24 August 2024
We spent two weeks in total in Perth and thoroughly enjoyed our time. We’ll also be back from 17-22 September when Katelyn visits us there.
Here are some random and somewhat disjointed additional updates and insights.
Cold and wet
Apart from the day we went to see a game at Optus Stadium, the Perth weather was pretty bad. Always cold, usually windy, and almost always raining or about to rain. We gave up trying to use the weather app on our phones to find out when it would be raining, as it was pretty unreliable.
Amazingly, we were able to get three loads of laundry done one day and get it dried. We jagged three free washing machines at the same time (unheard of), and then rain held off long enough for the gale force winds to dry it in no time — although we had to make sure it was pegged well.
FIFO workers
We noticed a few FIFO workers living in the caravan park, then not being there for 5 or so days. We heard from friends that the long-term parking spaces at Perth Airport are almost entirely taken up by FIFO workers long-term renting them. Real estate prices have also gone crazy in the last 5-8 years apparently, no doubt at least partly fuelled by FIFO workers seeking Perth home bases.
So, while the mining boom is delivering massive economic benefits to the WA and Australian economies, it does come at a cost.
Skin checks
Nicole and I took the chance of being in Perth to get skin checks done, plus general health checks. Nicole got the all clear, although I had a few skin things they were concerned about and so I was referred to a dermatologist. It was a cancellation miracle that I got in to see the dermatologist at such short notice, who froze one thing off my neck and wanted to biopsy another near my eye.
When I went back for the biopsy, a re-think was done after the dermatologist consulted with a colleague. So, no biopsy needed this time, but I will need to be careful in the sun.
Swan Valley
One day we went for a very short drive into the Swan Valley where we visited the:
- Morish Nut Factory (often found in Ekka Showbags and delicious)
- Motor Museum of Western Australia (where Daniel Ricciardo’s RB12 F1 car is kept)
- Mandoon Estate Winery (a very pleasant tasting experience).
Fremantle Take 2
While Nicole and I enjoyed our visit to Fremantle with Brad and Kris, we didn’t get to see quite a few things. So, we headed down on our own.
The weather was atrocious (refer above). We ended up having to park the motorhome a fair way from where we were headed (visiting on a weekday), so had to walk quite a way in a howling gale with intermittent rain.
We first headed for the Maritime Museum of WA because a) we wanted to see it, and b) it would be dry and warm. It was very well done with lots to see, including the Australia II yacht that won the America’s Cup way back in 1983. Unfortunately, the HMAS Ovens submarine that you can normally climb around in wasn’t open to the public this day, so all we could do was look at it through a rainy window.
Then it was a short walk to see the Roundhouse. Opened in 1831, it was the first permanent building built in the original Swan River Colony and the oldest building still standing in Western Australia.
Then we said hello to Bon Scott, of AC/DC fame, a short walk away. Nicole belted out a bit of “It’s a Long Way to the Top” on her ‘umbrella microphone’, which Bon didn’t seem to know what to do with.
Our final (and quick, because our car parking was running out) stop was to Little Creatures Brewery where they make some of my favourite beers. Then back through the main street to the motorhome (not raining this time).
So long for now Perth — we’ll be back again soon!
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