Perth Part 2

And it came to pass that the back seat of the Toyota wasn't going to fit, requiring a return trip to Perth, coinciding with another of Jess's flights. A perfect excuse to deliver Johanna back from whence she came. Another free night with Jess in the hotel, much to her surprise, as she had no idea we would be there to be with her again.
Also caught up with a friend I hadn't seen in 33 years. We lived together in a block of flats when I was just 17 and on my first adventure. After some searching I found the flats again, unchanged after all these years. The memories of our fun times all came flooding back. Jenny thought she was only meeting Johanna when she discovered me in the courtyard of our B and B....another emotional reunion! It seems our family just love surprises!
Jo and I idled away a drizzly afternoon in our, ever so quaint and cosy, B and B, reading, napping and then talking non stop long into the night. Most girls can relate to this scene. Women together in a bedroom late at night, tucked into bed, wanting to drift off to sleep but just as one feels the eyelids flicker and the pull of sweet slumber, the other pipes up with yet another story, question, comment or silly joke. On and on it continues till someone looks at a clock and announces its morning.
Though it was the usual teary goodbye, and a tedious 4 hour drive back to Dongara, I was looking forward to getting back to Steve and our first night together in "Fig Tree Cottage".

Johanna in Dongara at Easter

The population of Dongara triples at Easter and holiday time. People come here to enjoy fishing, relaxing, swimming and basically to get out of the city. Suddenly there are races, markets and band nights (is that what you call them?) to keep people amused.
The Priory Hotel swelled with crowds of young people and race goers and the band was awesome. Not being one to be able to sit still when I hear good music, I had to indulge in abit of rock and rolling with our new friends. A great night.
Erica took us to a terrific spot called Ellendale pool, a little gorge with a perfect swimming hole where I risked life and limb to jump off the cliff at Johanna's insistence.....that girl always convinces me to do crazy things!
I relished the opportunity to have my baby girl with me and the days passed too quickly....

There was 3 in the bed...

Jess (niece who is an Emirates hostess...pay attention to blogs!) messaged me to say she was having a layover in Perth. Naturally I was going to be there and I was to pick up her Mum(my sister Yvonne) at Perth airport. Who should be there, as well, to surprise me, was my daughter Johanna. After some decent squeals and a few tears I bundled them in the car and we set the navigator for the swanky motel in the heart of Perth where Jess would arrive in the wee hours of the morning. I was beyond excitement and could not sleep...hence the bleary eyes!
We were in for a magica,l girly few days and a fabulous catch up with my gorgeous cousin and his stunning girls, as well as our dear friend Judy who could not do enough for us....a real gem!
It was a whirlwind of shopping, sightseeing, dining and much laughter, before we bid adieu to Yvonne and sadly, Jess. After picking up a back seat from the wreckers...our Toyota had been modified with a bed for the big trip... Johanna and I drove back to Dongara. Read on...

Doing Dongara

OK I know its been awhile but life's been hectic. The best news is we are now finally in our own home. We were very blessed to have been able to stay with our good friends Brian and Erica, but we all like our own "space". So....day 5 at "Fig Tree Cottage "and I am having a ton of fun turning the place into a home.
But I'm ahead of myself...what's been happening you ask?
Well we had some time before Steve started work to check out some of the local spots and this area really does have something special. Love the river walks and the ocean!
Did a trip to Perth, several in fact, during Steve's first 9 day stint, but that's a whole other story/blog.....stay tuned!