A change like the seasons was definitely needed. I promised Merv and Mel a trip by taxi to the city of Perth to see the Christmas lights. The sunlight fades fast about 7:30pm, therefore a late afternoon trip to Perth was discussed. After a busy day Christmas shopping and enjoying apple pie and cream at the Dome café we all enjoyed a rest in the afternoon for an hour on our beds. I woke Merv up and slid in beside him. Something I rarely do these days. He put his arm around me for a hug. That was nice.
I rang the taxi company and we waited for our station wagon to arrive. Instead a huge Maxi taxi pulled up. Merv was in his wheelchair and they aligned him on their rear hoist and strapped him in. A view a little like a limo without the wine and nibbles! Mel and I used the seats beside and opposite
and off we went to the Perth taxi rank in William Street. Merv has 50% off taxi vouchers. The driver and his assistant suggested we ask Merv's GP for maxi taxi rebate which is 75%. I didn't know that. If a person is unable to walk and need a maxi taxi they only pay 25% of the fare.
We arrived in Perth at 6:20 and immediately hunted out the Christmas decorations and visited our favourite Perth haunts; London Court Arcade, David Jones and later Myer.
I positioned Merv next to a school boy busker with a trumpet, dropping him a donation in his money pool and taking a photo. Merv didn't seem impressed! I thought it was fun.
At 7pm the hunger pangs struck and we sought food. The only place I recognised was the Coffee Club in Murray street with alfresco dining. Perfect. We found a table and ordered hot chips for Merv while Mel and I shared a calamari Asian coleslaw dish. We were in starvation mode before it finally arrived and we gobbled it up. Off to Forrest Chase to view the magnificent Christmas Tree ablaze of colour and light. The City of Perth's nativity play was eye catching and mesmerising. We stood (Merv sat in his chair) and watched as each part of the nativity story was played out. We took a break to Myer (yes I needed a toilet break) to see their Christmas display. A little disappointing but at least we went. Before the nativity finished we were back watching. The choir were in full song of, "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him."
I couldn't help myself. My mouth opened wide and out came the words of the carol. I was just going to town. All my loved ones know I have a singing voice comparable to a scalded cat clawing on a hot tin roof. No pretty sound there. Did that stop me? No way. I was going to town. Mel joined in. Oh how I missed the community carolling!
To finish the choir belted our Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and yes I was clapping and singing and moving to the beat. Oh, what the hell it's Christmas for God's sake.
Then it was over and the old Post Office (which is now everything but a post office) was bathed in lights and Santa and ladders. Another mesmerising moment.
Time to go home and we took our chances at the taxi rank. In second place was a station wagon. I knocked politely on his window and asked if he would take us home. I knew the taxi sedan in front of him would be ok with this. He took us home. Drove through the police breathalyser patrol without being requested to stop.
We had a great night. Yes I would do it all over again. We'll wait and see.
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| Our school boy busker and Merv with Mel |
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| Magnificent Christmas Tree in Forrest Chase Perth |
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| A little Myer Christmas Magic |
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| Merv and I enjoying the Perth Christmas atmosphere |
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| Old Post Office building alight with Santa - amazing |
