Perth
Trip Start
Jun 29, 2006
1
6
11
Trip End
Jun 29, 2007
Perth,
Australia
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Christmas day was hot! So hot our decorative candles on the table melted! Lucky we don't have an issue with storage space in our fridges - the Aussies have that problem beat by having a separate fridge purely for the beer :) There was no relying on the cool weather to chill drinks this year. I started the day with the obligatory beach run and swim in the ocean, followed by champagne, before settling down for our late afternoon lunch. The family completed the day sipping on glasses of port and resting our fat bellies on the pillows in the lounge
01. Sunset over Indian Ocean
. It was nice to be back and chilling out with everyone. We saw the other half of the family on Boxing Day. I spent some time dragging my nieces and nephews around the pool on blow-up pool toys which they found very amusing, and meeting my cousins' new additions to the family.In true New Years Eve fashion, we left our planning until last minute. Chooni, Sereena and Birgit happened to be in town, so the four of us and another two wonderful couples (Birgit and I made a fantastic couple as the Cowgirl & the Queen of Hearts), went to a pub in Subiaco for dinner where we dressed up as "When I grow up I want to be...." followed by a DJ to lead us into the new year. We had a sleepover at my folks after a long train journey home in which the Queen lost her crown and fell into bed in the early hours of the morning.
2007 started in a drunken blur, much as it had started with champagne and strawberries, followed by a big breakfast fry up care of Mum and Dad. The party broke up, Mum, Dad and I moved on to my brothers for a New Year's Day party around the pool. That proved to be a lifesaver when my hangover kicked in. It was a baddy!! I even sneaked a quick kip before my brother so kindly dragged me back out of bed to rejoin the party.
03. Sam and Nat
With the start of the New Year and my impending departure not far off, I set about visiting all the friends and family for the final time. In between I visited the beach or the local pool regularly, trying to rid myself of the love handles I had gained in Uganda!
I had a great evening of sundowners in Kings Park where Chooni and Sereena friends Kate and Ben Raggett. Ben serenaded us with an acoustic guitar set whilst we sampled a couple of Margaret River wines. The ducks were suitably impressed. Before long we had a small crowd of birds gather for the free concert.
Of course I also made time for an Ethiopian meal at a new restaurant in Northbridge with 10 or so friends which included a few surprise faces from around the globe. Yana & Phil, Anne-Marie, Jes, Justin & Liz, Damo & Leanne, Birgit and Jo joined me for a beautiful meal. Always fantastic to see you all guys!!!
After a drunken Friday lunch with friends and pizza with the family for dinner, I packed my bags and headed to the East Coast of Oz to catch up with the most stunning man ever, Mr Brad Thatcher!
