Slip & Surprise Girl

Mel now 13kgs lighter

Mel never ceases to amaze me and amaze me she does!  After our week away in tranquil Busselton she put on almost a kilo in weight. Not surprising, I put on 1.5kgs and I enjoyed every moment of tasty, yummy  holiday food.  I've lost the kilo but the half a kilo is rather stubborn and is choosing to stay even after all my beach walking! 
Mel is a 'slip and surprise' girl.   She will slip up with her weight loss and overnight she is once again  walking, exercising and counting her pro points.  Mel has mastered how to politely refuse cake, biscuits and other fatty delights when at home and while socialising.  She has lost over 13kgs at Weight Watchers. It has been over twelve months now but I believe she is losing weight the best way, little by little. Mel has proved she has the ability to set goals and use workable strategies to achieve them. I am very impressed!

House Hopping

Dustin is on the move once again.  He soon found out the tiny apartment where he recently began renting a room with an Indian couple is not going to work long term.  Dustin asked to use their oven to cook a meal only to find it doesn't work.  He bought crumpets to toast but they don't have a toaster!  After awhile he found the tiny box style apartment too small plus the continuous Indian music was too much to bear.  He set the wheels in motion and in a matter of days he reported a work colleague and her husband have a suitable spare room complete with bathroom and no Indian music.  Dustin was happy and signed up. Once again the moving process of sorting and packing begins. Friends are enlisted to help with the removal of furniture and his treadmill.  Our shed will either gain or lose a few of Dustin's belongings.  Over the years he has borrowed furniture and other items which after awhile become solely his belongings.  I figure if you can give it away, it's less junk to throw away! I hope he settles longer in these new lodgings.  It's not easy living with strangers.  Sometimes it's not easy living with people you know and love!

Birthday Celebration

Late this afternoon the heavens opened and down came glorious wet rain!  We stood and watched it fall and splatter on the paving until every inch of the garden changed colour with its wetness.  We know what rain is and how it falls (and how it pours in Perth) but we have had a mere 3mm since last November.  We are hungry for rain.  We look up at the perfect blue skies, at every passing cloud, we hope when the clouds threaten and sigh when they pass without incident.
I had my washing on the line today as I drove Mel home after our celebration lunch but I didn't care.
"Let it rain," I cried as I used the windscreen wipers for the first time.  I turned on the headlights as the light faded.  I am pleased Ellie is everything I expected!

 Dustin celebrates with family & Grace

We celebrated Dustin's 37th birthday at Penny Gardens Restaurant in the Swan Valley today.  Dustin and his girlfriend, Grace have been dating for six weeks.  She is delightful.  Normally there would be just four of us celebrating, today with Grace there was five.   The restaurant has a pleasant outdoor area with a small man made lake.  The interior is basic but pleasant.  The service is excellent and the waitpersons polite.  Our lunch dishes were pub size and delicious.   We returned home for birthday cake and coffee.  I had made Dustin's cake to his request.  I baked the sponge cakes yesterday and this morning I put the jam and cream between them and made passionfruit icing for the top.  Sounded good to me until I put the cake together and watched the top sponge sliding straight off taking the cream with it!  Whoops!  I think I should have used the whipping cream rather than the thickened cream.  I ended up taking off the cream and instructing the wayward cake to stand tall.   After singing Happy Birthday, Dustin cut the cake and I added the cream and blueberries on the side.  It's not the best cake I have ever made but it gave us a giggle and a celebration of Dustin's birthday.

Cake, cream & blueberries

Picnic with Swans

As the weather begins to cool it's time to revisit our favourite haunts.  We have the most fabulous places to visit, enjoy a walk and take in the scenery and be entertained by the wildlife.  Today we went to Tomato Lake, a lake and park grounds nestled in a busy southern suburb of Perth.  The sky was blue, the breeze warm and our twice around the lake walk saw us witness the flight of the coots (ducks) chasing each other in the shallows.  They were, 'walking on water' as they skittled in flight looking like characters in a cartoon strip.  The peace of the lake was interrupted by a stream of lunchtime visitors.  People came to fill the tables at the little café and others bought their picnic eskies taking over the many picnic tables.  Mel and I enjoyed curried egg sandwiches which we put together at our picnic table.  We ordered takeaway coffee and tea to enjoy with our sandwiches and fresh fruit.   A herd of black swans appeared from the lake hoping for some tasty titbits.  We tidied up and left not long after. We have appointments this afternoon and we need to leave.  We get in the car and soon we are back among the busy traffic with our thoughts on what the day has yet to bring rather than the joy of our Tomato Lake adventure.

Wildlife Adventure

Python from WA

Only last October I was on safari in South Africa surrounded by wild animals.  Today we were surrounded by Australian wildlife in a more sedate setting.  Mel and I visited Merv's sister Vicki and we were thrilled to find Vicki and the other residents enjoying a visit from West Oz Wildlife.  They bring the wildlife to you and they keep busy visiting schools, nursing homes and birthday parties.  Vicki was thrilled to stroke a friendly dingo and a larger than life fluffy koala but she wouldn't have a bar of the slippery pythons!  Mel and I lived the dangerous life and volunteered to drape the not so cute pythons around our necks!  We stroked the well behaved dingo, and bobtail lizard while oohing and aah-ing over the six year old koala. 

Vicki patting the dingo

Mel patting the koala

They only live seven years in the wild but three times longer in captivity.  They sleep up to twenty hours per day and everyone had a stroke of his amazingly soft fur.
There's a lot of people with HD who live at the high care facility and it was joyful to see their reactions and attentiveness during the visit.  I took lots of photos.  I am going to frame a few for Vicki to keep in her room and relive the memories.

Rearing to Go

It's not Thursday.  It's Wednesday all day but for me it might as well be Thursday.  I had planned all week to pick up my fabulous new car on Thursday when the car salesman rang and said it was already for pick up, when could I come?  Well he rang Tuesday, I wasn't ready so I hastily said Wednesday.  I am not always so organised.  Last Wednesday I went to check out new cars and bought one, just like that!  Not me at all, but it was fun doing so!
Most important thing to remember was to drop by the bank to pick up the bank cheque and from there it was smooth sailing.  There I was in my new Hyundai i30 Trophy, adjusting the height of the steering wheel and the driver's seat.  The salesman connected my iPhone by Bluetooth and when my phone rings I just press a button on the steering wheel and I am away chatting.  I suppose that depends on the level of traffic and concentration needed.  We'll see how it goes.  Ellie (pet name for new car) has cruise control.  I could do with that in life.  My brain is still struggling with the idea of sailing along at 100kph without my foot on the accelerator.  Dustin assures me it really does work.  He has it!  Ellie comes with a 300 page manual.  I started nodding off as I turned page 21.  I know where the brake, the accelerator, the horn, wipers and lights are.  We will learn as we go, hope for the best and enjoy the ride.

Autumn Joy

Rain from heaven fell softly this morning.  It has been such a long time since we have been blessed with rain.  It rained briefly in Perth while we were in holiday in Busselton.  No rain fell in Busselton at the time.  Today the sky remained cloudy all day, the humidity was high.  I threw open all the windows and doors to invite the cooling breeze to dance throughout the house.
We sat outside in our simple garden and ate our everyday lunch.  It is a sign of autumn pleasures: long lunches, chats and games to be played in the fresh air.  Soon the air conditioner will no longer hum all day and we can drive with the windows down and enjoy fresh air.  It is a sign of barbeques during the day, walks before and after lunch, a healthier outdoor celebration of life itself.
A change of season to revitalise us and bring new expectations.

Sprucing Up

All our ongoing holidays have resulted in my garden turning into an unruly overgrown jungle.  I have eyed the work that needs doing and grumbled I didn't have time to trim and snip!  This morning while the air was still cool I jumped at a small window of time.  I snipped, I snapped, I pulled weeds and dead headed the flowers.  I stood back and admired my work.  Not bad in thirty minutes!

Merv had already watered his pot plants. He sat watching me snipping and snapping, listening to the water tinkling from the water fountain. 
We celebrated our small window of time with a coffee and a book to read.
Then it's back to everyday Monday chores and embracing the week ahead.

Pleasure and Pain

Only a week or two ago a walk was just that; a walk, a pleasant stroll for both of us.  How life changes!  Out came the wheelchair this morning and we headed off to Hyde Park in North Perth.  Hyde Park conjures up memories of huge Moreton Bay Fig trees, Plane Trees, two large lakes with fountains, ducks, coots and swans swimming leisurely in view.  A delightful scene for a leisurely stroll.  Ah, but today leisure is not on my game plan.  We are training!  Mel has come along for the exercise and after walking around twice she is not so keen to go it a third time.  We compromise and complete a half lap instead.  We stop for a snack.  There are plenty of park benches and the canopy of the trees provide us much needed shade as the heat of the day threatens to keep people at home in their air conditioned homes.
Later in the afternoon Merv footy team win their first game of the season.  They win ceremoniously by sixty five points.  He has had a great day!

Miracle Pills

Dustin is 37 next Tuesday.  Like most kids, even big ones he rang me today because he had landed awkwardly on his right leg.  I figure pain equals a phone call to Mum!  I suggested he elevate his leg and apply ice; thoughts from my first aid courses.  I didn't rush to check the first aid book or the internet, I want him to think for himself.  I haven't heard from him since but it got me thinking.  In a roundabout way I was thinking of Dustin and his pain.
It brought back memories of my own pain.  Many years ago I was a support worker for a community service organisation and I was rostered on to care for a man with Parkinson's Disease.  The coordinator omitted to tell me the client often fell but he was able to get back up on his own.  During the service the client fell and I reacted immediately by helping him up.  I knew it was the wrong thing to do but it was a 'knee-jerk' reaction. The next day my neck was very sore.  The pain continued and soon my head felt too heavy for my neck.  I began to panic. 

A few days later  Mel had a  homeopathic appointment and at the end of the appointment I mentioned  the problem with my neck.  The lady sold me some little pills.  I was desperate; desperate people will buy anything!  Within a week of religiously taking the little pills my neck stopped aching and my panic subsided.  For numerous years afterwards every time my neck ached I took the little tablets.  I took them not only for my neck, but for my sore back, painful legs, the list goes on.  No matter where I go I have my little bottle of pills.  They work for me. I branched out and took homeopathic pills for: colds, tummy travel troubles and a variety of other ailments.  I can nip a cold in the bud with the pills and I haven't had a full blown cold for years. I know these remedies work for me.  The Queen of England and her family use homeopathic remedies.  I have heard they don't work for everyone, I am very grateful they have saved me from ongoing pain.

Seasons of Sport

Every year we have four seasons but in our house the seasons aren't known by the months of the year but by which sport is being played and viewed on the TV!  The Australian footy season begun last week as our summer finished.  Merv will watch every game if he has a choice.  His favourite team is The West Coast Eagles and he has the scarf, the jumper, the socks, the stubby holder and acrylic glass with logo.  When I redecorated his bedroom I bought him a huge framed photo of the Eagles 2006 Premiership win.  It hangs majestically over his bed.
Almost everyone has a favourite footy team, many of them passionate about their teams and players.  This can cause much rivalry and discussion!


West Coast Eagles Premiership Team 2006

Every Friday the footy begins at 4pm and Merv is showered, dressed and ready to sit in his recliner to watch whichever of the eighteen teams are playing.  What I like about the footy is to follow the game you have to know at least some of the rules and use a little grey matter at the same time.  It may not be considered educational but it's so much better than watching a meaningless movie.  The footy finishes with a spectacular Grand Final at the end of September.  The lead up to Grand Final results in just about everybody having a say and creates conversation and excitement.  Footy tipping gets bigger every year and so far Merv hasn't been involved this year but I am sure one of the groups he attends will soon have a tipping program up and running.  It is a part of Australian culture, not just entertaining but a season of bonding and at times dispute!

Training in Action

I'm still excited about my new car; I was until I found out it won't be ready for pick up until next Thursday!  This morning I attended the monthly carer support group. It was lovely to meet up with the group, many of them I haven't seen since late last year.  It is not only comforting but also confronting.  Many of the people being cared for are either in care or in the throes of admission. It is quite confronting listening to the carer's stories and their ongoing struggles.  Merv isn't ready for a care facility as yet.  The truth being if something was to happen to me and I could no longer care for him, a care facility would be his only option.

A better choice of beach today

After the meeting I headed for Cottesloe beach and walked in the soft sand for two hours complete with my backpack, bum bag and walking poles!  A swimmer asked me if I was practising for the ski season (we don't have snow!) I shared my secret with him!

Old Feet and New Wheels

I hit the sand today.  After taking Merv to his HD social group I drove down the highway to the ocean.  I've lived in WA since 1969 but I've never been much of a beach goer.  Proof of that today instead of glorious sandy beaches I hit kms of limestone rocks with small patches of sand! My supposedly two hour walk in the sand became thirty minutes in the sand and the rest I was walking on the footpath!  I definitely need to rethink that one! 


The beach with little sand!

I had a friend visit for lunch and after she left I had only one hour left of my respite time.  I don't know what took hold of me but I rushed down to the local Hyundai dealer who are advertising sales deals.  I've bought used cars before but never a new one.  We all know the tactics of car salesmen, they haven't changed over the years!  In thirty minutes I had signed up for a new Hyundai i30 for $20,000 including my own Hyundai 2004 battered but working well as a trade in.  I pick up my new car in a few days time. I laughed all the way home.  What a day!

Skinny Mel

Mel with voucher before her facial

Last week we were indulging in scrumptious local cheeses, chocolates and ice cream.  We also downed eight 100ml beer samples between the three of us.  I put on 1.5 kgs and Mel lost another 300g, a total loss of 1.6kgs in just two weeks. How amazing is Mel!   She is a woman on a mission, she likes a challenge and obviously she has risen to the occasion.  Mel's recent loss resulted in her reaching yet another goal weight.  I reward her with something fun whenever she reaches a specified goal weight.  Mel's recent reward was a voucher for a facial at Elle Bache valued at $62.  Mel hasn't had a salon facial for awhile and her skin delighted in it.  Her face was radiant and her normally reddish skin was soft, clearer and clean.  Just like an angel. Well done Mel!

Time is of Essence

I wake this morning knowing there is only two weeks before Merv is in respite.  Time is of the essence.  I am tidying up after last week's holiday and my brain is in gear getting ready for the next one!  I begin to feel like a travelling salesman.  There are items I have not unpacked since our family 50th celebration as they await for the next journey. 
I have a list for the coming fortnight which includes grocery shopping, shoe shopping and bits and pieces which need to be purchased.  I have invented a training roster which takes up most of my respite time.  I make a decision how to proficiently execute the above.  It is simple.  I take Merv grocery shopping.  Usually we shop together for a small bag of items which gets him out of the house, gives him a little exercise as we choose items from one end of the supermarket to the other.  Today the agenda is different.  I grab a shopping trolley and instead of pushing it myself  I ask Merv to push it while I direct it.  I know many people with mobility problems say pushing a trolley helps their balance, I put it to the test.  The trolley takes no time to fill and the majority of items on my list have been thrown, thrust, dumped and placed carefully (eggs) into the trolley.  It has been a successful mission.  I ask Merv what he thinks about doing the big shop together and I get little response.  It is after his lunch time and we head home and I make his lunch before putting away the groceries.  I am glad it is one chore to cross off my list.

Taking Time to Stop

Life continued full steam ahead today.  There was washing and more washing, Mel's shopping and making sure she had everything ready before taking her home.  All the time I entertained both daughter and husband while putting the house back into order.  This evening as the TV drolled endlessly in my mind I closed my eyes and gave in to slumber.
I awoke to tuck Merv into bed and stack the dishwasher and fold the washing.  That's when an idea began to form in my mind.  It was something I had not taken much time to consider but there it was.


My Cape to Cape training ground

In two weeks and one day Merv goes into respite and I am off (yes again) on holiday.  I am booked to attend a carer's retreat for three nights and straight afterwards three days walking stage 2 of the Cape to Cape track in South West of WA.  Fortunately we stay overnight in a comfortable motel.  After the walk the following two nights I spend with my friend in Dunsborough before returning home and taking Mel on two already booked day tours.  I am tired just thinking about it all!
That's where my idea begins to take form.  Instead of  taking Merv to his respite accommodation and immediately whizzing away to my carer's retreat  I could take a day out for myself.  I am currently limited in available time to train for my walk and as yet I have not started a training regime. Yesterday I planned a haphazard fortnight of training during Merv's regular respite hours.  I need to train on beach sand, due to the amount of beach walking during the Cape to Cape.  The beach is over thirty minutes from home!  My lack of training can be blamed on the continuing hot weather and our ongoing recent family holidays. In saying that we have had a wonderful time during both family holidays! 
I will let my idea play in my mind.  Some of my ideas work, some of them are there just for a fleeting moment.  We will see what tomorrow brings.


Homeward Bound



Cheese Tasting in Harvey today

My eyes are heavy but I have no time to sleep.  It has been an exhausting day.  It started early packing and cleaning the holiday unit. Mel helped which I was grateful.  By mid morning we were at the Dome in Busselton enjoying coffee and Merv was tucking into his beloved apple pie!  Helen had suggested we take the long way home via the South West Highway.  I am always ready for variety and a challenge.  At times we  were alone on the road with not a soul (or car) in sight.  It made for easy driving.  We turned off to Harvey shortly after bypassing Bunbury. We stopped at the Harvey Cheese Factory, tasting and buying more delicious cheese!  We continued on the long and winding road to Pinjarra.  We were looking for a lunch stop and a sign on the side of the road alerted us to the town bakery.  We knew it was the ideal place to eat as the locals were out in force!  Merv had a meat pie and chips while Mel and I ordered baguettes filled with cheese, chicken and fresh salad.  We were so full we were unable to finish our feast!  Back on the road for just over an hour and our relief was felt as we pulled into our driveway.  It is always good to get home!  Dustin and his lovely girlfriend helped us to unload the car.  They treated us to coffee and cake while we chatted about our adventures.  Our holiday together has been a wonderful adventure.  Now it's time to catch up on some much needed sleep.

Meelup Beach

Mel forgets about calories while on holiday!

A kookaburra entertains us at Meelup Beach

It's our final full day and we are planning to make the most of it.  Even the ongoing road works between Busselton and Dunsborough refuses to deter our enthusiasm! We arrive in Dunsborough at 10:30am and meet up with friend Helen.  Mel is determined to bite into a custard and cream doughnut from the local bakery.  We arm ourselves with coffee in disposable cups, cakes of our choice, serviettes and choose a table sheltered from the chilly breeze.   We watch Mel devour half of her doughnut before she has a change of heart and gives the remaining half to Merv.   He has no reservations and devours both the doughnut and his apple pie.  I delight in a fruit slice and Helen enjoys a French vanilla slice.  We chat for an eternity only stopping as time beckons and our day is being swallowed up.  Helen suggests we give Meelup Beach a miss and visit the beach down the road where we went on  Monday.
It's been twenty four years since we visited Meelup Beach and the memory of calm bluer than blue ocean, soft sand, trees and grass come together to paint a perfect picture.  Mel is thinking likewise and we head off ignoring Helen's directions and we end up at Yallinyup before we turn around and successfully find our way to Meelup.  I feel like we are on a treasure hunt.  We pull the fold up chairs from the boot and arrange them on the grassed area which offers an amazing view of the ocean, sand and people frolicking in the water.  A palette of blues keep us mesmerised as their intensity changes constantly.  A lone kookaburra shows off in a tree not far from us.  He delights in laughing and I capture his cheekiness with my camera.  Merv and Mel sit on their chairs while I kick off my shoes and squish the sand between my toes before allowing the salt water wash over my feet and tickle me with delight!  My memories of today compliment my memories of yesterday.

The beauty of Meelup Beach

We return the wheelchair after we have our final long walk along the Busselton foreshore.  The weather has warmed slightly and the exercise is our plan but the view and enjoyment make our last day in Busselton a special celebration.  We finish our day with a meal at the Esplanade Hotel.  I remember as a teenager eating counter meals at the Esplanade Hotel.  I take photos to show Mum.  Hopefully it will bring back pleasant memories of years long gone.




Busselton Jetty Observatory

Tourist train on Busselton Jetty

An array of fish viewed at the observatory

A chill filled the air as we grabbed our jackets this morning.  We were booked on the tiny train which takes tourists the 1.7km ride to the end of the jetty.  At the end of the jetty sits an underwater observatory.  I had enquired about disability access and was pleased to know a lift is also available.  The train trundled slowly along the jetty as the children waved to the walkers, fishermen and maintenance men along the way.  Once in  the observatory Mel joined the main group and took the spiral staircase to the various platforms until they reached the ground floor. Merv and I took the lift and reached the main viewing platform first.  There were thousands of sardines and schools of anchovies.  Tiny little fish, some of which I could swear were featured in Nemo and other kiddies animation movies! An array of medium and larger fish were in view but we did not see any octopus or jellyfish. The observatory has been placed near the coral reef.  The colours and variety of the coral brought back memories of snorkelling various places of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.  Many years ago for us now.  This afternoon we headed for the Bushshack Brewery in Dunsborough and taste tested numerous beers;  chocolate, lemon, chili, strawberry and mango.  It was a bit of fun and added a little zest to our holiday.



Mel enjoying sample fun beers

We continued on to the Goanna Gallery Café and drank coffee and ate hard scones with jam and cream!  Oh well!  The Gallery was full of very expensive art and craft.  We stopped and admired before we left empty handed.  It had been a fun day but our eating in the last few days rather extensive.  We took the wheelchair to the Vasse River and enjoyed a brisk walk while Merv enjoyed the scenery.  The weather had improved during the day and we are hoping for fine weather tomorrow to enjoy our final day in Busselton. 

Margaret River Tasting

Tranquil Aussie bush

Miss Google Maps woke with a sore head and took the morning off.  She showed up for work at lunchtime and was back on sick leave for the rest of the day.  The paper maps, a couple of brains and a little planning saved the day.  Merv and Mel are both in good spirits and I know there is not much walking in our plans today.  We leave the wheelchair in the unit.  There were many gravel areas but we managed to keep Merv on his feet and prevent any accidents.



Enjoying morning tea in the bushland setting

Margaret River is the tasting territory of the South West and we began our adventure at the Nuts and Cereal Factory.  It was much smaller than I expected.  The young man took no notice of us and barely grunted when I purchased chocolate coffee beans.  Along the same road is the renowned Chocolate Factory and Provodore Store.  At 10am my morning caffeine fix beckons me and we sit and enjoy hot drinks and share a large slice of apple pie with Merv, who has the cream and the best part of the pie to himself.  The setting amongst the natural bush is serenely calming.  We sit and enjoy its pleasure before tasting and buying chocolate and then we drive through to Provodore.  We are the only customers so early in the morning.  The place has taste tasting for every conceivable jam, pickle, olive and oil you can imagine.  I stock up with an array of different flavoured olives.  It is a short drive to the Silk Factory.  They tell us they are the only silk factory in Australia which makes their own silk.  They send their silk overseas to workers with disabilities.  The products are returned and are sold in the store alongside other products from silk producers and retailers.  I buy a beautiful teal silk scarf.  We try mulberry leaf herbal tea.  It is delightful and we wont leave until we purchase some.  We are soon back on the highway speeding legally at 110kph.  We pull into the Margaret River Dairy Factory and sample the cheese.  We buy camembert, herbal, marinated feta and cheddar. It is impossible to leave without buying an array of choice cheese.  I am glad I remembered the esky,  Next stop is Millers Ice Cream.  We travel what seems forever before finally seeing the sign.  We sit inside because it is hot but there is a delightful patio and garden area.  I enjoy Rum and Raisin, Merv has the chocolate and Mel the Mascarpone and Fig.    We are close to Olio Bello and choose to venture out to their store.  It is too hot to stop for lunch in their outdoor café and choose to purchase more olives, oil and feta.  We are almost on the doorstep of Margaret River township and I know Settlers Inn is the perfect lunch stop in the main street.  It is cool in the rustic looking inn.  The meals are huge and we are unable to finish everything but we leave well fed.  The staff  helped us locate the Berry Farm and they take time out to chat with us.  Last year I stayed in Margaret River twice and visited this pub twice.  Every time has been a pleasure.  We take our time and eventually we are on our way.  The scenery is picturesque and the driving pleasant.  It has been a very long time since we last visited the Berry Farm and it doesn't seem to be the same.  I am not impressed with any of their wines but buy a white wine anyway.  There are raspberries on sale and I do not need any encouragement to buy. I scoop them up and pay for them straight away.  How I love raspberries!  We return via Caves Road and suddenly the Venison Store is approaching.  We stop and buy venison sausages and have a poke around the store.  We return to Busselton at 4:30pm,  it has been a long eight hour day but a most enjoyable one.

Bunbury Bypass

Kangaroos in the Wildlife Park

After a restless night I was rested enough to take on the day ahead.  We left early and headed for Bunbury north of Busselton.  Mel had an appointment with Weight Watchers and we were excited to find she has lost 1.3kg (yes even on holiday).  Our next stop was to the Dolphin Discovery Centre with the help of Google Maps.  Even when I went the wrong way the nice lady soon had me back on track!  There were no sightings of dolphins today but we took time out to view the aquariums  and enjoyed  the ocean view.  For lunch we dined at a delightful café overlooking the Indian Ocean.  We had arranged to meet up with my friend with whom I will be holidaying in October.  This was the first time she had met Merv and Mel.  We shared a happy lunch of delightful food and conversation.  Our final stop in Bunbury was the wildlife park.  It was very small.  I find it is always pleasant to view animals but the park could do with an upgrade.  We enjoyed a pleasant drive back to Busselton taking the scenic route.  After a cuppa we took the wheelchair and enjoyed a walk along the foreshore.  There were families cycling and playing.  We will take home pleasant memories of our stay.


Catching Up




Merv, Helen and I enjoying our beach picnic

This morning I filled the tank with petrol and Mel bought an original ceramic olive dish for the same price!  Just proves you can have the same holiday but have different expectations!  The Google Maps on my mobile wouldn't work. Instead the tried and trusty tourist maps were thrust between the seats and I balanced them on the steering wheel while I checked my speed.  Mobile phone usage suddenly appeared less of a threat.  The tourist map has to be folded six times to make it A4 size.  It was seriously impairing my vision.  Only by luck did we make the correct turn and find ourselves at Happs Winery in Dunsborough.   We last visited here in 1990 and we loved their wine and wanted to return. It was just after 10am and we were first visitors of the day.  Firstly we viewed the amazing ceramics on the shelves. Several rooms filled with shelves littered with pottery from amazing artists.  Then the fun of wine tasting begun.  It must be a well known cliché  when you mention it is early morning and the answer is always, "Somewhere it is 5pm."  It clinches the deal every time.   I ensured Merv was sitting on an available chair and we tasted sweet, dry, white and red, leaving with four bottles.  Our plan had previously been to visit tourist destinations in the region until I heard from my good friend Helen.  She asked us over for lunch and we changed our plans to suit.  We bought produce from yesterday's market, bread rolls from the infamous local bakery and met Helen before making our way to the beach.  The sea breeze was brisk, the ocean streaked in water colour hues of greens and blues.  We chatted as we ate our chicken and salad rolls washed down with a Happs Classic White and bottled water.  We praised Helen for her home baked carrot cake and delighted in the juicy rockmelon from the market.  As the sun sneaked around and stole our shade we retreated back to Helen's house for a cuppa.  I am glad we changed our plans, catching up with friends is the best way to enjoy a holiday.



A Wicked Weekend

It's almost chilly in the morning.  I wake early after a restless night.  I need caffeine!  We are out and about early heading for the local Rotary markets.  We become hopelessly lost but I enjoy the drive and having a look at the local houses and gardens.  We realise the markets and information centre have both moved and keep going finally stumbling across them.  Mel wastes no time in spending money and in minutes she has bought a stunning pair of pink patterned earrings and a fabulous sun hat.  We both buy homemade pickles and I stock up on market fresh fruit and vegetables.  Black clouds threaten and we make a hasty retreat and find ourselves unexpectantly at the Dome Café.  It is small and busy and we order our regular coffee and apple pie.  Merv is in his element and beams with satisfaction!  Just after midday we try to find a café in the main shopping areas and we have walked up Fig Tree Lane and found the cafes closed on Sunday.  Instead we decide to dine at Equinox on the foreshore and enjoy a long, though late lunch followed by a glorious long walk along the foreshore while I push Merv in the wheelchair.  We stop at a beach picnic table and enjoy our afternoon tea.  We are mesmerised by the glistening sun on the calm and inviting ocean.


Mel and Merv on the foreshore

We have decided to take the tourist train on the Busselton Jetty and after enquiring we find there is a lift to the underground observatory.  We are told to book and make a mental note to do so.  Our day is done and we head back to the unit.  We reflect on our most wonderful weekend, so very different from our regular weekends at home!