Perth - sight-seeing

I have not been to Kings Park and Botanic Gardens for over 18 years. Last time was with David and it certainly has changed since then. A lot more aboriginal facilities and gardens dedicated to different tribes.

For thousands of years Aboriginal people have been visiting Mooro Katta or Kaarta Gar-up, two of the many names for Mount Eliza, the highest point of Kings Park.
Nyoongar is the generic term for indigenous people of the southwest of Western Australia. The area at the base of Kings Park, known as Goonininup, was an important ceremonial and dreaming area for Aboriginal males.

In the park there was this large tree called a Boad. Boads are distinctive landmark of the Kimberly with relatives in Africa and Madagascar. Bo ads are relics of Gondwana, a time when the Southern continents were close together millions of years ago. The Boad is a rare example of Australian native plant that drops all its leaves during the dry season. It lives to a great age, storing large amounts of water in its trunk. Anyway, this particular tree travelled 3200km from Telegraphic Creek, Near Warmun, Northern Western Australia. The 750 year old GIJI JUMULU was planted on 20th July 2008 and is now starting to branch out with leaves. This was the longest land journey of a tree of this size in history. The construction of a new bridge on the Great Northern Highway required the tree to be moved. The Gija people of the East Kimberly gifted the Jumulu to the people of W.A

When we were staying in Rockingham we went one day with Cath & Mick to Serpentine falls. Serpentine National Park is about 50 kilometres or one hour's drive south of Perth and sits on the Darling Scarp. It protects more than 4,300 hectares of land.The park is known for Serpentine Falls which cascade over a sheer granite face. The Serpentine National Park abounds with the scenic beauty of ancient landforms and forest. It follows the steep slopes of the Serpentine River valley. Early European settlers came in droves to swim, picnic and enjoy a day out in the bush.Serpentine National Park exhibits a wide variety of plant life with wildflowers. Birdlife abounds with about 70 different species including red-capped parrots, western Rosella's, red-tailed and white-tailed black-cockatoos, and yellow robins. Kangaroos, wallabies, possums and many other animals call the park home. Mick & Cath often bring the children down for a swim.

While down that way we also visited the Mundella factory where they make yoghurt's, fetta cheese etc and the Borrelli factory were they make cheese. We purchased some cheese including a chilli cheese which I thought was tasty seeing I'm addicted to chilli as I have chilli sauce on nearly everything I eat.

We couldn't go on holiday to Perth without visiting Fremantle. I just love that place. This time we caught The Cat (free bus that goes to about 26 stops) to Fremantle Museum and Arts Building. They say the building is haunted and that people have seen images of a lady on the wall.
In 1852 the Lunatic Asylum at Kingston Upon Thames may have been the precedent for the
former Lunatic Asylum in Fremantle, now known as the Fremantle Museum & Arts Centre.

We did take a photo of this rocking chair moving but Tony must have deleted it.........or maybe it mysteriously disappeared from the camera.

Catherine and the children came up to Wannaroo for a BBQ and stayed overnight to be there for Tony's Birthday on 1st June. We celebrated by going to Mini Golf. The children let Tony win seeing it was his day. He actually had 3 birthday cakes this year. One with Catherine & the children, one Jessica made when we went to Kathy and John's place that night for a BBQ and one yesterday with our family in Sydney.

We went to pick Pinto up from his holiday last Thursday and to our surprise was greeted by this nice lean dog. Apparently he had been playing all the time with the younger dog, Toby and also chasing the birds when they landed on the large grassed backyard. Pinto had been "top dog" and I think he was disappointed when we took him home although he did jump in the car rather quickly as did the other two dogs as well.

It has taken him a few days to settle back with us........he has been rather quiet and not eating much. When I say not eating, that's dog food. He will eat what we are having.

Sandy is on the left of Pinto and Toby is on the right.