End of week one in Perth- and what a week!

Hi all. Everything still fab, and I'm finding getting around so easy. Last Sunday, amongst other things we went to Freemantle. We were fortunate enoughto arrive there intime to hear the one o'clock gunbeing fired. In the lead up Edinburgh gets a mention. Then we went for the most amazing lunch of fishand chips-I had the fresh sardines. We popped into an art exhibition and noted that a Scot's woman has an exhib on this coming week. I'm going back there tomorow (Mon) to view, and to visit Freemantle Prison. I might even have a fish and chip lunch! Mon I went into Perth city centre, visiting firstly the Museum for exhib A Day in Pompeii. I then wandered around, orientating myself with train, underground and bus travel. Tues I took train to the end of one of the lines to Mandurah. Part of it is called Little Venice. I took a short cruise which takes you out for an hour and aim is to see dolphins. We managed to spot one, along with pelicans and cormorants. Wed I took the ferry over to Rottnest Island to see the quokkas, which are prolific there as no predators. They are a mini kangaroo which looked to the dutchman who noted them there like large rats, hence the name of the Island. I took the tour bus round the Island, and saw amongst other things, three osprey nests all out on rocks, an osprey in the distance, a pod of dolphins, tea trees, and fabulous views of the Indian Ocean. Thurs I went into Perth again, and took myself on a self guided tour, and saw buildings and places of note, ending at the Perth Mint, where we saw a gold pouring demo. Sadly, no free coins!

Thurs late afternoon and evening I met up with Iain, Claire and their daughter Aisha. We had coffee in lovely place called Indiana Tearoom. After walking the dogs, we returned to house for bubbly, and off for meal out I had my first meal of Barramundi.

Friday, I managed to find my way to Lake Monger. According to bus driver I was on not the best bus, and the person at Info "didn't know what they were talking about"! Not to mind, he fust called to the passengers where would be the best place for me to alight. Lovely walk right round lake, and saw lots of birdlife. Sat saw Rhonda, Brent, Shane and myself off a 7am to make the journey to Wave Rock. We returned at 6.30pm having covered 735klms. What a fab day out. We stopped a couple of times along the way, but the townships are small. Fortunately, Rhonda had packed us all a good picnic, knowing this would be the case. Wave Rock is a huge rock, part of which has been eroded to create a huge "wave". We then went on to visit a cave with aboriginal painting. What a day out. Thanks to Brent for all the driving. Today, we have caught up with chores, then off out to a market where we bought fresh fruit, nuts, veg and cranberries. I have been made so welcome by the whole family. I will post a range of photos.