Yesterday we celebrated Grandfather’s Birthday with a family lunch at Serpintine Dam, a place where Grandma and Grandfather used to like to go for lunch. The Serpintine Dam is a reservoir supplying drinking water to Perth, and there is a nice little cafe there over looking the Dam. The water was very low, not even reaching the spillway.

There was a lot of 28’s hanging around the balcony where we ate. 28’s are a type of parrot, although I grew up knowing them as 22’s, as that was what they got…. Grandfather didn’t like them eating his fruit trees!!!

They were very friendly though, and we had to closely guard our meals, as they would have no problem jumping onto the table to share them with us!

After lunch we said our farewells to the family, as we won’t see them again on this trip. Has been great to catch up with everyone again, it is just a shame that it takes a death for everyone to get together.

Aunty Penelope baked the kids some cookies for the road, and a fruit cake for me which will be most apreciated 🙂

Now today we were supposed to be packing up and heading north, although it has been such a hectic trip this last week, and there is so much stuff thrown around the caravan and annex that we decided to spend one more relaxing day in Munster to pack up properly before we head off. Looking at the weather though, I think we will see another storm shortly, so maybe we should have packed up yesterday!!!!

Unfortunately today we must also farewell the Bates family. From here their trip will take them south, where as we are heading north.

It has been great holidaying with them, sampling the fine cuisine that freemantle has to offer, and swapping stories over a drink and cheese platter at the end of each day. It has also been really good for the kids to catch up. They have had a ball and will miss each other dearly…. although I think if they spent too much more time together their DS’s would fall apart from over use!!

You never know though, as we both have to be home at roughly the same time, we may run into each other again on the Nullabour….

Another fantastic day in WA, and some new experiences for the girls. They had both their first Bus and Boat rides!!

We got picked up from the caravan park at about 9:30 on a mini bus that took us to the ferry terminal in Fremantle, the girls were very excited as it was their first time on a bus, and they thought it was great. Once we arrived at the terminal, we had just enough time to buy our tickets before boarding the boat and heading for Rottnest.

Was a pretty smooth and quick trip across only taking about 20 minutes, and we even got to see a couple of whales on the way!

Now the problem with Rottnest is there is so much to do, and as you arrive at 11am and have to be back on the boat at 4pm, there just isn’t enough time to do and see everything!

We purchased a bus ticket that allowed us to catch a bus that ran on a 45 minute circuit around the island, and thought the best thing to do first was to take a trip around and see the island. From there we would know the best beaches to stop by in the afternoon for some snorkeling.

Once again the girls loved the experience as this time it was a big coach, and sitting up the back, they entertained the passengers with a rendition of “The wheels on the bus go round and round…..” Unfortunatley they ran out of things to sing about before we even made it half way around, and had to resort to looking for Quokkers, the native animal on the island, something between a Rat and a Kangaroo.

We didn’t see any from the bus, but those on the left side were lucky enough to see a snake on the path before it scurried into the bush.

After the bus trip, we headed to The Dome for lunch, which is a cross between the old Dennys and the Keg. Apparently it is very popular in WA. It was about this time that we realized that time was short, and we would struggle to catch a bus back to the south side for a short snorkel before catching the next bus 45 minutes later to get back in time for the ferry…. Luckily one of the shopkeepers recommended that we head to The Basin on the North side which was only a 1km walk, was better protected from the wind, and wouldn’t waste time on the bus.

So we grabed our gear and started the long hike to the beach. It was along this trail that we first came in contact with the quokkers, and for a nocturnal animal that is hard to find…. we sure found plenty!! Glad we didn’t pay for the quokker tour!

We finally made it to the beach, and had a great time snorkeling around the rocks, gullies and ledges of the reef. There were plenty of fish, and I really wish I still had my underwater camera.

We also had some time up our sleeves to build some sandcastles and have a paddle in the water before heading back for more playing with quokkers and getting on the boat for the trip back to the mainland.

Was a little rougher coming back as the Fremantle “doctor” was in and made the water a little choppy.

Judith was also very kind to buy me another stubby holder on the island for my collection 🙂

We returned to the caravan afterwards for a rest where poor old Jess managed to get stung by a bee!! The poor girl, if it was going to happen to anyone, it would happen to her! She did come good after awhile though, and we headed into Fremantle for some Fish n Chips. Now given all the walking and exercise we did on the island today, we thought we would indulge a little, so after Andrew had spoilt all the kids with ice-cream, the adults had some very healthy (yea right), and very tasty desserts to finish off what was a wonderful day 🙂

Spent a great day today with the extended family celebrating Jasmine’s Birthday in the Matilda Bay Park in Crawley. Was a lovely spot down where the Swan and Canning rivers meet, in full view of the City of Perth.

The kids had a ball playing in the river, and caught jelly fish off the pontoons. The jellyfish were harmless so we could scoop them up in our hands and play with them before returning them to the river. We were even lucky enough to have some dolphins swim by right underneath us…. the kids thought they were great once the realized they were dolphins and not sharks!!!

I think I was the only one brave enough to actually go for a swim, and the girls had fun jumping off the pontoons in the shallows (with me catching them of course!!). For some reason Zac didn’t see the funny side of me pushing him into the river, and for a good half hour I was the worse Dad in the world before he calmed down and apologized. Guess I can’t blame him, as the water was a bit murky and I can see how he thought it was a bit scary.

Aunty Penelope did a great job with Jasmine’s birthday, playing games and putting on a feast. All in all we had a great day, and the kids were all exhausted by the end of it.

We got back to the van around 4pm and washed the kids before I crashed for a little nano nap (hey holidays are tiring!!!), then we had our usual night time party with Judith and Andrew, while the kids all played their DS’s.

Tomorrow we are heading off to Rottnest island on the ferry, which will be very exciting. I’m looking forward to doing some snorkeling with Zac which I am lead to believe should be spectacular… I wish I still had my underwater camera, as I’m sure I could some great shots there.

Well it’s been a few days since I have written so I thought I better do a quick catch up. The fact that I have downloaded some photos has jogged my memory.
We have wanted to do so many touristy things since being here but have done very little at this point. We have been to AQUA – the aquarium. Had a lovely time there and even spent some of our time there with the Bates family.
The kids loved the under cover area where they could look at the sharks, turtles and sting rays.
Here are Zac and Tara before we even started!

We have also been to the beach at the caravan park. Mind you it’s a good walk to the water. So much so I called Bridgey on my way to meet the others and managed to catch up on all the goss before getting to the water!

We were also able to catch up with “Burn” aka leVearne and her family for dinner, wine and giggles.

And the kids had a lovely reunion too….

Then today we went to Crawley and had a party for one of the Sydney cousins, Jasmine. The kids played pass the parcel and egg and spoon race and duck, duck, goose. The kids had a ball and so did us big kids. The highlights were kinder surprises, birthday cake, Bree cheese and wine which we had to elbow our way too. Every man for his chop.
The kids swam in the river. Grandpa showed the kids the different jelly fish that were harmless, which they all loved picking up and claiming as their own pets. Tara even had one in a container which we had to convince her to leave in the river with it’s family. Reluctantly she agreed but not without a photo to remember it by.

The kids loved swimming/ paddling out to the pontoons and we were even lucky enough to see 2 dolphins cruising by the pontoon.

Just took the kids for a walk down to the beach. Was a fair walk from the caravan park, but Tara made up for it by spotting a Blue Tounge Lizard.

Went for a wander along the pier, then along the beach. Water looked very inviting and I had this desire to get my gear on and have a look under the pier…. saw a group of divers coming up as we left, and they all had that look of just having completed a good dive…. I gotta get wet soon 😉

On the walk back Tara took a spill on the path and grazed her knee and elbow. Luckily I had my first aid kit back at the van and while we thought at first we might have to amputate, turned out we only had to clean it and put a few bandaids on. Tara was a very brave patient.

This afternoon we might head into fremantle as we heard the Steve Erwin ship is in port and we can have a look at it.

Was a long and emotional day today. We farewelled Grandfather.

Was a lot more emotional than I thought it would be, I guess having been so busy preparing to get over here I hadn’t really had the opportunity to grieve the loss of my Grandfather, and I certainly grieved at the funeral.

I promised myself I wasn’t going to lose it, however I was the last of the grand kids to give a speech, and I think I had the worst time to give it. Was difficult listening to my cousins give their recollections of Grandfather as it brought back so many memories, a lot of which I had forgotten. My sister Nicola gave her speech just before I did, and given a lot of her memories were ones that I shared with her, I was pretty much a mess by the time I got up there.

Was a lot harder tan I thought, and I struggled through my speech, having to do most of it by memory as I couldn’t read what I had written. Below is a recount of what I said.

When I was young I knew a man. He taught me to think, to question and to enjoy life. To take each day as it comes, and make the most of it.
When I was young, he was my hero. He had stories that inspired the imagination, and my fondest memories are jumping into bed with him and hearing about how the steam train at midland saved the miners trapped down the mine.
He had a workshop where you could find pretty much any tool, whether it be a vice to crack sandalwood nuts, or a saw and a hammer to cut some wood and bang in some nails.
He taught me about the bush and the outdoors, geology, minerals and science and polishing and cutting gemstones.
As I grew older I knew him less and less, but the lessons he taught me early in life always stuck. He had an amazing can do attitude, and a huge heart, he would do anything for anyone if he could.
As we go through life we meet people who have a big impact on our lives, and who we are, and I think there was no one that had as big an impact on my life as what my Grandfather had on mine.
We will all miss you dearly Grandfather, but know that you had a long and amazing life that so many were blessed to be a part of. In my memories you will live forever.

After the funeral we had Champagne in the park and chatted with those that attended. It was good to catch up with and meet a lot of friends and relatives, and remember the great times we had with Grandfather.

Afterwards we headed back to Grandfathers house for some pizza, and had a fire out the back so the kids could roast some marshmallows. Poor Jess thought the sandalwood sticks burning near by were a light, and grabbed one of them, badly burning her fingers. She was so exhausted from the day that she did not cope well at all, and I think she will be sore for a few days.

All in all it was a very emotional day, and one that we won’t forget anytime soon.

I think while we are over here I would like to find out where Grandma is buried so I can say a final farewell to her as well. I wasn’t able to make it to her funeral last year, and would like to take the opportunity to see her while we can.

Yesterday, we met Granny and Grandpa at the airport, we only just made it in time as we had misjudged just how far away the airport is from Fremantle!! Hope I didn’t pass and cameras!

Afterwards, I took the family to Hogsbreath for lunch before heading to Grandfathers place to catch up with some of the rellos. Was sad as we all prepared ourselves for Grandfathers Funeral which is today.

I expect it will be a very sad day, although I guess we need to remember that he had a long and amazing life.

Last night we did a chicken in the cob which was very tasty… think I almost have it figured out now!! Was also good to have a few drinks with Judith and Andrew as the kids watched Harry Potter in the van… were a few bleary eyed kids this morning though!!

Was good to finally have a lazy day today.

Everyone had a sleep in… well I made it to 6:30am, the Kids to 7am and Fi got up some time around 8:30am, so compared to what we have been having…. was a lazy day. Was just good not to have to pack up and drive somewhere new for a day.

We checked the weather this morning and could see a huge storm heading in and decided to baton down the hatches and ride out the storm…

It finally hit about 11am, and was a ripper. Thankfully the brunt of the storm hit down south, and we only got about 30 minutes of rain, but boy did it rain. I looked outside at one stage and the entire caravan park had turned into a river. All dryed up pretty quick, but was awesome none the less. Your know how I like a good storm!!

Once that cleared, we headed out to the shops to get some well needed supplies…. food and grog!!! $300 later, the van is well stocked, and should see us through the next week!! Unfortunately, the closest supermarket was a Woolworths, but being a good company man, I made the family drive the 20 minutes up the road in heavy traffic to the Coles store in Fremantle… Luckily for the guys at work the store was in good condition and I didn’t have to report any IT issues that needed fixing. I know I’m on holidays, but I can’t help but look!

After lunch we headed out to the WA Aquarium. Hasn’t changed much in the last 10 years, and an Aquarium just isn’t the same as seeing it in the wild, but the kids had a ball looking at all the fish, sharks, jellyfish and rays.

Now at some stage of this trip I decided that I would start collecting stubby holders, and so now I have one from the Aquarium to add to my collection. Also have one from the Nullabour and from wave rock. Of course if I was buying something for me then the kids just had to have something as well, so several fluffy toys later, we made it back home.

Had a good peaceful evening with Judith and Andrew with a couple of drinks and some cheese and crackers which was a great way to end the day. Zac is really enjoying having friends here and they are building a cubby house in the bush out the back of the caravan park… I think he also enjoys someone to sit and play his DS all day with and would be happy to do nothing but that!!

Got sent a picture tonight of Mark and Ruby. I think Ruby is living the good life in our absence and I don’t think she will want to come home when we finally get back to Melbourne.

Remember she is an outside dog Mark!!!

This is the trip so far and where we stopped.

View Our Trek to WA in a larger map

Roughly 3300kms in 6 days.

If you cant see the map above properley, try clicking here

Well we finally made it. From Melbourne to Perth in just six days, and now we can relax for a bit.

After checking out the caravan parks in and around Perth, we decided to stay in the Big4 just out of Freemantle in a place called Munster. As it turns out, it is the same park that Judith and Andrew are staying in, so Zac was very excited to catch up with his friends. Just had Fish and Chips in Freemantle at a place called Cicerellos where we ate at last time Fi and I were here (about 10 years ago pre-kids) with Nicola and David. Food was still great, so there is every chance we will be back there while we are here.

Was another day of windy driving today as we headed out of Hyden. we stopped at the Mulka cave, where legend has it an Aboriginal that ate little children used to live…

We also stopped by Gorge rock to show the kids where Grandpa learned to swim… they were suitably unimpressed (sorry Grandpa).

Was a little green, but at least I was impressed on how much it had changed since we used to picnic there with Grandma and Grandfather. Like most things, it had been modernized with a nice carpark and signs telling you not to swim there…. as if you would want to!!!

I couldn’t remember where the farm was, and it was hot and windy, so we decided to give that a miss and head back to civilization.

Anyway, this will be home for the next week while we attend Grandfather’s funeral and catch up with the family before heading north.

Typically, while we had a lovely 34 degree day today, the weather is going to turn bad and we are expecting rain tomorrow 🙁