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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Log 17-11 Perth


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!

Our first view of Perth after stepping off the train

The concourse outside the station

Looking along Murray St.

Church

Stirling Gardens

another old building


Endaevour Harbour Fremantle

Statues abound around harbour

Fremantle houses

Fremantle markets

The old goal

In the stocks

Our Perth hosts Chris & David (Jack in between)

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