Arrived safely in Perth

Perth airport was a balmy 26 degrees last night when we arrived just before midnight local time, but I’m pleased to say that things got a little warmer today with the temperature apparently reaching 39 degrees.  Fortunately we had a cooling breeze for much of the day, so with frequent stops for drinks and the occasional dive into air-conditioned buildings it was very bearable.

Our first action this morning was a quick stroll down to the Barrack Street Jetty for a bite of breakfast and then off to the WA Tourist Centre to book up our hotel accommodation for the next few days.  We then hopped onto a No 37 bus which took us up to King’s Park and the Botanic Gardens where you get some fantastic views out over the Swan River and downtown Perth.

Perthy at Terminal 5

Perthy at Terminal 5Perthy is the newest member of the Ewbank entourage – very kindly given to John as his farewell gift from the children of the Dean Close Pre-Preparatory School (The Squirrels).  Here he is checking the departures board at Heathrow Terminal 5 before we jet off on our travels to Australia and New Zealand.

So far so good!

Off we go then!

Denise and Perth setting offWell, ready at last for the long trip ‘down under’!  Denise and Perthy (good name eh?) wave a fond farewell to Hornbeam House and hope that it will still be in one piece when we all get back.

So long cold and rainy Gloucestershire -Perth,  Adelaide and 43 degrees  here we come!