Perth

My journey started with the overnight SAA flight to Perth, landing at midday. Nelwyn (a friend from my undergrad university days) was at the airport to greet me, and took the scenic route back to their home along the Swan River, waterfront area and centre of Perth.

The Monday was spent relaxing and recovering from jet-lag, with a quick visit to Bunnings, a ubiquitous DIY chain (Builder's Warehouse in South Africa on steroids). On the Tuesday I went out and did some geocaching in a nearby park, which was filled with a large flock of birds, which I later learned were corellas (impressive white cockatoos with flashes of red).

That evening was the RU Alumni Reunion in Perth, which was hosted at the home of the organisers. We had about 35 people there, and it was really good to meet a keen bunch of Old Rhodians with a deep interest in the University (I was the University's representative for the event). It was particularly good to meet Gail Mosdell (Thomas), another classmate of mine and Nelwyn's (the photo is Nelwyn and Gail with me), and one of my students, Greg Biegel, from several years ago.

On the Wednesday, Nick (Nelwyn's husband) and a friend of his invited me to join them for a bike ride, which was spectacular, on bike trails, through parks, and along the beach front North of Perth (the photo is from our ride on the beach front), before returning home. Later that afternoon I took the train into town and spent the afternoon exploring the city centre, and the waterfront area. In the evening Nick and Nelwyn were out to Nick's Australian citizenship ceremony, and I met Mike Nichols (an old school friend for dinner - chicken parmagiana, which I am informed is a staple of Australian cuisine!). It was really good to catch up with Mike again - he had calculated that it was about 35 years since we had last seen each other.

On the Thursday I took the train into town again, and then out to Fremantle - the harbour at the mouth of the Swan River. There I explored the beachfront including the old Roundhouse, which had a "one o'clock cannon" that was ceremoniously fired while I was there. The centre of Fremantle is made up of lovely old buildings (slightly reminiscent of Grahamstown's High Street). I also visited the maritime museum, which was excellent, particularly the tour of an old submarine on display outside the museum. After that I took a river cruise back into the centre of Perth itself, which provided commentary on the sights as we sailed past (and free wine tasting!). In the evening I went to Ikea with Nick and Nelwyn to sample the Swedish meatballs, which I had heard a lot about, but never eaten before (the Ikea is just across the road from where they live).

On Friday, Nick and Nelwyn took me to King's Park for a quick stroll around, including great views of the city and river, before I caught my flight on to Sydney, the next stop in the Great Australian Adventure.

View from King's Park

View from the boat cruise up the Swan River