Perth and Freemantle

On the way back to Perth we visited Busselton Jetty the longest pier in the Southern Hemisphere at 1.8kms. The kids impressed by walking there and back in the hot sun enjoying the Underwater Observatory in between. This was the opposite of an aquarium as we were ‘trapped’ in a glass tank while dense shoals of fish and octopi ‘observed’ us curiously. We stayed the night in Freemantle in a classic Irish pub Rosie ‘o Grady’s with live music which sent Harley stir crazy. He was allowed free reign on the dance floor by the generous Ozzie audience until the 9pm kiddie curfew. I put the kids to bed to give Karen a chance for a bit of gig (not much payback for the endless RWC matches but a start at least). We never experienced the famous Freemantle Doctor (refreshing afternoon breeze) having arrived late + left at midday but we did enjoy one of ‘Freo’s’ other highlights – breakfast on the ‘Cappuccino Strip’ with oodles of strong coffee, fresh juice and fatty fry up (just as well I brought 6 months worth of cholesterol busting drugs with me). On to Perth itself for our last day in WA. First stop the impressive King’s Park set in 4 Sq km of natural bush where we all enjoy a beautiful treetop walk. Next is lunch on Barrack Street Jetty overlooking the attractive Swan River in the amusingly named ‘Lucky Shag’ bar. After a quick stop-off in Cottesloe to say ‘hi’ to some family friends we checked into the aptly named Northbridge Hotel in the eponymous suburb. Having settled the kids I was on my way to find a corkscrew from reception when I spotted some drunken female lurking in the corridor. I thought she was waiting for the lift but when it came she didn’t get in – was it because I wasn’t wearing my Lynx?? The answer came a minute later when the fire alarm went off which had been smashed on the third floor metres from where she had been swaying. I was stuck on the ground floor with the rest of the family on the third and the lifts out of action. I explained to reception what had probably happened and the alarm was stopped pretty quickly without the kids even waking up. Phew, it was our only bottle of the delectable Vasse Felix Shiraz 2006. Next morning it’s ‘au revoir’ Western Australia as we take the plane to Adelaide.