Perth - Last Day

March 14, 2010
Trip Day- 36
Perth-Cottesloe

My stay with the Schrauth family has wound down to a single day. Two weeks have flown by as I've renewed my old friendship with Ted, deepened my friendship with Jane and met and grown to love their three children, Madeleine , Samantha and Ander . They've welcomed me into their home as part of their family, and lived their daily lives without muss and fuss over the Yank in their midst. [Here, the foot in the lower right is mine. I just fell off that square thing in the foreground much to the family's delight] This is better: I can't wait to see them in Hingham this summer when they all arrive for a family reunion both on the South Shore and on Nantucket.

Yesterday we spent a few hours on the Schrauths' boat doing a little tubing and 'scurfing' (surfboard pulled behind the boat). It was Madeleine's first day at work at her first job at a new, local bakery (Big Success her smile told me when I saw her later on) so she didn't join us, but Sam and Ander did. We did some tubing first (this is before the storm...) (this during it) and then broke out the surfboard. This was Ander's first 'scurf.' He took some instruction from his parents (when you crash, let go of the tow rope, etc.) and we were off. It only took him three attempts before he was on his feet, concentrating furiously and seemingly glued to the board. Sam didn't have the same success, but much of that is due to lack of practice with boards. She's a great athlete, but a swimmer first and foremost.

I've been out for my last morning swim in the Indian Ocean for a while. Have really grown to love that morning workout, particularly given my dodgy foot situation (it's very much improved after the cortisone shot and a follow-up appointment). I can tell I've got more endurance after the two weeks (only missed one day…substituted a bike ride that day) of plugging away and wish I thought I'd stick with it when I get home. Today I did the distance faster, going greater distances between rests and recovering faster. Only problem today was feeling something like a bee sting about a third of the way into it. I stopped and looked around for jellyfish or something else but didn't see anything. There was a very slight red mark on my forearm, but it didn't look like anything. Until, that is, about 30 minutes later. I overheard a fellow saying he'd been stung, so I asked him and showed him the as yet undefined mark. Yep, the ______jellyfish are out there, and he gestured to the general area where I'd been stung. He said they're so small you don't see them, but the calm and warm conditions draw them. Just glad I didn't find myself in the middle of a, what, swarm? Pod? Herd? Gaggle? One was plenty. I'm now a battle scarred veteran of the Indian Ocean. Better this than an up close and personal with a Great White, eh?

Ted has introduced Thanksgiving to Perth! A few years ago, missing his traditional touch football game with his Hingham friends and family, he tried to organize an Aussie version of our great holiday. Some complicating factors: Thursday's a work/school day and night, and a medium sized turkey costs, oh, about $125 (a fellow last night said, "We raise 7 turkeys a year in Australia). He persevered, however. Not so much of a success the first couple of years [His mom, Nancy, was here one year and helped. Appalled at the expense, she asked the butcher to cut the turkey in two so they could save part of it. He looked at her funny, but did as she asked…cut it in half crosswise.] Then, however, brilliance! Last year they invited all their friends to the local rugby club grounds. Everyone brought a dish, they had several barbys going and they played American football! One guy, a former rugby player for Australia, brought his cleats (and wore them). Battered and sore, it was a huge success and people can't wait for this year. The club secretary has blocked out the date on the calendar: "THANKSGIVING!"

This is likely my last post for a while. Tomorrow I'm heading for Melbourne early and thence into Chapter 6, the visit a to cattle and sheep 'station' 4 hours north of the city. My host is Stephanie Speakman, a woman I've not met but have been introduce to by a mutual friend. I'm very much looking forward to seeing her part of this great country. The closest large village is Wangaratta, Victoria if you're looking for it on the computer. You'll note mountains and valleys. It's early fall and I'll be in a very different climate than here. Will likely be putting away the warm weather gear and pulling out the fleeces…at least during the evenings.

And I think she's going to put me to work. I'm ready. Will try to earn my keep. Just hope she doesn't expect me to ride a horse…that would be a sight.

Adios to Perth and Western Australia. There's so much to write and talk about: boom town (mining and natural resources), outrageous prices (think Hingham real estate prices are high? Double or triple them and eliminate any acreage), the outdoor culture, a laid back but hard working and fit people, sports (rugby, Aussie Rules Football, swimming, tennis, boating, basketball, cricket, soccer, field hockey, horse racing) and new friends that it's hard to know where or how to stop. I know I'll return, and the next time I'll be making plans to get to other parts of this vast state. Margaret River and Albany (prounounced Al'-bany), for instance, are two not to be missed towns south of here. Then there is the enormous expanse of coastline and interior to the north. Beautiful and hard country, but drawing all kinds of new attention as more and more people discover it. [Virgin Blue, complete with new CEO, has announced plans for 777-200-LR(long range) non-stop service Perth - London and Frankfurt. Can New York be next?]

Now on to Chapter 6