Yesterday, our final full day in Perth, began with a walk, then a battle. I started very early under the blue sky I have come to expect and a lovely breeze that masked any sign of the impending heat to come. I walked along the Swan River sharing the track with a few joggers and cyclists and very little traffic.

Later we decided to do a load of washing in the hotel laundry. Someone had a load already underway so I put our washing by the machine and walked around the pool area just beside it. When I returned, a man was standing in the doorway with a little tub of washing powder, but no laundry. I asked if he were collecting or wanting to do washing. He said he was about to do it when his wife brought it down. When I said I had my washing already waiting by the machine he said, "Too bad."

"Rude pig!" I said in my head. I sat and seethed by the pool for a few minutes and then thought what a waste of energy being angry. I am now actually grateful to that man, for he gave me a whole valuable hour of quiet, uninterrupted time to sit and read by the cool pool while I waited for his washing (which his poor wife eventually brought down and stayed with while he disappeared). Still, if he is on the train I might accidentally spill something on his clean shirt.

Fearing the heat, Reg decided to stay at the hotel. Fearing the seniors now in residence, I decided to go out. Of all days, the buses from our hotel weren't running because of roadworks so I walked into town. The temperature was still reasonably bearable, but by the time I returned it was getting hot. The streets were fairly quiet. I guess most people were avoiding the heat at cooler places like the beach or staying indoors in air conditioning. I believe it made it to 43, but dry heat is always easier to take than humidity so we really didn't suffer.

That night our hotel bar and restaurant was bursting at the seams with more seniors. Not only are the ready-to-depart train travellers here, but the ones arriving from the East to West trip had arrived. I think I have seen the future. I feel like I am having a taste of what it is like to be in an old folks' home.

Well, that was yesterday. Any nightmares of laundry bandits and bar hogging grandpas dispelled with the dawn and for the first time here I saw clouds in the sky. They didn't linger for long, however, and were soon a rain teasing memory. I made my last walk in Perth a long brisk one because I don't think they have a walking track on the train. The parks and waterway and city buildings are really something to admire. I think Brisbane is beautiful, but Perth is prettier.

Now for the train trip I have looked forward to (nearly as much as the Trans-Siberian) all my life. Tootle-oo for now. My carriage awaits.