My trip to the Antipodes

Back in Perth after a long weekend away with the Cranes and Ringo n Mave, at Jane and Andys "Beach House" at Mandarah.�

Mandarah is an expanding town that sits on the coast an hour or so south of Perth. It has a huge inland salt water lake joined to the Indian Ocean by two large inlets and offers vast areas set aside for activities such as sailing, water skiing, fishing or crabbing. At the beach, good surf most days and a reef protected beach are perfect for both surfers or bathers. Everyone seems to have boat, rods and crabbing nets, surfboards and "doughnuts", bbqs and coolboxes. The large four bedroom house is only two minutes walk from the beach or 3 minutes to the lake. The Cranes use it as often as they can. A great place to get away to.

I have ticked a few more boxes. I have been towed at 28 knots on a doughnut with aching limbs as proof. I have caught herring for supper using a piece of green plastic drinking straw as "bait" and caught crabs large enough to add to the larder. I can body-board in the surf but failed to get up on the waterski kneeboard.....too painful to both elbows and knees.

Also managed to get in a couple of rounds of golf. An early morning round with Jane at The Cut was very competitive. A lovely course. I hope to return sometime.. we also had a family golf day with everyone having a game.

Today is set aside for cycling into Perth to do a bit of shopping before I start packing for tomorrows departure to Singapore. All going to Freemantle this evening for a farewell supper in the setting sun.

Love to all... Grandad