DAY TWENTY THREE (Perth)

Survived a 40° day in Perth, but it was tough going. Though we were mostly in a bus or in a shopping centre or on the shady side of the street. Perth is a fabulous city, with magnificent old buildings squashed in amongst the new ones, as most Aussie cities are.

We had a successful day. Yesterday when we collected the cases, my case was only held shut by the strap around it - the zip had come apart! Gill had kindly given it to me to replace my old case which only had four wheels (not eight) and was hard to handle, and also didn't lock. This new one had eight wheels and was an improvement (Gill had never used it - she didn't knowingly give me a dodgy suitcase!). SO, we had to go into town to buy a new suitcase. This was accomplished quickly and painlessly (30% off too) at David Jones department store.

But first we got the free CBD bus along the street to then walk down to the harbour to check on our Rottnest Ferry trip tomorrow. Met a family of kangaroos having a drink in the pond.

Got the tickets, got the Hop On Hop Off bus at the same place, and went all round the city and environs. It's full of big open parks, which are full of huge ancient gum trees (some of them thousands of years old) beautiful modern buildings, famous sports venues (WACA), rivers, statues, kids's adventure areas, - it's a beautiful city. And not even a teensy tiny bit of litter, nor yet a single piece of chewing gum on the beautiful pavements. It's very noticeable to visiting British folk, so the opposite must be noticeable to visitors about the UK (cities anyway).

After we'd been right round the circuit (about an hour), we hopped off in the CBD to buy the suitcase, then hopped on a bus to take us back along the road to the digs. Very hot and bothered we were, so we went to the swimming pool, and there was also a warm spa pool, which revived us. Dinner down in the hotel cafe/bar - barramundi and chips (shared - the servings are huge here).

A great day. Successful, too. With a very special day tomorrow!

PS All this sitting around in planes and buses is great for my knees, but not good for my back…