Anzac Day and Dwellingup

Saturday 25th April 2015

 

I would never normally be an earlybird but while you're travelling you have to make the most of every opportunity so while I was in Australia on both Anzac Day and the centenary of the Gallipoli landings, I wanted to attend the dawn service in Kings Park.  This meant that my alarm went off at 4:40am!  I tiptoed quietly into the house for breakfast and although trains were starting extra early to transport service goers, the buses weren't running to an altered timetable.  Jo had kindly offered to give me a lift to the closest possible point allowing for road closures and once I'd left the car I joined the masses of walkers and cyclists making their way to the war memorial.  It was quite a sight seeing the streets of Perth amass with people at this time in the morning but the wrapped up crowds, heading in the same direction in the dark strangely reminded me of the crowds gathering for the fireworks at Kenilworth Castle.  Although there was a buzz in the air, it was understandably more subdued than the 5th November.  I found a spot near to a big screen but partway through I made my way closer to the ceremony so that I could also see the sunrise over the city. 

 

 

The sense of silence intensified when the service came to a close and the tens of thousands of people began to move and talk again.  Although the service itself didn't really have an impact on me, I certainly felt as if I'd been part of something special and important.  It's not often that between 65,000 and 80,000 people come together at 6am and become quiet and still for the sunrise - I can't put into words quite how it felt.

 

People had made it there any way possible tens of bikes and other modes of transport leaning against lampposts and trees.

When the service had finished, I walked to the memorial because I'd been about halfway along Fraser Avenue.  A guy with a guitar and harmonica was providing post-service music which was shown on the big screens and the views were stunning.

 

During this time there were a couple of fly pasts and then I began to walk back the way I had come.  As I left Kings Park, the chap sang 'It's a long way to Tipperary.'  I was glad I'd made the effort to get up so early!

 

 

After the Dawn Service, I made my way, along with hundreds of others, into the city and so many people had the same idea that there was a bottleneck of pedestrians trying to get across the bridge over the highway.  Nonetheless I stuck it out and, again, it felt strange to walking through the city with so many people at 7 o'clock in the morning!  All of the cafes were busy with people grabbing a coffee so I kept walking along St Georges Terrace and eventually came to Stirling Garden where the Rotary Club were running a sausage sizzle with military precision! 

 

Although it was still early, I got a good spot for the parade, an hour ahead of time but was pleased because I was in a prime spot to see the bands, military personnel and veterans march past.  It was a massive parade, beginning at 9:30 and still going strong at 10:15am when I left to meet the rest of the family for our camping trip.

We were heading off on a camping trip to Dwellingup and stopped en route for lunch, buying burritos and noodles to eat in the park.  When we arrived we set up camp at the Baden Powell campsite in the national park. 

 

 

Sophie, Hayden, Jo and I found our way down to the river where there were pothole.es and the kids found their way across to the other side of the water.  I sat in the sun, enjoying the warmth.  Once the sun had gone down back at camp, we were soon getting cold so we had an early night.

 

Sunday 26th April 2015

 

We had an awesome camp breakfast of pancakes followed by egg and bacon sandwiches and I then had a very lazy morning, reading and enjoying being out in the forest while the kids found friends to play with.  I went into the village with Justin and we stumbled across a winery and cidery and of course we had to sample the goods!

 

After lunch at the campsite Jo and I took the kids for a drive around the National Park, many of the roads reminding me of my trip around Wales where cars would struggle to pass and a sheer drop down to the river below on one side!  Luckily we didn't really pass anybody and in the end we stopped so the kids could fish (although the hook soon got caught on a rock and broke the line) and they played around the water.

 

 

In the evening, we went to the pub for dinner and had another early night - I was really pleased I'd taken a fleecy onesie to keep me warm!

 

Monday 27th April 2015

 

Unfortunately it was time to go  home so after a cold, early start and beans and egg for breakfast, we packed up camp and drove to Island Pool where Jo and Justin went for a walk while I watched the kids fish.  When they returned we all went round the pool and the kids paddled across to the rocks across the water.

 

 

 

This fantastic weekend had now come to an end so we collected out camping gear and had lunch in Dwellingup before heading home.  To combat the disappointment of not having a fire at the campsite, we set one up in the garden when we got home.

 

For short term relaxation, I take a hot tub. It's my best way to unblock writers' block, too. For a bit longer relaxation, I enjoy camping. Just being in the wilderness, with no phones or computers or anything I have to do really refreshes my spirit. - Ellen Hopkins

A new city, a new family.

Tuesday 7th April 2015

After lots of visitors and time for acting like a tour guide round cities I'd come to know well, it was time to embark on the next phase of my Aussie experience.  With a new sense adventure, I set off from the hostel to Sydney Kingsford Smith airport, worked my way through half hour queue to drop my bag and then through to the departure lounge where lots of eager onlookers were admiring some Cowboys players (I had to Google who they were - apparently the North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club).  Settling into my seat during a 12:30 boarding, I put on Big Hero 6 and, because there was a lot of waiting around before we took off, I dozed off before we'd even let the ground!  During the 5 hour flight to Perth, I finished the film, uploaded some photos to my blog, tried to watch Once but got bored and finally concluded with a Gok Wan programme. 

Landing at 4:20, I met Jo, Sophie and Hayden in the baggage claim and we had to wait ages for my bag and I began to get that "Is my bag here?!" doubt.

Back at the house, we had a pizza dinner, I showered and I challenged the kids to Just Dance on the Wii.  After a tiring journey, I had an early night to prepare myself for the next few days.

Wednesday 8th April 2015

I was thrown in at the deep end slightly this week - a new city, looking after new children who were on holiday from school, and it poured with rain for most of the next three days!  But I rose to the challenge and today consisted of:

• a Mario Kart competition, with leaderboard and schedule;
• a Just Dance competition;

• monster consequences which the kids found hilarious;

• inventive paper plane construction;

• and an Easter Egg hunt- all before lunch!

I was a little apprehensive about driving a new car - it was much bigger than the cars I was used to and automatic when I'm used to a manual.  To ease the apprehension I drove round the block while the kids played with Hayden's Lego in the lounge.  Feeling more confident, we spent the afternoon at the cinema watching Home and, embarrassingly, it didn't hold my attention and the warmth and darkness sent me to sleep!

Back at home we played celebrity heads with post it notes and I discovered an Aussie 9-year-old girl doesn't necessarily know the celebrities I think she would - there was a cultural difference there!

Thursday 9th April 2015

Another day of rain to while Hayden played on the Wii, Sophie and I played story consequences and a few rounds of squares.  They were both keen to have a play date and although I tried to get hold of a few other families (tricky when I didn't know them!) I couldn't organise anything.  Instead, after lunch, we went ice skating.

After dinner, we went to Innaloo shopping centre.

Friday 10th April 2015

Apparently Perth receives more rain that London but while London is drizzly for a substantial about of time, in Perth, when it rains, it pours and I'd arrived in an unusual period of this heavy rain!  Still this morning, we amused ourselves inside with the kids building a huge den in the lounge where they spent all morning playing Indiana Jones, watching a movie and generally sorting and organising their new space. 

In the afternoon, after some Mario Kart, I attempted to get the kids out into the fresh air by taking them to Kings Park but no sooner had we got out of the car, the heavens opened and it poured again.  We were drenched just running back to the car!  Instead we drove home and alternated between playing on the Wii and playing 2square in the garden.  During one period outside, only about 20 minutes before Jo arrived home, Hayden blasted the basketball at the window, smashing it to pieces - luckily it was only a small pane which is now going to be turned into a cat flap - no joke!

Saturday 11th April 2015

I enjoyed a well earned lie in this morning and then took the bus along Cambridge to Roe Street bus station. 

While I explored the shops I made use of this week's pocket money, buying some clips from Pandora.  Next I walked a different way through the city to the Cultural Centre where I discovered the KickstART festival was taking place with lots of market stalls and live singers/bands on the swamp stage.  In the amphitheatre there were dance groups and a jazz band. 

In amongst the performances I had a quick look round the art gallery where my favourite pieces were:

Insert title and Artist

and Insert title and Artist

 

I also had a quick look round the State Library where I got an overview of the outside area of the cultural centre.

 

Sunday 12th April 2015

This was a typically chilled Sunday morning pre-return to school - I helped Sophie with some homework, played 2square with Sophie, then Hayden, and ate toasties with Jo and the kids.  In the afternoon I took the bus to City Beach where there were several (around 8) kite surfers setting up.  I sat for around 40 minutes watching them launch one by one and then walked down the board walk to another café and play area.  Along this stretch of the sea I counted around 20 kite surfers and there were even more launching when I returned to my initial spot. 

Monday 13th April 2015

The kids were all set and ready to go to Soccer and Netball camp this morning.  Jo had worked on the logistics as both kids needed dropping off at 9am and collecting at 3pm but 4.5 miles apart!  As it was the first day of the camp, I dropped Jo and Sophie off first but while I was driving Hayden across the river, I had a call from Jo to day that it didn't start until Wednesday!  After I'd collected them again, I dropped Jo at work and took the kids to Ingredient Tree from hot chocolate and croissants!

While we were there, I spoke to Krys, Sophia, Oscar and Tom's mum, who was taking the kids to the zoo so we hurriedly went home and got ready to join them.  We met other friends at the Myhres' house and travelled together to Leederville station where we took the train to Esplanade.  From there we had to take a long walk round some redevelopments to get the jetty where we took the ferry across the river.  At last we made it to the zoo but all the modes of transport made a real day of it.

The kids really enjoyed seeing all of the animals and they finished their trip getting dirty and wet in the park.  Everyone was pretty tired when we got home!

Tuesday 14th April 2015

After a busy day yesterday we had a slow start to the day, Hayden playing on the Wii while Sophie and I played Yahtzee.  Then out mammoth game of Monopoly started at around 10am!  We breaked for lunch at midday and continued for about an hour afterwards.  The kids were still in their pjs so they got dressed and played Mario Kart.  By 4pm Monopoly still wasn't finished so we gave ourselves half an hour by which time Sophie was bankrupt but Hayden and I were still in.  It took a while to count up money and properties but Hayden came out victorious!  We spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden playing 2square and piggy in the middle.

Wednesday 15th April 2015

As it was my day off I took the bus from Selby Street to Fremantle which is similar to St Kilda in Melbourne. 

Wandering around the centre I saw the roundhouse so went to explore and discovered it is one of the original building in the area. 

Next I walked a different route, stopped to a drink and snack, looked in a wool shop and collected some leaflets from the tourist information.  After lunch in a Mexican takeaway, I toured round on a couple of free bus routes before taking the regular bus home.

Thursday 16th April 2015

Today the kids really did go to netball and soccer camp and as I returned home I stopped on Heirisson Island in the hope of seeing some wild kangaroos but I was surprised to find a camp set up so didn't stop.  At home, I finished my latest book - Holes - and collected the kids at 3pm.  They were shattered so collapsed in from of Indiana Jones!

Friday 17th April 2015

After I'd dropped the kids at their sports camps I drove straight to Cambridge Library and registered myself and chose some books.  I spent the rest of my free time reading and blogging.  When I left to collect the kids I crawled along the highway, panicing as time ticked by and hoping I wouldn't be too late.  Luckily at soccer they were still giving out certificates but Hayden was disappointed I'd missed him collecting his - I felt like a guilty parent! 

In the evening Jo and I took the kids to the Myhres' for a disco and I had the opportunity to meet some of the other parents who were really friendly.

Saturday 18th April 2015

Keen to book myself on some tours, I took the bus to the city and walked to Peter Pans Travel in Northbridge and booked a tour to the Pinnacles, Rottnest Island and round Tasmania.  They're great for finding exactly what you want but I had to stop them slipping in flights and extra accommodation when I knew I didn't have the money yet!

From there I went to the cultural centre, stopping en route to see the Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition.  It was a stunning exhibition - and free! But didn't quite compare to the British version where they clearly use the ticket price to jazz up the display!

Around the swamp stage was a market selling Aboriginal art and there was a children's theatre company re-enacting dreamtime stories.

When I'd finished watching their performance I walked back through to Northbridge Plaza where there was a Fresh Prints market and live music  which I enjoyed while lazing on a bean bag.

 

Sophie had been excitedly looking forward to her first sleepover all week so while she was away from home, Hayden slept in his tent and we set up a campfire in the back garden.

Sunday 19th April 2015

A very chilled day with not a lot to report... other than an amazing view of the sun at the end of the day!

Monday 20th April 2015

Today was a student free day at school so the kids were at home but it was my day.  It was a pretty quiet day, collecting tour tickets, eating ice cream at Ben and Jerrys, writing blogs and hanging out with the kids.

 

Tuesday 21st April 2015

Today was all about getting used to the school routine so the morning was filled with lunchboxes and walking to school - a peaceful walk through suburbia, avoiding the main road - Grantham Street. At home I powered through a few jobs including washing and transferring photos.  When I collected the kids I made sure I took afternoon tea and thought the kids finished at 3pm.  I was there in plenty of time to discover they didn't finish until 3:10pm!  After the kids a had played on and around the oval, Sophie went to play with Eva while Chase came home to play with Hayden.

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

The kids were all for playing tricks to day - this was their 'We're ready!' smirk!

After I'd dropped them at school in time for choir, I drove to Cottesloe Beach and enjoyed a drink and a snack in a café while catching up on my journal. 

It was a lovely beach and I wandered along the promenade before driving home via Scarborough. 

After school, Sophie had netball so I brought the boys home with me and the pelted round the driveway on the big green machine.  When Sophie returned home, she wasn't going to miss out on the fun!

Thursday 23rd April 2015

This morning I took advantage of the kids being ready early and got some homework done befire school but we got so absoebed we lost track of time and ended up hurrying to school.  I stayed for the Anzac service which they put together really well with the Head Boy and Girl taking the lead.  The Senior Choir sang, the band played and 2 children talked about relative who had fought in the war.  During the last post, scouts lowered and raised the flag, children read poems and the president of the local RSA spoke.  The whole service took place outside with large paper poppies decorating the balconies and flower beds - a lot of hard work had clearly been put into it's planning. 

By now I had got used to the school routine to I was ready to take JJ to and from school for the pick up and drop off.

Friday 24th April 2015

Another pretty chilled day with not a lot to write about!  I ended up in Leederville during the afternoon and enjoyed hot chocolate in a really old school café.  Hayden brought Oliver and Peter home to play while Sophie played at Emily's.

It's time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I'd much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure. - Ernie Harwell