23. Inland and coast

Firstly, a quick apology for the delay in posting but your correspondent was hit by a 24 hour bug and was confined to barracks for a day. However, all is now back to normal and our time in WA continues apace.

Claire's sister started her journey back to the USA on Friday and our goodbyes were said. At the same time, the weather began to show a marked improvement and on Saturday we awake to clear blue skies, light winds and the thermometer beginning to climb to 21C. 

After breakfast we set off for the town of York which is about 100km east of Perth and proudly proclaims to be Western Australia's first inland town. On the way we stopped at an olive oil factory, only to be distracted by some makeshift ziplines set up next to the driveway. We soon dissolved into fits of laughter and giggles as we took turns to slide down the lines. Never mind a playground for under 12's, it was a playground for any age!

York itself became both important and (relatively) wealthy at the end of the 19th century as it was the last supply post for prospectors heading out to the gold mines of Kalgoorlie. The money that rolled in enabled York to build a very ornate, and by current standards, very out of place, Town Hall. Undeterred, we had a look around.

We also had a chance to look at all of the town's other attractions. There was a motor museum which housed everything from Australia's oldest VW beetle to one of Alan Jones's F1 cars...a very eclectic collection indeed. 

Also explored was the old mill (now an antique shop and cafe), and the old courthouse. Inside the latter we found a book containing the names of transportation convicts...there was just one entry with my surname but two with Claire's maiden name. 

Heading back towards Perth we stopped at Mundaring wier, the reservoir, pipeline and pumping station which was built in order to supply Kalgoorlie with fresh water and then a little farther on at a vantage point where we could watch the sun set over Perth and the city lights begin to twinkle. It was a very pretty sight.

The good weather carried over into Sunday and we spent a much quieter day closer to home. In the morning we went for a long walk along Mullaloo beach, just enjoying the sunshine and beachcombing. I still treated this activity with some trepidation as in my view anything found on an Australian beach is likely to sting you or bite you, even if it was dead.

We met up with some friends of friends for lunch at Hillary's boat harbour (a modern waterfront complex consisting of many shops, bars and restaurants) which made for a very pleasant afternoon. Whether it was the nice weather or the fact that it was a Sunday, it seemed like all of Perth was out at Hillarys, eating, drinking, paddling, walking or playing any form of ball game. In fact I've rather come to the conclusion that Australians never have food at home, the eateries are always busy any day of the week and at any hour of the day.

To conclude we adopted the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" philosophy and retreated to the Mullaloo hotel and bars to watch the sun set whilst indulging in a plate of cheese and biscuit nibbles, beer and wine.