Perth and beyond

It was not too difficult to leave the cooler damp climate of home to the dry warmth of Perth. It was even less difficult to fall in love with this city that sits under a near-perfect canopy of blue sky.  It's people seemed to be unrushed which became the ideal setting for us. Best of all we were introduced to our first splash of West Australian wildflowers.

For a city of 2 million people we were wondering where they all were? The CBD was free from congestion and we found it refreshingly uncomplicated. It was a treat to see the major sighted without being jostled by thousands of other tourists.

As usual we did most of our exploring on foot and were forever drawn to the Swan Riverbank.

Rottnest Island was top of our must-do list. We chose yet another stunning day and decided to explore this car-free off-the-grid paradise by bike.

We circumnavigated the island and around each winding corner was yet another beautiful bay....

After 20+km of undulated country on a hire bike that was not well sprung or geared we ended the day a little sun-tanned and weary, just like this little quokka who was doing his best to hide from anyone trying to catch a selfie with him.

We could have spent much longer in Perth, but it was time to hit the road and collect the vehicle we are calling home for the next six weeks.

And so on to Freemantle, or 'Freo' to use the local term. What a delightful town based on Edwardian and Victorian architecture.

Best of all it it is alive with buskers, craft beer bars, seafood restaurants and colourful markets. Spent long hours in this gallery that produced fabulous bronze sculptures.

No trip to Freo is complete without exploring the prison and reliving footage of the 1988 riots that wedged the old establishment into the town's history books.

Tomorrow,.....more hours wandering around Freemantle. This laid back lifestyle is becoming addictive!!!