Monday 3rd June 2024

Good morning all. ❤️

I’ve had a lovely first week in Australia. 

The weather is still not playing nice! More on that later.

After my last blog the weather stayed dry enough for me to take the bike out for a leisurely ride to the beach. 

Rebecca’s bike is fab, but heavy, especially if, like me, you haven’t cycled for a while 😳

Luckily for me Bunbury is relatively flat. 

The paths are designed for pedestrians and cyclists which is great. The ride took me down past “The Big Swamp” a large Swamp (suprise suprise! ) just inland and next to Bunbury Wildlife Park. It’s a lovely peaceful area and it’s so nice cycling under the all the eucalyptus trees which smell gorgeous. There is very little traffic and very few people about. All in all a pleasant first cycle ride! 

One of great things about all the rain is the number of rainbows we’ve had 🌈 I love a good rainbow. They always make me think of my lovely friend Hayley. 🌈

I am now a member of the local sports centre and have been for 2 swims! 

A little background on myself and swimming. 

I’m not a great swimmer and it’s only been in the last 2 years that I’ve learnt to swim any sort of distance or confidently be in water that I can’t stand up in!! I also struggle with putting my head under water 😬

With this in mind the pool in Bunbury is a proper 50 meter competition pool, which also means that the deep end is bloody deep! 

It’s been a while since I swam so I was a little nervous about getting into the pool and then negotiating going under the lane dividers to reach the slow lane, 4 lanes in! My first length was ok, but I had to have a little word with myself when I reached half way and the depth increased. 

I was most definitely the slowest person in the pool I was also the only one doing breast stroke, but I am pleased to say that I did a whole 4 Lenghts without stopping. Today, my second swim, I did 6 Length’s comfortably. I’m very happy with this. ☺️

On Saturday Rebecca had organised for us to drive to a little town inland called, Pinjarra. They were having an Antique fair and a little Festival. The forecast wasn’t great, with storms supposedly coming late afternoon. 

The drive was great. Pinjarra is a lovely little agricultural town next to a river, The Murray River. (Not the great Murray River, which is in Eastern Australia) The Antique fair was fun, small but Rebecca managed to pick up a fab little west german pot (she’s a collector ) 

We then headed to the festival, stopping first in a fantastic local artisan collective, wow, so much talent. The wonderful lady in charge was very chatty, we explained we were in Pinjarra for the festival, she looked a little sad and explained that the festival had been cancelled due to the Storm forecast! 

This being said while we are all standing around in bright sunshine under cloudless blue skies!! 😟 but, hey Ho. 

We had a nice stroll along the river and some delicious lunch at a French patisserie. 

We got back to Bunbury as the clouds started to collect and the wind picked up! 

We had a quick drink on the waterfront then headed home. By now there was a Red storm warning in place, so we secured all the outside furniture and hunkered down.

The storm started building around 6.30 and by 9.30 it was a full on electrical storm with continuous lightning, thunder, high winds and torrential rain! It was bonkers! 😍🌩️🌪️ I loved it! 

The power went out at 9.30 and stayed off until 12pm the following day. Some areas were quite badly damaged, lots of uprooted trees and flooding.

I’m hoping we have a few nicer days this week. 

In happier news, Curly the cat likes me!! 😻😻😻

Some interesting, quirky things about Australia, which I love:

Cute little Avocado storage things…see pic. 

How quiet the roads are.

The rainbows.

The smell of the trees.

The wildlife.

How tidy it seems.

The coffee.

Things about Australia that I don’t love:

The cost of food.

The cost of drink. (Although Aldi Cotes De Provence Rosè Wine is reasonably priced, thank god!! 😍)

The wearing of socks & sliders…..or socks & crocs, Really, WTF! 🫣😀

The mullets! 

It’s been a great first week, I think I’m still a little tired. 😴

Unfortunately I haven’t managed to finish another book since Wednesday! Shameful.

We have watched the new Netflix Series “Eric” which was really good.

That’s all for now.

Have a great week.

Take care

❤️🌩️🌈🇦🇺😻🩷💙🩵

OK, so for some reason the site is not letting me upload any photos! Annoying.

I’ll look into it. And try to figure out the problem! I’ll post some pics on my FB.

xx