Family and Friends

Perth, Mandurah and Surrounds

January 4 to 14, 2016

A wee taste of family in the form of son Sebastian was very welcome.

Just off the plane and straight to lunch at the Lucky Shag on the Swan River.

Lunch at a cafe in Pinjarra a few days later.

It is extremely hot in Western Australia, with catastrophic bushfires 30km south of our Mandurah base, so we are spending a lot of time cooling our heels (and other body parts) in the Indian Ocean. All the national parks are closed so no chance to explore them. We did make a trip to Swan Valley one day and developed a taste for organic wine. Amazing what antics a little wine tasting will induce.

We came home via Perth Hills and were mightily impressed by the Mundaring Dam which supplies water to Kalgoorlie, 560km to the east. The dam and goldfields pipeline were completed in 1903 and are recognised as one of the engineering marvels of the time, putting them up there with the Golden Gate Bridge and Panama Canal. Impressive huh?

Sebastian contemplating the dam wall ...  

...and then performing atop the edifice. 

The original coal-powered (and later timber) pump house. Where's Wally? 

Our on-the-road buddies, the Hannay clan, set up camp nearby so we had some fun with them. They were very brave and visited us in our house-sit hovel. 

Barbie in the backyard. The Hannays were undaunted, bless their cotton socks.
From left: Mikayla, Raylene, Paul, Gazman, Sebastian and Ethan. Neika is under the table.

Ravenswood Hotel on the Murray River offered a superior setting a few days later.

Mikayla performing her cup-and-clap song. She can't decide if she wants to be a "star" or work in Mitre 10!

 

Ethan doing a dad thing. Wattah....

Thanks Ray for these pics. You win. Your camera is MUCH bigger 'n' better!  

Double Trouble: Paul and Gazman sharing a joke. One of many.

Sebastian chilling by the Murray. Mwah

And this one is for my Ravo buddies. For those who don't know, I spent seven years at Ravenswood School for Girls in Sydney, five of them as a boarder.

 We've decided we should share a few photos of our lodgings. After all, it's part of the Bangers journey. It's not all bad; a few things get a tick.

Inviting front yard ... love the dog.

Even more inviting back yard ... love the dog. 

Exposed batts sag from the verandah ceiling.

Television cum lounge room. Garry was watching the cricket.

Now to the positives ....

Love this river gum out the front.

Two luscious larger ladies make us smile.

Nice mirror reflecting some of the delectable interior. 

Garry likes this original kitchen sink. He's threatening to take it with us.

One very lovely swimming dog. Would love to take her with us.

Where's puss cat Pepper? She's thriving but she's not our favourite, especially after biting and scratching Garry several times. We've found it best to ignore her, which is a bit sad but it seems to suit everyone.

Just 11 days and we'll be back on the road. We're raring to go. Hoo roo.