Perth to Albany

A 

What a beautiful city Perth is, only problem was the streets and shops all had undulating footpaths and floors, maybe I'd been at sea for too many days or I'll blame the sinus.  I did a trip to Perth city from Freo which included a visit to Kings Park and a trip along the river back to Fremantle.  It was incredibly hot so the river trip was a relief.  I have to say, however, that so many people did the trip up river it was difficult to get a seat and to hear the commentary.  I was amazed at how wide the Swan River is but some of the homes were also amazing.
From Perth the next stop was Bunbury where I spent Melbourne Cup day enjoying a bus trip to 2 wineries in The Margaret River region. It really was an enjoyable day sitting beside the tour guide and driver and running a sweep, and having a sing-a-long and teaching the Yanks Ozzie slang.  Our guide was an amusing, intelligent gentleman of advanced years who loved guiding as his wife had dementia and he said he loved speaking to people who would remember what he said.  I also enjoyed the wineries and managed to bring a couple of bottles back on board for later consumption. Try explaining to the Americans why the ladies were so dressed up for a cup luncheon miles away from the race!!!  Another visit which included food & alcohol and so worth it.

This gentleman Piped the ship into Port,
then entertained outside the church, then piped us out again.

Albany was the next stop and I chose not to do a tour but did do some shopping.  Great 'Rivers' store and a fab boutique where things were just that bit different.  I was amazed at how hilly it was and how friendly the locals were.  What was interesting too was that some of the touristy people who'd been in Bunbury were also in Albany. The Piper is an epileptic and this is how he subsides his pension.

On to Adelaide.  But first a promise to return to the West.

Darwin to Broome

Broome a place of contrasts, from the magnificent blue of the ocean to the dry rural a few minutes away.  We drove to a mango plantation where I kept my hands in my pockets and didn't sample any food or drink, or even touch any soap.  Didn't want to be sick but was envious of the others who sampled everything.

Matso Brewery (Ginger Beer)

I can understand why people who have been to Broome say they want to go back, although I don't know that living there would be easy.  Probably a bit like Groote Eylandt, which was great, and you made your own life, friends and activities.  Fishing would be awesome.  I'd probably be addicted to Ginger, maybe even get an allergy to that too, in the form of the Matso Brewery Ginger Beer.  Very delicious and very alcoholic.

We didn't see the famous sunset.  It was too cloudy and windy, even for the beach but we did have a yummy BBQ above the beach and more Ginger Beer.  You might guess by now I enjoyed the beer. In fact every excursion ashore involved food of the locality.  This wind was the precursor to the winds and seas we enjoyed sailing down the W.A. coast.  It was deemed too rough to go into Exmouth so I didn't get to Yardie Creek Gorge, another time maybe.  Perth next.

16 Weeks Yesterday

4 months to go I wonder if months, weeks or days will make it come quicker?  Just spent today at DFO near the airport and met a friend of Katrina's who took up travelling in 2007 and tells me she met, & is still in contact with, a very nice Greek Man.  She's almost my age, give or take a few years, hope for us all.

Any hoo got to Darwin where James (my brother) picked me up and we had a great day together. Shopped, talked and visited his house.  Luckily we were berthed at the cattle wharf as it was closer to his place.  Only problem was no civilians allowed in and I had to sit in the dickie seat on the bus back from the security hut.  Left my shopping in his car but he managed to get it to me. Just love Darwin, so laid back and has happy memories for me.

A NT Sunset.

Working my way around

Thanks Tez but I also see many stars, from the bow of a ship, as we sail majestically around this huge country of ours.  No dust, no flies only salt spray & I'm on a salt free diet!!!!

Port Douglas, how splendid is this place?  Just love the quaintness, although becoming more touristy.  I managed to entertain a bus load of fellow cruisers with my chat to the bus driver who was married to the girl who lived next door to us on Groote Eylandt.  We spent the entire drive around discussing this one & that and he had been a friend of my brother Charles who died in1984.  It added to the charm, the laid back North Queensland individual characteristic.  Have always loved the area.

Main St. Port Douglas from the Pub.

From here it was around the Top and through the Strait.  Just awesome.  You can actually see PNG, in the distance.

Nothing much to do while sailing across the Gulf of Carpentaria except look at the sky, snooze, read a book, get a bit burnt. I was definitely in holiday mode by this stage.

You'll be sorry

My one & only follower has commented that my blog is lacking.  I'm only learning & I'm not the classy photographer that he's travelling with but I can certainly regale you with my travel photos.  If I do Oz first it's so that I can get it out of my system.  My style is cruising rather than 4WD & Van, although the size of room & shower etc are probably on a par, my advantage is someone else cleans it and makes my bed.

Sailing up Brisbane River you seem to go for miles before finally getting to the Bridge.

Sailing from Sydney to Brisbane, close to the coast, is spectacular and to see Byron Bay from the water is an unreal experience.  Much rather do it on Sun Princess than our old boat.

                      Versus

Brisbane to Airlie Beach, again quite close to the coast and absolutely beautiful.  Airlie has changed so much since 2004, more buildings , more people and Lagoon Area for safe swimming.  Turns out my 2nd cousin is a Life Guard there.

Next post will be in Port Douglas.

Who's Counting

Only me 123 days to go.  2nd payment made only 2 more to go and that's it.  I just can't wait my main issue now is travel insurance; do I do just the time of the cruise or do 12 months, which is slightly cheaper and then try to fit more trips in !!!

Pleased to have my other bloggers back on line as I'd started worrying about their lack of contact only to find they have been gem hunting & been relatively successful, for beginners. (me being completely novice, but jealous).

My life is in turmoil at the moment with travel, soccer, school and general life issues I'm not sure where I am going.  Oh I know...On a cruise in 123 days.

Kings Park, Perth WA 3/11/09
See Australia first

Nothings changed

Still weeding and scrubbing the pool.  I have discovered muscles I never knew I had from trying to stop sliding under water.  I've just spent the night up close & personal with the loo & I'm sure it wasn't the wine, must be unfamiliar exercise. It might help restore the figure.

From the observation deck of Q1 Surfers Paradise