So, where was I last? Margaret River, wine tour, educational, sophiscated? Believe me, it was. Got picked up from my hostel on Thursday morning and there was only 4 of us on the tour and we were really lucky as we had Cathy the owner of Wine for Dudes as our guide. Now Cathy can't be older than 30 and she knows more about wine than anyone I've met and her enthusiasm on the subject was infectious. We visited 5 wineries and tasted 40 wines including a really great sparkling red Merlot which was so quaffable so of course I had to buy a bottle. We blended our own wine for lunch from a Cab and a Merlot - mine was 70% Cab and 30% Merlot and I must say it was a rather good little number. I now know all about grapes and how they get the wine sweet or dry, what to look for in a blend and that I really really do not like Chardonney or come to that any oaky whites but I do like pink wine (got a bottle of that too) and Sav Blanc (more bottles) and Cab and Merlot (more bottles). So with rucksack full and only a slightly fuzzy head I made my way back to the hostel and proceeded to drink the pink stuff with Jenette as a goodbye. Well on Friday I left Margaret River as Ralph had to be back in Perth that afternoon but if I had more time I would have stayed here longer as it just felt really nice and it was so pretty. I stopped off for lunch in Freo and had fish and chips at the wonderful Cicerellos and then got lost in Perth on the one way system and just managed to get Ralph back in time and must say was a little sad to say goodbye. So, Friday night = party night. Caz and Dan we're staying a few metres away in another hostel and it was their last night in WA before flying back to wonderful Watford. We met at 7 and drunk wine, beer, more beer and then hit the food halls in Northbridge before hitting The Shed (a very lively backpacker bar with live bands and djs) and continued drinking more beer, whiskey, tequilla and more whiskey - well it was their last night. And then the bar closed and it was time to say goodbye to the best couple I've met whilst travelling (even though they called me Bev and Dan tormented me like hell) and I got back to my hostel feeling quite sad but glad that I met them and I'm obviously looking forward to a night out in Watford (don't forget guys keep in touch and "be safe"). Saturday I was meeting a girl Jenene who I'd met in Bunbury to go to Rottnest and almost cancelled when I woke up as was feeling pretty rough. But I went and boy am I glad I did. OK if you're a regular on this site you'll know that Oz has thrown a number of suprises at me and I've been completely bowled-over a few times by what I've seen and Rottnest just did it again. This island is about 45 min ferry ride from Perth city, it's only 11ks wide and I'd say about 4ks high. No private cars are allowed on the island and the only way you can get around the island is by pushbike or the local bus. We took the local bus which is called the Bayseeker Bus and the bus does exactly what is says on the cover - seeks out the most beautiful sandy swimming bays/beaches for you to laze on and, when you're bored with that bay (as if you could get bored) you just jump on the bus again and go to another one which is as equally beautiful and deserted - in fact this tiny little island has 63 stunning beaches and 20 beautiful bays (beat that Thailand). The island also has these little mammel type things called Quokkas and they can only be found here and we saw a few including baby ones (but I was not quick enough with the camera for these) it also has a wonderful pub in the form of the Quokka Arms which is at the end of the town (well village) and right on a beach, and every building is painted the same colour in like a pinky red - as you can guess I loved this place. Well it's now Sunday and I'm feeling quite sad and emotional as today is my last day in WA. I have adored this part of Australia so much and I'm going to find it really tough to leave here. I really can't understand why so many people come to Oz and miss out the West Coast (maybe it just seems so far away) as WA provides more stunning beaches than I've ever seen anywhere else; outstanding wildlife; the Ningaloo reef that surpases even the Great Barrier one by the simple fact it's so accessible and you can just walk out and you're swimming with rays, turtles, dolphins, sharks and other wonderful fish; Karijini & Kalbari gorges and a great outback experience; two wonderful wine regions and really pretty towns like Margaret River and also one of the nicest cities I've had the pleasure to stay in - Perth. In fact anyone considering coming to Oz, forget the East Coast - just head straight for WA. I'm meeting Lindsay later today for my last drinking session here and that's going to be another tough goodbye. She's been a star and made sure I've been very welcome in her "big country town" - Linds, you're a very lucky girl to live in probably the most wonderful state on earth. Well folks next postcard will be from Melbourne and it's got a lot to live up to, but I'll be seeing Chris and Bruce so that's a bonus to start off with. Just don't forget to join me there for tennis, cricket, night horse racing, Australia Day and Big Day Out. xxxx LAST MINUTE FOOTNOTE: Linds, Purdy, Greg thankyou for a great last night in WA - Left Bank was great, fish and chips was great, Purdy dancing like fairy and falling over was the greatest. How tough to say goodbye - very. Be warned though, I'm coming back.