Rupan's birthday trip to the Turquoise Coast

On Boxing Day Rupan requested a trip to The Pinnacles for her birthday. So Boxing Day morning we headed in the car (now named 'Bluey' as we can't think of a better name!) for its first road trip. The first stop was at Lancelin to look at the sand dunes where people were sand surfing and riding dune buggies. Bluey had his first off road trial at the dunes.

Steve on a sand dune

Bluey at the sand dunes

There were a couple of really nice lookouts along the way - Nilgen, Wedge Island and Kangaroo Point - where we decided to have lunch although as we were being attacked by flies it was a bit rushed!

The next town along our route was Cervantes. Although the town itself doesn't have much in it, there is Lake Thetis that has stromatolites growing in it. These are thought to be the oldest living organisms on earth.

Finally we reached the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park. Here there are hundreds of limestone pillars poking out of the sand - some even taller than Rupan. They are thought to have formed from compacted seashells that have been eroded by wind and rain millions of years ago. Amazing - looked a bit like a 1970s sci-fi film set and we half expected William Shatner to pop out from behind one of the pinnacles! We definitely want to come back and see the pinnacles at sunset.

Lake Thetis

The Pinnacles

Bluey at the Pinnacles

Our final destination for the day was Edith's B&B in Green Head. We stopped off at Grigson's lookout on the way there where we got a 360 degree view of the surrounding coastline. Green Head is a small fishing village and we managed to catch the sunset on the beach with a couple of beers before a delicious fish basket supper that Edith had made for us.

The following morning Steve had arranged for us to go swimming with sealions. The water was a little bit chilly, but we donned our wetsuits and spent a couple of hours snorkelling with the sealions at Essex Rocks - very cool!

On the way home we had a picnic at Ledge Point - finally no flies and no sand - think we may have cracked this picnic malarky!!

Our final stop was at Yanchep National Park. We arrived a bit late at 4pm, but the ranger told us that the park is open all night and that just before sunset the koalas and kangaroos are coming out to play - yay! We saw koalas sleeping wedged in eucalyptus trees, kangaroos and joeys bouncing around and even went for a walk around the lake. Steve was happy twitching with his binoculars and spotted a kookaburra and a galah - proper Aussie stuff!

Fireworks, Woodman Point and Christmas

This week we saw the end of the sailing world championships in Fremantle and we were surprised with a fireworks display that was visible from our balcony.

Rupan's work has been winding down for the festive period - can you believe that there is theatre and clinic shut down for 2 weeks? To celebrate we went for a work Christmas dinner at 'Harvest' where Steve had sheep brains washed down with a mojito.

Santa came a little early in Fremantle (well it is a few hours ahead of the UK) and left us a shiny new car. It is a blue one (Steve says it is a KIA Sportage 4x4) but sadly no magic wing mirrors or lights! Our first trip in the car was to 'The Boatshed' just don't ask what the bill was - It is Christmas!

View of our apartment

Pelicans

Christmas Eve day was spent cycling down to Woodman Point which is south of Fremantle. We have included a picture of our flat viewed from across the Swan River. Rupan did very well and didn't fall off once much to Steve's disappointment. It was Rupan's longest cycle ride to date - 30Km! We spotted some friendly pelicans on the way and stopped off at 'Little Creatures' for a few refreshments on the way home.

Later on that evening, Helga Weaving had a Christmas Eve party in her new flat in Cottesloe - fantastic balcony overlooking the Indian Ocean. We even had a roast turkey dinner and Rupan bumped into a face from the past - Malcolm Rivers - a fellow Sheffield Graduate and work colleague from 11 years ago in Hervey Bay QLD. It is a small world and was great to catch up.

Christmas morning was kicked off with bucks fizz and smoked salmon and eggs for breakfast. We were also treated to a view of the dolphins from the balcony. We then ventured to the beach with a picnic packed in the new Esky. Love the fact that we are now officially 'fair dinkum'! It turned out to be really quite windy and hence we probably ate as much sand as we did food!

Fair Dinkum Aussie Esky

Christmas day on Point Beach

And to finish off Christmas day - a few shrimp on the barbie - bliss.

Hope you have all had a great Christmas xx

Merry Christmas from Down Under!

We wish you all a fantastic Christmas.

Although we are missing the Northern Hemisphere Festivities, we are planning an Aussie day - off to the beach with a picnic in a bit, and planning on putting a Shrimp on the Barbie later this evening!! There will be (as always) photos to follow!!

Cheap beer and King's park

Steve has been waking up early because of the heat and took a lovely picture of the sunrise - Rupan slept through no problem! Steve has also made friends with a pelican that seems to live on the river just in front of our flat.


 Friday night we discovered the 'blue room' (i.e. the junior doctor's mess). Much cheaper drinks than in town and some amusing cheesy dancing with tinsel and a pole form the theatre nursing staff! Also had the biggest pizza slices we have ever seen.....

War Memorial King's Park

Sunday was our energetic day - we cycled into Fremantle and got the train to Subiaco (one of the Western Perth suburbs). From there we cycled to King's Park and spent the afternoon exploring the park on the bikes. Apparently it is the largest inner city park in the world (bigger than Central Park) and has the botanical gardens within it. In the summer there is an open air cinema and theatre, so we are looking forward to going back and exploring some more.  

King's Park





We then caught the ferry back to North Fremantle (the jetty is just across the river from our flat) and stopped in at the Left bank for a glass of Margaret River wine on the way home. what a lovely day!

BBQ and the Margaret River

We finally got a small BBQ to go on the balcony - feel like proper Aussies now!! Mind you, it was a bit of a struggle to find a simple charcoal one, all the shops sell massive gas monsters.

The Barbie

This weekend we spent a couple of nights in the Margaret River wine region. It is just over three hours drive south of Fremantle, so we hired a car and drove down after work on Friday.

Saturday was spent on a 'Bushtucker Tour' where we visited several wineries and a cheese and chocolate factory - yum! At lunch we had a close encounter with a witchety grub - not so yum. Neither of us was brave enough to sample it, but we did eat some kangaroo instead..

We ended the evening with dinner at 'Must' and saw the lunar eclipse on the way home!

On Sunday, we went to 'Lake Cave' which is an underground limestone cave system that has spectacular stalagtights and stalagmites - one of 6 caves that are open to the public in the region.

On the way home we stopped by Dunsbrough and Bussleton to check out the dive shops- hopefully will start diving after Christmas!

Voyager Estate

Xanadu

Steve and the Witchety Grub

Colonial Brewery

Lake Cave

Movember comes to an end...

This week Steve finally shaved his ginger/grey mo off and here are the full mo, half mo and total eclipse mo shots....

This weekend has been a bit of a work Christmas party weekend. Saturday night was the theatre Christmas party at the Swan Yacht Club, followed by a lovely afternoon at Harvey Coates' place in Mosman Park. It is a short cycle ride along the north bank of the Swan river from our flat and Rupan only fell of the once - again when stationary!

Bikers

Friday 18^th November 2011

We bought bikes! Steve can’t wait to see the Rupes on a bike – should be both interesting and amusing!

Oi! Less of the poking fun and more moral support – I’m planning on cycling to work every day and haven’t really been on a bike since I was about 10!!

Saturday 19^Th November 2011

We took a bike ride up to Cottesloe. Had a coffee at Indiana on Cottesloe Beach followed by fish & chips. No Rupan bike related incidents to report!

Sunday 20^th November 2011

Fremantle Market.

Monday 21st November 2011

Rupan’s first day cycling to work. Now many of you know Rupan has no sense of direction and bikes do not come with a Tom Tom. So Steve had to get up early to ensure Rupan got to work safely and on time.

Tuesday 22^nd November 2011

Rupan used Steve Steve to navigate to work.

Friday 25^th November 2011

Rupan spent the last two days up north in Carnarvon. More ear health work and meeting the Aboriginal Medical Services team.

Saturday 26^Th November 2011

We took a bike ride up the Swan River up to Point Walter. Walked to the end of the sand spit then had lunch at Walter’s Riverside Café. Not sure how but Rupan fell off her bike and she was at a stop – I think she forgot to put her feet down and just keeled over??

Sunday 27^th November 2011

We were supposed to go whale watching today but it got cancelled as there had been no whales sighted in the last few days – boo! We did come across a weird sight in Freo – A Santa Fun Run. It was a surreal experience seeing Santa’s running up the main street in Freo. We visited The Ship Wreak Museum before have a fish & chip lunch at Kallis Bros.

Tuesday 29^Th November 2011

Rupan got to work all by her self – well done Rupan! No more early mornings for Steve Steve.

Wednesday 30^th November 2011

Steve went into Perth CDB to see an Agent about getting a job. Felt positive after the interview but we will have to wait and see.

Thursday 1^st December 2011
Steve shaved the mo!

Friday 2^nd December 2011

Rupan has been poorly since the weekend and now Steve has the bug too – but much worse of course as it has mutated!

Point Walter

Santa Fun Run

Santa Fun Run

Doepel Street

Friday 11^th November 2011

Moving Day! After picking up the keys we made our way to our home for the next eight months 405/6 Doepel Street, North Fremantle. It’s a two bed apartment with an open plan kitchen, diner and lounge and a balcony overlooking the Swan River. We discovered there was no electricity! After numerous phone calls and a visit from an electrician we had power but had wasted most of the day!

Saturday 12^th November 2011

We had hired a car for a couple of days to make moving easier. We made our way to Ikea early to avoid the rush, then the supermarket and the bottle shop. The apartment needed a lot of essentials: linen, towels, pots, pans, glasses, plates, food and crates of beer etc. After a day spent shopping we spent the evening sailing up the Swan River on Helga’s sail boat.

Sunday 13^th November 2011

Unpacked - we now have a functioning home and a fridge full of food and beer!

Tuesday 15^Th November 2011

Rupan spent the last two days up north in Karratha, where she worked with a fab team meeting indigenous children in schools and treating their ear disease. Quite sad to see the discrepancy in health care between urban and rural Australia, and man was it hot!

Steve lounging about

The main bedroom

View from our balcony

View from our balcony

Rupan and Tahlia in Karratha

Modupe, Jafri and John in Karratha

Work - Boo!

Monday 31^st October 2011

Rupan had to start work, whilst I continued looking for a place to rent. We still had not heard if our Doepel Street application was successful.

Tuesday 1^st November 2011

Yay! Our application was approved. We were both very relieved. We could not move in until 11^th November and needed somewhere to stay in the interim as we were due out of the Cottesloe apartment on 5^th November. We booked in at Adelaide Apartments in Fremantle. We finally felt that we had arrived now that we had somewhere permanent to live.

Friday 4^th November 2011

Steve continued “exploring” the pubs in Fremantle (Freo). Little Creatures, Sail and Anchor, The Norfolk and The Monk - a lot of Aussie bars brew their own beer. His favourites are Little Creatures Pale Ale, Fat Yak and Nail Ale. He even made a friend, one of the local amputee wheelchair bound drunks – is that legal being legless in charge of a wheel chair?

Steve even made time to check out the Freo coffee bars. The Attic is his favourite – great coffee and yummy homemade muffins. So he has got into a routine coffee, lunch, an afternoon beer with his Kindle and then he meets Rupan from work. He will have to start looking for work soon….

Sunday 6^th November 2011

We said good bye to Cottesloe and hello Adelaide Apartments. The apartment was over a Chinese restaurant which we must try and only a short walk to the Hospital for Rupan.

Cottesloe

Monday 24^Th October 2011

We arrived in Perth in the early hours of Tuesday and took a taxi to Cottesloe. Our home for the next two weeks was an apartment overlooking the Indian Ocean – nice!

Tuesday 25^th October 2011

After less than 24 hours in Australia we bump into a familiar face. We were walking home and spotted Helga Weaving in the pub – a mate from Sheffield University that Rupan hadn’t seen in a few years, what a small world – she is one of the A&E (or ED as they call it here) consultants at Freo hospital. Looking forward to a proper catch-up.

Sunday 30^Th October 2011

What a Busy week! We set up a bank account, internet access, mobile phones, completed hospital paper work and inductions, looked for a dive club and looked for a permanent place to rent. The rental market here is bonkers! It’s very expensive! Viewings are at set times and you may be viewing a property with several other people, all of whom may hand in an application! Crazy I tell you!

We did have time to explore, checking out the local pubs and restaurants, walking along the beach, visiting central Perth and Fremantle. We liked Fremantle and decided we wanted to rent somewhere close by. We found a place in North Fremantle, Doepel Street and put in an application on the Friday.

We also took a trip over to Rottnest Island home of the Quokka. We hired a couple of bikes and cycled around the island exploring the many bays and beautiful beaches – and we saw Quokkas too!

The view from our holiday let in Cottesloe

You can take the man out of Essex...

View of the Indiana on Cottesloe Beach

Rottnest Island

Me on a bike!

Quokka