Adventure World (WATER)

On Friday we visited Adventure World again. This time we took the swimming attire. The Shotgun was a good ride. A flumes type ride on figure-of-eight inflatable tubes.

New Norcia

On Tuesday we went to New Norcia. It's the only Monastic town in Australia and the only Benedictine Monastery in WA. A sleepy little town with a long history (at least by Australian standards); http://www.newnorcia.wa.edu.au/monastery_history.htm . We visited the Art Gallery and Museum, which was by far the highlight of the day but use of cameras and video cameras was banned. Much of the art work was very old European works donated by supportive organisations in Italy and Spain. The buildings were a pleasant break from the standard Perth house.

The local hotel.


St. Gertrudes (a boarding school up to 1991).


St. Ildephonsus' (previously a boarding school also).

Kings Park

We visited Kings Park on Sunday afternoon. A lovely walk and fantastic views over the river and south Perth.

K standing by a Boab tree.


C & K standing on the arched bridge in the middle of Kings Park.


There she blows!

El Caballo

Saturday outing at El Caballo http://www.elcaballo.com.au/. Spanish dancing horses, bull fighters, and other horsey stuff. It's about an hour from the city, set in the hills where the sea breeze doesn't quite reach. Needless to say it was hot.

C&K at the entrance to the resort.


And again in the foyer.


Spanish bull fighting is initially carried out using horses and a long, sharp stick to draw the bull from the group and cause the first loss of blood prior to the bullfighters on foot who finish it off. This guy didn't have a bull but pranced about with a stick while cheesy music played in the background.


Chicks on horses. Choreographed dancing sort of thing.

Hey fool, you're going the wrong way. Actually this guy did some neat tricks and had a real affinity with his horse. He did some high speed running in this position. Note - no saddle!

There was also a small petting zoo and some toddler's rides.

Adventure World

First weekend back in Perth. Adventure World is now open and we decided to pay a visit. Various activities, rides, etc. For the most part it's a water park http://www.adventureworld.net.au


Crazy Mirrors. Chloe always wanted to have longer legs.


Mam. Why do I look strange?

Mono rail fun

Leaving on a Jet Plane

LHR Lounge -
On my left you'll see the Boeing 777-300. Only 22 hours and two flights to go before we land in Perth.

Departure London 5°C at 12:00h. Thank goodness it was mild.
Arrival Perth 39°C at 19:00h. Crikey Mate!
Glad we missed Perth on Christmas Day; hottest on record at 44°C.

New Year Celebrations

New Year celebrations started off with the simplest of things. A wind-up reindeer race, courtesy of the Christmas crackers. I'm not a bad looser and rarely complain but Malcolm's a cheat! Bethany tried using scream power to speed her reindeer along.


Leonardo (blue), Raphael (Red), Michelangelo (Orange), Donatello (Purple). Not sure who these imposters are but I'm not going to mess with them.


Bertie, Andra and buddies. A braw day for a walk wi' the band on 2nd January 2008.