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
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