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Published: February 27th 2011
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Our blog - Log 9
From Monday 21st February
After a drive around Kings Park and walk to the war memorial in the park which commands a wonderful view of the Swan River and city of Perth we went to the airport and collected Celia (my sister and Janet’s mum) who flew in from the UK.
We then had a lovely dinner at Char Char Bull in Fremantle meeting up with several of Janet’s friends.
On Tuesday we had a swim in the pool before packing up and setting off for Margaret River a very famous wine producing area.
Amazing scenery all the way down. We stopped off in Bunbury on the way down for lunch - spectacular beach. We arrived late afternoon at our apartment in the centre of Margaret River and found it was really well appointed and comfortable and just to make it even better - there was a bakery just across the road where they made the most lovely and large croissants. Perfect for breakfast every day.
Down to Prevelly Park to watch the most amazing sunset. It is a popular place for surfers and they were out on the ocean as we watched the sun
go down. So lovely and warm.
On Wednesday we headed north of Margaret River with a first stop at an olive oil producer for sample tasting. From there we drove to Yallingup Sheep Shearing Shed to watch the round up of sheep by just one dog and then seeing one sheared - or mowed according to one little girl who was there! Lovely experience and well worth the trip. Then on for our first wine tasting of the day at Happ’s Winery and Pottery. Great!! We then went on to Laurance Winery for more wine tasting and lunch. After lunch we went to Margaret River Chocolate Company for some naughty but nice chocolate tasting. Howling Wolves Winery was our next stop for would you believe another wine tasting. What a life! Onwards to a cheese factory for more tasting before going back to Margaret River and down to the beach again to watch another sunset which was totally different to previous evening - the sea was quite rough.
Thursday took us south of Margaret River down to Augusta and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. On the way we went through Boranup Karri Forest which was
amazing. Karri wood is a very hard wood. We then did a tour of the Blackwood River before going to Voyager Winery for tasting and lunch. It is probably one of the most beautiful wineries in Australia with manicured lawns and beautiful rose Gardens all around. The food was out of this world. Back to the apartment to get a picnic ready before going down to the beach once more to watch another spectacular sunset.
Friday morning we packed up and left Margaret River for our return to Fremantle. We stopped off in Busselton which is a beautiful holiday area with a wonderful beach and the longest pier in the Southern Hemisphere over 2.2km long.
After arriving back in Fremantle we prepared a picnic as we went to Kings Park in Perth to listen to an outdoor concert given by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra. It was so enjoyable apart form the mozzies wanting to make a meal of us - thank heavens for the spray.
Saturday and we took a cruise up the Swan River to Perth - it was great seeing it in daylight as we had done a twilight race on the
river on our first night in Fremantle.
We did a bus tour round the city before taking the boat back to Fremantle.
Janet then announced that she had booked us in for dinner at the revolving restaurant in Perth so back we drove and on reaching the 33rd floor we had the most spectacular view of the city not to mention a fantastic meal. A most fitting end to our time in Fremantle.
When we got home Janet checked our train details and discovered that Indian Pacific had cancelled the train because of flooding on the line towards Adelaide.
Change of plans and we are now leaving Fremantle early Monday morning on a flight to Adelaide and staying an extra night before leaving on our planned flight to Hobart where we arrive on Wednesday morning.
We have had the most wonderful time in Western Australia and it is all down to how Janet has looked after us. From her standing at the entrance to the arrivals hall at the port of Fremantle to meet us up to finishing this blog she has been there all of the time making sure we see as much as we could of
the area and we are enjoying ourselves. We couldn’t have asked for a more sincere welcome and happy and enjoyable stay. Thank you Janet from the bottom of our hearts. Be prepared for another visit as God willing we will be back.
End of this blog and more will follow once in Tasmania.
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