Summer in Australia

Hi everyone,

We just completed a marvellous month at home in Western Australia.  We flew on Qantas direct from London Heathrow to Perth.  It was wonderful to be home.  We spent much of our time in Fremantle, only a short walk from Fremantle Sailing Club.

Fremantle Sailing Club

The direct flight is great.  Our approach into Perth took us down the coast towards Rockingham before turning east then north to land.  Great views of Rottnest and Carnac Islands.

Inbound to Perth over Rottnest Island

About a week after arriving we gave a Topics Night talk at FSC.  This was the third so far in our series describing the progress of our circumnavigation.  These talks are recorded and uploaded to YouTube here.

Talk at Fremantle Sailing Club

We had several dinners with friends at FSC.  Also BBQs with live-aboard cruisers on Tuesday nights and  sausage sizzles with twilight sailors on Wednesday nights.  Such a great club.

Nicki at FSC

FSC Twilight Fleet

We rediscovered Fremantle during our stay.  Various changes but still the same great vibe.

Just another meal in Fremantle

Fremantle Market

Sail and Anchor pub in Fremantle

While back in WA we both had medical checks.  Visits to doctors, blood tests, skin inspections etc.  This followed on from dental checks in Portugal and new glasses in the UK.  All in preparation for several more years away blue-water cruising.

The public transport system in Perth is very good and getting even better.  We used both train and bus services to get around.

Perth Train

We spent a day in Perth visiting the Apple Store and looking around the new (to us) riverfront development Elizabeth Quay.

Elizabeth Quay, Perth

Elizabeth Quay, Perth

We also visited the Sculpture by the Sea in Cottesloe on two separate occasions.  Lots of interesting sculptures in a spectacular location.

Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe

Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe

Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe

During one of our first visits to FSC I mentioned the difficulty in buying Australian Red Ensigns overseas.  Sailor Isabel is a dressmaker and immediately volunteered to make us two ensigns.  I think she under-estimated the complexity of the task - particularly the Union Jack - but she delivered.  It will be wonderful to fly these hand-made ensigns in future.

New Handmade Ensigns - thank Ladies!

All good things come to an end.  Thanks to everyone who made us so welcome back in Perth.

Boarding QF9 PER-LHR

We're now back in the UK for a few days.  We're collecting an array of new gear for our upcoming mini refit of Zen Again.  We had to buy various 240Vac gear in Europe since they're almost impossible to get in the US.  And over the last two weeks we've been ordering gear in the US for delivery to friends there or to the boatyard where Zen Again patiently awaits us.