guy and was very fair and respectful of the Aboriginal people. We were able to go into the Abbey church plus one of the Aboriginal homes. The monastery became so successful that they also built a hotel (for the families of the children boarding at the school when they came to visit their kids). However, early on when the Perth bishop told the New Norcia monk that there was no more money at all for the monastery he decided to raise the money himself so hired a hall, sold tickets and put on a one man musical show that raised £80 which was sufficient for supplies for the monastery. After that he kind of distanced himself from the Benedictine Order, never receiving any more money from them, but instead raising everything himself. The boys' school eventually became co-ed, so St Gertrude's college was built. All the buildings have been beautifully maintained. The land is farmed for numerous grains and at one stage had its own flour mill, winning international awards for its macaroni! Apparently the current New Norcia bishop has 'ownership' of all the land so no one can buy a house there or own property. The only people allowed to potentially rent there are those locals who work on any of the properties or farm the land. The museum was really interesting and as long as you like religious themed art, the art gallery was okay too. We had a cuppa and bickies, then back on the coach to head to a Wildflower Farm. That was interesting too, but not many wild flowers to see as they are farmed elsewhere and dried at this property. Had a nice lunch there and back on the coach to head to the Pinnacles. A stop along the way to see a large area of different wild flowers that were quite lovely. One of my kittens managed to stand on a bull ant nest and to see this little old lady hopping about and slapping her legs was really quite hilarious and I couldn't help laughing while I'm helping brush and slap all the bull ants off her legs. Thankfully I don't think she has suffered any long term effects, however I'm still chuckling about it as I update the blog...

Back on the coach and then into Namburg National Parkwhich is home of the Pinnacles Desert. This place is AMAZING! There are thousands of limestone pillars up to 4 metres tall riding up from the dune sands. Some are jagged, sharp edged columns rising to a point, while others resemble headstones. You can walk right amongst them and even hug them if you want, you just can't climb on them. I love this place.... Finally have to get dragged away and back on the coach for our return to Perth as it is already 5.30 pm. Where has the day gone? It has been a great day. Lots of kangaroos seen on the drive back to the city. A very light rain falls for a short while, but all day it had been beautiful blue skies and lots of white clouds, so I have no ability to judge WA weather at all. Quite happy for it to rain at night as we have been thoroughly spoilt with such fine weather apart from our Margaret a River trip day. By the time most of the hotel drop offs have occurred we get back to our hotel just after 8. I gather all my kitty's for our last night and remind them of our check out time tomorrow, plus our coach transfer pick up time. Not sure what they will want to do tomorrow as we are out of our rooms by 10.30 and picked up at 3 pm but will worry about that in the morning.

I go straight to the hotel restaurant and order my dinner which I take up to my room. I am happy to have some time to myself and then fall into bed.

Perth on a Sunday

Great night's sleep and a sleep-in to boot! 17 degrees and sunny, but it feels much warmer than that with bright blue skies and a few clouds. A late breakfast and 5 of the other ladies are already at brekkie planning their day, or more correctly waiting for me to come and plan their day for them, bless their little cotton socks. MS is a no show but she loves a lie in so figure she is still pushing up zzzzzzs. As the weather is so fine I suggest that we can go to the Perth Mint which is a less than 5 minute walk from our hotel and four of them agree that they want to do that. The other has already been to it so I sort her out with different options and how to get to them. Those interested in going to the Mint are told to be in the foyer at 10 and we can go together. I've already sussed out that there is a 10.30 tour of the Mint so we will be there in plenty of time for that.
Only three showed so shortly after 10 we head off and have a lovely morning at the Mint. It was really interesting and Brandon, the young fellow who led our tour group was delightful. Unfortunately we couldn't take any photos inside but we saw a 1 tonne gold coin and we had to take Brandon's word for it that it was 100% gold as to all intents and purposes it looked like gold painted styrofoam. Got a bit carried away in the gift shop, especially as they had Pandora charms on special!!! The other three kittens have all had a lovely morning and decide that they are going back to our hotel for an early lunch. I figure I will head back into the city so hop on the nearby CAT and a couple of stops later am in the Hay St mall. Manage to find a Millers store and a couple more bargains, plus a Nespresso store for a much needed refreshing cuppa and even stumble upon a second hand store where I end up becoming the proud owner of a cardi for the princely sum of $1. I figure I had better head back to the hotel as I simply will not have any room left in my suitcase if I keep up this mini shopping spree! So back on the CAT and back to my room for a late lunch of a cuppa soup and sandwich. As I walk back into the hotel, one of my kittens is coming out and stops me to tell me that she has set off the fire alarm in the hotel!!!OMG!!!!
Apparently she was warming up a pie for lunch for herself and must have burnt it slightly on the bottom, because the next thing she knows is that she gets a phone call from reception to find out what is burning as it has set off some sort of alarm in the office. She tells them that it must be her pie, so is told to open the sliding glass door onto the balcony and under no circumstances to open her room door into the hall, or the whole hotel's fire alarms will go off!!! Crisis averted but she was soooo embarrassed by it. I now have my pseudonym for my third Margaret and she shall henceforth be referred to as Smokie... Tee hee hee.
So I then have a very pleasant lazy afternoon reading, watching TV, travel blogging and trying to work out how I'm going to fit all my new purchases into my little suitcase - I only brought my smallest case which weighed under 14 kilos on the way over. I am really going to put the 'rolling up clothes' theory to the test for the return packing.
Just on 4 pm I get a call from one of my kittens who wants to know what we are doing for dinner so I figure that they are probably expecting me to organise something so I am taking the easy option of booking a table at our hotel restaurant as little M is exceptionally slow with her walking stick and has already said that she doesn't like going out at night if she has to walk in the street as she is quite unsteady on her pins. I would have liked to try Fenians pub which is an Irish pub a couple of blocks away, but doubt my kitten herd are the noisy boozy pub types. Oh well, will just have to make sure I go there next time I'm in Perth sans kittens. Dutifully head downstairs to restaurant at appointed time but reception have failed to tell kitchen of my booking so we have a few minutes wait for them to put a couple of tables together for us in the dining room. We all order our dinners which were very nice and my little herd are all keen to tell stories of their day. Then somehow the topics head head off in all directions. We have a big touring day tomorrow so chances are this is our last dinner together for our Perth trip. My kittens say they have all had a great time so hopefully tomorrow will be a good day for them too. Back to my room and lights out

Rottnest Island

Very heavy rain last night for a while. Forecast today for 17 and showers but they haven't been right so far. After breakfast we are all on board our coach at 8.15 for a day trip to Rottnest Island. We get off our coach at Barrack St jetty where there are  major developments occurring. From memory I think they are building a 6 star hotel which means every hotel suite has its own butler! I think it is going to be an eyesore as the bell tower that is quite lovely is going to be right next to this multi storey monstrosity and in its shadow. Anyway, we get on board the Rottnest Express ferry and head off across the Swan River seeing all the multi million dollar properties along the coastline. As we leave Fremantle we are advised that it is going to be a rough crossing so everyone is being given a 'just in case' paper bag. I tell the attendant that I don't want one as there is only about 30 minutes left in the open sea and I refuse to be sea sick!!! Well, what a roller coaster ride it was but we all survived without incident. When we get off the ferry we then have a short walk to a small coach where we then have a great 90 minute tour around the island. The sun is out, blue skies, but very windy when we are at the Wadjemup lighthouse. Construction on the lighthouse began in 1842 but it's history is not something we should be proud of.
According to the delightful Jo who was our guide, Rottnest was used as an Aboriginal prison and Aboriginal men were being arrested over the most trivial things, like walking across someone's land, in order to fill the prison and provide free convict labour to build the lighthouse and various other buildings and roads on the island. At least 10% of them died whilst doing so. Anyway, the majority of the construction of the lighthouse was complete by 1849, but sourcing a light proved difficult because the Poms wouldn't loan a lantern without wanting to charge a toll on passing ships (must have been a few Scots involved too). So the Assistant Surveyor Augustus Gregory demonstrated his ingenuity and designed a revolving light for the tower, which was then constructed locally in Fremantle. So in 1851 the lighthouse was officially lit for the first time.  However despite having a lighthouse, between 1878 and 1891 seven ships were wrecked on reefs around the island so the decision was made to build a new lighthouse, twice as high as the current 16 metres and with a more powerful lamp. In 1896 the new lighthouse was officially opened next to the original one. All that now remains of the original one is its base. Lovely views out to sea. Saw a couple of osprey nests which were huge, but I suppose they need to be to withstand the wind and sea conditions. More look outs and each view of the coastline equally fantastic. If you haven't been to Rottnest before, or not for a long while then you need to put it on your bucket list.
After our tour we are taken to the Rottnest Lodge for a lovely buffet lunch. We have about three hours free time until we need to get back on the ferry for our return journey back to Perth. The wether is still fine so it's great being able to wander about the place. The island is 11km in length and 4.5 km at its widest. There are no private vehicles on the island so heaps of push bikes and walking tracks.  Probably was ready to leave an hour before the ferry time as there isn't much to do once you have had a good walk around and looked in the few stores on the island (they are a bit optimistic calling it a shopping mall) but fitted in a coffee at the bakery and petted a few Quokkas which are extremely tame, then back on the ferry for a 4 o'clock departure, with a very smooth return trip. Got back to Perth and on our coach to take us back to our hotel, when at that same moment it started to rain
heavily. We couldn't believe our luck. Back at the hotel, 3 decide that they no longer want to go to the Italian restaurant I had booked, so we remaining four head to the restaurant and each had a lovely meal (plus the obligatory Chardy for me...). Light rain throughout the evening so we were all pleased to get back to our hotel. I managed to get into my room and put the TV on in time to see the last 15 minutes of the footy where the Crows eventually came out winners of a nail biting too close for comfort finish! Woo hoo, how exciting.
For those of you who know me only too well, don't panic, I haven't been hit by lightning or totally lost my mind. I still couldn't care less about football. Just thought I'd throw that last bit in to see if you were still paying attention.
It's been a lovely day with my kitten herd, but I am looking forward to another free day tomorrow.

Karen's day to herself

Managed to wake up way too early when I didn't need to, but was still nice to have a lie in and leisurely breakfast at 8 o'clock. Back to the room to update the blog, another cuppa and then checking out the weather which is meant to be 21 and increasing showers, I head off with jacket and brollie for the expected weather. Within 2 minutes the jacket has come off and I'm already wishing I hadn't worn a long sleeved shirt. Clearly the weather forecasters all go to the same school of 'guesstimates'!
The CAT transport system here is fabulous. Free buses all through the city. So I catch the red line, one street up and then get the yellow line after four stops and get dropped off right in front of Watertown, the factory outlet shops. The weather is glorious and no crowds at all, so for someone who does not ever go window shopping I am in my element. After a couple of hours of browsing I am now the proud owner of a new top, dress, sandals and leather wallet, not that there is anything left to go in the latter, but I remain ever the optimist. Very pleased with all my bargains as everything was heavily discounted. So time to meander my way back to the hotel to deposit my goodies and two CATs later I get off one street away and find an Italian restaurant where I make a dinner reservation for tomorrow night for my kitten herd. Back to the hotel then for some lunch and to sort my new purchases. Cuppa soup and crackers later, I reckon it's time to head up to the mall. I get on my red CAT again and three stops later are dropped right at the mall. Once again, no crowds so lots of opportunity to wander in and out any stores that take my fancy. Had a wander through London Court just on 4 o'clock so got to hear the clock bells. A group of young people in their 20s were walking past, and they all looked like they were dressed up ready for Halloween but apparently they were headed for a Zombie High Tea!!! I hope I don't regret adding this snippet because I don't want Princess Shiny Bright getting any silly ideas. Hmmm not quite sure how to rephrase that as I'm quite sure her head only holds silly ideas... I don't want Princess SB thinking that I would ever entertain the idea of any sort of involvement in anything even slightly related to Zombies!!!!! Right, now that's sorted.
As the weather is so nice I decide to walk back to the hotel as I'm sure it would only be about 15 minutes. Grabbed a muffin to have with a cuppa when I get back and so once back in my room, purchases put away, jug on the boil, muffin on a plate and feet up. Have had a lovely day. Even now have the opportunity to read my book. It's now wine o'clock and time to decide on dinner. I'm thinking Chicken Rogan Josh and room service. Might even then need to pop into the jimjams, hop into bed, grab the TV remote control and call it an early night. Another big day of sight seeing with the kittens tomorrow. Wonder how the gang of four have enjoyed their Wave Rock tour. Probably won't get back until about 10 pm again tonight so will be interesting to see how they fare with 2 very long tour days straight.
And they call this work..............

Margaret River

After a reasonable nights sleep, it was up ,breakfast and ready for our coach pick up at 7.20. Weather forecast not so good today with 22 and showers likely. Supposedly in Perth's claim to be the sunniest city in the world with an average of 8.8 hours sunshine 365 days of the year, I don't this it will make that record today. But off we gon on our full day tour to Margaret River. (The sooner we hit the winery the better...) Kerry is our driver today and we are on a brand new very bit coach that is at full capacity. I have an Asian fellow sitting next to me who is asleep before the coach leaves the terminal and that is how he doesn't 90 % of the day. As we get past Bunbury the sky starts to get greyer and grey until we are suddenly in a very heavy rainfall. When we get to Busselton which is our first stop, it is now only light rain, but windy so a mad dash to the cafe for a much needed cuppa. No interest in braving the elements to walk along the 1.8km jetty. It used to be 2km but there was a fire so really shouldn't brag about claiming to be the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Our itinerary then says we were meant to go to the Margaret River township for free time, but instead we are taken on a 40 minute drive to Bootleg Brewery where we had a very nice shared platter lunch with beer and cider tasting. It was a nice enough spot, and it had stopped raining, but I didn't need an hour there. Then we head to Sandalford Winery, the highlight of my tour... Very nice choice of wines for tasting so having to be polite seeing as they went to all the trouble of getting them out for us, I worked my way through a number of them! Didn't buy any as I can get them cheaper back home, but I did enjoy the tastings. I'm still a troglodyte re wine appreciation and am not in the slightest bit fussed as to what region, what side of the hill or how many hours of sunshine a particular north side facing grape received before it was picked by someone's sainted ethnic grandma. I just know whether I like the taste or not. Call me a peasant, just don't forget to call me if there is wine involved!
So back on the coach and then we head to Mammoth Cave where we had a guided tour of a limestone cave which is about a million years old- or at least that is what our guide claims and as I have no way of disapproving it I'm happy to go along with the story. Back on the coach to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.there had been more rain while on the coach, but blue skies and uber strong wind at the
lighthouse. Quite spectacular spot to see the Indianand Southern oceans meet. Time for a very quick cuppa and back on the coach to finally go into Margaret River township, but it is now 10 to 5 and everything closes within 10 minutes, so only just enough time to race into the fudge shop and grab up some hand made chocolates. Am looking forward to trying out the Chilli chocolate. Back on the coach 20 minutes later and all are saying the same thing that there was not nearly enough time here, and clearly should have occurred earlier in the day. Anyway, can't undo what has happened so now we head to dinner which was in this huge resort but the meal was cafe style average so quite disappointing. Anyway, it is not 7 pm and time to head back to Perth. By the time we get back to our hotel it is 10.15 and as four of the kittens are doing the Wave Rock trip tomorrow with a 7.20 pick up again it is a very rushed 'goodnight all' and each back to their rooms. It has been a good day, but I wouldn't recommend the same tour unless they did it in the order the itinerary showed. Am looking forward to Friday which is a totally free day for me, apart from keeping an eye on MS and another kitty who hopefully will find their own things to do.

But wait, there's more

Had a wander up the street after my much needed cuppa, to check out somewhere for dinner. Ended up booking a table at Dome which is similar to a Billy Baxter style casual eatery. Most of the eating places nearby are only open until about 3 pm however I did pass a couple of pubs and a bottle shop so I know where I will be heading when I have a free night...
Back to the room for another cuppa and then downstairs to meet the kitten herd to go the the Dome. While we were waiting for all to assemble, there was talk about our day and PC (that doesn't stand for politically correct as her comments will attest to ) wanted to know if we had all seen the ground level growing Boronias at Kings Park. When we all agreed that we had seen them, she went on to tell us that she thought they looked like a big bunch of penises planted in the ground! And this from a woman who wouldn't swear if her life depended on it. My jaw dropped to the ground, but that wasn't the end of it as her room mate quickly countered saying that it had been so long that she had forgotten what they look and feel like!!!!!! At that point I went into full blown apoplexy.....
Somewhat recovered, we managed to laugh our way to the restaurant. It was very busy, but I wasn't happy about the 50 minute wait for our food to come out. Just as well the food was okay, but suffice to say we won't be going there again. MS was driving me nuts with needing me to repeat everything at least twice to her (she doesn't listen as she is busy thinking up her next dumb question, usually about something I've just answered) and I eventually asked her to wait until she had stopped eating to talk to me. Sadly even being blunt couldn't shut her up. We had all finished eating except for MS so when she saw that I was getting up to leave she said she was finished eating and then attempted to down her big glass of ginger beer. I told her not to rush drinking it, and then suggested she pour the remains back into the bottle it came in so that she could finish at her leisure back in her room. She liked the idea, but seeing her efforts at performing that task had us all groaning... At long last pouring completed and back to the hotel we go. Time for bed as another early start in the morning. I now have a better understanding of how in olden days women would have a case of 'the vapours'!!!

Perth Day 1

As per usual, not a good night sleep for the first night, but up bright and early for a 7.20am pick to take us on our half day Perth and Fremantle city experience tour. Forecast of 30 degrees and sunny today so we are in for a Gorgeous day. Breakfast was good and lots of choices. My kittens were all ready for our pickup but the coach was 20 minutes late so hopefully that doesn't encourage them to be late tomorrow! Hans was our coach driver and explained excellent commentary throughout but was hard to hear at times because the air conditioning drowned him out for those sitting in the back half of the coach, which I was. Anyway a good orientation drive through the city and lots of million dollar properties to see. So much building and general development everywhere. So many high-rises of both business offices and apartments. Not sure how much if it will end up occupied though with such a huge slump in mining. However the Perth community just seem to have their heads down and bum up, or possibly have their heads in the sand, and keep going on as though there will not be any significant change to their economy. First stop at Kings Park which was just beautiful. Wild flowers are out and the whole site is magnificently maintained. Did you know that Kings Park is the biggest natural park in the world, even bigger than Central Park New York? It is 404 hectares. These sand eaters are very proud of doing every thing big! Taking up 1/3 of the Australian continent (or is it island) they can fit Texas in its boundaries three times, the UK more than ten, Germany 7 and Switzerland where Hans is from, 61 times.
But now, back to the tour. We had almost an hour in Kings Park so a few of our little group chose to do the walk through the tree canopies on the Tree Top glass walkway.
It isn't a fraction as good as the walks and bridges in Capilano (don't think I've spelt that correctly) in Vancouver. However was still really nice. Excellent views of the Perty city skyline. Saw a fabulous 750 year old Boab tree that somehow managed a 3200km move to transplant it in Kings Park. Then back on the coach for a scenic drive to Cottesloe beach (I reckon that even our Semaphore beach has a nice sand and swimming area) and then to Freo(as the locals call Fremantle). Had an hour there so time for a wander and light lunch at a lovely little bakery Hans recommended. Just enough time then to have a look at the Stunned Emu Designs gallery next door where I stumbled upon a delightful little framed print that I simply had to have! Back on the coach with 2 minutes to spare, and Hans was already doing a head count!!!! Not sure if any of my little gaggle would have actually spoken up if I hadn't been onboard and he started to drive off,,,,, hmmmmm.
Anyway, time now to head back to the city and a running commentary on the history of settlement in Perth. Dropped off at our hotel just before 1pm and we all feel like we've fitted in a full days touring already.
One of our ladies had been booked to do a tour on her own to Wave Rck on Friday when the rest of us have a free day. I told her that I would confirm the booking for her when we got back from our morning tour. One of the other ladies overheard this and decided that she would like to go to Wave Rock too. As the gossip grapevine gained momentum I ended up having 4 of them wanting to do this trip. Please keep in mind that there are only 6 of them and 1 is already booked, so only 1 remains sticking with our original itinerary. So I tell them to be back in the hotel foyer in 10 minutes with their credit card, and I will attempt to get them booked on Fridays Wave Rock tour. MS who can't cope with being left out of anything, had indicated she wanted to come, but didn't show up in the foyer at the 10 minute mark. She did come down later so say she now wasn't feeling well so wouldn't be going. The fact that it is two days away and she is likely to feel better then was probably her way of excusing herself from the tour, after finding out that the cost for the full day tour is just under $200.  Little M hadn't said a word about coming but was in the foyer with credit card in hand. So, I get on the phone to the tour company, confirm 1 already booked and then spend the next 40 minutes getting 3 more booked. What a to-do. Initially they wouldn't accept a debit card and then one of the ladies tells me she doesn't have a credit card but can pay cash. I did ask her how she expected me to pay cash over the phone, in the nicest possible way of course, and she just stared at me blankly. After some very deep breaths in and out, one of the other ladies offered to pay for her on her credit card and she would accept the cash. So with much effort and trying of the little patience I possess  at the best of times, all is sorted and they are booked for Friday. This now means I only have MS and another lady to find things to do for Friday. MS sticks to you like a second skin so I can't see myself having a day to myself any time soon.
So all sorted now, 3 very satisfied travellers and way past time for a much needed cuppa for me.... And it is only 2 pm.....

Off to Perth we go

Well, we have a choice. 14 degrees, cold and rain in Adelaide or 24, sunny and fine in Perth.
I didn't need much convincing to pack my suitcase and head off to the airport this morning. Big thanks to Kay for telling me about the airport parking company she has used. Excellent service and very affordable. Mind you, they were so efficient that I ended up at the airport at midday when I really wasn't planning on being there until 12.30. I'd told my ladies to be at the airport at 1pm and I knew that at least half of them would be early so I had some quiet reading time until they started arriving at 12.30. Last one arrived at 2 minutes past 12 and she was very apologetic for being late, bless her. Everyone duly booked in and luggage deposited. I even got a couple of them to do their own kiosk boarding pass book in, which made them feel like they had mastered a major task which they previously thought beyond them. Our plane left on time and it was a very uneventful and quiet 3 hour flight. As I have three Margaret's in my herd of kittens I'm not sure how I will differentiate between them when I describe them, but suffice to say at this early stage that MS can talk non stop about nothing with a mouthful of marbles underwater. So it was very pleasing for all that she sat on her own so had no one's ear to chew for the duration of the flight. Whether you were the poor sod sitting next to her or not, we would have all heard her as I don't think she has a volume control.
Having arrived at Perth airport 20 minutes early, there wasn't a gate available for us so we had to come down the front stairs and onto the Tarmac, then a 5 minute walk to the terminal. Little M (okay so now I have 2 of the Margaret's identified) walks with a stick and has the annoying problem of not being able to walk and talk at the same time. Anyway she was never going to manage the steps so I waited with her until all of the plane alighted and then they got a mobile lift for her. Being the excellent tour director that I am, I found a wheelchair near the walkway, chucked Little M in that and finally got her into the terminal. All suitcases located, kittens herded outside to our waiting coach and a 15 minute drive into the city to our hotel arriving about 5 pm. Everyone booked in and sent off to their rooms to meet again at 6.30 to have dinner in the restaurant. MS has already told us that she has forgotten to pack her alarm clock so I've told her to get a wake up call as she doesn't know how to use her mobile phone alarm. Then she says she has forgotten to pack a torch whereby I assure her that they really do have electricity and light switches in WA and if all else fails turn her phone on, but I don't think she believed me.
The hotel is certainly not new or particularly modern, but the room is huge and clean so all good so far. My room has a tiny kitchenette with medium sized fridge, microwave, toaster, pots and pans, etc. but I'm not planning on cooking up a storm while here. It also has a small dining table and two chairs, plus a large 2 seater lounge. So, plenty of time to unpack and have a cuppa, then back downstairs for dinner. In getting the gang together I tell them that breakfast in the morning is available from 6.30 and we have to be in the foyer to be picked up for our tour at 7.20. I ask MS to repeat back what time we have to meet in the hotel foyer for our tour and she says 7.15. I have no idea what time she is likely to show up!!! I've written up who is in what room so at least I will know where to start my search for her when she is a non-appearance.
 The hotel restaurant had really nice meals but a bit expensive so probably won't regularly be eating here. Everyone ordered something different and it didn't matter if you had fish, prawns, chicken or salad, there was a little pile of alfalfa sprouts on top. I commented on this to which MS replied for all to hear that her brother calls alfalfa sprouts 'pubic hair'! I think I actually threw up a bit in my mouth!!!!! And so our holiday has begun....