Closer to Perth

Butcher's shop, Beverley, WA

Monday, 11-7-11 to Saturday, 23-7-11

Well we have done it again, it's raining in Beverley. We arrived last night and the rain started not long after we settled in. Beverley is a small country town about 100k from Perth. We stayed in doors today, too wet to go out.

On Tuesday we ventured out to the information centre where we met Barry Ferguson and his wife Kathleen. Barry took us to his place to see his collection of old things. It is one of the best collections we have ever seen. He has just about everything old in several sheds at the back of his house and he knows about all the items in the collection. He opens it to the public most weekends and we spent several hours there looking and listening.

We spent two weeks in Beverley, meeting friendly locals, friendly travellers (two couples named Sue and Alan) and taking short drives around the area. Brookton is a nearby town which was worth the drive but not one we would want to stay in. We also had a trip to Avondale Discovery Farm, formerly an Experimental Farm that is now run by the National Trust as a museum and landcare education site. They have a great display of old machinery and a lovely old homestead. Saturday morning we decided to do some shopping and get ready to move on and Crawf bought a raffle ticket at the street stall, and won second prize, a bottle of wine, cooler bag, insulated mug and a carry bag.

Swan Bells, Perth, WA

Sunday, 24-7-11 to Sunday 7-8-11

Swan Bells, Perth, WA

We moved to Bonney's Water Ski Park at Baldivis, just south of Perth.
Spent the first few days exploring the area and had a trip into Perth by train to check out how the train system works and how to get to Shenton Park for Crawf's appointment. The trains are very good. We also went to the Perth Truck and Trailer show at the Convention Centre. The wet weather is still following us and we have had rain nearly every day for two weeks. We also went to Pinjarra to find somewhere to camp when we go to the rally next month. We also managed to get the van licensed in Western Australia.The cost is a lot less than in NSW and no yearly inspections so that will be handy while we are travelling.

Fremantle, WA

Had a great day when we went to see the Swan Bells in Perth. The bells are from St Martins in the Fields in London and are the ones that are mentioned in the children's song, Oranges and Lemons. We were there when six bell ringers were practicing and it was great to see and hear them in action. The tower also houses a carillon of 18 bells (electrically rung) which rings at regular times during the day. The bell tower overlooks the Swan River and provides great views of the city and river. We had a ride on a CAT bus (Central Area Transport) which is a free ride around areas of the city if you have a valid transit ticket, a good way to get around.

Sunday was a nice fine day so we went by train to Fremantle. Visited the Fremantle Markets and the Ship Wreck Museum and were amazed how many ships came to grief along the WA coast in years past. Also had a CAT bus trip around to see the lovely old buildings.