Cars, trucks, machinery, caravans off the roll on roll off

We were amazed at the large number of vehicles that had been unloaded from
the roll on roll off ship. The mining machinery was very easy to see, also
the caravans. Beside these there were cars, trucks and machinery.

Roll on roll off Fremantle

Our cruise boat followed the Swan River down to Fremantle. Once in
Fremantle we saw some of the many boats tied up. There were a number of
container boats tied up (with Peter explaining to me which ones were similar
in size to the Rena which grounded late last year on the reef near our home
in Mt Maunganui in NZ), and also a roll on, roll off and Navy boats. The
roll on roll off didn't look that large to me, but when you saw the number
of vehicles parked on the wharf which had been unloaded from this ship it
was evident it was huge.

Captain Cook Cruise boat

The cruise boat doesn't look very big but had three levels of seating. We
were fortunate to be able to sit outside upstairs and had a great view as we
travelled up and down the river. We had caught the train into the city,
then explored the city for some time before taking the cruise and returning
to Carine by train. A great day out.

Cruising the Swan River

The city of Perth is on the shores of the Swan River. We seemed to spend
most of our time "on the water". We caught the ferry from The Esplanade to
South Perth and wandered around the restaurants and bars there. It is just
a short walk from the ferry berth to Perth Zoo so was a popular day out for
many over the Easter period. We chose not to go to the zoo but did enjoy
the ferry trip. Later in the day we took a Captain Cook Cruise down the
Swan River to Fremantle. We were able to get a good perspective of the
central business district of Perth. The trip was two and a half hours long.

Holden Car Club Display

On our first visit into central Perth on Easter Saturday there was a large
display of cars in the park adjacent to the busy wharf area of the
esplanade. Of course the cars were a magnet for Peter so we went to
explore. It turned out to be the Australia wide Holden Car Club with
something like fifty plus "old" cars on display. There were also a number
of retro caravans on display. I spent most of the time sitting under the
trees while Peter looked over the cars and chatted to some of the owners.
One guy said that he had driven his car over from Sydney for the get
together - a few thousand kilometres. He must be keen. Peter was in his
element but it would have been even better if the cars had been Fords!

A retro caravan

This amazing caravan was on display with the Holden Car Club along with
two or three others. I am just so pleased that we are not travelling with
this accommodation on wheels.

Arriving in Fremantle

We paid a visit to Fremantle and Shed E on the wharf which was the
original passenger terminal for the settlers boats. Fremantle was the main
arrival point in Western Australia for the boats arriving with the settlers.
Here Peter shares a special moment with one of the settlers.

Catching the train in Perth

We stayed in Perth for ten days. During this time we were housesitting in
Carine for a young couple who had gone to Cocos Island on holiday and we
looked after their cat, Taura, and their gold fish and of course their
lovely home. It was great to have a break from the caravan and relax in a
lovely environment. After taking the car into Perth central on Good Friday
and being shocked at the price of the parking, and the very limited time we
could find parking for (most for one hour only) we decided it was time to
use public transport. The train service in Perth is excellent and we were
close to a station and it only took eighteen minutes into the city. We were
soon experts!

Bell Tower on the Esplanade, Perth

The bell tower is a very prominent landmark in Perth. It is built on the
Swan River esplanade close to the wharves where the ferries and cruise boats
tie up and there are a number of restaurants, bars and shops. The tower is
a mixture of modern architecture and history. The bells in the tower were
given to the city of Perth from one of London's most famous churches, St
Martin in the Fields in Trafalgar Square. The bells are more than 600 years
old. The bells are rung regularly throughout the week by a group of
volunteers.

Our week in Perth

We have now arrived in Perth. We stayed Thursday night at the Central Caravan Park. This was a mistake - one the most expensive camps we have stayed in and by far the worst. Could not recommend this to anyone. Fortunately it was for one night only.

We are now house sitting for a young couple for eight days. They have gone on holiday to Cocos Island. It is a beautifully presented home and it is so lovely to be here. We are the carers for their cat and three goldfish. We plan to take in the sights of Perth while staying here.

So the weather is going to be nice. How's this for a week in April and it is autumn?

Saturday 30 deg
Sunday 29 deg
Monday 30 deg
Tuesday 33 deg
Wednesday 32 deg
Thursday 29 deg
Friday 30 deg

I shouldn't feel the cold this week!

Pinjarra

We continued our journey north from Bunbury and decided to spend the night at Pinjarra which is just 80 kilometres south of Perth. We knew nothing about this area and were pleasantly surprised just how nice the township was. The Murray River was really pleasant to wander along and the area was beautifully landscaped ready for the invasion of visitors over the Easter week-end. We would have enjoyed staying longer but we were committed to collecting our computer in Perth this afternoon so it was a no go for us.

This swing bridge crossed the river from the shopping precinct. There were BBQ's and picnic tables all along the river. A really pleasant place to visit.

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Bunbury

Another view of the beach - there is a large amount of sand dune restoration work being conducted. The Ocean Beach Road follows the foreshore for miles and is heavily built up near the town centre and we noted the extensive building work being undertaken as the housing continues along the foreshore. Come back in a few years and potentially the housing will reach Busselton!

The beach at Bunbury

It has been quite windy the last few days and there were quite large waves. The beach here in Bunbury is also closed due to the shark attack in the Busselton area which is only about 50 kilometres south. In the photo you may be able to see the ships off shore. Yesterday we counted seven but today there are only four.

Next stop Bunbury

All along the coast there are lighthouses. This one in Bunbury is quite unique as it isn't painted the normal white but checkered.

Busselton

A view of Busselton from the jetty. We stayed at the Shire caravan park on the foreshore on the left hand side of this photo. A beautiful spot within walking distance of the shopping centre, the hydroslide and playground and of course the beach.

Walking the jetty

It was extremely windy walking the jetty and you will notice how rough the sea was. The beach was closed to swimming as tragically a shark had taken the life of a young man the day before.

At the end of the jetty there is an underwater observatory. This descends eight metres to the ocean floor and we understand that there are a number of viewing windows looking out on some 300 marine species living beneath the jetty. Unfortunately for us the observatory was closed due to the high winds and the murkiness of the water and was not expected to open for a few days so we missed seeing this. Perhaps a reason to return one day.

Busselton Jetty

The tourist icon of Busselton is the historic jetty which extends 1.8 kilometres into Geographe Bay. It is heritage listed as the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Construction was completed in sections, commencing in 1865 servicing vessels going from the west to the east and also the many settlers ships that arrived. It was officially closed in 1973 and since then has been restored as a community project.

Originally the goods were taken to and from the ships by horse and dray and later these were replaced by freight trains. Nowadays there is a small tourist train running the length of the jetty. We chose not to take the train @ $11 each as we prefer the exercise and walked it instead.

Cars waiting their start times

Had a chance to talk with one of the officials while watching and to my surprise and horror asked what the entrance fee is now for a rally and at the non championship level it's $2500 bit different to what we used to pay. Now does that make me old or what!!

Park Ferme

After a nights break the drivers waiting for their start times on Sunday morning, I went over not really Gills scene at 7 am. Good chance to dream of times past

Quit rally Busseltown

After discussing whether we would backtrack to Nannup so that Peter could see one of the rally special stages (which he declined - he didn't think I was an ideal companion to watch a rally and i was not disappointed) you can imagine how delighted he was to know that there was a stage to be held opposite the caravan park we are staying in at Busselton. The caravan park is on Marine Terrace on the beach front and for two and a half hours on Saturday night they had a tarmac special stage. The cars did timed circuits of the foreshore as one of the stages of their rally. Surprisingly some of the cars were of the vintage of the Laser that Peter and Roanne used to race in New Zealand.
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