South Perth & Kings Park!

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Burn Off

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Thursday night, Friday morning, there was a distinct smell of burning in the air. In order to prevent bush fires, the Government burn off grassy wastelands around the city, to prevent serious fires. With temperatures rising fast in Western Australia, it is important everything is done to prevent these areas igniting in flames.

The burn off left an orange glow in the sky over the city, which did look quite eerie at times, but it is a necessary fact of life, so I am told. We kept all the windows and doors shut, which did stop the worst of the smoke getting inside. We are expecting more of these preventative measures as the summer progresses here in Australia. For me, it is just part of the course, getting used to life living in Australia!

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South Perth & Kings Park

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On Friday morning, Darrell and I walked from our apartment in Victoria Park, down to South Perth and up into king's Park. This was our longest walk yet, consisting of over twenty thousand steps. I am enjoying getting out more and more these days, as my body gets used to the larger distances here in Australia and with a continued determination to keep fit, I will be walking more and more, the longer I stay here.

It is absolutely beautiful along the foreshore of South Perth, along the water, and it was so relaxing just taking our time, investigating the area and enjoying the stunning views of the city from the esplanade. Sadly, like everywhere in the World, we had to walk through a less desirable area to get to the front. This was a bit of a culture shock for me, since I haven't seen too many rough areas in Perth. However, I am mindful that this is a large city, and we were effectively walking through inner city suburbs. Many of the houses in this particular part of Perth, were colonial in nature and there were some pretty dubious characters walking around, rather like there were in Portsmouth if I am honest, only on a smaller scale.

Crossing The Swan River to venture into King's Park, the views were amazing. You could see the city in its full glory. There was a bit of a haze in the air after the 'burn off' last night, but that really didn't detract from the beauty of this most isolated city in Australia.

It has been many years since I set foot in this picturesque Park and as I ascended to the top, small memories flooded back. I can remember doing this all those years ago and experiencing the panoramic views at the top. Unsurprisingly King's Park has changed dramatically, but the views, monuments and history of the place is still very much as it was, unchanged and preserved for everyone to see.

King's Park is the highest point in Perth, offering a great vantage point in which to take advantage of the city vista. It is also a meeting point for families enjoying a picnic in the sun, as well as containing the attractive botanical gardens. The breeze from the top also offers a welcome break from the scorching heat and a far more bearable location to spend a lazy afternoon.

Once again sat on a bench, overlooking the city with Darrell, memories of my time in Perth came flooding back, only today I was appreciating it far more than I did back then. I am somewhat older and far more comfortable with the slower pace of life in Western Australia, and that makes all the difference in deciding where my future lies!

From the park, we took a walk into the city, heading down towards the West Australian Parliament. Immediately I recognised the place, after so many years. In fact, Darrell didn't even know it was Government House, until he looked it up on Google. It is so strange, after all this time, I can remember so much about the period I spent in Australia previously, but that can only be a good thing. There is a lot to like about this place!

From Parliament, we walked down St George's Terrace and onwards towards the train station, where we had a couple of beers in the sun and a bite to eat at 'The Shoe.' The food was delicious and despite the horror stories about the cost of eating out in Australia, it was actually reasonably priced, akin to British prices. For a couple of beers and two meals, we paid £39.00. It isn't the super saver prices at Wetherspoon, but it certainly isn't as high as I expected.

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COVID Vaccine

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After a short train ride home to Victoria park, it was time for my COVID vaccination at the Discount Drug Store. I had initially booked an appointment for Thursday, after receiving a text message from the NHS in Britain, to book my booster. I didn't think for one minute Australia would be able to do it for me, and true enough, without my Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) I couldn't have it done. That evening, to my absolute surprise however, I managed to open an Australian 'My Gov' account and obtain the required number, within a few minutes. I couldn't believe how quick it was. I popped back online and booked my appointment without delay; still stunned at how quick this process was, compared to home.

When Darrell returned to the UK a year ago, he was in a similar position, but due to red tape, he couldn't get a vaccine for months. My new IHI number has allowed my British records to be added to my Australian vaccine profile, and I was able to download a certificate straight away. This is how it should work; all the Government needed here was my passport number, and everything else just fell into place.

When I went into the consultation room at the back of the store, I was asked what jab I wanted. I was a little taken aback, that I could actually choose which vaccine I wanted; unheard of in Britain. I chose Moderna, which I had for my last booster in the UK. She happily let me take a photo of this historic moment, even suggesting a video may be better for the blog, unlike the UK, who said there would be repercussions if I did. This felt a little strange; people actually being nice and accommodating!

Once jabbed, she revised my paperwork and I was free to go. I think the big difference here, is pharmacists are allowed to update patient information. In the UK, you had to make an appointment with a branch of the NHS to get your international COVID vaccines added to your records, and even then it could take up to three months. Suitably happy that I have done all I can to protect myself and Darrell's Mum, my Mother-in-Law, I left. So far, throughout this lifestyle break, everything is going just as planned, I am just waiting for the first thing to go wrong!

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Practicality First, Fashion Last

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This is the last day in the apartment before we go to stay with Darrell's Mum for a period, before we get a flat of our own. We have enjoyed this time together, but understand we have to knuckle down and get on with the task of finally sorting our life out; It's taken a long time getting here. Sadly after Brexit we are unable to return to Alicante in Spain, which would have been our preferred first choice, but Australia came a very close second. Darrell and I are well aware of the hurdles we need to overcome now, and this short breather in Victoria Park has been just what we needed, before the hard work begins!

I had another great night's sleep (this is really becoming habitual) and we left early to get some shopping in Victoria Park. I wanted to walk a few thousand steps before getting back and cleaning the flat. Firstly, we went to Kmart to have a look at some hats. Since arriving in Australia I have well and truly burnt the top of my bald head and as Darrell frequently reminds me, it is absolutely necessary to wear a hat at all times; not just any old hat, as I have plenty of them, but one that protects the head, neck and shoulders!

Thankfully millinery is reasonably priced, as it should be in Australia, and it looks like I'll be buying hat number two (from the video above), when I get to Midland, tomorrow afternoon. We have been looking for other household items as well for when we get our own place and actually to my surprise, this type of stuff is reasonably priced. You can actually buy a microwave for about $40.00 and furniture is even cheaper. The way I look at it, is if you have a decent bed and sofa you'll be fine, anything else will just fall into place!

While in Coles I took a little video for my dear friend Jules, who works on the chicken counter in Tesco, so I did my best to show him the equivalent here in Australia. It did make me quite sad walking around with my camera, recording things that have meaning for me back in the UK. Sadly, there was no Jules behind the counter and I did feel a bit empty inside. I had some great times in the UK, but all good things have to come to an end at some point, as disappointing as that is.

Reconnecting with home in Australia has brought a lot of emotions to the surface. It has made me think of the future in a way I haven't before. I am happy to be back after so long, but daunted by what's to come, especially at my age. For now, I'm just enjoying being in the warm, seeing things I haven't seen in years and exploring a city that has a special place in my heart. Tomorrow I will see Mum for the first time in 25 years, and I am grateful we can be with her now, as she battles cancer; It was time to come home, it was time to settle down!

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