We Should Have Known!

The day dawned hot and we headed out to Garvey Park to take breakfast at the cafe of the Ascot Kayak Club situated overlooking the Swan River. Waiting for our Eggs Benedict we became aware of some unusual birds who started to creep in from some distance. It soon became clear that these were the Western Australian version of the M****e. This did not presage well for the day ahead. By the way the food was grand.

Bird of Ill Omen

Members of Ascot Kayak Club

By the time breakfast was over the temperature had risen to about 38 degrees C so heading to the coast in search of the Fremantle Doctor, ( an afternoon breeze that comes in off the sea and cools down the coast). On the way out there we picked up Eleanor's daughter, Lucy.

Fremantle, like many centres of sailing activity is a great spot to wander around, always something of interest to stop your strolling and in this heat catch your breath.

Does what it says on the label - great fish and chips

Lucy, Sheila and Eleanor entice me into Microbrewery

So we slowly ambled around the town taking breaks to sample locally produced beers and freshly caught fish. There are lots of lovely examples of older buildings here as well as some striking new constructions.

Tram alongside canopied arcade

Canopies and decks

Maritime Museum

The day was not yet over, one of Eleanor's other daughters, Amy, had invited us over for an evening enjoying that age old Aussie tradition, the Barbie. Eleanor also suggested that Amy and her partner Graham had access to a multiplicity of television channels that might even include ones that showed English soccer as they know it out here. Match days are always difficult particularly when they are away matches, you always seem to have less control over affairs.

Our evening was fun, Amy and Graham are great company and they regaled us with tales of their recent exploits. Amy who owns a rental property has some lovely stories and some of disappointing clients, but best of all was the rental applicant who detailed his pets that would be moving in with him, cats, dogs and a GOAT. Eat your heart out Roddie Doyle.

They had recently returned from a friend's wedding on the Pacific Island of Vanuatu. Prompted by our Toga Tale Amy decided to display the costume that all the female guests had to wear as part of the wedding ceremony.

Vanuatan wedding attire

Friends and Good Company

Carefully watching the passing of time we approached the hour of 11p.m. and Sheila tentatively raised the subject of football and sure enough the whole of the game that we were interested in was playing live so we all repaired inside to watch the proceedings. WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN!