0018 Perth

Last week Nick had called us up and invited us over to Perth for his housewarming party for his and Tanja’s new home in Scarborough.  So on Thursday 16^th we flew over, and were met at Perth Airport by Nick and Tanja at about midnight. Nick had just been to indoor soccer and the pub so Tanja was driving ! Late to their new home, so after a quick tour, it was off to bed. 

Friday morning we had a bit of a sleep in (2 hour time change !!) while Nick and Tanja went to work – And then we went down to a great little café in Scarborough (Chinta) for a bite to eat.   As Nick and Tanja both managed to arrange a half day, we then had the afternoon to go shopping for supplies for the party on Saturday.  Most things we were able to get up at the Farmer’s Markets, so spent most of the afternoon up there.   Enormous "direct from farmer to public" markets, with just about everything available, including lots of fresh veggies etc.  That evening we had a yummy Indian take away - Haven't had Indian for a while !!

Saturday morning was spent cleaning up the yard and generally getting ready before people arrived at around midday.  Damien, Hannah and Poppie came over, but Poppie was pretty tired, and it wasn’t long before she fell asleep in my lap – Where she stayed for the next couple of hours !!  Luckily people brought me drink and food so I did OK !!  She hadn't seen me for some time, so I'm not sure if she realised whose lap she was falling asleep on, but it was lovely to know she felt happy enough there ! I have always been told that "men don't have laps", but it didn't seem to be a problem ! 

Nick barbecued a delicious piece of pork for an appetizer, which just melted in your mouth, and the steak he had bought at the markets was also rather tasty, while Poppie enjoyed her sausages !  People had brought several salads so there was PLENTY of food, and Hannah’s little cup cakes disappeared very quickly !!  The weather was perfect so it was a very pleasant day, and Nick and Tanja’s home was well and truly warmed ! 

The house itself is a great little duplex (one of two houses on a single block), and is set on a hill with glimpses of the ocean to the east, so on the hot summer days it should get a good breeze from the Fremantle Doctor winds that (usually) come in to cool everyone in the afternoons.   They have a lovely balcony upstairs off their bedroom that will catch the winter sun beautifully, while the garden is just big enough to allow them to grow some flowers and herbs, but not big enough to become too much hard work.  I hope they will be very happy here.   They often cycle to work in the city (about 40 minutes), but also have good access to the trains, so don’t really need to drive in at all. 

 

On Sunday morning Janet and I were up early as D, Hannah & Poppie came over at 7.30 am and we went down to Fremantle's cappuccino strip for breakfast at Gino's. Chilly at first, once the sun appeared it quickly warmed up, and we had a lovely breakfast followed by a walk down to the big park near the harbour, where Poppie had great fun on the slides & flying fox, while Hannah and D climbed the rope climbing frame !!  A great morning, and soon after we got back to Nick's home, or neighbour Susie from home came over.  She is currently working over in Perth, so she came over for the afternoon for a feed and a drink and a chat - Good to see she is surviving OK !

 Managed a walk around the neighbourhood in the morning on Monday - Always harder to keep up with the exercise when on the road !! Then Janet & I went for lunch (noodles :-) ) in Karrinyup shopping centre food hall, and then a coffee in South Perth before  a quick visit to our financial guru to make sure all our retirement funds hadn't disappeared yet !  We visited some other Perth friends on the way home, and then it was Tanja-cooked Risotto before she and Nick taught us all to play this crazy Dutch game which seems to be all about mad cows !!   Great fun, and thoroughly enjoyed the evening, although I think Janet and I need to play the game some more before we get to understand all the strategies involved !!

 

Tuesday was a lovely sunny, but cool, day – Typical West Australian autumn weather with clear blue skies - Those of you who have been there will know what I mean - Hard to beat anywhere in the world.  Janet had rather enjoyed a bottle of Nick's red wine while we were playing cards the night before, and we thought we could replace it from the local bottle shop - Only to be informed that it was only available from the winery itself - Cellar door sales only !!   Oh well - Just have to go to the winery then !!   So we set off through the very picturesque Swan Valley - No crowds or traffic at all on a Tuesday morning !  Eventually found the  Windy Creek Winery tucked away - Despite Tom Tom trying to take us the wrong way - And it was lovely.  Ruth, the owner along with her husband Tony, was charming, and as we were the only people there, we had her undivided attention.  They have a number of wines, all of which they only sell ex cellar because they find that once wine stores get involved it is all about cutting the price - They prefer to keep it friendly and local, and after tasting their wines I have to agree.  As many of you know, since my fun with my throat a few years ago I have a hard time with red wines unless I am eating, but these ones I was able to sip and enjoy in the middle of the morning, no problems !!!  So we took a mixed case of their 2011 Shiraz (Janet's favourite) and their 2011 Cab Merlot back to Nick to replace his stock - Adding a bottle of the 8 year old Port which Nick had brought out at his party on Saturday, and which we had also finished !!

Unfortunately Windy Creek doesn't do lunches, so we headed off through the delightful Swan Valley searching for some suitable sustenance  - Eventually settling on the Little River Winery which had a delightful little sheltered courtyard.  Because we were due out for dinner that evening, she just shared some pate, which was delicious.  But we tried their wines and I think that is the first time I have ever tipped wine into a bucket - Neither of us liked them at all !!   So we stuck with water !!  But a very pleasant spot on the edge of the vineyard.

After lunch, we popped in to see Paula, a friend from Dubai days,  who lives out that way, before heading home to get ready to go out to dinner with Di and Tim Howard.  They are trying to get to live in Australia since their son Guy is here, and daughter Nickie is in NZ, but it looks like they can only get in through NZ !!  Crazy.   Anyway, had a wonderful night there, with several bottles of red wine magically disappearing - Including yet another of the Windy Creek Shiraz's, which everyone agreed was outstanding. I was a good little boy and only had about 3 half glasses all night as the designated driver, which made it hard with everyone else being very well lubricated !!   Sorry to keep you up so late, Di and Tim !!!!  But it was a top evening - I think we covered most subjects didn't we ?  Including comparing all the pills we are now taking as old farts to keep us going !!!

Wednesday  morning was a bit slow after the late night, although I went up to get my eyes tested for some new reading specs (free in W.A. because our health fund is  based

in W.A., so we get some whenever we visit.)   Janet then took off to see a couple of friends in the afternoon, before it was time to return our little hire car.  D, Hannah & Poppie picked us up from the hire car place and took us home, and then later we all met up at the Floreat Tavern for dinner - Kind of family custom that we usually try to all go out for dinner on the last night before someone leaves.  We had tried to look for a good Mexican restaurant but couldn't find one, so we ended up at the Floreat Tavern near where we used to live - And it was great.  Good atmosphere, good beer, and great food.  Poppie was good - as usual - and it was just a really pleasant relaxed evening with everyone.  A fitting end to a great week.

Thursday morning was a early start as we had a 9.30 am flight home but had to avoid the rush hour traffic, which in Perth seems to be some of the worst in the country !!  D and a half asleep Poppie were at Nick's by 6.30 am and after saying a goodbye and a big thanks to Nick, D dropped us at the airport in plenty of time for some breakfast in the lounge before heading home, via Adelaide.  

Big hug of thanks to Nick and Tanja for 1) asking us over for the housewarming, 2) putting us up, and 3) giving us such a happy time xxx   So good to see you both again, and also to spend time as well with D, Hannah, and Poppie. Sorry Sarah and Benn couldn't join us - Next time ?

We got back to Brisbane at about 7 pm, and then drove an hour north to pick up Trooper from Annie's where he had been staying, and then 2 hours back south to the Gold Coast, so it was close to midnight by the time we were unpacked and got to bed - A long day.   But a GREAT week.  So happy that Nick stirred me up to come over !!  I promise not to leave it so long next time.

Oh yes - The day after we got home we couldn't help ourselves and ordered a couple more cases of Windy Creek Shiraz and Merlot to be shipped to Queensland !!

 

Rest of the photos are here. https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0018Perth?authkey=Gv1sRgCOzbj-2jt9XJ4AE#