The Second week in Perth

Ok, so I've fallen behind. It's busy work, travelling and taking everything in. I put in full days! Ok, so no housework etc to speak of. Anyway, here are some of the things I got up to in my remaining time in Perth, staying with Rhonda, Brent, Hayley and Shane (not forgetting Cooper, the golden retriever). Revisited Freemantle to see exhib of Scot's artist. Then timed my visit to the Roundhouse to make myself available to be invited to discharge the signal gun at 1pm. Dropped Edinburgh's gun into the conversation, which helped. I now have the certificate to prove it. Off to Freemantle Prison, a bleak place. Convicts arriving in Australia in 1850 had the privilege of building thier own home, The Convict Establishment, later named Freemantle Prison. It was decommissioned in 1991. In the beginning, Yorkshire stone was used for ballast, and made the flagstone floors, and Jarra wood was used for ballast on the return trip. I also visited the Shipwreck Galleries, which had plenty of stories to relate, and houses the impressive remains of the Batavia, wrecked in 1629. This museum was also constructed by the convicts. The following day, Rhonda and I went for a full day out, 8am-6.30 to visit the monastery town of New Norcia, created to mission to the aborigines. The idea was to shcool white Australians and Aboriginies together, which sounds commendable. However, there were four sections - white boys; ab boys; white girls; ab girls! That night we all watched the film The Rabbit Fence, which relates to the "lost generations". I had not an awareness of children having been taken away from their parents to be "given a better life". Long road to travel again, with only one stopping place of note. Essential to fill up with petrol before any longish journey. Friday saw me at the Dolls of Japan Exhib - fabulous. On next to the Art Gallery, arriving just in time for the guided tour. All very interesting. Took note of pictures I best liked. Super meal out in Mexican at night by way of farewell dinner. Sad to leave (and no more daily avocado for my sandwiches from the tree in the garden). I was dispatched on Sat with Anzac biscuits, baked by Brent. Came in very handy for my breakfasts in Darwin YHA. Farewell, Perth.