'Walked Out' in Fremantle...

Saturday, February 21. Clear. Windy. 25 C. Perfect.

Looking out from our deck, on the hills above Fremantle is an interesting Monument that was calling for a visit from us. This morning we set out on a hike to take a look at this interesting looking  structure and get some exercise as well. Well, it was almost 'A Bridge Too Far. But we did it, but it almost killed me! [I exaggerate of course.]

Some background for you. As you can tell we both have been rather inactive on the ship, for 50 days. Our auto incident and Fellette's chest injury was/is the cause. She is of course well into being fully recovered from that. Me, not so much. For the first half of 2025 I was hindered by a bad hernia, waiting in line for a repair. During that time I was up and around but relatively inactive. Then, after that got fixed I was again inactive while that thing got back to normal. Next thing we know we are getting ready for the cruise then we got hit by that idiot fleet-footed driver. And here we are, today thinking everything was in order and these two people could get out and go for a long brisk walk in Fremantle.

I knew early on in the walk that this was going to be a challenge for me, but we pushed on. My determination overtook my common sense and we made it to our goal, It is Known as Monument Hill, and I am sure that younger fit people would run up in Jig Time. Well, we are no longer youngish and I am in terrible shape!

We lingered up at the site for as long as we could, but I wanted to get down and back on the ship and collapse. This we did, much easier going down than up. We had a late light lunch, Fellette went to a Movie. I slept and my body sort of recovered, I made a cup of tea and watched the ship pull out of Fremantle and continue the journey, South and then East and Homeward Bound.

As we sailed out today, the captain said that "For any of you who like bad weather, tonight you are going to get your wish, for those of you who don't, sorry. No high heels tonight, safety first!"

A Grueling But Great Day. 

I love the Australian architecture. I think that they have a way of making a new building look old as well. It works for me.

I just  love this one.

This is a shot from our destination, in the distance is our ship!

This at sailaway time, showing our destination today, where the sky meets the earth, that sand coloured tower above her finger, and to the left, it the yellow Monument to residents of Fremantle who lost their lives in the various wars that mankind seems to have. To this day.

Tidy Little Fremantle Town...

Friday, February 20. Clear and sunny. 26 C. Perfect.

We had a bumpy ride all night up until pulling into this neat and tidy city. The Terminal is also super neat and tidy. We lingered for a while and around 9:30 walked off and into a free shuttle bus that dropped us off after five minute drive to the  Central Business District area. I love the older look and feel of Australian Towns. They remind me of what Vancouver looked like and felt like in the 1940's. It felt good and comfortable.

However, I also recall and noticed the presence of what I forgot about in Australia from several trips throughout many years. That is The Role That Aboriginals play in the Australian Society. The history of the Aboriginals is not a pretty one. They were treated very, very poorly by the Early White Settlers. Let's leave it at that. Modern Australia has gone through their own form of Reconciliation with the Aboriginals and many are integrated into this modern society.

However, even in our short time today, I noticed the presence of small groups of aboriginals on the  edges of parks etc, behaving in their own special way, being quietly ignored by the rest of society. There also seems to be some whites that look like they are Living Rough. The Aussies have the same issues with Society that we do in Canada, and the USA.

Fellette and I had all of the things on our shopping list done and in the bag in short order. We then walked to a Good Old Fashioned Barber Shop and I got a very good cut with intelligent conversation by a woman from Italy.

Fellette and I had no need to linger in this quaint and peaceful place so we went back to the ship. We had a hamburger on deck for lunch, Fellette took in a Movie and that was our lovely day in Fremantle.

We have been here several times, the latest three years ago with Jim and Gail. Zillions of years ago we made a Land trip to Australia and spent a few days in Perth, some 11 miles away, in the Wild Flower Season, so we do not have the urge to rush out into busses and boats in the sun. There is something special about having this big giant yacht to ourselves, as many hundreds of other folks seem to enjoy as well. 

A Great Day. 

A very neat and well maintained entry to the harbour.

Closer.

Fellette watching the goings on. A small brass Jazz Band to meet us, always nice to have.

A smartly dressed gangway as well.

Fellette is at the far end of a smaller gangway.

Crazy Weather...

Thursday, February 19. Clear sky. Choppy sea. Nauseating. 24 C.

It seems strange to be in beautiful weather but unable to stand or even walk properly because of the crazy motion of the ship today. As a result, we did absolutely nothing today. Before breakfast things were fine, we watched the sun come up on a calm sea, had a lovely breakfast and drank too much coffee. During breakfast there was an announcement about some elevators not working so we walked up too many flights of stairs to our cabin. Fellette went on the couch and I on the bed and that was we did basically all day! For the first time we have been disabled because of the tossing and turning of the ship and it has taken our appetite away. It is a good thing that it is a lovely day otherwise it would be depressing.

I am a bit woozy so I am going to call it quits now. Two days in port tomorrow in Fremantle, for Perth.

A Funny Sort of Day!

The day started out fine, as you can see early this morning, no Whitecaps or swells, that came later.

Killer Heat...

Wednesday, February 18. Clear. 30 C.

We are anchored about a kilometer from shore off a tiny town called Exmouth on the extreme west of Australia. This place is known for its snorkeling. I guess it would be nice to be in and under the water, but on the ship on deck and on dry land it is like a Dry Kiln. Actually unpleasant.

While the ship was anchoring I was getting these old toe nails of mine trimmed so I don't shred my socks when putting them on. I also paid a little more and had my legs defoliated. I thought that she was going to scrub the meat off my bones but did it feel good!!! I sat there for near an hour with my feet in a warm tub of water, it felt so decadent but so good.

As you can tell, we did not go ashore again today. Firstly because Fellette did not want to go and secondly, I did not want to go! I guess you folks must wonder what we came on this trip for. We came on this cruise to do exactly what we are doing, Relaxing! Plus, to see my good friend Keith, a friend of 66 years when we were zipping  around Europe on Motor Scooters, before either of us had met our future brides and a whole lifetime was ahead of us. Wow, those were the days! 

It seems odd to me that today, we are exactly 50% of the way through this cruise, as far of number of days is concerned and that when we pulled up anchor and headed toward, Fremantle/Perth, we started to head South by East for the first time on this trip. Interesting I thought.

I have learned a bit more about my wife of 63 1/2 years on this trip. Fellette was an only child as her mother died when Fellette was three years old. So Fellette has been able to entertain herself, all her life. Unlike me and many/most families whose kids have siblings and they of course play together. It was interesting that Fellette had to tell me that herself yesterday, while I was having difficulty fussing and was trying to find something to do. It is also amazing that I am still learning some basic information because of this enforced time spent together in the last 47 days of closeness.

A Good Day. 

Coffee on the deck at 5:30 this morning.

My feet in the foot bath at 8:00 am.

There sits the town of Exmouth, a 20 minute tender ride away. There was a heat haze above the town all day. Imagine spending your whole life there. It really looks like it requires a tough set of people to live there. I suppose we have isolated towns in Canada as well, but not with weather like this.