Out
of the air-conditioned unit to find the day is heating up very quickly. 35
degrees top today. Left Steve relaxing in the unit while Kaylene and I headed
north to check out Fremantle.
I
detoured in to Safety Bay but ended up in a housing estate around a golf
course. Eventually got out of there and made it to Rockingham. Perfect day for
her to take some photos of the beach and across to Garden Island. Told her about
the Kwinana industrial area and the grain loading area. She was really
interested in that!!
Continued
on to Fremantle. I went to where Steve and I had parked and got a bus into
town. Very busy but found a free park and even impressed myself in how well I
did a reverse parallel then Kaylene said but what about our lunch etc that we
brought with us so we drove on into town and parked in a car-park next to
Bathers Bay and paid the fee. Walked across to have a cuppa overlooking Bathers
Bay. Perfect.
Walked
into town. Found an interesting mural.
A
bit of history I missed last time.
Around
past the Fremantle Oval and up to the Fremantle Prison. Had a look around
inside.
Back
down into town. Checked out St Johns the Evangelist Church as it was open this time.
First church was built in 1843 and this one was built in 1882. Beautiful
windows.
This
one has a modern design.
Massive
pipe organ.
Nearby
is the Town Hall, built 1887. It was all covered up last year while being
restored.
I
was surprised to see strips of yellow paint across the top so asked in the Info
Centre what it was about. There was an Arts Festival earlier in the year and an
artist created an optical illusion with the yellow stickers down High Street.
She said to walk up to the Round House then look down High Street.
Continued
down High Street spotting more yellow strips.
Up
the steps to the Round House (the first gaol 1831-1857) and the effect from the
yellow strips was amazing – like looking through a ‘fish-eye’ lens.
Around
to the canon in time for the 1pm firing. I forgot how loud it was.
Down
the steps to walk through the tunnel under the Round House which was excavated
in 1837 by the whaling company to transport the whale oil etc between Bathers
Bay and Fremantle township. Out the other side.
Back
around to where we had our cuppa. The wind has come up and it has clouded over
so the view isn’t so pretty any more. Marks on the concrete show where the
original foreshore was.
We
grabbed our lunch and sat under a cover on the boardwalk. We even felt a few
drops of rain.
Went
into the Burkinstops (how is it spelt!) for a look and the lady was on the
phone. She looked at us but didn’t acknowledge us and continued on chatting
with her friend. It was so rude so lucky we didn’t want to buy anything there.
Drove
around to Victoria Quay – lots of containers being loaded on the wharf across
the other side of Swan River. Headed along the river then turned around a
programmed ‘girlie’ to take us home via the Freeway. I was impressed with
myself for managing the trip – driving for one as I hardly do that anymore and
for remembering where to go etc. I had looked back on my blog to remind myself
of things which was a big help.
Back
home for a cuppa and put our feet up for a bit before an early dinner as we had
the Christmas lights cruise later. Steve had a lazy day in the unit as Kaylene
had picked up the spare key so he couldn’t leave the unit – not that he wanted
to anycase.
Drove
down to the beach for sunset at 7.18pm. It disappeared behind the clouds over
Mandurah. Steve walked down then walked into town – he needed the exercise.
Parked
near the Sebel and walked around the foreshore – our first Christmas lights.
We
had our free Santa hats for the cruise.
Lovely
colour in the clouds.
As
we were waiting a dolphin came in beside the jetty and swam around for a bit
which was wonderful. The ‘Red Choir’ sang us lots of lovely Christmas Carols
which I love and joined in with. Santa wandered around too.
On
board the ‘Dancing Dolphins’ and up to the top so we could have a good view. It
was open and plenty of room.
Across
the Mandurah Estuary and into one of the many canals around Mandurah. The first
lights were a bit disappointing but then they just got better and better. I
have culled a lot of photos of course but there are still heaps. Kaylene and
Steve loved the lights too but were also enjoying checking out the homes and
all the boats.
The
captain said to look for something different in the next canal. We spotted it –
a poor bloke was still hanging from the gutter after putting up his lights!!
More
lights and big boats.
I
gave this one 2nd prize.
Continued
winding our way up and down the canals. Such a lovely display.
I
gave this one 1st prize.
And
the lights continued.
This
one gets 3rd prize.
Looking
down the canal as we stop at the Rotary Wishing Well to tip in the boat’s
collection onto the floating well. They raised $21,000 last year with
donation’s from guests on all the different cruise companies.
The
last ones as we head back to the jetty.
We
had taken jumpers but it didn’t get too cold which was nice. Walked back to the
truck and headed back to the unit for a cuppa.
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