Perth 20th – 31st December 2014
31st December
Mike took another early morning ride but this time along the Swan River on the north side to just opposite Point Walter Golf Club. There was plenty of activity on the towpath and on the river, even the odd SUP. When he got back to the house Sheila fancied a swim so we both strolled across to the beach. As yesterday it was relatively crowded at 8am, even with the life guards out on duty with their yellow boards at the ready.
We had a cooked breakfast, and after dropping off the loaned bike back to friends of Phil and Becks, we headed into Fremantle to see the Maritime Museum. We had been given 50% museum discounts from the tall ship trip and decided to take advantage. Mike spotted the Ikara, a missle launched torpedo that his uncle had been involved in developing for the Australian Navy many years earlier.
We headed back to the house to get loaded up with windsurfing kit for an afternoon session at Pelican Point. The wind looked good when we arrived but dropped off a bit and then when we were packing up the wind got up again! However, we had an evening appointment so couldn’t hang around.
We dashed back to the house, showered and then took a train to Mosman Park to go to an outdoor cinema to watch “Gone Girl”, which was proceeded by some blues music. (Mike's last experience of an outdoor cinema was in 1969 to a USA dive-in-movie!)
The cinema venue were offering food and drink, so we ordered paella and a couple of bottles of bubbly. The evening was relatively warm but there was still a sea breeze and hoodies were needed before long.
We got back to the house by 11:30pm, took a quick cup of tea and a chocolate and then headed out to watch the New Year’s fireworks from the riverside looking towards both Fremantle and Perth. Not really close enough to get the best views but close enough to experience the ambience of the moment and listen to the music being played near Point Walter, on the opposite side of the estuary.
30th December
Mike went out at 7am for a bike ride up to Cottesloe and back, around 10 km there and back, and was staggered by how much activity was going on, both on the beach, in the sea and along the pathway. There were canoeists, paddle boarders on SUPs, swimmers, cyclists, dog walkers and power walkers.
We played golf in the morning in Fremantle and afterwards did some desperately needed shopping. After a light lunch we decided to just chill out in the cool of the house since the outside temperature was probably up to 37C or more. Phil and Becks came around in the evening and in cooler conditions we had a BBQ.
29th December
We fancied a relaxing day so started late and played golf at the Point Walter Golf Club just on the south side of the Swan River, with views to the river at times. The hire clubs were not brilliant and all steel shafts but both of us hit some good shots and Mike felt after 6 weeks in Australia his tee and fairway shots were getting back into gear as were his chips shots, even managing pars. The temperature was probably around 33C but the breeze from the sea and the plentiful shade offered by the trees meant that the conditions were reasonable. However, the play was relatively slow but we were in no hurry.
After an afternoon snack back at the house, we loaded the car with windsurfing gear and headed off to Pelican Point to go windsurfing. Unfortunately the wind was relatively light and Mike’s largest sail was too small (5.3m) for the conditions. We therefore headed along the estuary and up to King’s Park and the King’s Park Botanical Gardens that afford a superb view down onto the city of Perth and the massive Swan River estuary, a great place to promenade in the late afternoon sun. (We had spotted this vantage point when our Sevenoaks friend had directed us to tennis yesterday.)
It is not until you are on the escarpment that the width and length of the Swan River estuary is brought home. It is around 2km at the widest point and 6km in length, a great area for water sports.
The Walter Point Golf Couse is just opposite Chidley Point Reserve at the right hand (east) end of the" relativey" narrow channel that links the estuary to the sea.
The evening was sealed with a curry and beer/wine with Phil and Becks at our house following their return from two days windsurfing at Lancelin, where apparently the conditions were good.
28th December
The morning was spent around the house and then we went off to meet a friend from Sevenoaks who has an apartment in Perth overlooking the Swan River. She lives in Perth 6 months in the year.
She had invited us to play tennis at her club, called the Royal Kings Park Tennis Club, now part of the Next Generation Kings Park. The club is on the edge of the botanical gardens of Kings Park and was founded in 1899 and in the past has hosted international matches including the Davis Cup between Australia and visiting countries. We played in their Sunday social event and everyone was extremely friendly both on the courts and in the bar afterwards.
The courts were all grass, a rare treat for Mike & Sheila to experience but quite common in Australia.
27th December
Sheila, myself, Phil and Becks took a trip to Rottnest Island, 19km off the coast of Perth/Fremantle. Phil and Becks met us at the North Fremantle Station with bikes and we all cycled down to the ferry terminal. The general public cannot drive on the island, so it is either “Shanks Pony” or cycling hence taking our bikes across on the ferry. The ferry travels at speeds up to 26knots and out stripped other motor boats that tried to out run it.
However, a couple of windsurfers did try it on one occasion and from the video look as though they succeeded. See the end of the follow clip around the 9:40 minute point: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck3O6s8uqpo&sns=em (Thanks Phil for the web link.)
The island is reputed to have 60 sandy beaches and 20 secluded bays and it didn’t disappoint; pure white sand and beautiful clear blue water.
Accommodation is available on the island with both a hotel and chalet type buildings. Cycle ways go right around the perimeter of the island and one goes across the centre. The island is 11km in length and 4.5 km at the widest point. We cycled somewhere in the region of 15km.
Mike took another early morning ride but this time along the Swan River on the north side to just opposite Point Walter Golf Club. There was plenty of activity on the towpath and on the river, even the odd SUP. When he got back to the house Sheila fancied a swim so we both strolled across to the beach. As yesterday it was relatively crowded at 8am, even with the life guards out on duty with their yellow boards at the ready.
We had a cooked breakfast, and after dropping off the loaned bike back to friends of Phil and Becks, we headed into Fremantle to see the Maritime Museum. We had been given 50% museum discounts from the tall ship trip and decided to take advantage. Mike spotted the Ikara, a missle launched torpedo that his uncle had been involved in developing for the Australian Navy many years earlier.
Ikara Missile
We headed back to the house to get loaded up with windsurfing kit for an afternoon session at Pelican Point. The wind looked good when we arrived but dropped off a bit and then when we were packing up the wind got up again! However, we had an evening appointment so couldn’t hang around.
Mike at Pelican Point
Becks and kite surfer
We dashed back to the house, showered and then took a train to Mosman Park to go to an outdoor cinema to watch “Gone Girl”, which was proceeded by some blues music. (Mike's last experience of an outdoor cinema was in 1969 to a USA dive-in-movie!)
The cinema venue were offering food and drink, so we ordered paella and a couple of bottles of bubbly. The evening was relatively warm but there was still a sea breeze and hoodies were needed before long.
We got back to the house by 11:30pm, took a quick cup of tea and a chocolate and then headed out to watch the New Year’s fireworks from the riverside looking towards both Fremantle and Perth. Not really close enough to get the best views but close enough to experience the ambience of the moment and listen to the music being played near Point Walter, on the opposite side of the estuary.
New Year Eve's Fireworks
Happy New Year to all blog readers
.................................................
Mike went out at 7am for a bike ride up to Cottesloe and back, around 10 km there and back, and was staggered by how much activity was going on, both on the beach, in the sea and along the pathway. There were canoeists, paddle boarders on SUPs, swimmers, cyclists, dog walkers and power walkers.
Leighton Beach crowded at 8am
We played golf in the morning in Fremantle and afterwards did some desperately needed shopping. After a light lunch we decided to just chill out in the cool of the house since the outside temperature was probably up to 37C or more. Phil and Becks came around in the evening and in cooler conditions we had a BBQ.
...........................................
29th December
We fancied a relaxing day so started late and played golf at the Point Walter Golf Club just on the south side of the Swan River, with views to the river at times. The hire clubs were not brilliant and all steel shafts but both of us hit some good shots and Mike felt after 6 weeks in Australia his tee and fairway shots were getting back into gear as were his chips shots, even managing pars. The temperature was probably around 33C but the breeze from the sea and the plentiful shade offered by the trees meant that the conditions were reasonable. However, the play was relatively slow but we were in no hurry.
Walter Point Golf Course
After an afternoon snack back at the house, we loaded the car with windsurfing gear and headed off to Pelican Point to go windsurfing. Unfortunately the wind was relatively light and Mike’s largest sail was too small (5.3m) for the conditions. We therefore headed along the estuary and up to King’s Park and the King’s Park Botanical Gardens that afford a superb view down onto the city of Perth and the massive Swan River estuary, a great place to promenade in the late afternoon sun. (We had spotted this vantage point when our Sevenoaks friend had directed us to tennis yesterday.)
Perth from Mt Eliza Escarpment
Swan River Estuary
The Walter Point Golf Couse is just opposite Chidley Point Reserve at the right hand (east) end of the" relativey" narrow channel that links the estuary to the sea.
The evening was sealed with a curry and beer/wine with Phil and Becks at our house following their return from two days windsurfing at Lancelin, where apparently the conditions were good.
.....................................................
28th December
The morning was spent around the house and then we went off to meet a friend from Sevenoaks who has an apartment in Perth overlooking the Swan River. She lives in Perth 6 months in the year.
She had invited us to play tennis at her club, called the Royal Kings Park Tennis Club, now part of the Next Generation Kings Park. The club is on the edge of the botanical gardens of Kings Park and was founded in 1899 and in the past has hosted international matches including the Davis Cup between Australia and visiting countries. We played in their Sunday social event and everyone was extremely friendly both on the courts and in the bar afterwards.
Sheila at Royal Kings Park Tennis Club
The courts were all grass, a rare treat for Mike & Sheila to experience but quite common in Australia.
Sheila in action (spot the ball)
.................................................
Sheila, myself, Phil and Becks took a trip to Rottnest Island, 19km off the coast of Perth/Fremantle. Phil and Becks met us at the North Fremantle Station with bikes and we all cycled down to the ferry terminal. The general public cannot drive on the island, so it is either “Shanks Pony” or cycling hence taking our bikes across on the ferry. The ferry travels at speeds up to 26knots and out stripped other motor boats that tried to out run it.
Rottnest Ferry
However, a couple of windsurfers did try it on one occasion and from the video look as though they succeeded. See the end of the follow clip around the 9:40 minute point: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck3O6s8uqpo&sns=em (Thanks Phil for the web link.)
The island is reputed to have 60 sandy beaches and 20 secluded bays and it didn’t disappoint; pure white sand and beautiful clear blue water.
Intrepid travellers take a welcome break
Accommodation is available on the island with both a hotel and chalet type buildings. Cycle ways go right around the perimeter of the island and one goes across the centre. The island is 11km in length and 4.5 km at the widest point. We cycled somewhere in the region of 15km.
Rottnest cyclists
The island is home to the Quokka as well as a colony of NZ fur seals; we saw the former but not the latter. Dolphins also visit some of the bays. The island gets its name from the Dutch word meaning rats nest, since originally the Quokka was mistaken for a large rat.
Quokka
In the centre of the island there are a number of salt lakes some with a striking pink Coloura-tion. The pinkness is due to algae called beta-carotene growing on the salt crystals.
Pink Lake
We stopped off at a couple of bays to go snorkelling and saw a range of fish.
Becks with flippers & mask
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Boxing Day
26th December
On Boxing
Day we were provided with a mystery present, which was a trip on board an 1850’s
style tall ship named the Leeuwin II.
Leeuwin II Tall Ship
The ship is used by the Leeuwin Ocean
Adventure Foundation to provide youths, aged between 14 and 25, the opportunity
to take part in a sailing programme to gain team work and leadership experience.
Typically the youth training trips last for 7 days.
Trainees on the yard (spar) sorting out the sails
The
Foundation also provide 3 hour trips for the general public with the trainees manning
the ship, which is what we were going to experience. While on the ship one can help to raise the 16
sails, climb the bow sprit, climb the mast and take a guided tour or just relax
while the crew take care of the sails.
Leeuwin's new crew
We went with
Phil and Becks and we all took part in various activities.
Hoisting the mainsail
Mike & Phil climb the mast
Sheila climbs the bow split
Some just relax!
The multitude of sheets (ropes) to raise the
sails is mind boggling with nothing labelled so the crew use rhymes to remember
the sequence of sheets.
A few of the numberous sheets
We had light
winds going out, which limited the problem in raising the main sail but after
an hour into the trip the wind got up and we were sailing at just over 4.5
knots. There were around 10 people hoisting the main sail and that still
required a good deal of effort on each person’s part.
Following
the sailing experience we took a walk around the Fremantle town.
Fremantle Town Hall
Christmas Day - 25th December
The day started with a beach party with Phil and Becks' friends and a swim in the sea, which was great to cool off.
Christmas presents
Becks prepared a tequila cocktail
to start the proceeding. Phil barbequed shrimps, snapper fillets and skewered
chicken, the latter to have with satay sauce.
Phil BBQs dinner
The ladies prepared various dips
and salad type dishes and desserts.
The ladies get dressed up for Christmas
The menu was perfect for the Perth summer climate. Dinner was taken at a leisurely
pace with visitors leaving around 10pm.
Christmas Dinner
.....................................
Wednesday 24th December
Not sure we have mentioned this but we are hosting Christmas, 6 adults and 1 child, so we undertook a bit of tidy up in the house in preparation. However, the real mystery is going to be breakfast on the beach. It sounds as though there may be many more than 6 and no clue yet as to the order of proceedings, but to avoid starving we will take a bite before, not least since Christmas Dinner is not until 4pm.
Decided to play a quick game of golf in the morning at Mosman Park Golf Course a few minutes away and overlooking the Swan River. We were given an introduction via Peter, a brother of a friend back home. Peter lives locally.
Mosman Park Golf Course
After golf we headed off to do some last minute Christmas shopping plus getting Mike a haircut by a local barber in Cottesloe. The experience was very entertaining with three barbers; one from Dublin, a second from Lancashire and a third from Italy, the latter looked as though he had already started celebrating and was busy trying to persuade the other two to finish. Sheila had decided to take a drink in the café next door, which took almost as long to arrive as the hair cut!
After a spot of lunch we headed down to Pelican Point since wind was reported. This is the location for the regular Wednesday Windsurfing Western Australian (WWA) racing.
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If you turn up on a normal Wednesday for the racing events you get a free pizza and beer – a great deal.
Phil is secretary and Becks the treasurer and we know a man who has 100 tee shirts going!
Becks at Pelican Point
The wind was a bit fickle but with a large sail or low body mass planing was feasible, neither of course applied to Mike who was sailing a 5.3m sail not to mention the body mass. A quick session on Phil’s 7.5m sail showed him what he was missing or had in excess!
We planned to meet up with a tennis friend of ours for coffee at 11am in Cottesloe but Phil had organised an early SUP lesson for Mike so we headed down to Manners Hill Park Esplanade for a quick training session. Without a windsurf sail to hang onto it's more difficult than it looks, especially against a head wind and current.
Before training....
...after.
Photographers turn next... !
In the afternoon we headed down to Pelican Point near Matilda Bay area on the river with the thought that we might catch a late afternoon breeze and go windsurfing but there was very little wind so we went for a stroll. We saw a pelican and later a couple of dolphins in the water.
Pelican Point (not stuffed!)
Young & energetic!
Dolphins at Pelican Point
Phil has furnished us with a car for the 25 days in Western Australia, owned by a guy in the UK who hasn't been in Australia for the last two years. Annabel also knows him from her days at Cambridge. The car is a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder and certainly needed some care and attention by Phil before it was worth risking taking too far.
So the cons are: it has none of the high-tech kit that we have become used to over the last 5000km of driving cars in Australia, such as iPod players, reversing camera/sensors etc. The windscreen washer doesn't work so we are carrying a bottle of water to pour over the window when it gets dirty! It needs an intricate procedure to lock it up. It has wind down windows, a barely functioning radio and a dead power socket at the front.
On the pro side: it could hit a kangaroo at full speed and not even twitch and more importantly it can carry a windsurfer inside with masts and sails. Not sure what we are going to do with the luggage yet!
Blast from the past!
We are staying in a house of a friend of Phil and Becks who have gone back to the UK for Christmas. It is very unique inside with a centre open plan area and rooms off the side. This is where Christmas will take place after a beach breakfast.
Perth accommodation
House location
The house is situated midway between the beach and Swan River with about a 5 minute walk to each. In the maps above it is at the neck where the distance between the sea and river is shortest and marked by a star. The lower star on the river side is Pier 21 where will be staying from the 11th to14th January.
We had a lazy day exploring the local area.
North Fremantle Beach
Note the ships waiting off the coast to enter Fremantle harbour.
We took a walk the other way towards the river and down to Pier 21 where we will stay at the end of our stay.
Swan River in the background
Mike aimed to get Sheila reclining on the tree but she spotted unknown bugs so declined the invite.
Brown marmorated stink bugs
It turned out that Sheila was correct not to sit down since these bugs release quite a stench when threatened! Thanks Fred (Cook) for identifying them.
No bugs on Mike
In the evening we all went into the city for dinner to meet up with Katie who was in Perth for a wedding following her trip to Everest base camp. This completed our task of seeing all of the resident family in Australian.
Finally tracked down the last of the Australian Matthews family
Sunday 21st December
On Sunday we headed down to Safety Bay. The boys had plans and Becks was taking her second kite surfing lesson further up the beach so Sheila was resident photographer.
Mike finds his sea legs again!
Phil heads out
....and lets rip
Saturday 20th December
Virgin take off..
We arrived to some of the warmest weather we had experienced since leaving Queensaland. Perth has clearly plenty of sun, sea and sand not forgetting of course windsurfing, women and wine (with a few kite surfers!)
Sand sampling on Cottesloe Beach
This page is likely to be a collection of photos as we intend to enjoy ourselves over the Christmas period. If we get inspired then we may add some words!
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