Just to warn you I (Claire) am writing this blog and as I have the reputation of going on a bit shall we say you may want to think about getting a cup of tea and a sandwich before you settle down to read on!

We arrived in Perth on 23 August 2008 with thankfully no troubles at all. The Apartment is ok and is good for what we need. Mind you when we got here very early in the morning we still did a quick spider check, which involved lifting furniture,even though the man said there wouldn't be any I certainly wasnt taking any chances!! We are staying in a very good location. Only 10 minutes from the main city where you can shop, food shop, book tours and also has Perth's central underground station so it is very easy for us to get around. Which is good as they won't rent cars to under 21's however they will rent us campervans lol!

For the first couple of days we were just getting our barings and finding out what things we want to do whilst we are here! We are minutes from Kings Park which is fantastic with city views and tree top walks and dancing fountains so we were easily entertained for the day.

We met with the Wolfe family (Steph, James, Abbi, Barnaby, Mimi and Harry) and went to a chocolate making/tasting factory. You could spoon little chocolate buttons into your hand and keep going up for more! It was really good chocolate as well! We then went to Caversham Wildlife Park where we got to feed and pet Kangaroos. We also saw Koalas, wombats and a donkey called Tommy (hee hee)! After a really good morning we went into the park where you pay a dollar to use the BBQ's and there we were having a BBQ in the park. Was really good fun!

Yesterday (Monday 01 Sept) we took a train to Midland and on to Northam where we would be doing hot air ballooning the next day. We stayed in the Brackson House B&B which was really nice. The hosts Maureen and Peter were very hospitable. Maureen picked us up from the station and dropped us off at a fancy restaurant to which we went in for one drink and decided that Chicken Treat fast food was instead the best way to go. Today we got up at 4am as we had to be at the Airfield for 5.30 and never wanting to be late Tom and I decided we should get there for 5.15! So Peter dropped us off and we were wrapped up nice and warm ready to start our hot air ballooning adventure!!

We firstly were driven out to the take off site where we would be helping to launch the balloon. The balloon was spread out in a long line and attached to the basket which was tipped on its side. The mouth of the balloon was held open whilst a fan blew air into it slowly inflating it. The Pilot then began to turn the hot air on and the balloon lifted. One by one we all got into the basket - and seen as I had to get in first I would like to say that I did not make a fool of myself even though it was not the most ladylike thing. Then up up and away. the scenery was breathtaking as the sun was just rising and there was a little bit of fog which gave it a misty feeling. We had the most fantastic morning and when we had landed we set off into town to have a hearty breakfast. Then made our way back to Perth by train.