Delightful Perth

Thursday 12 September began fine enough for Heidi to take me for a waterfall walk in nearby Ellis Brook Nature Reserve. I already knew I was not too fit, but I soon realised it would have been wise not to have always used the same leg on the steep and numerous steps; it was only sore and stiff for a few days! We then drove to Kings Park, and while Heidi and Peter lunched I enjoyed wandering around the gardens and paths, especially the new high level walk.  I was most impressed with this first of several such boardwalks I experienced around Australia, and the native wildflowers were putting on a magnificent show. 

Sixty Foot Waterfall

Peter and Heidi in Kings Park

High level walk with views to Swan River

Wildflowers in Kings Park

I was then dropped in the city centre where I recognised very little! I managed to locate the relocated WAOA (once in Hay Street where offices were now being demolished and rebuilt) and was more than a little surprised to be recognised as I walked in the door! [I was unable to return Jim this favour. I had worked 18mths at WAOA, and learnt that a reunion dinner was being held that weekend. News later reached me that the founder who, plagued by severe familial dementia for over a decade, had not attended died soon after.] Another colleague now had his own practice just up the road; as Ian was out I left a message. I mostly avoided souvenir shops, and felt rather pleased to have discovered that a free, if rather indirect, bus was an alternative to my idea of walking to Leederville. I was also most amused that it was a CAT bus but alas it turned out quite unlike the Catbus in the Japanese animated fantasy film 'My Neighbor Totoro'! I had forgotten, or underestimated, just how attached Aussies are to their cars. Rush hour in Perth was a sight I would prefer not to have beheld, especially from a bus which in an hour moved just one block along Colin Street. I nodded off soundly twice with confidence, as my destination was the terminus for this route. 

End of the working day for many in Perth, 12 November 2013

I was relieved to not only hear but also answer a call on 'my' mobile (a device of which I am not fond, and passed on permanently to Jason when we met) from Liz once nearing their practice; Liz and I had studied optometry together at QIT in Brisbane. Although the afternoon had been fine, the initial suggestion from Liz of going to "the beach to watch the sunset with fish & chips" was not possible now cold rain had set in. Instead it was great to meet Liz's three daughters and partner Steve at Clancy's Fish Bar, City Beach. Steve then kindly drove back to Gosnells, familiar territory where he had once upon a time lived and worked. Heidi had advised me not to travel by train in their area after 7.30pm, so I was most pleased to be safely delivered to the door.

Steve, Tessa, Josie, Kari and Liz celebrate Kari's birthday

Friday morning Peter showed me his 'office', or rather an impressive site where his business Hycon Hydraulic Systems has flourished. We then visited a nearby sanctuary with many kangaroos in various states of rehabilitation. I'm not sure I would have the necessary patience or technique to feed the awkward recovering frog mouth owl. In the afternoon Ian paid a most unexpected but welcome visit, bearing treats from Miss Maud, an enterprise I remembered. 

Darling Range Wildlife Shelter

Ian, having ventured out to Pitt Street in Martin, was soon relieved of his cakes.

I was soon to endure my first and only Jetstar flight. They do not serve complimentary food, but I had heartily devoured Heidi's delicious beef stroganoff dinner, rounded off with freshly baked chocolate brownies. Heidi and Angela drove me back to the airport and assisted with checking in. I was sad my time in WA was already over, but most pleased with all that had happened.

Friday dinner with Peter, Chloe, Heidi, Cody and Rochelle

The 10pm 'red eye' to Cairns left an hour late and did not make up any time... An uncharacteristically helpful security man told Steve (son of my maternal cousin June) of the delay so he returned to his hotel. While others breakfasted, I was more than happy to be deposited in this hotel for a sleep as I feared some serious jet lag had begun to set in! I also knew that, judging from reports of visits by Jason and Hester, I was about to have an amazing time with Steve and Tanya in Far North Queensland (FNQ).