Well it's now Easter - We did little on the 18th and 19th as Peg recovered. We decided to take a few days away over Easter and booked an apartment in Fremantle. I went for a bike ride to view the local area and in the evening we all had dinner as the 20th was Cat's 17th birthday .

In Aus most places remark that they are open 363 days a year. The two closure dates being Christmas Day and Good Friday. Everything closes up. Greg and I did a wander around the harbour to take some photos which I will load up on Tuesday. Then Peg and I drove to Fremantle. The roads were extremely quiet being this one of two days a year everything closes. The apartment was right on the commercial harbour front. Whilst Peg rested, I wandered around the dock area and E Shed Markets. In the evening the fishing harbour seafood restaurants were all very full- like about 300- 400 people per restaurant . I just bought some take away fish and chips and we eat in the apartment. The restaurants were very organised about 5 tills -all cash only (ATM nearby said sign!). You received a pager and when the food was ready (about 3-4 minutes ) your pager bleeped and you went back inside and picked up from another counter. They also had a desert and coffee counter, a fridge with wine and beer which you paid for as you ordered your meal and a fresh fish area where you could buy fresh fish and seafood or get it BBqu'ed. As we eat our meal on the balcony about 100 hundred open backed vans arrived (called UTEs here) in the car park across by the harbour and the guys stood around chatting. As soon as it got dark, the engines started and off they drove in a stream to go where-ever!! Gave us some excitement!

On Saturday 22nd we watched a container ship and cruise ship arrive being marshaled in by the pilot and tug boats. I am surprised by the container ships as the containers are stacked with spaces between each row- I would have thought it was safer to stack them close to each other. I still cannot understand how they stay afloat in storms with about 7 - 8 containers high, spread along in about 30- 40 rows on the decks.

Greg and James arrived and the four of us walked around Fremantle - which had a series of street festivals all over the place. After the markets we ended up first in a brewery (surprise surprise - but a first -Peg drank a beer - the only problem it was my beer!) We then went to one of the seafood harbour restaurants (Cicerellos) and had a fishy lunch- The place was full but next to it a street performer from Canada kept us entertained juggling flaming sticks and, after being chained up, escaping with the help of the audience. Greg and James left for home at about 6-30 and whilst Peg rested I watched my first game of Australian Rules football - there are some rules but apart from only passing by punching it out of your hand or kicking it 0-it seemed that everything goes -like a scrum with everyone running!! The important thing is Perth beat Brisbane..

We then had a pleasant meal on the balcony with smoked salmon followed by steak and salad.

On Easter Sunday we drove to Kings Park in Perth and on arriving at one area at 10-30am found the car park totally full, with hundreds of families and groups of friends spread around a vast grassy area in the picnic seats with the barbies all ready alight!! We went on to the botanical garden area and after an hours pleasant walk ended up by the war memorial - as we arrived a group of Greek Orthodox Priests also arrived with a large group of people in Greek dress and conducted an open air ceremony , -as I don't understand Greek I presume it was to remember the dead.

We went back to G &L's and took Greg, Cat and James to a crazy golf place - where Greg and Liz got married some years back!!

We then drove over to a local memorial park which is a vast area which seemed to be a cemetery and crematorium flower location place- but the attraction was it was the home a large herd, troop or group of Kangaroos. After driving around the massive park we found them and quietly walked amongst them - photos to follow- Peg and I were surprised as they seemed smaller than we envisaged. We even took photos of small ones peering out of their mother's pouch.

Well Easter Monday and Greg, Liz, Peg and I are off to a winery in the Swan Valley about an hour away for a spot of lunch. I think I have drawn the short straw and am driving.

Bryan