Fremantle & Perth

We went up the Bell Tower in Perth on Tuesday which contains the bells from St Martin's-in-the -Field ( of 'you owe me 5 farthings' fame ), a gift from London several years ago. We visited Fremantle on Monday sailing down the Swan River from Perth. It took about 1 1/2 hours and this trip was a gift from our Oz family to us for Christmas! We ended up in Fremantle Prison of course. Fortunately due to good behaviour we were allowed out!!! It's now New Years Eve - where has 2008 gone. We are going out tonight into Perth to watch the fireworks at midnight in Gloucester Park which is right on the riverside - of course we are taking our pic-nic of snacks and bubbles (champagne for those non Oz speakers!!). Happy New Year to all our family, friends, readers and others!!! Here's to a good 2009. xxxxxx

Christmas feeding time for the kids.

The 6 children ready to pounce (our great nephews and nieces) - they wanted to play outside all the time and had to be ordered in to open their presents. And me at Lake Lechenaultia on Christmas Eve in the heat and the sun, feeling really homesick and missing the cold and miserable days we all love so much and the terrible wine and ------Oh Shut up Phil.........

I received lots of cards- thank you! My favourite one (besides the one you sent) said, ' Growing old is compulsory. Growing up is optional! " Dead pleased we still do have options. The adventure continues.

So this is Christmas!

It's just after 12 noon on Christmas Eve with a temperature of 26C. The shops are busy with people buying too much food and Christmas music in the background - just the same as Sainsburys - not!!! Tomorrow we are going to Tracey and Hughs for Christmas dinner 'al fresco' and a cool dip in their pool. Life is definitely a BEACH!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all our readers and everyone else too. Luv Phil & Hils xx

Vineyards and beaches.

Is this paradise or what? We have had three days in Busselton in the Margaret river area. Only about 150 vineyards to visit - we managed 7!!! Fortunately Tracey was our chauffeur (skipper in Oz).

The first photo was the Laurance vineyard, locally known as "Chick on a Stick".

The beaches in the area are absolutely fabulous.

It's now Sunday 21 December and the weather is warm and sunny; we are back in Perth with Dave & Sandy. Just been to Hillary's Boat Yard for lunch.

In the Land of Oz.

So there are strange animals in Oz after all ! All types are found in the John Forest National Park next to the Wild Flower Tavern.

We're off south today down to Busselton (gateway to the Margaret River area) for 4 or 5 nights to experience vineyards, beach and vineyards.

The biggest building site in the World

Had 3 great days in Dubai, very warm and sunny and lots of fun.
Off to Perth in the early hours of tomorrow morning.