My friend Laura and her boyfriend Jamie emigrated to Australia two years ago and are living in Fremantle. Although the place has a lot to offer our visit was mainly to have a good old gossip and catch up, and to enjoy the pleasure of living in a house for a few days after five months in a tent.

Fremantle is a port on the south side of Perth with a long stretch of beach and an array of coffee shops and eateries. Before luxuriating at L&J's house we spent a couple of nights at a campsite in Perth and headed to the shops for some necessities. We also hit a bucket of balls at a local driving range - Richard had trouble with his wrist but I was quite pleased with my efforts.

It was strange being in a city. As we walked through the clean streets seeing people in their smart business outfits and ladies with long floaty dresses, and smelling the perfume in a department store we felt a little out of place.

We smartened ourselves up slightly when we headed to the Nike outlet shop to buy a pair of trainers for Richard. His were well and truly on their last legs with holes in the bottom and not particularly fragrant. When we got to the till the cashier commented on us only having one pair and pointed to the offer of 50% off any second pair. I looked down at my feet at my trainers and decided I could do with some new ones too!

Perth is a nice city but is lacking the wow factor that Sydney has to offer. Fremantle has character with its old stone buildings, cafes, pubs and people bustling around. It has a trendy London feel.

I've known Laura since I was 12 when I started Higham Lane School. Jamie had also been there but was two years above us. It didn't take us long to be slagging off our old teachers, wondering why we'd had a French teacher for GCSE Spanish. I blame that fact for getting a grade G in the subject ;-)

Luckily I got a grade B for Home Economics so being able to use a proper kitchen was a delight. Richard and I cooked various Indian curry dishes one night, Richard baked a fruit cake, and Laura & Jamie showed us the Aussie lifestyle with a couple of meals cooked on the outside barbie.

Since moving to Fremantle Jamie has taken up fishing. We went along with him to learn a few things and help catch the day's dinner. Richard's never cast a rod himself before so Jamie did a demonstration and as he reeled the line back in there was a fish on the end! It was a Tailor and big enough for eating. Richard followed Jamie's instructions and almost immediately got a tug on the rod and reeled the line in to find he'd also caught a Tailor. It was a little on the small side so got thrown back in the sea. Not bad for first attempt though!

I had a turn and it took me a few goes before catching a little herring, again too small to eat so it went back in. We were off to a great start - three fish in the space of ten minutes. However, the fish seem to get a little cleverer and only nibbled the bait for the next two hours. We had an enjoyable time and it was great getting my own back on the silver coloured fish that make me jump out the sea when I go in.

One essential item we needed to buy when in Fremantle was a new little tent as our old one was falling apart with neither zip working and holes that would let the wet in if it rained heavily. We eyed up a couple in BCF (Boating, Camping & Fishing) but choose one in Ray's Outdoors as it had a window and two vents. It was only $65 so we can't expect much, just hope it lasts till the end of the trip.

The next part of our journey takes us south of Perth for two weeks around the vineyards and tall tree country. Then we are heading back to Fremantle to see L&J and experience normal life for another few days.

Katy