Home......A little early!!

Well for those who don't know I actually got home a week ago. I left Australia on 7th June and flew to Venice, which is beautiful. I spent 3 days in Venice and after joining my Budget Expedition tour I realised that it was pretty much a party tour, would've gone with Contiki if thats what I wanted, and although I would've gone to some amazing places, I would've been stuck with a load of pissed people and it really isn't how I want to see Europe.
I have decided that I will go there myself and see it the way I think it should be seen.
So my parents had a slight surprise last Sunday, 10th, when I rang to say I would be home!! I am pleased I did though and don't regret it.
I then was able to continue surprising people. We called Dan that night then a couple of days later I think my Nan almost fell over!!! We went to Paul's, cousin, 30th birthday so saw alot of the family there and we had a bbq on Saturday so been pretty busy but back to reality.
I ahve applied for a few jobs, also applied to get the jobseekers allowance!!! Am still trying to sort out all my stuff and through my photos!
Just thought I'd let you all know I am back in the UK, enjoying the rainy summer. Have been going out jogging and will get back into cycling as really wanna get back into shape and already feel better with the little I have done.
Speak to/see you all soon.
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Perth, Melbourne and now Hervey Bay!!! Goodbye Australia!!!!!!

Ok so I have been a bit slack so I am just going to give you a quick rundown of what I have done as don't have easy internet access.
Well I was in Perth for about another 3 weeks. I went to Fremantle Markets, sprnt time in Cottesloe, went to Perth Zoo and saw Pink in concert, really entertaining. I enjoyed the rest of my time in Perth but without being able to find any work I decided to leave earlier than planned. I caught a plane on 23rd April to Melbourne.
I spent a week in Melbounrne where I visited and hung out with friends, wnjoyed the city, had anzac day, went to the immigration museum and had a few beers - it was really nice to see people again and relax. So I left Melbourne early on 1st May and flew up to Brisbane.
I spend a few days on the Sunshine Coast, on my way to Hervey Bay, in Mooloolaba and Noosa which was quite nice. I have been in Hervey Bay/Maryborough ever since spending time with Kristine and Kelly. I have been walking and cycling (all the free stuff). Last weekend Kristine and I spent some time on the sunshine coast, went to markets etc. We also went to Australia Zoo which was really good - we met Terri Irwin and saw Bindi, funny. I really enjoyed the zoo though.
Now I am on the home straight since I will be home in 5 weeks!!! Am really looking forward to it. I am spending the rest of my time in Oz here in Hervey Bay so this will prob be my last post on my website until I am home and doing one about my Europe trip, for those I can't see for a while.
I hope everyone is well and for those at home, I guess I'll see you soonish!!
Take Care
Dawn
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Margaret River, Wave Rock, My Birthday, York......Perth

Ok so to continue..... We headed out of Shark Bay and drove down, through Geraldton, to Dongara where we found accommodation I beleive in the Lazy Lobster!! It was a sweet little 2 bed cabin and v cheap, we even got a complimentary Crayfish which Mum and I tried - yuck no thank you!! I cooked dinner for a change, well we didn't have a bbq so Dad wasn't as excited as normal, but I made a lovely meal!!
We stayed in Dongara a night and then after getting ourselves sorted we were off again around 9 the next morning!
We kept driving down past Perth and onto Bunbury where again we got a 2 bed cabin - a little more expensive this one. Part of the BIG 4 group! We wandered around Bunbury, saw another dolphin - I'm sure they followed us, did some internet stuff and then went to the cinema where I got my way and we watched Hot Fuzz - very funny and we were in fact in Wells when they were filming it which was cool (at the time we thought it had a stupid name!!).
After a good nights sleep in Bunbury we went for a little walk, through some Mangroves. Dad went to get the car while Mum and I walked to the centre, we saw 2 more bloody dolphins!!! We looked round a couple of shops, got some lunch etc and then headed off again - on the road again.
We stopped to eat our lunch at the side of the road in the forest which was beautiful. We arrived at Margaret River around 1.30 so we couldn't get into the house, Settlers Corner, yet so after driving up to have a nose at it we popped to the information centre to check out some wine tours (Dad decided to drive in the end so we could do what we wanted - good lad!)and after a little walk up the high street we ended up in a pub for a drink.
Once we had finished Dad went to get the car while Mum and I walked up to the house, we arrived around the same time. We got the key and got into the house. It was a pretty cool house, really quite large. It had a large lounge, dining, kitchen area upstairs with a nice balcony (Mum has pictures), Mum and Dads bedroom with en suite and the laundry on the middle floor then 2 more double rooms, a bathroom and games room with ping pong along with a patio bbq area on the lower level. We were all quite impressed. Dad and I had a game of ping pong right away, obviously not a proper game!!!
We chilled out a bit in the afternoon, Dad walked down to the shops and then Mum and I played ping pong - I laughed so hard I cried and my stomach hurt!!
We enjoyed a really good bbq dinner and then watched 16 blocks which is pretty good. A very lovely relaxing evening!!
We then had a leisurely morning and left the house around 10. We began to drive towards Augusta but stopped at a winery, Hamelin Bay, on the way to do some tasting - I loved one of teh wines here. The Rampant White, we got a bottle!! It was a really beautiful setting.
We continued down and drove through Augusta onto Cape Leeuwin which is the most South-Westerly point in Australia and also where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean which was pretty cool I thought. There is also the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse which you can pay to get into, we just paid to get into the grounds. We walked down passed the lighthouse and went onto, Dads fav, the rocks. We wandered around all the rocks, watched the crashing waves. We walked right round the point and then headed back up towards the lighthouse. Once we were back at the entrance we decided to walk to the old Water Wheel which wasn't too far. It looked like the wheel had frozen with mud rather than ice, it was quite interesting. So after a few photos etc we went back to the car.

We drove back through Augusta again and went up the Caves Road. We drove for quite a while through the forest area before we reached the Lake Cave and got parked. We got some tickets and then headed down the 300 steps into the Cave, meeting our guide halfway down. Apparently due to the very bad drought here in Oz the Lake Cave is drying up and we witnessed that a little when we went inside as one side doesn't have water in it, its quite sad. We wandered through the cave stopping at certain points to be told different facts. It isn't a very deep cave so we sat at the back for a bit while all the lights changed around us and then went off so we could experience it in the dark, it was odd because there was still a glow from the entrance although faint. Once we had finished the tour it was time to head back up the 300 steps, a bit of a workout. We had a little lunch in the cafe there.
We kept going along the Caves Road and stopped at a few more wineries on the way. The first one called Eagle something didn't have anyone there - just a phone number so we gave it a miss. We also stopped at both the Redgate and Zanadu wineries and tried a few wines, bought a few as well. It was actually a really nice relaxed day.
We drove back to Margaret River, stopping at the supermarket briefly, got back and had some wine obviously! We ate another delicious bbq and then relaxed watching the Joanna Lees programme. I could smell smoke, from burning wood, outside my bedroom window when we had gone to bed - I got Dad up and everything. I think it could've been a bush fire somewhere but didn't hear of any.
The next day we got up, packed, had some breakfast, played some ping pong and then said goodbye to our nice retreat at 9.30. We drove back up to Bunbury and then turned East inland through Mollie. We had a long driving day today....
We stopped for lunch in a tiny town and arrived in Wave Rock at 4ish. We booked into a cabin and unpacked the car.
We went for a walk up to Wave Rock, played on it a bit, and walked round to the right then up on top of the rock. We watched the sunset which was quite nice and wandered around on top for a while. Just as we were heading off of the rock a low dark cloud of dust or smoke or just cloud came over us really quickly so we moved a bit faster. It bought a chill with it as well! we got back to our cabin and had an interesting meal made by Mum, tasted better than we thought it would!! Had some more wine before bed.
Happy Birthday to Me!! I was woken up by Mum being all excited as she gets!! I opened my cards and couple of pressies - just want to thank everyone that managed to get something to me!!! We had some breakfast, packed up the car and checked out. We left the car while we went for a walk. We walked to Wave Rock again but then round to the left this time. We went to Hippos Yawn before crossing the road and following some board walk round the vastness around. It was pretty cool, and cold too!! We saw a couple of wild Kangeroos so that was nice. We walked right round in a circle back to the car.
We left Wave Rock and drove through Narembeem, Bruce Rock and on to York which is the oldest inland town of WA, 1831!! We parked up and had a wander, also grabbing some lunch. We then went off to find accommodation, Dad had one in mind so we left him do his thing!! We got there and he drove round to the self catering cottage, Peppercorn Cottage, and parked up..... I was saying to him that surely we should go and ask first but him with his usual 'I know something' voice said I don't think so! Well then I knew I'd been taken for a fool - why didn't I know!! Anyway, they had booked this cottage from home as a surprise for my birthday, it was just lucky that I had also choosen York to go through. We went inside and I had a few more cards, thank you again!! We settled into the sweet little cottage on the hill.
We went for a walk into town where we walked across the suspension bridge, v proud of Mum!, along the river a little and then back. We then relaxed for the afternoon. We showered and dressed to go out for dinner. We walked down again and went to the Settlers Inn, bear in mind this was 7pm, and it was closed in fact it was a bit of a ghost town - we thought maybe there was a curfew and we'd get into trouble. We had walked past the Castle which had a pub so decided to head back there since nothing else seemed open. We actually had a good meal and yet more wine! It was good. We had some of my Orange and poppyseed cake later, or for me the next day as was very full up! We chilled out later at the cottage. Thank you Mum and Dad for a lovely birthday although it was just nice to be with you guys!!
The next morning we had decided to see if we could stay another night, we could thankfully in the same cottage. We relaxed in the morning and then walked down to York, through a field this time which meant us climbing a fence at the end - when will we learn!!??
We had a look round York Motor Museum and then the old jail and courthouse. I enjoyed both and it was all very laid back. We played a board game in the jail which I won - hahahahahaha!!! We went again to the suspension bridge which we walked over and then back, Mum was getting daring!! We had a bit of a walk along the river, although we lost the river quite early on and I didn't find it again - think it was dry! We walked back down the high street and decided to head back to Settlers Inn for lunch, it was open and much busier. We had a yummy lunch there!!
We had a very lazy evening watching tv and having beans on toast later!! I really wanted to watch 24 but my eyelids fell so early on!!
In the morning we drove towards Perth. We stopped for some breakfast but by this time it was 11.30, well done Dad, so we had brunch!! It was still quite nice though. We went to a national park, need to look up the name, where we went for a walk to the waterfall - with no water. It was a pleasant walk until the ants took over, there were so many and one got on me and just bit me - little shit! So it was a game of keep your feet moving. We ended up walking up a hill, quite a tough one as we always do. It was a nice walk though, just a shame there is no water! We got back to the car, all huffing and puffing, and drove on to Perth. We stopped on the way at a car wash, one of the ones with the powerful water hoses, and what fun I had there cleaning the car - it was awesome and the car was happy to be clean! We headed straight to Cottesloe Beach and I booked into the hostel from the next day. The beach was beautiful and we were able to find a motel type place but with 2 beds so we checked in there. We unpacked and relaxed, dad cleaned the inside of the car.
We went for a walk to the sundial, which was right and I have checked it several times - its always right, and then went to a pub in the Cottesloe Hotel. We had some drinks and played pool, Mum and I won!! Dad should never have let us pick his pocket for the black.... We then grabbed some fish and chips, sausage in my case, and headed back to the motel where we drunk a bit more alcohol!! After having a great laugh at Dad being a bit tipsy (I can slip over the bed with out being seen trick!!) we all crashed, really early!!! Was so tired again!
In the morning, Mum had already been for a walk, Mum and I went for a walk to the beach and along it. We than packed everything up one last time and went out for breakfast which was nice.
It was an odd day I think because we knew it was Mum and Dads last!! We got the bus up to the city and wandered round. Mum and Dad got some pressies for peopl and I printed up some photos for them to have. We got the bus back around 2pm and then I checked into the hostel and dumped all my stuff. We had a wander around and then around 4pm we went for some food, the last supper!! We overlooked the beautiful beach and ocean and ate scrummy pizzas!! We wandered after the food and then at 5.30ish Mum wanted to go as it was just dragging! We had a really quick goodbye and then turned away from eachother!! They went off to the airport and I had to get used to being alone again - i didn't know what to do with myself!! I read!!! Miss you still xxxxxxxxxxx

Pinnacles, Kalbarri and Monkey Mia

We drove up the Great Northern Highway through Bullsbrook then continued up the Brand Highway. We stopped off at the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park after a couple of hours driving, we saw a couple of wild Emu's on the way,and they were pretty amazing. It was so hot though so after driving round them we had a wander
around for about 10 minutes then had to get back into the car. The pinnacles seem to go on forever!! We also saw wild kangeroos chilling in the shade at the side of the road.
We drove on a little further and stopped for lunch at Hangover Bay which was just stunning, with beautiful white sands again and lovely warm water. We also went to
the toilet here....now I only mention this because they were drop toilets!! Mum and I went, one of the toilets had a load of caterpillers and the other had a snake - ohhh!! Mum choose the caterpiller loo but was so scared that something would come up the toilet and bite her bum, it was the quickest pee ever!! Ha ha.....at least she used it!
We drove on and had quite a way of just not much around, lovely. We drove through Dungara and then onto Geraldton where we decided to stay for the night, we just got a motel room. Geraldton isn't the prettiest of places but I think thats partly due to the fact that they seem to be trying to improve it. We didn't do much here except a quick walk, dinner then a bit of TV before bed.

We got off and headed off after breakfast in the morning and drove to Kalbarri National Park, only a couple of hours away. We arrived there around 11am and checked out the visitor centre first to see if there was an afternoon tour we could do as we couldn't get to all the gorges due to unsealed roads and our hire car. Unfortunately there were none for the afternoon so we decided to check out what we could which included the coastal areas and also a couple of gorges inland. Before we set off we had a little wander then thought we'd see if we could check into our room already, we could. So after unpacking, having rolls for lunch and a little relax we headed out.

We drove down to the cliffs and started at Eagle Gorge where we had a short stroll but again it was way too hot to be out in the sun for too long so we walked out a bit and then back to the cliffs, it was still quite nice. The cliffs were pretty stunning all along the coast. We went to the Natural Bridge, Island Rock and Shellhouse Grandstand which were all great. Its so beautiful on the West coast. So after wandering round them we drove to the Pot Alley coastal area and walked down through a little canyon type area to a small beach there, I got a little wet.
Mum and I walked along a big flat rock to see more of the coast and Dad went wandering up some other rocks and had lots of fun watching some crabs he found.
The last cliff area we stopped at was Red Bluff which was also cool. By the end though we had no water left, not even the yucky warm stuff so on our way back we stopped at the shop and along with food got some ice creams and drinks - yummy!!!
Well Mum and I didn't waste anytime changing when we got back and off we went for a swim in the ocean but it was so bloody shallow that we couldn't swim so we didn't last too long and ended up in the pool!!
We went out for a really nice meal and chilled.

The next morning we checked out at 8.30 and headed out of Kalbarri. We stopped at Hawks Head and Ross Graham lookouts on the way. We walked down to the River at the Ross Graham lookout so off we went, the river was really dry though and didn't flow all the way across which was a little sad. We saw some wild goats on the otherside on some rocks. Mum and I saw a little lizard when we got back to the top as well which was good. There was a wedgetail eagle circling high above us so it was nice to see one so free.The River was really beautiful as well with the jagged rock edges rising high above.
So we continued up the coast to Shark Bay and Mum's birthday pressie of going to Monkey Mia to see the wild dolphins. We only had one stop for some fuel and we arrived around 1.30. We grabbed some lunch while we waited to check into our Park Cabin. We had a little walk on another beautiful beach!! Had a quick look round the shop and headed back to grab the key.
It was a very hot day so when we first walked into our cabin we weren't majorly impressed what with bunkbeds, feeling like an oven and a weird orange bathroom that stuck out the side but after we had gone out and left it with some aircon on it was much better. Plus it was more about the place than where we stayed.
So Mum and I went for a swim in the sea, a little snorkel, and Dad joined us later!!! Yipeee.... Mum saw a little ray while snorkelling. So after our little swim and play in the sea we went off to book a wildlife cruise for the next day and had a couple of drinks.
Dad and I then went on a little battery powered glass bottom boat that we hired. It was rather hard to move around but we saw quite alot of the little rays and little fish - not too much though as there was alot of sea grass not far off shore. We were out for about an hour so that was cool.
Meanwhile, while we were in the boat, my Mum had been following some wild emus around taking photos. We all met on the beach and headed back to our cabin as it was about 7pm.
Mum washed a few things in the sink and as she was hanging them out Dad saw her bolt past the window at the back of the cabin and then we saw them.....the Emus had returned for revenge. They were outside the door so I opened it to see if I could see mum but I couldn't, the Emu's just looked at me and then headed round the front of the cabin in Mum's direction....! I asked these two girls camping where she was and they pointed round the back laughing!! Mum appeared at the back window again so we told her to comeback round because they had gone!! Funny...ha ha.
We bbq'd some steak and carrots for dinner which was pretty good. Had some wine, relaxed and then sleep - ready for the dolphins.
I woke up around 7 and got up, which woke everyone else up as well!!
We had breakfast and then walked down to the beach and waited for the dolphins. The dolphins come in daily for small feeds, less than 1/4 of their daily allowence if they attend all 3 feeds, (3 times a day) between 8am and 1pm. There were quite a few people there as well.

The dolphins appeared just after 8 and after a 30 minute talk from the CALM volunteers they started to feed them. It was amazing, these wild dolphins are so gentle and come so close, very trusting, and there were so many calves as well - cute. People were choosen at random out of the crowd to help with th feeding. We didn't get the chance to this time. Once the feed is over the dolphins swim out again to deeper water and then return later. Once they had all gone Mum and I went into the sea and Dad popped back to the cabin for a bit.
Mum and I were wandering back when we noticed a small crowd at the dolphin interacton area then we saw the dolphins, they were back already, so we went straight back to them and listened to the end of the talk. I was hoping that Dad would get back with my camera in time before they left and thankfully he did. I had
just got my camera sorted when they asked Mum if she wanted to feed Nicky the dolphin so luckily I was able to get a photo. Mum was so excited and kept telling us that she had fed Nicky exactly as she had been told to. I don't think she could've had a better pressie!
They are just all so stunningly beautiful and I feel priviledged to have been there.
We all went and sat on the beach then to wait for the final feedof the day and the dolphins didn't disappoint, they came back really quickly. Mum and I went down for even more photos, its very addictive!!
One of the babies, a couple of months old, was really funny this time randomly jumping out of the sea with little coordination!! No photos of that I'm afraid, thats a strickly memory moment!
After the dolphins had been fed again we rejoined Dad and started to watch the Pelicans who, because it was so hot, were catching the sprinkler water to drink - quite entertaining.
A few dolphins popped in again but wouldn't get fed since the 3 feeds had happened. This dick went into the sea and bent right down so he got told off and told to get out!!
We went back to the cabin to chill out a little and then at 12.30 we headed to the jetty to join our cruise. We jumped on the boat and sat down. The boat left the bay.
Once we were out far enough we started to spot Dugongs, it started slow with the odd one or two but once we'd been going a while it was like Dugong city and they were everywhere!! It was pretty impressive and because it was so calm we could hear the water break and them breath. It was pretty hot on the boat 39 in the shade and 46 in the sun. We were told that the beach was up in the 50's due to no wind!
We were out for a couple of hours and on the way back we saw a turtle and I think I saw a sea snake but it was fast. There were more turtles around the jetty. It was good.
We went for some dinner in the restaurant then after a quick relax in the cabin we went for a walk at 6. We saw lots of animal tracks - Emus, kangeroos, lizards and not sure what else. We walked round the the bush and then ended up back on the beach
so as the sun was setting we walked back round along the beach which was beautiful.
I was knackered when we got back so after a chat, look at photos and read it was time for bed. What a great day though!!! A highlight.
We had another early morning and after packing our stuff Muma nd I went down to the dolphins. They were already there so we heard the end of the talk again and watched the feed. The water wasn't as clear today but it was still good. Just as we were leaving more dolphins came in so they started the second feed on the day, we decided we should go as Dad had a long drive ahead! Awesome though.
We all got into the car, checked out and then we were off saying goodbye to Shark Bay, Monkey Mia and the wonderful dolphins.
We stopped at Shell Beach on the way out for a look which was cool. Its just covered in little white shells - great!!
We were on the road again!!
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Perth, and Rottnest, with Mum and Dad!!!

I had a pretty uneventful week in Perth with Anne, we moved hostels and checked out Fremantle as well as doing a few bits.
So on the Friday, 9th, Mum and Dad arrived I checked into the accommodation - motel room, and had a shower before jumping onto the airport shuttle. It was a funny journay to the airport as the driver seemed to be a little lost but we got there around 5pm ad after checking the boards I noticed that I had about an hour before their plane was due. So I got myself a hot chocolate and waited, praying it wouldn't be late.
They appeared out of the arrivals at just gone 6.30 which wasn't too bad and after saying our hellos Dad went to sort out our hire car. He told Mum and I to take the bags to bay 29 so we did, thinking there had been a mistake with the car but apparently not. We had a nice little 4WD looking thing - cute. We all jumped in and drove back to the centre of Perth and unpacked into the motel. After Mum and Dad had washed etc we went for a stroll along the river to the harbour and found a chinese restaurant where we had a really nice meal. We had a quick drink in a bar before heading back for some sleep.....
The next day after breakfast we headed to Kings Park in a roundabout sort of way, under a bridge, round a pond and up a load of steps.
We wandered round the beautiful park, looking at the aboriginal centre, enjoying the views and up through a bit of a tree top walk. After our lunch in the park we walked more and then got an ice cream, yummy!! We eventually, after a bit of a bush type area, came to a road and so walked along a few and then found a shopping complex so had a quick look around - Mum bought something!! We walked back to the city and had a drink. We walked on bck to the harbour and had another drink in The Lucky Shag, Barmy Army HQ!! We headed to an Irish bar next to have a drink before going back to the motel to shower ready for dinner. We went back to The Lucky Shag for dinner which was great. I had Chilli Mussels - bit spicy but great!!

We wandered up to Northbridge for another drink before getting off to bed again.
We headed up The Swam Bell Tower this morning, checked out the view and watched the ringers practice ringing the Bells for a little bit. We picked the car up and drove to find a supermarket on the way to Hilarys, where the house was, but it would seem in WA that any shop except IGA is shut on a sunday..... We found a bakery and fruit/veg shop so we got some bits for lunch and headed to a beach near the house to eat before we could get into it. The beach was beautiful, stunning, and Mum and I had a quick paddle before we decided it was close enough to 2 to get into the house.
We drove to the house via Hilarys Boat Harbour, found the key and after finally discovering which door the key actually unlocked we were in. The house was pretty cool, lots of space and a pool to play in - so you guessed right we were in trying it out. It was beautiful.

We later went to the harbour for dinner and a wander before popping to the bottle shop and then back home where we relaxed with some beers.
Today we decided to head to Caversham(sp?) Wildlife Park, let Mum and Dad see they were really in Oz and do something touristy!! That was pretty cool, they saw their Koalas, kangeroos (Mum and I fed them), wombats etc. It was actually a really nice park and was fun. We had lunch before leaving the park.

We popped to the supermarket where we got some bits including Kangeroo steak, oh after stroking and giving them food earlier!!
We got home and jumped back into the pool, lovely!! Relaxed!!
We had a BBQ dinner, so Dad could try it out, and we had our Kangeroo - it was good. Chatted outside then chilled inside...
Tuesday was a bit of a relaxing day. I got my camera replaced - it was playing up. We stopped at Scarborough Beach, really nice. Went home and back into the pool, it was so great to have as was always there to cool us down!!

The next day we had decided was our beach day so after breakfast we walked down to the beach and relaxed. Mum and I swam a couple of times and it was really nice, beautiful white sand and blue/green water - amazing!!
We had our lunch on the green overlooking the beach before walking back home and cooling off in the pool again. By this time, I forgot to mention, we had bought a large inflatable whale called 'Fishy' and a large inflatable ball called 'Tomee' (there was already a ring called 'Ringo' at the house) so we could often be found playing with these in the pool!! We booked our ferry etc to Rottnest for tomorrow before going to pick Anne up from the city and heading to the Burswood outdoor cinema.
We watched Tenacious D: Pick Of Destiny - very funny. We also had some pizzas at the cinema which was great.
Dropped Anne off again on the way home before watching 24.... Ohhhhh
We were up early to get down to Hilarys Boat Harbour and catch the Rottnest Ferry. We picked up our bikes, and Mums snorkel, and boarded the 8am ferry. The ferry took about 45minutes and was a bit splashy!! We arrived on Rottnest and decided to cycle towards Parker Point, we saw Quokkas on the way. Quokkas are kind of Rottnests thing, when the explorers found Rottnest they thought that Quokkas were Rats so called it Ratsnest. They aren't really found anywhere else.

It was quite a hilly place, although small, so a little tiring to cycle. We locked our bikes at Parker Point and while Dad relaxed in the shade Mum and I snorkelled which was cool, although a little difficult to get to. It was fun though. Mum lost Dads hat.....silly!!
We went back and met Dad and then cycled on to Little Salmon Bay, it was all so beautiful and amazing, Mum and I snorkelled again. They had underwater plaques to swim round but Mum got scared of being too far out so she held back and I swam round the 10 plaques which was cool. It was quite hard to swim back though as the current was pretty strong - I managed though!! We got back onto the beach with Dad and chilled out before changing, being attacked by a March Fly - I think.

We continued to cycle round, the mainly sand island, and saw more quokkas (one wanted to eat me - ok it was tiny but still scary!!) along with a few salt lakes. We got round to Geordie Bay and then onto Thomson Bay, where we'd started. We relaxed with some lunch and a wander before getting all our gear ready and boarding the 4.30 ferry back to the mainland. We had a drink at the harbour before walking home. We

were all knackered when we got home that we just laid on the sofas and watched TV. We made a quick dinner later before a bit more chilling and bed zzzzzzzz
We played in the pool again, watched TV/DVD. In the afternoon we headed to Fremantle and had a quick look around the market there, popped onto the internet before grabbing some dinner. We wandered to Fremantle Jail back through the markets and waited to start our 8pm torchlight tour. At 8 the bell was rung for our tour so we all went into the original jail reception area, got given our torches. John, our guide, explained the procedure of new inmates entering the prison strip search in front of everyone etc!! We headed through to the courtyard where the wall is painted white upto about 8ft so that any prisoners would be easily noticed. We were told about a supposed haunted gun tower where 3 seperate guards had seem a figure sitting there - 2 of them had fired their guns...at nothing.
Fremantle Prison is apparently the 5th most haunted building in Australia, luckily I didn't notice anything!! We walked through division 1, which housed young boys then later peodophiles(sp?) and rapists who had to be kept seperate for their protection. We talked about the number of suicides and about the most common way of doing it, jumping off the landings which is why they put in a suicide net. As we were leaving there was a scream and a dummy was thrown down, oh spooky!!!
We walked through the kitchen next where we were told about one inmate murdering another, apparently a guy was transferred here and an inmate reconised him as raping his son and asked the guards to remove him otherwise he would kill him. You can guess they didn't since he took a knife and sliced him open!! Nice...
We wandered through the yards and stopped in the yard that was the most dangerous, mixture of people that'd committed serious and other crimes. The guard stood in a cage watching them and would never get involved in trouble unless life threatning and he had the back up.
We had a look through a load of cells, showing the changes that happened over the years from the 1850-1886 convict time to the Australia Criminal time. There were also a few painted cells with art. We also walked through an, apparently, haunted cell which had its own yard - would've been used for ex police or judges etc who would've been in danger from the criminals.
The convicts actually built the jail themselves, they stayed in the Esplanade hotel building and walked up to the site everyday, from the limestone hill its built on.
We checked out the punishment area where they used the cat of 9 tails, the maximum punishment of these was 100 lashes. If the inmate was declared too ill/hurt to receive all the punishment they would go to the hospital and recover before being bought back and given the remainder of their punishment. Afterwards they would have salt rubbed into the wound.
We wandered through the solitary confinement area where they had a guy dressed as an inmate being all crazy - funny stuff!! They have the death cell in there where those on death row spent their last 2 hours before being hung. We then headed to the hanging room, a new rope was used for each hanging as respect and the guy who did the hangings would have to come to the jail 2 weeks before to measure and weight the inmate to work out how long the rope had to be.
We also went to look at Moondyne (sp?) Joe's cell which had all wood panels nailed to the inside wall so that he couldn't escape, he did escape because he had to be taken out of it as it was too small and making him ill, I think?? They had someone dressed as him as well, acted crazy.....
We had a quick look in the church where one commandment has been changed from Thou Shalt not Kill to thou Shalt not Do Murder because obviously they killed people for punishment.
That was the end of the tour, very good and a little scary.

We spent much of Saturday relaxing. Went to the shops where I got a few xmas pressies....yay. We bought a few other bits and got our food for BBQ. In the evening we walked down to the green in front of the beach and had a BBQ there which was great, had a few drinks and relaxed - excellent. Watched the sunset and ate our kangeroo - yummy!!
We watched The Departed when we got home and chilled.
The next morning we were up earlyish and once we'd packed and had breakfast we left the house :-( We headed out of Perth.
Next installment soon!!
Bye Mum and Dad - Miss You...
Dawn
xxxxxxx

Take Care of Our World

A small section of writing that I liked and I wanted to share with everyone, I hope you guys like it as well:

Look around you. The land is alive with the spirit of our Earth Mother. Listen to her.....Feel her.....

We humans are born of the land. The Earth Mother reminds us that if we do not care for the land and all living things then this land cannot protect us.

Take time to let the spirit of this land be a part of you.

So take care of the world because otherwise it won't be here much longer!!

Bush is best.....

Dawnie

xxxxx

We Miss You Kylie!!! You Rock!

Just thought I'd do a tiny post to say that we miss Kylie!!! She was a great bird who made the trip so much more fun, laid back and gave us so much info!!! Never to be forgotten!
Here are a few phrases for her..........Did I just Score.......HA HA.........You said Root.....hehehe.......Where do all the flies go??................Do Wat.................When do u poo.........Dude..................geezer..................and many more I am sure!!
Hope to see you again in Perth
Dawnie
xxx