When I worked in London on Industrial Release (OJT) from University I met an Australian Waitress called Annie and we traveled around Europe together in 1981, she came to my 21st Birthday and then back to University with me. However she then left to return to Perth in Australia. In 2010 I celebrated my 50th Birthday with her and her husband Bruce at a local brewery near Perth in Australia!
I stayed in 3 hotels there at Cottesloe beach, in Perth itself, and at Freemantle as well as visiting their house by the Swan River at Basandean.
They took me trekking in the outback and we had a barbecue and met up again with her brother , Peter, who had stayed at my flat in the UK. I also spent time by the sea and visited the Little Creatures Brewery, Rottnest Island, and went on a coach tour to the Pinnacles.
I saw the typical Australian life! Kangaroos, Beer, Outback and Beach!
In the city of Perth we went to various parks and memorials and Annie took her kids who played Ball. Bruce also took me to a game to help me understand the basics of Australian sport.
From Perth I flew to Sydney to see Tara who I worked with in my Accor hotel days and stayed near the famous Sydney Harbour, which I loved exploring. There are many markets at the Rocks area, restaurants etc. , However, unlike my brother, Richard, I did not do the Harbour bridge climb!
I also enjoyed getting the various ferries like the one to Manly beach which gave you a god view of the Sydney opera House and the bridge on route.
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The many ferries at Circular Quay
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Tara and I also hired a car and drove to Woodstock where her mum lived in a converted Railway station and we stopped on the way at various natural beauty spots
It was so pretty where they lived with all the May blossom in bloom. We also went to a country show and saw the sheep sheered and log chopping.
Whilst there we went to a Japanese garden to feed the Koi Karp before the long drive back to the big city from where I flew to Melbourne for the last leg of my Australian Trip.
Here I finally went to Flanders street station which I used to talk about on Veolia Induction. We went on the railway to Geelong and on the Tram in Melbourne and I did a lot of walking exploring this beautiful city. On the weekend Gus took us on a road trip to St Kilda Beach, for fish and chips, along the sea road and we walked by the river.
I managed to get some bottles of Real ale and Gus, Kylie , and I had a real ale party at their house, and later McKenzie's Birthday party.
As usual special thanks to my hosts, Gus and family in Melbourne, Tara in Sydney and Annie and her family in Perth
Until the next time ....
Hello, I am The British Kabayan! Feel free to read my stories.
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