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Lola
Can't wait to get out of her PJ's to go running FORGET LOVE, I WOULD RATHER FALL IN CHOCOLATE 2014-06-26 to 2014-07-05 Leaving Bunbury 2014-07-05 It’s a wintry day, our apartment here in Cal and Alice’s house is cosy and warm; Katie Melua is crooning, softly, with her usual draw me into you melancholy style, our bags are packed and it’s almost time to catch our connection to Perth International airport en route to Jakarta and the next phase of our holiday. I can think of worse circumstances to sit and blog in.
We had a magnificent afternoon in the Fergusson valley southwest peninsula south west of Bunbury. We always seem to gravitate in this direction when we are here. Alice offered us some of the beaches and villages north of Bunbury but we’ve seen those and prefer Fergusson Valley. There is still so much to see. Again we are reminded why we like this part of Australia best. It’s so hard to explain but this area is just US!. SO there goes the research we did in NSW south of Sydney.
We visited Wellington Dam today and had a delicious lunch
at St Aiden’s Wines. Our entertainment whilst waiting for our meal was a Border Collie who kept bringing us a ball to throw. He also has a FIFA marked soccer ball that he dribbles around using his snout; faster than you can think possible. I really must master the video setting on my camera. I always use it on a hit and miss basis. This was an opportunity missed for something truly amazing.
Our time in Bunbury has been good as always. Last night we met friends for drinks at the Rose, followed by fab Italian food at Nicola’s; and then drinks back at Carl and Alice’s house..
It was a useful visit in terms of strategic discussions and interactions with professionals re studying and prepping ourselves to make an informed and constructive move to Australia.
We are off to Jakarta and Bali now. I am really looking forward to seeing Lizziluv again.
But before I go; just some more comments on this year’s visit to Western Australia.
A day in the life of an Aussiekaner (Perth)
It would I daresay be unfair to call accompanying Hannelie to a surprise birthday party for a friend a typical day. It was her day off. It seems to be the custom here for women to work a 4 day week. But what really tickled me was that South Africans are now so numerous the community is referred to as Aussiekaners. There were over 20 women at that luncheon and all of them spoke Afrikaans. What can I say?“Aussiekaners is plesierig”.
Flights durations vary depending whether flying east or west. Sydney to Perth is the longer 5 and half hour flight. The bus and train commute to the local station in Joondalup where we were collected by our friends was pretty seamless. So nice to travel in a country where everything works. (Where’s my sense of adventure, huh?)
I so enjoyed the early morning run with Hannelie and Lola her eager staffie through suburb of Mindarie; thru the nature reserve and then further along the coastal promenade and around the marina area. It was a crisp wintry morning, one of those extra turquoise sea colour days; with friendly cyclists; walkers
and dogs. J
Perth’s Valley of Taste After another much needed run (we ate too much the night before) we paid a visit to the Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail reminiscent of our cruise a few years ago. The drive rather than cruise, gave us an opportunity to visit chocolates and nougat making and get closer to the other land activities. On the way we called at Providore Coward and Black; Mondo Nougat, Sandalford Winery. We met more friends for lunch at Sandalford.
We joined the family party to watch Jamie play club hockey in the evening. It was bitterly cold and only family and friend love kept us shouting for our team. I lie: We sneaked some sherry in under our blankets, which helped. Our team won!
Breakfast at Hilaries Methinks it beats breakfast at Tiffanies; especially after an hour long run. The pics will show what a lovely setting. I wish I had such a place nearby to do some swimming training. No shark
threat. We said our goodbyes with promises to meet somewhere on the start line of an ultra-marathon and our hosts dropped us off in Shenton Park with nephews and nieces and Jurie’s sister also visiting from South Africa.
Family and friend catch-up Barbecuing with Rita and her kids at Hilde and Gert’s house, sleeping over at Ian and Katja and bonding with their kids and experiencing a typical day in the life of … was a good experience and gave a answers to questions for our kids back at home. There is a beautiful park in the same neighbourhood (Shenton Park). The little great nieces and nephew go to Rosalie Primary, within walking / scooter distance for 6 to 7 year olds.
It was good to catch up with Wayne and Renchia, see their lovely vegie patch (always a soft spot for me). I was most impressed to hear Wayne had built up
We explored downtown Perth, Went for a 2 hour jog/ walk in King’s park.
More banking for Jurie. We explored Hay street shops.
Had a long walk in King’s and the next door park. I think Rosalie Park. Kids go to Rosalie school.
The wrap up with an evening meal at WaggaMamma in Subiaco, ended with decadent ice coffe (and whatever everyone else chose) at Cholatiers across the road, Forget love, I’d rather fall in chocolate.
Carl ‘s court case finished up on the evening of the 2
nd, he collected us and we made our companionable way down south to Bunbury. Well I told you the rest. Check out the pics and labels. Scroll down past the ads for all the pics. This last reminder I put in every time is for you, Mom. J
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