Guildford - My Favourite Sunday Afternoon Destination!

On Sunday, Darrell and I went to Guildford for Sunday lunch. Usually we head straight to The Guildford Hotel, but this week I had booked a table at The Stirling Arms, a little further down the historic high street.

Guildford is a place I love to visit, in many ways, it reminds me a little of Britain. Being one of the older suburbs in Perth, it has many colonial buildings dating back to the 19th century and is a wonderful place to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon. Surrounded by antique shops, antiquarian bookshops and second hand stores, we walked towards the Stirling Hotel, popping into the occasional shop for a browse. The antique furniture particularly caught my eye, which was competitively priced, when one considers the cost of cheap modern alternatives.

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I was an hour early for my booking, but nothing was too much trouble for this friendly establishment, and we were immediately shown to our table, outside in the shade. The day was a warm 32 degrees and after ordering a drink, I made my way back to my seat. It was pleasant sat listening to live music in the garden, having a well deserved pint of Carlton Dry. This is the only time Darrell and I have to ourselves, and it is an important part of the week, sat together, spending quality time away from our less than ideal living arrangements.

This was the first roast dinner I have eaten here in Australia and although very different to back home in the UK, it was nevertheless pleasant enough. The meat was actually cooked to perfection, just melting in the mouth. I could have stayed there all day, but Darrell wanted to get back and relax after a busy week of work. Personally I think we should have stayed longer, after all we don't do this too often, but then I'm not the one working at the moment.

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After a walk back to Midvale, I continued to complete my 10,000-step regime, as I do every day, walking around the garden, just to get my count up. All of a sudden, I went head long into one of the biggest spider webs I have ever seen. I stopped dead in my tracks and went cold, as I looked up. I had just bumped into one of the scariest spiders I have ever seen, and gingerly stepped back, away from the angry looking arachnid.

This is the first native spider I have seen since arriving in Australia, and it was a little different to what I expected. Usually I am the first to become acquainted with the large common Huntsman and although, according to my Mother in law, there are plenty about, I just happened to walk into a Golden Orb Weaving Spider; also native to Australia.

Of course, I didn't know that was the species initially, but after getting close enough to take a photo, I looked it up online, where I learnt more about this ugly looking thing with extremely long legs.

This was a female spider, the male being much smaller. To be honest, she probably devoured him anyway. She is also a great hunter and isn't particularly choosy about what she catches, but is picky when it comes to eating. The one piece of information I wanted to know, of course, is just how dangerous it is. Well according to Google, it is mostly harmless to humans, although if it bites you, it hurts - a lot! No more walking into spider webs for me!

Mum-in-law said she would spray the pest if I wanted, to get rid of it, but in all honesty, I was fine leaving it exactly where it was. It wasn't causing any harm to me, and if anything, is doing the World of good catching flies and mosquito's that would otherwise cause problems inside the house. As long as I can see it, I am happy to leave it alone. If it ends up coming inside, I may well feel differently.

That was the end of my Sunday - a good meal, a couple of pints and a date with a Spider. Rather different to what I am used to in the UK, but all part of the course when you are living down under. It won't be too long before I have been living here for three months; I am getting used to this place, insects and all. I am growing to like my life in Perth, no matter how difficult it is at the moment, and I am looking forward to many years of happiness in the future. For now, we will continue to do what we can to forge a new path and all the challenges that entails. In a few weeks I will finally be working and that can't come soon enough.

Have a great week, y'all!

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