Welcome to the 1st rambling since I built the website. All the previous ones (1 thru 7) were originally written as word docs, this one has actually started life as a web page!

If this ramble was to have a theme, it would predominantly be the friendliness of the locals.

Our arrival at what is without doubt, the best caravan park we've seen to date, was made all the more enjoyable by virtue of the fact that both the couples we had spent time with along the way were already here. The Kiwis, Lorraine & Wray, who have seen the light, sold up in Kiwi Land and hope to settle in the land of Oz; Karen & Charlie and their two daughters Zoe & Karly, also looking for their next challenge.

It's really great having someone else to have a cuppa and conversation with. A cut above the usual caravan chat - "G'day, owyergoin? Isn't the wether great? Fancy having to work for a living!" etc. etc.
Whilst we haven't lived in one another's pockets, we have done things together on occasion. The trip to Rotnest Island being a typical example.

We were all up early as we'd decided to take the bus into Perth, rather than worry about all day parking. We made it to the bus stop (immediately outside the caravan park) with about 2 minutes to spare after striding it out to the very limit of various length legs. Honestly, it was like browns cows headed for the lucerne paddock. One of the locals who was also awaiting the imminent arrival of the bus, dressed in a suit, briefcase in hand, greeted us like long lost friends. As the door of the bus opened, the man in the suit informed the bus driver he was about to be boarded by 'tourists' and asked that he look after us. Look after us he did. When we arrived in the Perth bus terminal, the driver told us to stay on board and, after all his other passengers had alighted, drove out of the terminal, around a few city blocks and took us to the wharf from where we were to board the boat to Rotnest - our own personal 40 seater taxi!

A variety of cruises are available to Rotnest; we had chosen one that left from Perth city and travelled via the Swan River to Fremantle. This beautiful river has seen a lot of recent development and is now lined with many VERY expensive houses, numerous of which have been paid for by WA's abundant mining riches. A commentary by the skipper allowed us to pick Rose Porteous' shack, along with many others.

We had chosen this particular day for the trip for various reasons, one of which was the weather forecast (which proved to be accurate) and also because the aircraft carrier USS Constellation was due to dock at Fremantle - something I was very keen to see. We weren't disappointed as it was actually being completed as we approached.

We had to wait for a while due to a river block (similar in concept to a road-block, but a bit wetter) formed by numerous large and speedy craft, most either sporting Police, Coast Guard or similar decorations, or at the very least, containing sombre looking gents with lots of stripey bits on their shoulders. After about ten minutes the river-block was lifted (motored aside?) and we were allowed to pass, but still under police escort.

By the time we returned to Fremantle, the cruise missile launchers were docked. One poor gent on the wharf must have looked a little suspicious and was quizzed by a uniformed officer aboard one of the ‘unmarked’ boats that cruised the harbour incessantly for the duration of the warships’ stay. Our passage however was uninterrupted, although a plethora of cruising security ensured we didn’t get too close.

Although much of this ramble is about the friendliness of the locals, not all fit into that category. My experience with having the car serviced was a case in point. Things started out in the usual way, book it in, arrive, ask if the DC power outlet in the centre console could be fixed under warranty etc etc.

A couple of hours wait, my name was called and keys handed to me.

“That’ll be $140”

“What will?” I enquired.

“The service and replacing the power outlet…”

“But the service is free – I have free servicing for three years”

“Ohh… that only applies in Victoria!”

“Rubbish!” (or words with just a little more emphasis) “Show me where it says on my paperwork, ‘Only in Victoria’”

Well, the service guy scurried for his boss, who I overheard say “F&#% him off...”

My demeanour DIDN’T improve. Shortly after, his boss walked through the office and I indicated I’d like a quiet word with him – things degenerated form there. After literally snatching the keys from my hand, and informing me I wouldn’t get my car till I paid, he disappeared back into his office.

Despite seeing the Dealer Principle, explaining the situation and speaking to someone from Mitsubishi – two hours later I paid and departed, not the most happy customer they’d ever had.

I wont bore you with all the details, but suffice to say that after contact with Mitsubishi customer service, there is now a cheque on its way to refund our money, and paperwork that should (I’m yet to see it) confirm for all time that we are covered for free servicing.

In complete contrast to this little escapade was my experience with shopping for Margs birthday present. After purchasing her present, the supplied plastic bag, and the shape of the goods within, left little doubt as to the contents. Passing a ‘Home’ store, I saw that they had some plain brown paper bags on the counter, so entered and requested one, explaining that I wanted it to conceal the present.

“Would you like us to gift wrap it for you?”

Well, I was embarrassed enough just going in and asking for the paper bag – given that I hadn’t bought anything from their store, but was even more embarrassed by the offer.
5 minutes later I departed with a nicely wrapped parcel, complete with ribbons and ‘ribbon-flower’, proudly carried in a ‘Home’ plastic bag – the very least I could do for them, and it did help raise Margs’ confusion level…

Marg's birthday worked out really well. We booked into a local tavern that served roast dinners. After four months on the road, we were all hanging out for a roast. The other two families accompanied us, one had pre-delivered the birthday cake for us, the other organised party hats and a 'Birthday Girl' tiara.

"Just the one - they're too expensive for me to have a spare"

"Well, when you get to Perth, drop in to my house and I'll give you one - I've got three so you can have one if you want"!!!!

Thanks Charlie - I really appreciate it and am already putting it to good use!

Sitting in the car developing the website while Marg was shopping, a guy walked past to his car, stopped, came back and said "G'day". Asked where we were from, where we were staying etc. Turned out he lives not too far from the caravan park, up on the hill overlooking Perth (Kalamunda) …

"Best views in Perth - come up for a drink and have a look"

"But I've got a wife and 2 kids…"

"That's OK, I've got a wife and 3 kids, come on up!"

My 'Natural Charm' doesn't always work for me tho'. I mentioned above about the aircraft carrier birthing (does that mean we'll end up with lots of little carriers??? I wonder), at Fremantle - I tried my darndest to get on, but failed. We went down to the Fremantle Markets and had a wander (not a patch on the Vic Market in Melb., but still better than Adelaide). Checked out the ships and was told the carrier would be open for inspections the following day. We went back to Freo' the next day, and although lots of people did get to have a look, we weren't so lucky… Next time I think I'll wear a blonde wig and fancy stockings, high heels and lipstick - that combination seemed to working a treat, tho' I guess the moustache might give it away…

We caught up with a few others while we've been here. Teresa & Peter Cameron, used to live around the corner from us in Newborough. I first met Teresa at the Old Time Dance in Moe - THAT dates things a bit!

A couple Lesley & John, we met on our 'shakedown' trip to Ballarat, lived a bit north of Perth. We made a round trip, firstly to have our new CDMA phone fixed (completed on the spot while I waited!) then to pick up the Laptop battery and finally out to Lesley and Johns. I planned the route on the laptop map first, uploaded it to the GPS and headed off. Worked like a charm, saving much stress (for Marg) with navigating an absolute breeze. The route I'd decide to follow looked so easy too, only needing to backtrack about 2 blocks after collecting the battery, before heading off for dinner at John & Lesley's. Only problem was, the last leg took us into the pines, along some very rough bush tracks, past more dumped rubbish than I thought possible to dump, and between almost every stolen, burnt out car body north of Perth! Each bend had us looking for gangsters, dope growers or murderers hiding from the law. Eventually we came out the other side, convinced we'd past our destination somewhere in the gloom amongst the forest and the wrecks. The phone call for help went something like this:

"Hello… where are you?"

"Ummm we're at such & such intersection"

"Your Where? WHERE THE HELL IS THAT?"

"Well… errr that's why we're ringing you."

"John - they've come through the pines! That's the worst road around…"

She wasn't telling us anything new!

A lovely dinner was interrupted by a phone call from their son who rang to warn them the police were raiding the area (the pines) so to lock their doors, cars etc. in case the crooks came calling - seems our impressions were accurate!

Perth is a really great city. If I had to live in a capital city, then Perth would win hands down. Their peak period traffic lasts about 20 minutes and even then is no worse than Melbourne at its best! The housing is relatively cheap - probably about a third of Melbourne, the public transport is excellent as are their freeways and FREE tunnel.

Once again, a BIG thankyou to Andy & Rose - for the time and facilities (phone line, office etc. to allow me to get this web site on air), and also to Bill back in Melb. for his 'remote' help.

Love to all, hope you're finding the 'web-site' method of delivery easier and better than the emails

Jim, Marg Jess & Maddie