Early in the month we returned to the city for the Perth Writers Festival long weekend. Di and Peter Ryan let us hang our hats happily back in Henry Street. We chose a few of the many free reading and discussion groups to attend and Peter kindly played chauffeur to and from the University of WA to prevent parking problems. George’s preference for Peter’s workshop became evident after one attendance while Di and Lea enjoyed meeting authors and hearing their stories plus socialising in between with Eggy Boggs. By co-incidence Lea had picked out “Reading by Moonlight” from the local library only to discover the author, Brenda Walker, was one of three, discussing the very personal act of writing about their lives. This certainly added another depth to reading her book. As was the case with Raimond Gaita; as soon as he began speaking, Lea was reminded of a much spoken about film she had never managed to see – “Romulus, My Father”. Such was the impact of this author she promptly ordered his book and DVD from the municipal library – hoping it would be available before our 9 April departure. It was, making a fine read. Lea was glad to have read the book before viewing the film though. Another author whose short reading left Lea gulping back tears and feeling quite drained was Peter Rose’s memoir “Rose Boys” which won him the National Biography award back in 2002. Di and Lea ended up being very selective in subject choices as there were too many things the Ryan’s and Begg's wanted to do together and friends to see, that the few evenings were quickly tied up.
Visiting Ros and Rodney Richards to see their renovations and ogle over Rodney’s beautifully handmade furniture before enjoying dinner in their garden. Another evening took us to Velda and Peter Herring where we were absolutely blown away by their home. After all these years of living on the road never ever tempted to put down roots – we were stunned by theirs. Simplicity personified! Bush as much part of the house and vice versa. Their creativity very evident in everything, including the meal! We met the Herrings through Di and Peter, in the Northern Territory last year and made an instant connection with them. Dinner with neighbouring Wendy Low for the second time, definitely makes her a new friend too. We hope there isn’t an underlying web of entrapment to enjoying all these new friendships around Perth!!!!! Unexpectedly, a cold virus ambushed George, laying him so low that he missed out on much; joining the Subiaco Walkercise members to stride it out in beautiful Kings Park. Cheap Tuesday at the movies (Conviction), lettuce soup lunch with Eggy Boggs followed by a dinner party laid on by Di to introduce us to more friends of theirs.
We returned to Getaway and our family in Sunset Ridge for a few days and there Lea was appalled to watch breaking CNN news virtually as it happened, the catastrophic 8.7 (upgraded later to 9.0) earthquake hit Japan. Almost immediately followed by a Tsunami of mind boggling and truly shocking proportions as it swept over farmlands – worse was to unfold in coming days! How many more of these frighteningly horrific events must we bear witness to within a short span of time? Yet no ways do they lose their dreadful impact.
Sunday morning had Saxon and Lea up early with Harley Rose dancing round in excitement as we readied ourselves for the Long Dogs WA walk.
Sausage Sundae was topped by a Great Dane cherry – Shannon! Disappointingly he didn’t make it into the photo.
On our return, George was ready and waiting to roll our rig out the gate and north to Guilderton, a good hour or more from Perth. Most folk refer to Guilderton as Moore River, as the popular caravan park concealed behind the primary dune close to the river mouth is an incredibly popular place with every weekend booked out for well over a year in advance. We arranged to stay during the quieter week days with Di and Peter as they trialled their new possession A-van Rhys mark 2 for the first time.
The unveiling... Mention must be made of this incredible early birthday present for George. We have searched high and low for a decent, easy to carry clothes drier without success. While with the Ryan’s, we mentioned the need to develop something top-notch. By strange quirk of fate, we had blown their cover! They had TWO Rhodesian driers – 38 years in their boxes and planned to give George one for his birthday. What luck! What unbelievable squirrels! It couldn’t be more perfect or meaningful!
Where the Moore River meets the Indian Ocean - the Aboriginal name “Gabbadah” meaning ‘mouthful of water’ is a far more appropriate name for this beautiful lagoon.
Tom, Holly and Carmen Rutter came up to share Sunday afternoon with us and in next to no time the party was on with the surprise addition of Frances and Joe Hossell. Finding Di and Peter were not at home, they decided to drive up and surprise them in Moore River! Ex Rhodies all, it wasn’t surprising that a braai with sudza and gravy went down a treat that night!
Photo shoot of the occasion ... Francis, Peter, Di, Carmen, Holly, Tom, George and Joe – oops a double Peter, how DID that happen?
At a decent hour early Monday morning, Velda and Peter Herring arrived to spend the day with us. Wish we had caught Velda giving George an art lesson on camera! No sooner had they departed than Di Godson arrived. Talk of a baptism by fire for the Ryan’s! We assured them socialising in this way was a rare happening. Never-the-less a grand time was had by all.
Lea and the two Di’s from the lookout atop the Moore River Dune, keeping up a Tuesday morning walk!
We had a day out with Peter and Di, driving further north and exploring all the camp sites spotted along the way until we reached The Pinnacles. We’ve visited this strangely charming National Park a couple of times during the early years of living in Perth and happily accompanied Peter and Di for their first time. Scientists are only unravelling the many mysteries of these formations – theories abound. Some believe the Pinnacles were formed underground, possibly 500,000 years ago during the Ice Ages of the Quaternary period. Others suspect they are the calcified remains of trunks from an ancient forest buried by sand in a period of intense weather and, the Aborigines call it Werinitj – Devil Place, because of sinking sands. Young men were told not to come here but some (to our eyes, a great many!) did not listen to their elders and when they got here, they vanished into the dunes. The pinnacles are their fingertips- trying to grasp hold of something to drag them-selves out of the sand!
One view of The Pinnacles, which cover a large area, we’ve never come across sinking sands or seen signs warning of this factor so perhaps it was only so, in the Dreamtime.
Life was sooooo pleasant we stayed another night! We spent the extra day at the Gravity Discovery Centre outside Gingin. Growing up in Africa- we possibly suffered some deprivation... Youth aside, who in their right mind would climb 202 steps up a steel tower with a very marked lean, clutching a balloon of water to test Galileo’s theory? The Centre proved to be most enlightening and interesting to visit, particularly as the Guide, another George, happened to take us in hand, simplifying the complexities of physics and cosmology for us. As a result of the abnormal physical and mental exercise and deep concentration we’d subjected ourselves to all morning, delicious wafts from someone’s lunch only served to intensify our hunger pangs! Peter insisted on ‘shouting’ us lunch. Since we could see how big the home-cooked serves were, we decided to share a plate between two. Wherein, the kindly Chef split them for us ever so generously.
Fifty five metres up, three of four ‘children at heart’ smile, after dropping their balloons of water proving Galileo correct- regardless of weight, objects dropped from height, fall at the same speed.
Returning to Sunset Ridge housekeeping began taking priority in readiness for getting back on the road – dentist, flu injections and baking- plenty of it. Filling containers with home-bakes, while we had the use of Saxon’s kitchen became George’s concern and Lea duly obliged- only he wanted to tuck-in far too soon!
Morning tea under the gum-trees was ‘blown out’ of the question by the Hill’s gully winds so we squeezed into Getaway with Jean Rogers and Ros and Rodney Richards.
A long awaited coffee and catch up with Viki Shelver
On a beautiful evening down at the Swan River we to ended March with a celebration... Di Ryan reaching three score years and ten.
We decided to round off the March blog a week into April when our time in Perth drew to a close. As the 1st April marked our arrival into Australia fourteen years ago it seemed fitting to meet up with the Lord’s and Tinley’s as they were remarkably kind in easing and assisting the new immigrants into life down under!
With Ken and Lynne caught up with her solo exhibition, Primal Connections at a gallery in Fremantle and we arranged to meet Liz and Des Lord there for the Opening before grabbing fish and chips to eat up at the War Memorial overlooking Freo’s harbour. All went according to plan making for a delightful evening although we forgot to toast our past and future! Mention must be made of a little incident that occurred beforehand... We arrived outside Early Works Gallery far too early. The drive from Maida Vale, with the full force of the sun in our faces had left us feeling extremely parched which easily reeled us into a large L shaped coffee house to wait out the 45 minutes. As we placed orders Lea asked where the coolest spot was and promptly headed in the direction pointed out. A handy newspaper soon had Lea’s nose in it. Time passed – NO George, NO drinks! Eventually Lea returned to the counter wondering where her husband could be, let alone the order. Poor waitress thought she had a sticky situation on her hands as George was sitting in the furthest corner, in quite the opposite direction to his wife! Unperturbed the MM (mere male) thought his wife had gone in search of a loo. Giggles still erupt at how easily situations can arise through poor hearing!
Birthdays took care of the first week in April with more time in the kitchen. Carrot cake and roast pork decked with plenty of crackling was Grandad’s choice for his day. While our youngest grandchild Erin’s morning tea with Strawberry Shortcake theme finished off our Perth sojourn.
The Arians celebrating together...
Turning two had Erin claim her historic wardrobe moment by wearing her mother’s ‘John Honey’ dress from Canada worn by Saxon on her 4th birthday back in 1980. The dress hasn’t shrunk, her children are taller!