Stepping Back in Time

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Fremantle, Western Australia

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It has felt like stepping back in time this week, as Darrell and I travelled to Fremantle on the coast of Western Australia. In 1995, both of us lived in a flat on Canning Highway, within walking distance of this old colonial town, referred to as Freo by the locals. I can remember the apartment well; it was an old 70s building, with an awful lime green carpet that was infested with fleas. We had an old beer crate for a coffee table and one of those old-fashioned TV's from Cash Converters. At that time, it was our first flat together, and it was home, even if it was only for a short period.

Fremantle has a special place in my heart, having been a town my Grandfather visited many times, whilst in the merchant navy. Grandad loved it here, and always made reference to it, when talking about how he and Nan nearly emigrated down under in the 1950s. Freo is my kind of place, I loved it in 1995, and I love it even more now.

The town centre has a distinctly European, cosmopolitan feel. There are small boutique shops, café's and restaurants and to my surprise lots of bookshops. Anyone who knows me well enough, understands my love of books; I was of course a book valuer for nearly ten years and love everything about them - the smell, feel and history behind the pages. Stumbling across the first shop, I went inside and got lost in the literature on sale; just briefly, mind you. It has been a long time since I have been in such a place, having lived abroad in Spain and resided on the south coast of England in Portsmouth, which has no bookshops to speak of. I made the most of my time, flicking through the pages of a few well known and several less well known publications. I was transported back to my time, running my own outlet in Southampton.

As I left the shop, I noticed a sign outside advertising for staff, and immediately my ears pricked up. This is a job I can do with my eyes closed, and although I am not able to work yet, I have taken the details down, with the hope I may have found my niche.

As well as having plenty of bookshops, there is also Fremantle indoor market; all I can say is Wow, just wow. If you love your objet d'art, then you will enjoy leisurely walking around this vast corner of the town. From jewellery and art, to food and souvenirs, there is every thing you can imagine here and more. This really is a destination you will fall in love with, just like me; I was so happy to be back after 27 years.

Walking around Fremantle, I came across the Tom Edwards Memorial Fountain. Instantly I remembered having my photo taken next to it in 1995, and thought it would be fun to recreate that shot, 27 years later, only standing on the opposite side of this historic monument. It does feel kind of strange looking at the photograph, knitted together, and seeing the two different versions of me. It is small things, like this fountain, that bring back the most recollections, and the longer I am here, the more the memories come flooding back.

After visiting the Round Tower, overlooking the sea, we took a slow walk to The Orient Hotel and had a bite to eat. Not the cheapest meal I have ever had, but nevertheless it felt good to be sat together, relaxing and forgetting the pressure we are both under at the moment. As each day passes, it is becoming clearer that this will be our toughest struggle yet, but it is important we do all we can to get through the increasing obstacles. Days out will become more crucial as we immerse ourselves deeper into the mounting paperwork needed for me to stay in Australia.

We spent the next couple of hours walking, talking, having an ice cream and finally a drink along the esplanade. After our travelling through Croatia and Thailand it was a reminder of what we like doing most, and a hope that despite the challenges ahead, we will continue to do this as much as possible. There is a lot of Australia I want to see, and next week should be the perfect time to start exploring the west at least. For now, I am content we took the time to revisit my favourite location in Perth and I have enjoyed reconnecting with a past, long since forgotten.

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Bush Walking, Kogolup Lake

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In complete contrast to our day in Freo, yesterday we went to visit a friend in Beeliar, near Kogolup Lake. This far away suburb, is right on the edge of the bush, rather like Ellenbrook, where Darrell and I lived in 1997. There, we also lived on the periphery of a rather colourful area, and the wildlife we encountered there, is also flourishing in Beeliar.

We got the Transperth train to Cockburn and spent the next hour walking to Beth's house. There were plenty of scenic views on the way, including swamps and marshes I have never seen before here. The panorama was stark, trees growing out of the wetlands for as far as the eye could see, and the strange sounds of native wildlife in the distance. Colourful parakeets were flying above my head as I walked, and there were signs warning of the danger of snakes and to keep well away. Surprisingly for me, I wasn't particularly anxious walking through the bush; I was more interested in the beautiful unspoilt scenery, which was striking, amazing, and unlike anything you would ever see in the UK.

As we arrived at Beth's, the bush literally on her doorstep, I was truly aghast by the wildlife outside in her front garden. There were lizards just itching to attack (What is it with everything in Australia, wanting to kill you?) This little critter certainly wanted to make it known who was boss, and I was just happy to keep my distance.

On her driveway covered with indigenous flower and fauna, hiding in the undergrowth you could hear plenty going on. I am sure I didn't need to know most of what was there, and I tried not to think too hard, about what I might be standing next to. However, there was a family of bandicoots living happily, next to Beth's van, and they were fascinating to watch, as they went about their business unharmed. They do look cute and cuddly, but also very similar to the large rats or rodents we have back in Britain. They are pretty harmless, so I am told, unlike everything else down under.

There is an abundance of natural wonders in this country, that I want to see during my time here; even walking in the bush is a wondrous experience for a pasty Britling like me. I seem to be far more relaxed this time I am in Australia, than the previous two times I was here, and that can only be a good thing going forward. As we decide on where our destiny lies, I am happy to be with Darrell in his home country. It isn't where I thought I would be at this time in my life, but it is another adventure in a life packed full of exploits. I am looking forward with anxious positivity as we finally put down roots and make a much-needed home for ourselves on the other side of the World.

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