On the Road Again Perth Odessey 2010

Day 26

31/8/2010  

We have left Fremantle and are staying 2 nights at the Big Valley Campground (33,58’957s  115’09’174e) 12kl east of Margaret River, our neighbours are sheep with lambs.  On the drive through it reminded me of the drive between Kangarilla and McLaren Vale.  The town of Margaret River has a resemblance that of a Hahndorf with the tree lined street, however, not so the shopping and heritage.

Kylie, our host, has given us a number of place to visit while we are here, a must see for your visit to Margaret River is the “Swallows Welcome Winery & Art Studio”.  A lovely couple, John & Patricia, each have their passion, John an ex wheat farmer now happily growing grapes, making & sipping wine after making several thousand mud bricks to build his house, art studio, winery and yes his Chapel . Patricia busies herself painting nature, birds and Western Australian wild flowers these are on sale as originals, copies and published books.  Each in what they do have managed to embed themselves, their pets and their passion in their specific crafts.

Expecting really bad weather today we have been pleasantly surprised, although a little rain, mainly fine with broken cloud.

On the Thomas front, a better night last night, please keep praying for this little family.

Catch you tomorrow

John & Sheryle

On the Road Again Perth Odessey 2010

Day 25

30/8/2010  

Last day in FREO;

Today was taken up mainly in preparation to leave Fremantle tomorrow, although it is hard to leave our little family.  It does appear Thomas has colic; this is daunting to new parents particularly knowing they have 9 days before leaving for Christmas Island with limited assistance there, our prayers and thoughts are with them.  We did have tea with them and some special time, yet, when it was time to say goodbye it was hard.

Fremantle is a great place to visit, Gino’s coffee tantalizing great coffee, the chocolate shop next door, yumalicious, (just ask Taylor), the parking meters are hungry you are forever feeding them gold coins as parking is at a premium, Kailis Fish Café we have voted to be the best we have tried, the weather has been fantastic, however, we are moving tomorrow and the forecast is RAIN yuk! The people of Fremantle particularly and Perth on a whole have been really nice and helpful.  Freo a great place to visit.

On the road again, heading to set up a base camp at Big Valley Campground outside Margaret River for several days.

Catch you tomorrow

John & Sheryle

On the Road Again Perth Odessey 2010

Daddy & Nanna taking Thomas for a walk in Fremantle

Day 24

29/8/2010  

Things are looking better on the Thomas front, so far so good, at this time of night Thomas has been crying uncontrollably, Nanna’s touch sees him settling, our prayers are that he will sleep between feeds and allow Mary some rest/sleep, Oh yes, Brett to, please also pray for this little family.

A slow day for us today, initially preparing to leave on Tuesday, this will be the date unless some catastrophe pops up, followed up by being with our little family.

Catch you tomorrow

John & Sheryle

On the Road Again Perth Odessey 2010

Day 23

28/8/2010  

Again our plans have been changed; just as well we are flexible.  Thomas has a problem at night settling, none of them are getting much sleep therefore there are difficulties, we will stay here as long as required, in saying that, we probably must leave Tuesday.

I had a ride on an electric push bike, ummmmm, very interesting, we are looking further into this when we get home, 30 -40 kph, although you are peddling there is no effort  in the knees or hips, appears to be a good method of exercise and  transport.

Kailis Fish Restaurant for lunch, mmm, interesting, we appear to be continually going back, Sheryle did ring Wendy telling her where we were, 1 table over from where we all were last week, beautiful blue skies, warm day with many boats in the harbour along with a lovely fish platter, Wendy made some very unpleasant comments to Sheryle, she was cut to the core.(just jocking)

Catch you tomorrow

John & Sheryle

On the Road Again Perth Odessey 2010

Day 22

27/8/2010  

What a great day this has been, we caught the bus and train into Perth for a look around and found out surprisingly that it has the same shops as Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra,  Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin and Hobart, WOW, how about that; now we can say we have been to every capital city in this great land of ours, “Australia”.

On our return journey to Fremantle we travelled by Captain Cook Tours via the Swan River, an hour long trip one way that was simply fantastic.  Having had the pleasure of doing the Brisbane River previously this trip was up there with it, truly great, when you are next in Perth do yourself a favour and take a trip on the Swan.   It was pointed out on the trip a ramshackled shack that last year sold for a measly $59million, the asking price was $67million.

On the baby front; home today and settling in.

Weather update; today 21 degrees tomorrow 23 bugger!

Catch you tomorrow

John & Sheryle

On the Road Again Perth Odessey 2010

Day 21

26/8/2010

BREAKING NEWS     BREAKING NEWS    BREAKING NEWS

Last Saturday night we were informed our eldest son Craig and his lovely wife Wendy on the 7^th of March 2011 will be having their third child, a brother or sister to Taylor and Kaitlin.

In the blog on the 20^th I did state that this couple most probably had completed their production line of child rearing, again my children are out to prove me wrong, I must admit they do go to extremes to make me eat humble pie, however, Sheryle and I are proud to be wrong as we know that we have the capacity to love this child as we do all others.

Tonight we were visiting Thomas and his parents, now this may sound like a doting Poppa, but he is beautiful, he held my finger and I was a big blob on the floor as I melted in his hand, just like all my grandchildren.  Thomas comes home tomorrow and into the big wide world, what a shock he’s got coming.

A decision was made today, Sunday we leave Fremantle for our homeward journey, travelling the south west corner of Western Australia and most probably leaving the nice weather of Fremantle behind, I understand the weather home is not encouraging.

Catch you tomorrow

John & Sheryle

On the Road Again Perth Odessey 2010

Day 20 o Adelaide

25/8/2010

Up early today to have the family to the airport for their 10:40 flight to Adelaide, this was achieved with a minimum of fuss and it’s been great spending time with the family.  Our plans changed several times during the day and achieved nothing that was planned, however, we did spend lunch with Brett in his apartment then a lazy day sitting and waiting for a washing machine.

Tonight special time at the hospital with our new family, gee, Thomas is beautiful.

Catch you tomorrow

John & Sheryle