Easter

On Good Friday, C and E came over to have dinner at Burswood. Only Rocky was missing, as big dogs are not allowed in this building. On the menu was Salmon Wellington from Aldi. I have sworn off Kailis since the price of fresh fish has gone through the roof. Snapper now costs ten times more than when I first started shopping at Kailis. For dessert we had kiwis that claimed to be from WA, but I couldn’t believe this as I didn’t know they were grown here.

We should have gone down for a swim, as Friday was the best day in terms of weather, but we were too lazy.

I was keen to get some exercise on Saturday, so I walked around the perimeter of the fenced-off area of Burswood Park. I took this photo directly opposite from where I live:

The picture shows the complete destruction and the pond they are trying to fill in with blue metal. It’s taking them a long time.

On the way home, I walked past Crown and was looking for somewhere to sit down. I accidentally found a secret back way into their pool area. I followed a sign that said Great Lawn and found an unlocked gate. Normally you would need a key card to go through to all their outdoor facilities. Without my swimming costume, I couldn’t take advantage of the situation, but I wonder if I could repeat the experience?

Their trees were just coming into bloom:

Canning River Bushwalk

SUNDAY 29^TH MARCH

Canning River Reserve 2

Location:      Wilson 

Time:            8.45 am for 9.00 am start

Meet:            Carpark, end of Kent Street, (Kent St Weir) UBD Map 310, D10

Details:        The walk is an easy one along the banks of the upper Canning River utilising footpaths with a short section of bush track.  Coffee stop at Masons Landing which has shaded seating and toilets around 1000.  The walk is between 4 to 5 km. 

Water rushing over the weir

We began the walk at Kent Street Weir. Kent St is off Albany Highway, but is not well marked. It’s easily missed as you drive along, which is what I did and arrived 5 minutes late. Luckily, the group had not set off as there was a sudden heavy shower of rain so they were all sheltering at the cafe.

On the walk, we kept seeing lone white herons in the trees and I tried to photograph them taking off, which proved impossible!

White heron and reflection

Another heron

Don't feed the birds!

Morning tea at Masons Landing

Margaret always brings her knitting

We didn't see a snake!

Val admiring the scenery

This was her view

Val and Sue scoffing at the end of the walk

Short Bushwalk

Garvey Park to Gould Reserve 

Location:     Garvey Park, Ascot to Gould Park, Ascot, and return.  UBD (2022) Map: 250  L14  (at end of Fauntleroy Ave, Ascot)

Time:          8.45 am for 9.00 am start

Meet:          at Walk Trail Sign in front of the Swan Café near the car parks/play area.

Details:       Easy walk, about 3.1 kms return, mostly formed paths alongside Swan River. Bring water and morning tea to eat  at Gould Park.

This was the first of our new style, easy walks for us aging bushwalkers. It went along the Swan River, starting only 15 minutes drive from my home. I’m surprised I never knew about it before. The group had done a longer version of it in the past and I realised it would have taken place when I was in Spain on the Camino.

It was a lovely sunny day: a lot of people out walking and a few too many cyclists on the narrow path. I felt pleased that I could walk 6000 steps, as I’ve done very little since the Shingles attack.

Resting at the turnaround point

Our view of a small jetty

Selfie

Stream flowing into the river

Australian misletoe

The last photo shows the orange parasitic misletoe climbing up a tree along the river bank. These are quite different from the European misletoes which bear the traditional white berries at Christmas.

Destruction of the Park

This began just over a week ago. All reticulation stopped and the grass was allowed to die. Big machinery moved in - lots of it, working in different sites. Suddenly I could hear chain saws and six palm trees were felled in minutes, one after the other, falling like dominoes. It was heartbreaking. I’ve never felt like hugging a tree before but I did on that day.

If you’ve ever killed someone, it takes a long time to dispose of the body (illegally as in a murder mystery). It’s the same with a tree. Removal of the dead trees is still ongoing. A huge shredding machine works all day, reducing the wood to a massive pile of sawdust. I’m not sure where this will go, but it will have to go somewhere.

The secure fence keeps protesters and others well away from the action. This includes the black swans trying to find their way to the ponds:

The adults obviously remember where to go, but are frustrated by the new fencing.

From my balcony, I can see the desert-like scene with the dead grass in most of the picture. Beyond the fence on the left is the Crown Resort land, which is still green:

I could easily host a sniper to eliminate any more people with chain saws.

On Sunday there was a football game at the Stadium (the Asian Women’s cup with the Matildas vs the Filipino team). Spectators would normally walk across the park, having left their cars at Crown. I was interested to see if anyone tried to break down the barriers, but they all obediently followed the signs and went round.

On my way home, I passed by the 3 B’s and heard someone calling my name. It was Brian, a neighbour of mine, who said: come on in and I’ll buy you a drink. That was an offer I couldn’t refuse!

We commiserated about the state of the world, while I admired the huge selection of drinks available. There’s a big investment tied up in all those bottles!

Bushwalking Group at Crossroads

On Sunday, the Bushwalking Group met for the annual planning meeting. The aim was to agree on the walks for 2026. In the days prior to the meeting, there had been a number of emails which created some misunderstandings and a few people took offence when none was intended. It is clear that we are all getting on in years and can no longer do the long and strenuous walks that we used to enjoy. I personally used to think nothing of walking 15 km and on the Camino I could do this day after day: no problem, but not any more! 

Three long time members of the group decided to resign and join a more active walking group (Perth has no shortage of these). It was assumed that these three would not attend the planning meeting, so Margaret M and Sue drew up the agenda between them. We met under a shady spot on Hackett Drive near the river. There were only seven of us and we were all given a chance to say our piece about the future of the group. Most said they valued the social side as well as the walking, but we really needed to shorten them. Everyone was asked what contribution they could make in 2026. I was reluctant to put my hand up, as I’m still suffering from the after effects of shingles which sapped all my energy, not to mention the awful coffee poisoning episode. I don’t feel confident to lead a walk and the group really needs leaders.

We had a break for morning tea, with everyone providing a contribution.

 My banana bread.

Last Protest

Yesterday was our last protest against the “Perth Park” development before the bulldozers move in. There was a big police presence, quite a surprise for such a group of law abiding citizens. We were all assembled in the shade of a big tree, before we were moved on a little way along the track into the sun. Was this a ploy to make it difficult? The temperature was 35 degrees.

The media were there from all the TV networks, but it was only covered by the local ABC News at 7.00 pm:

People had brought placards, but the most ingenious (and useful) was this painted umbrella. It read “Our hearts ♥️ are broken”:

1 really felt there could have been fewer police and one or two St John’s paramedics because of the heat and danger of dehydration.

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A much cooler day was promised for Sunday, so I set off early to drive to Kalamunda Farmers Market.  I found a really good parking spot just opposite Vibe garage, minutes from the back entrance to the market. I grabbed a quick breakfast (coffee and a danish) before hitting the stalls, which were already busy at 8.30 am.

One of the best and biggest stalls sells plants:

This Chain of Hearts plant was one I bought last year, and has gone up a lot in price (as has everything). I must take some cuttings.

What else did I buy? A curry puff for lunch from Govindas. They are the same Govindas as the restaurant in Northbridge; apparently the chefs live here in Kalamunda. I also stocked up on fresh stone fruits: plums and white peaches. Prices were no cheaper than the supermarkets, but at least everything was really fresh. Look at this tray of mushrooms:

Escaping Ed Sheeran

On Saturday and Sunday night, we were being treated to extremely noisy events at the stadium. Two Ed Sheeran concerts (gigs as they are now called) would go on way past my bedtime of 9.30 pm. I asked my friend Val if I could spend the weekend at her place, well away from all this. She took pity on me!

Val lives in a retirement village, where every house has a tiny beautiful garden. Here are two of Val’s flowers:

Val has a black rescue greyhound, Maggie, who sleeps most of the time:

We enjoyed a tasty dinner: mini quiches and salad:

It was a very hot day and forecast to remain so. We went for a sunset walk, Maggie leading the way:

There is a newly constructed boardwalk:

It was beautiful late in the day:

There are information plaques alerting people to all the various birds to be seen:

Returning home, we saw the full moon low in the sky: 

What a lovely weekend I had!

The only downside was the drive home on Monday morning. The freeway was really busy and required 100% concentration. There is a new system of traffic lights at the on ramps, which allow one car through at a time. I can’t imagine doing this commute every day.