Perth, WA, Australia (again)

After some emotional goodbyes with Nick’s cousin Milly, who had been kind enough to let us stay both before and after our trip “down south”, it was back in Talulah (our trusty rental car) to head north of the CBD for the second leg of our Perth trip.

Helen is Nick’s other cousin who has now lived in Australia for nearly 15 years with her husband and three children. When we were in Australia two years ago we stayed with them in Melbourne, but they have since moved to Perth so it made perfect sense to have the next couple of days with them.

We had intentionally timed it so that we would get the weekend with them and after settling in and catching up it was time to put up the Christmas tree.

Then it was off to the local park to wear out the kids (and us!!). I loved it as for once I had a valid reason for playing on the park!!

The rest of the day was a lazy one, playing with the kids, swimming in the pool and catching up with Helen (H) and John.

Next morning and after a yummy cooked breakfast (done on the barbie of course!), it was off to the local beach for a swim, body-board and of course some fort making. Sadly the weather turned a bit windy and it was too cool to stay, so after a coffee stop it was back home for another afternoon of Chinese Checkers, Lego and another dip in the pool!

Monday morning meant John was back at work and Alex and Christian (the two eldest) were back at school. It also meant that it was time to say goodbye to Talulah. H (and Sophie) followed us into town, and after a quick delay when we realised we had forgotten to fill up the petrol tank, we jumped in H’s car and headed over to a beautiful stretch of beach which had a lovely coffee shop and great playground for Sophie. It was lovely to sit and chat with H, reminiscing, putting the world to rights and generally talk rubbish - with the occasional break to play on the park with Sophie. It was a lovely morning! Again the afternoon was a lazy one, playing with the kids and drinking coffee.

Our final day with the Holan’s and H had to work and all 3 of the kids were in school today, so we headed into the CBD for another wander round the city, a touch of Christmas shopping and another picnic at the Supreme Court Palace Gardens in glorious sunshine. There was also just enough time for Nick to get a much needed haircut, before being back in time to collect the kids as promised from after school club. Then began the best game of hide and seek we have played since we were about 10 - winding the kids up, just in time for John to come home - ooops!!

Our final morning and after saying goodbye to John and walking Alex and Christian to school it was back into central Perth. We had arranged for a relocation campervan deal to drive from Perth to Adelaide and H (and Sophie) kindly drove us over to pick it up. Then it was time for more emotional goodbyes before starting our epic road trip across the Nullarbor!