Holiday in Denmark

School holidays over, JL and I set off for a quiet trip to Denmark. We stopped off en route at Rob's place near Kojonup, where J's friend keeps a farm. This broke the journey nicely and enabled us to see all Rob's animals and vast acres: mainly black faced sheep as far as the eye could see. Near the house were spotted deer, a couple of goats, lots of hens of many different types as well as some beautiful horses.

Mandurah Estuary

At the weekend we moved from Halls Head to an apartment in Mandurah itself, overlooking the Estuary.  It was endlessly fascinating watching the boats go by from our balcony, not to mention the dolphins.  The apartment block was built by Mirvac, as was ours in Perth, so everything was very familiar to us. By amazing coincidence, we had rented number 603, the same as ours!  In the picture below the block is to the left of the Moreton Bay Fig Tree on The Point.

A heron watching the proceedings

John watching the river go by

Just about to go out to dinner

E showing off her new earrings

Peel Zoo

We set off early to beat the heat.  Peel Zoo is about half an hour away and has a collection of native animals and birds. As you go in, you are greeted by a snake put around your neck (if you aren't scared of such things).  E and C were brave!

Then we explored the rest of the animals.  The Tasmanian Devils looked very healthy and so well fed, they ignored some fresh meat.

JL tried to feed the parrots and cockatoos.

There were also huge bush turkeys, peacocks, kangaroos, dingos and several sleepy possums that wouldn't come out of their holes. We all liked the masked owl staring at us with his big eyes.

Holiday in Mandurah

As soon as E returned from her trip to England, we set off down south for a week in Mandurah. A work colleague of C lent us her house in Halls Head. It is a beautiful residence with all mod cons, including a swimming pool! As its been pretty hot this week, we all made use of this facility.

Even JL ventured in after much persuasion.  He has not been swimming for several years.

Boxing Day

We went to South Beach Fremantle for a morning swim.  After a hot night, it was a good place to be.  Claire swam to the pontoon and dived off it.  JL watch the proceedings from his deck chair.

On Saturday evening, I had booked a special treat for us: dinner at Nobu, the Japanese Restaurant at the Casino. The service and the food were both excellent!  We ordered some of their recommended speciaties, including black cod miso, soft shell crab with watermelon and spicy tempura prawn. Claire wanted to try the yellow tuna sashimi and JL the ocean trout with crispy spinach.  Everything was delicious!

Claire with her sashimi

John shows off his Christmas braces

The chefs are busy

Afterwards we had a look at the Christmas decorations in the foyer of the hotel.  JL is in silhouette.

Christmas 2015

Christmas lunch in the garden at Como was a small but select gathering.  On the menu was blinis with caviar, barramundi on the BBQ, followed by a mini Xmas pudding with brandy flavoured cream. To drink, there was a bottle of Veuve Cliquot provided by one of Claire's clients.

Cooking blinis and modelling my Christmas apron from Christine

John looks forward to the blinis and caviar

Claire mans the BBQ in the hot sun

Barramundi is served!

A small piece of Christmas pud

Summer Trees

Nothing says Perth in November better than the Jacarandas in bloom everywhere.

Jacaranda near Victoria Park Library

Partisan Cafe, Claisebrook

Not to mention the gorgeous Illawarra Flame Trees.

The Circus, Burswood

Illawara Flame in Georgian style terrace, East Perth

Then there are the bright orange Australian Christmas Trees.

Bushland near Burns Beach

Waterbirds resting under the trees at Lake Monger