Leaving Wagin we proceeded to Goomalling
for another 3 day visit before moving on to Perth. We then stayed at Midland
Caravan Park for 3 days as there was easy access to the city from there. Well,
I must comment on Perths public transport system. It was like a well oiled
machine. Obtaining a bus/tran timetable we arrived at the bus stop 5 minuted
before appointed time. Bus arrived on time, stopped at Midland r/way station
where we had 5 minutes to catch the train. Train arrived in town on schedule,
what a difference to NSW.
Alighting from the train we found ourselves
right in the middle of the city, no traipsing for blocks to get anywhere, &
what a city, visually dazzling, the concourse from the station was between 10mt
& 20mts wide, lined with shops along one side & views over the city on
the other side (You get off the station one level up). Beautiful old buildings
line the streets which have been made into a mall 3 blocks by 3 blocks. No
traffic to worry about, sidewalk cafes abound, the standard of dress (females
only) is very high & the city has a lively personality of its own. It was
Friday when we went in & we were amazed at how many people busily went
about their business.
We strolled along checking out the shops
then proceeded to parliament house & St georges Cathedral where we attended
a service for Armistice Day. We then proceeded to the waterfront to see the
Swan River. Ferries go from here to South Perth, Fremantle & Rotnest
Island. Then it was time for lunch, a little more sightseeing & the trip
home. No holdups, connections the same.
Saturday we were a little more adventurous
& proceeded to Fremantle by train, no problems, no holdups. We checked out
the famous markets there, the Perth yacht club & Endeavour Harbour. We’ve never
seen so many boats, all pleasure cruisers & boats up to 25 feet are kept in
racks 2 high! There must have been thousands of vessels! After walking around
for the best part of 5 hours we turned for home arriving at the station with
just 1 minute to spare. For some reason the train lost 10 minutes on the
journey to Perth & the another 5 to Midland. When we arrived the bus had
left & the next one was 1 ½ hours later! After ½ an hour & a lot of
mucking about we managed to get on a bus for a different route that passed near
the caravan park & so ended our day.
Sunday we proceeded to David &
Christines (friends of David & Sally) place at Forrestfield where we will
spend the last few days before flying home. Truck needs tyres & another
service so we will try to get these things done.
David & Chris have turned out to be
very nice people (of course) who regularly have club members stay on their
property, as we drove in we saw a sign pointing out where we should park so
that power & water were easily available. Dave is in the process of
remodeling his 5th wheeler & is doing a fantastic job. We’ve
spent 3 days at C & D’s place getting new tyres, having Wherarwee serviced
again & generally getting ready for our flight home for Zamira’s wedding.
Chris was very nice & took us to the airport on the morning of our flight.
Flight was uneventful & we finally arrived home around 8PM. No power, no
hot water, nothing to eat!
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| Our first view of Perth after stepping off the train |
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| The concourse outside the station |
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| Looking along Murray St. |
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| Church |
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| Stirling Gardens |
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| another old building |
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| Endaevour Harbour Fremantle |
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| Statues abound around harbour |
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| Fremantle houses |
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| Fremantle markets |
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| The old goal |
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| In the stocks |
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| Our Perth hosts Chris & David (Jack in between) |
