Another latish start - le tour has a lot to answer for. Had arranged to meet Sharon Jones at Fremantle Prison, so we got there a little early and wandered around the welcome wall at the Maritime Museum - as far as we know Ross' dad first spent time in Fremantle when he migrated in 1950 and only later made his way to Sydney. It was a lovely day, although still with a chill in the air. I had forgotten that Australia hosted the America's Cup defense in 1987, and so there is a lot of memorabilia that lingers on around the Perth Yacht Club. Fremantle itself is quite picturesque - from the roundhouse, to the many late 19th century terraces and mercantile buildings and then that lovely waterfront on all sides. We browsed through a few book stores and briefly wandered through the markets - which were not so very different to those of the eastern coast.

Met up with Sharon at the prison - it was the first time we had seen each other since our very accidental meeting in Leyton, the London suburb, in 1990. But somehow, it didn't seem like that to me. Surely it was only a couple of years ago. The prison was great - the guide was decidedly acerbic in his wit, but he was very knowledgeable, and the place quite amazing to contemplate. Spectacular buildings, built from the local limestone, which was quarried by the inmates. A disturbing bucket system of sewerage disposal seems to have been one of the main reasons for abandoning the prison in 1991 or thereabouts. The place smelt so bad, that it was not opened for tourism for 12 months afterwards, to allow the stench to dissipate. Sharon and I drove her current little red car down to the esplanade and met the boys by the ferris wheel at the fun fair, which also included an ice rink. None of our lot were game enough to go for a spin.

We dined at Joe's fish cafe and headed home at about 7:30. A very pleasant day.