Perth, We LOVE it!

We have decided that Perth is such a beautiful place, we have seen a fair bit of the North and city and it is so great. We like the people too.

On our way into Perth we were stopped at a red light, the man in the car next to me asked me to wind down the window. "What part of Canberra are you from?" "Northside, Belconnen," People know that area but they often don't know Kaleen. "I'm from Chisholm, you'll love it here. Have a lovely holiday!" THat left a smile on our faces for ages afterwards, it was a fantastic entry into Perth.

Our first stop was to Dick Smith Powerhouse at Inaloo for a Canon arranged event - The Hour of Power (we heard the radio advert, it was hilarious). This was the first time we have seen any of the Canon Promo material for the Win your own $15,000 Aussie Road Trip. As you can see from Jemmy's face, the girls loved seeing themselves!

We found a caravan park at Burns Beach, a northern suburb of Perth and the only spot they had left was an ensuite spot. We wouldn't normally be extravagant like this on our trip however the price was less than $3 more than what we are used to paying. An ensuite spot is a powered camp site with a little room with your own shower, toilet and basin. Little would not be the way to explain this ensuite, it is LUXURY!! We love it so much not having to share, we have also become accustomed to having late night showers before bed to warm ourselves up after working on the computers until 10pm. The girls love it too, Jasmine is alright with showers and loves the chance to get in there all on her own. Jemma who HATES showers, she screams from the second she gets into the water until you take her out, she managed to fit into the laundry sink in the ensuite and as you can see she thoroughly enjoyed her first bath since we have been on the road!

Our first day in Perth was a relaxing time, we took a drive to the city beach (where we collected more shells), grabbed some groceries and just looked around a bit. It was nice having time to do nothing really. Friday however was completely different.

I had read a bit about the Swan Valley Region and the wineries, breweries and growers in the area - more to the point the Margaret River Chocolate Factory. I even managed to talk Greg into going out there! The girls and I were in heaven, Jas loved the chance to watch how the chocolates were made through the viewing windows and Jemma couldn't decide which chocolate she thought looked yummiest in the display. There was tastings of everything from the awesome chocolates to the jams, chutneys and fudge. The staff displayed the best customer service I have experienced at an attraction, it was obvious that they loved their job (how could you not)and they had plenty of suggestions on what to buy. Greg had two chocolates and that was enough for him so bought a caramel milkshake and sat outside at the cafe. I came out to join him to find one of the staff members walking around with Irish Cream Truffles for everyone to taste.

To top off a fantastic place, the cafe had outside seating that overlooked a big grassy area that was great for the kids to play. They ran around for a bit then we realised there was a bucket of toys, cricket sets, tennis balls and frisbies they loved it and so did we. These guys have thought of everything, it is no wonder the place is so busy, great chocolate, great service and attention to detail.

We didn't have much time left to see much else, thankfully across the road from the Chocky Factory was Lancaster Cellar Door. With a little arm twisting we went in to find one of the lovliest cellar doors I have ever seen, again with fantastic service. James served us up tastings of delicious wines, mind you anything tastes better than the Coolibah casks I am used to on this trip! It was so hard to decide which bottles to buy as I liked them all (Yes Aunty Mel, they had lots of sweet wines and Yes I bought a bottle to share with you when we get home!! if it makes it that far) What you see the girls drinking in the photo is James special Eskimo Cocktail - the girls thought they were very special. What was really nice was that when we arrived James asked Jasmine if we had just come from the chocolate factory (she had it all over her cheeks), he then asked her if she thought Mum and Dad wanted to try some wines "Mum does" was her reply. "Well, you had all better have some cheese to get the chocolate taste out and some water the wash it all down. I always like someone who cn involve the children in what we are doing, especially in that sort of environment where there isn't anything for the kids. It meant that they didn't get bored which meant I enjoyed it more (Greg didn't say much but I am pretty sure he liked it but didn't want to admit it). If you would like to see Lancaster Wines visit www.lancasterwines.com.au I highly recommend them.

Possibly not the greatest idea to visit a winery just before heading out to a tv interview, even worse to forget to eat lunch! Straight after Lancaster Wines we had a meeting with Channel 10 for an interview in Kings Park. Another really lovely park of Perth. Thankfully the wine went down ok without any effects (maybe just a little more courage!) we had been joking with James about holding one of his bottles during the interview - sorry James, we didn't get the chance, I tried though! The interview was our first for TV which was quite exciting, it would have aired on the news tonight - if anyone saw it please let me know how it was.

From Kings Park to East Perth through the city, to the ABC Radio studio for another interview. Again, the girls thought it was fantastic and Greg really got the chance to be involved in this one. The only thing I would do differently is give Jemma a quieter lolly, LifeSavers are not a good noise crunching in the background! Geraldine was such a great interviewer and she was great with Jasmine who as soon as we went live to air clammed up with 1 word answers rather than the stories we are used to. It was very funny.

We finished the day with dinner at the harbour with Vanessa Walker from Blue Sky Healthcare, and her family. Greg met Vanessa on the Kimberley Cruise he took from Derby, it was great to meet people he had spoken about and hear the soapy dramas that were happening on the cruise.

Another beautiful location that we could spend so much more time exploring. It is really nice to be in a city for a change too, and to see the price of Diesel under $2! I am trying to twist Greg's arm into visiting Margaret River as our next stop but not sure if we have time on the itinerary - oh well another great reason to return!!

I think I am becoming an advocate for WA Tourism, this has been such a lovely state with great locations hidden away that astound you when you find them, looking forward to a few more before we hit SA!!