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Published: March 19th 2010
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What a pleasant day we’ve had today. The start was a bit of a shock because the kids were out and playing before 7 am. And they weren’t playing quietly. At 7.30am I gave up and went off to the loo block, planning to have a sneaky look for where the kids belonged on the assumption the parents were still in bed ... not at all - the whole campsite seemed to be up and buzzing! The lady next door says it’s not normally like this and that they’ll all leave tomorrow ... trouble is, so will we!
Anyway, we took advantage of the early start and caught the first bus into Freemantle, chatting with some of the other camp’s residents, who luckily had the same feeling about the kids and their parents. After a very short journey, we were in the centre of “Freo” - right outside the historic Markets building, so we went for a mosey round what was basically a tourist arts and crafts market. I spent a considerable amount of time drooling over the opal stand whilst getting the rundown on the different sorts of opals to be found in Oz.
Outside again, we wandered
down ‘Cappuccino Strip’, so named for all the historic buildings that have now been converted into coffee houses. So, a latte and a lemon and lime with bitters later, we strolled down to the esplanade which had a chilli festival going on. On discovering there was a $15 (£9) entrance fee each, we decided to go to the Shipwreck Museum, which we found only closes on Christmas Day, Good Friday and today.
Not daunted, we set off for the Round House, which is Western Australia’s oldest public building - Fremantle was established in 1829 and the Round House was built in 1830 ... as a gaol. Bearing in mind that WA was colonised by free settlers, mainly gentlemen with their servants, it’s surprising there was such a desperate need for a brick built gaol. Mind you, I discovered that one of the crimes that could result in incarceration was ‘disobediance’. Hmmm! And they didn’t get to sit around - they were out every day on duties such as well digging. We stayed quite a while chatting with two of the volunteer guides, Heidi and David.
Just outside the Round House is the Harbour Master’s Cottage which has been
converted into an art studio. The artist Andrew Carter was there and we had a great time looking at his work and discussing art in general.
We then went up to look at the view of the harbour from the Round House and found volunteer David getting ready to fire off the 1 o’clock cannon as a time check for shipping. (Well, that’s originally why it was fired, now it’s more for tourists.) To cut a long story shorter, Peter said I could fire the cannon. I was quite excited by this when there were only 3 of us standing by the cannon. I wasn’t quite so taken with the idea when I was introduced to the growing crowd of tourists as Gunnery Officer Valerie (don’t think he could manage Harrowven!) Suffice it to say, I pushed the button at the right moment, John says there was a flash and then a very loud bang. I got a round of applause and I even have a certificate to prove it (aw shucks!)
Then it was off to the Fishing Boat Harbour for our first meal out since we’ve been in Oz. Fish and Chips, of course (for John!),
but I ordered the local Blue Spot Emperor grilled in lemon pepper. First of all I got battered fish. They apologised, left me the battered fish while they went to grill my order. I sat there for quite a while (John had finished) before I went to see what had happened ... someone had taken my dinner to the wrong table (who hadn’t objected). So I eventually got my dinner (which was delicious) and my money back (I didn’t ask) and battered fish for tea!
Next visit was E Market which is a converted warehouse with yet more arts & crafts type shops. There was a foodie area with a bar, so we bought a couple of beers and went out onto the terrace to discover a live band just starting up. John then discovered they had free wifi, so we spent the next couple of hours chilling out listening to good music whilst uploading the Blog ... beat the heck out of McDonalds! Quick hello to some of you who have commented lately - I’m sure we’ll still recognise each other Maureen!, Jacqui: come and see us when we get back and you’re home - we’ll bore you
rigid! And Cousin Steve ... we’re on our way!!
Unfortunately, we had to catch the last bus home ... at 4.51! But we’d had a wonderful day wandering round a beautiful city. Apparently it was a bit of a backwater until it hosted the Americas Cup. There was discussion about pulling the old buildings down and building modern, but luckily they just revamped and renovated the old buildings. Freo also has a bit of a reputation as an artists’ haven, and it has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere - we loved it.
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Steve
non-member comment
"And Cousin Steve ... we’re on our way!!" I'll put the jug on.. :) Steve