City slicker

Having not visited the city properly yet (aside from New Year’s Eve), a opportunity to have a look around cropped up, which fitted in nicely with some other things I would have liked to do, so Mackey (girl, her surname) and I jumped on the train city bound.

I am somewhat vaguely familiar with the city from previous years but couldn’t tell you where anything specifically was, but unlike most cities (in Europe anyway) you don’t need to rely on detailed tourist maps to navigate this one… as the main sector is just 4 (albeit long) parallel roads with perpendicular streets intersecting through. Sure there are other parts of the city (e.g. Northbridge also known as (aka) the backpackers/clubbing area and Kings Park aka a park) but for the wants of the daytime, where we were had it all: the business district and the shops.

Perth is quite unique as modern city's go, with not an excess of high rises, it is possible to get natural light on the ground and you don’t have the claustrophobic feeling of being entombed by metal and glass. The most noticeable thing in Perth actually was us, traipsing around in our casual gear amongst the prowling suited army of business types, who were marching between meetings with just enough time to grab their coffee fix. I am being stereotypical of course but we certainly stuck out like a sore thumb when we ambled into the reception area of one high riser looking for the lifts, whilst the uniformed sub-species were discussing their latest figures in the cafeteria (again generalisation, they were probably just discussing their lives outside the collar).

As it turned out we failed on both accounts for the reasons we went to town; the British consulate was closed 2 minutes prior for us arriving (2pm) and we could not find a wicker picnic basket (with lid) anywhere!!! (a present for Liz’s birthday, discussed later). But we had fun checking out the ‘English’ (medieval) themed walkway of shops… more Diagon Alley (Harry Potter) like than anything else… if the wizarding world wore UGGS and had postcards of Kangaroo’s… thinking about it, not that any of that stuff is particularly English either… more like Tourist Trap Alley… but I think they did have a ‘Tea parlour’.

So with our failed tasks, we reverted to assumed plan B… shopping… and came across a few gems, namely ‘The Reject Shop’ (end of line products) gosh I love the Aussie’s lack of political correctness…and another shop that Mackey just wanted to '‘walk by and sniff’', yes weird, until you actually walk past it and realise the overwhelming (but nice floral like) odour emanating from behind its entrance.

Back at base, it was the mum’s XXth birthday, a big celebration thus required, and all things Oz, it naturally had to be a barbeque party. But surprise of all surprises went to the weather which took a turn for the cooler (25*C…which yes does feel cooler after a week of 35*C) so the pool aspect was ruled out by most… except me (of thick blood, thus am immune to cold water, or at least the Oz perception of cold water) and Margret, a mum of family friends, so we decided at 9pm to take a jump in for fun. We were duly rewarded as the night time had brought with it a clear sky and so we lay on our backs in the pool and gazed up at the stars, beautiful.

Another taste of the beauty of Australian life (yes after 2 months I have not got too accustomed to my surroundings to take it all for granted) greeted me yesterday when Hannah and I went for a cycle along the coast. Just behind the beach, there is a path that runs parallel for quite a distance by the shore (longer than I expect to venture anyway) that ungulates alongside, a popular route for fitness enthusiasts/casual strollers and we flew along the path, much to my joy, with the turquoise ocean and white sandy beaches to the left, dunes to the right and the wind whipping across our faces (no hair-wind whipping as helmets have to be worn by law…but nether-the-less…fun times).

So with that picture perfect image (I forgot to take my camera so have no such images, apologies), I bid thee farewell and good health until our next rendezvous over Australian subject matter.

p.s. my heart still beats stronger for the views over the Peak District's hills than for beach scenes, after all I'm a child of the earth not a water baby.
p.p.s. hope that was an adequate post for your Birthday, Martina, enjoy.