Sorry we haven't been in touch but we have been on the road for a few days and also internet access has been crap.

We really enjoyed our time in Perth even though we got sick. Unfortunately the day we went to Rottnest Island is was wet and cold and we felt dreadful with colds. It was a pretty little island with no cars only bicycles. Ray did get some fishing in but most of the day was spent in cafes trying to keep out of the rain. We found a good bakery that sold pies, pasties and huge chocolate lamingtons (sponge with icing and coconut around for those who don't know) - delicious. It was quite amusing as all the wild life came in and out looking for food. The most common inhabitant is the quokka which is like a miniature kangaroo and as they wondered around they dropped the world out of their bottoms and nobody seemed to mind. It was worth the visit even though the weather was against us.

Our trip up the Swan River was interesting, plenty of money there in boats and riverside properties. Fremantle was enjoyable and the weather was good. We did tram tour, prison and then ended up getting a bit hit and missed eating fish and chips and drinking wine in the harbour where there had been a boat show the day before so we were very envious of all the boats and yachts.

We are now in Exmouth about a third of the way to Darwin and we have been amazed and bored at the changing scenery. This country is vast and we have gone from strange shape rocks in the desert (the Pinnacles) to sand dunes and then hundreds of miles of bush. Some of the scenery has been breathtaking especially the blowholes at Quobba. We have also been very disappointed in some places, Carnarvon being one of them. They really give these places good write ups in the guide books but we have to admit we have probably been spoilt in the past. They also have a big thing about their history here but 18 and 1900s seems quite recent to us. May be we are just getting old!!

The only drawback when we have been bored with the driving is the roadhouses that also sell pies pasties and lamingtons as you can imagine we have to eat them. Anyway we might have to cut back as fuel costs are rocketing out here. It has gone up 20 cents a litre since we have been here and is rising daily. It is still 40p a litre cheaper than at home but this van of ours is drinking it quite rapidly. We are only getting 18 miles to the gallon. They told us it did 32 but that was obviously kilometres to the gallon not miles!!

We are now in Exmouth (population 2400) which is in the Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Marine Park which are protected areas. We have booked to go whale shark watching tomorrow. It has cost a fortune but hey it is a once in a life time for us and it is Jen's birthday tomorrow so it saves Ray going shopping. Will let you know how we go and hope they don't mistake us for the whale sharks.

Thanks for all the messages it was good to hear from you all after the long drive. To date we have done 2020 miles in Oz.

Photos to follow as no facility to upload on this computer.

Off to the beach for more relaxing and fishing.

Jen and Ray