Saturday 24th July – We had our first day trip in the Suzi to New Norcia, the only monastic town in Australia of all things and only 130 odd km from Perth. We took the Swan Valley Drive and then up through the Chittering Valley which was so beautiful, so many shades of green with lots of contented sheep and cattle grazing. Bindoon was the last little sleepy town we passed through before we hit New Norcia and what a gem it is. Two Spanish Benedictine monks Rosendo Salvado and Joseph Serra created the first mission in 1846 hence the Spanish architecture that looks so out of place in this typically Aussie rural setting.
The hotel is warmed by a big pot belly stove and used to accommodate students' parents but is a bit run down now. Kimbo cooked our snags on the BBQ for lunch before we walked the Heritage trail which was really interesting. The flour mill still operational and the monks make fresh bread every day. The sundial on side wall of police station dates back to 1890’s. The College and boarders residences are still in great nick. There was of course two boarding schools, one for the girls and one for the boys. The Monastery (which dates back to 1847) is huge and the grounds are so beautiful and hold a great sense of peace within them and it was lovely watching the monks going about their daily lives.
The Abbey Church also has a real feel about it maybe it’s because Dom Rosendo Salvado’s remains are entombed there. The Monastery is also operating as a B&B which would be wonderful, maybe for another time. Kimbo thought he saw some "holy sheep s***" in the sheep paddock behind the monastery! Came back through Magumber, Gingin, Muchea, Bullbrook and home.

Saturday 31st July – a first for us – today we were accused of being cattle rustlers!!!!   This took place in Toodyay a little town on the bank of the Avon River about 80km north east of Perth. The sun was shining and the countryside was just beautiful. We were following directions from one of Kimbo’s customers about a good spot to watch the Avon descent (a must see) which takes place next month. The instructions were sketchy at best so we took them to the service station in Toodyay and asked the guy there. He didn’t think there’d be a problem but if anyone asked just say “Robsy said it’d be OK”. Down the track we went and to cut a very long story short we were told by a very unhappy farmer that he’d had some cattle go missing and it was probably us to which Kimbo showed him the car and said it would be pretty difficult given the size of the car v the size of a cow and the fact we were both in jeans and looked very citified. We were told “I don’t believe you, you’re trespassing, get off my land or I’ll call the cops”, we did as was ordered but didn’t get the chance to show him the note that had been given to us or to say “Robsy said it’d be OK” – so much for country hospitality! We drove along the river to look for other viewing spots. There were quite a few boats around, probably having a practice. Stopped for a cuppa and laughed about our cattle rustling exploits!!!! Came home via Avon Valley National Park – the road to the river was closed so we went up to the lookout at Bald Hill. The views were amazing, we could see the Avon River but it was a long way down.

Up at 6.00am (hard to believe) on Saturday 7th August to watch the Avon Descent an annual, two-day, white water event involving both paddle craft (kayaks, canoes) and speed boats. It runs from Northam to Perth, along the Avon and Swan Rivers, and is held in August of every year. There had been a lot of rain during the week so the ground underfoot was muddy and slushy and a recipe for disaster, so we paid our $2 and parked in a farmer’s paddock (not grumpy farmer from last weekend) and parked in the 4WD section. Only a short walk to Extracts Weir where we were told it would all be happening. It was drizzly and a cold 18 degrees. The area comprised of a first aid post, a raging fire (won me!!), food tent and some transportable toilets. There were people skidding, slipping and sliding everywhere.
Not long after 8.00am the first speed boat came around the corner and over the weir, from then on it was all go.
 There were quite a few spills into the icy cold water and I was wondering “why would you do it?”  A good ½ hour after the last power boat came over the weir the first of the canoes and kayaks came down. Most came over the weir but some decided to port their boats over the mud and slosh of the ground.  
There were heaps of thrills and spills with the canoes. One guy was even brought to the first aid post and he didn’t look too good. I was freezing just looking at him.
  We went back to the car at lunch time (it seemed so late as we’d been up since sparrow’s fart) to have a cuppa and something to eat and proceeded to watch the chaos that was taking place in the car park. Cars were getting bogged left, right and centre, it was shambolic.
A few 4WDs decided to drive through a creek and not line up to get out of the bog hole that had been created and it was getting worse by the minute. That’s the way we left too. Once clear of the paddock we sat on a fence for about an hour and watched the cars being towed out of the bog.  We took River Road around to Lovers Lane and then into the Avon Valley National Park. We were able to get down 41 Mile Road, parked at the bottom and walked over the railway lines to Emu Falls. The river was powering along and there were some lovely camp sites there.

On Sunday Kimbo was working so just after lunch I walked down to the Swan River and watched the canoes and kayaks end their great adventure that had started way too early yesterday morning. I bet they’ll be happy to be in their nice warm beds tonight. I hope they had access to hot showers last night.

My birthday was celebrated in spectacular style. Kimbo had been working on something in his workshop (the room in the annexe) for several days. Upon being told to shut my eyes and then open them Chris Mainwaring had morphed in front of my eyes. Kimbo had produced his own version of “Mainy’s” telespin. Sorry to those of you who aren’t in WA, this is a local thing where Mainy spins his wheel and a lucky viewer wins a prize. I was the lucky viewer in this event and I think the wheel was weighted in some way, because I won all the prizes apart from the $10,000 cash. It was hilarious.   I was surprised how much fun two people can have standing up! I marvel at the way Kimbo’s mind works sometimes. After the excitement we were off to the Borderline Mexican restaurant for dinner.