CELEBRATION OF A NATION

So, we'd only one week left of the school holidays, it's bloody hot, Australia day long weekend not far way.....Sounds like all the makings for a trip down south. We headed down to Gracetown last Friday, the Martins arrived on Sunday, then, on Monday morning, bright (well not that bright) and early, Tony and I headed back up to Perth leaving the wives and kids down there.

Sunday night was a bit unusual though. Tony and I headed into Margaret River, but when we got back to Gracetown there was a huge tower of smoke, and it looked pretty close to town. We kept and eye on the fire, but truth be known, it was a bit of a worry. ANd, according to the local paper later - it WAS a worry: TOO CLOSE!

Pretty soon fire crews were rocking in from Gracetown, Margaret River, Rosa Brook and Witchcliffe. Not long after that a couple of water bombers appeared on thre scene.

The fire started to spread pretty quickly, folks were on their roofs, hosing down. As the fire came over the hill you could hear it coming. Tony, myself and the kids went for a bit of a looksy, as you would.

The local copper pulled up, looked across at Tony and me and said "shit, it doesn't look good". Nice. Anyway, the wind shifted, and the town was no longer under threat, so we relaxed and carried on as planned, while the fire headed to the ocean.

What better to take your mind of a scary situation than wine and cheese? Smoked cheese anyone?

It was still dark when Tony and I left in the morning, so we couldn't really see the damage. No stress though, by thursday at five o'clock we were back. We headed to the Beach cafe for dinner, it was only the second night they were open for dinner, so we didn't have any great expectations. But we actually had a bloody good feed, and what a cracker of a spot.

Friday was Australia Day - too lovely. The Nokesees came down, the weather was scorching, and the beach as busy as you like.

There's Tony, he found a nice cold beer and a comfy rock a perfect way of escaping the heat.

Me, Nokesy and Tony - and the kids on the pontoon, but you'd be needing good eyes to pick 'em out.

Three wise men.

Not even sure what's going on here...

Went to the Colonial Brewery for tea on Saturday night, that was a laugh. I might just chuck in a few random pics from the weekend....

Tony.

Hot night on the Balcony. Moonlight on the Indian Ocean.

Jordan and Dylan, skim boarding at Moses Rock.

Jordan at Canal Rocks.

Sometimes it all just gets too much. Ian and Deb pike out on the day bed.

More Australia Day celebrations

Tony, the kids and me at Yallingup Beach.

The sunset last night, our last night. Be back soon but!!

MAKING A SPLASH

Had such a good time on Rottnest last weekend I decided to go back. This time Jordan and Jess came along, so Did Ian and Nathan. Bit of a ride on the way over, a stiff breeze to contend with, but once there it was sweet.

Snorkelling at parker point first up, saw crayfish in about 1.5 metres of water. Didn't stay there too long becasue the kids wanted to go the the settlement, so it was back around to thompson bay. Some swell surfing on the way around, but no stress and moored up in exactly the same spot as last week.

So, being creatures of habit, it was smoko from the bakery which was bloody good. Then we thought we'd have a walk around to the basin. It was a hot day, but the see breeze was in early.

I'm absolutely astounded by the millions of dollars worth of boats over there. Some are just out of this world. What do these people do for a living. Suppose not much I suppose, if you can afford a million dollar boat, you don't need to work.

Then there was the 14 foot, 20 year old ski boat with four inches of freeboard, three blokes, one surboard and a pushbike that somehow (and god knows how) managed to get across.

Anyway, back to the walk. We went the long way, past the lighthouse at bathurst point, you don't want to be bringing those kids back unless they're worn out!! The basin was sensational, heaps of people there, but still pleanty of space for having a splash. Saw a couple of stingrays just over the reef, pointed one out to Jess who screamed out loud. Been getting a bit of bad press since the Steve Irwin thing.

The trip home was great fun. The breeze was fairly stiff, but with no swell to speak of we managed about 20 knots all the way back to Fremantle. Every time we hit a chop, water was getting blown into the boat, by the time we were back on the river the kids were soaked.

Bit of a lazy afternoon, the Zephyr's for tea, nice drop of white and a seafood feast. Nice way to top off a day. So that was saturday, sunday was a bit of a faster pace....

That's right folks, bring out the big girl, the great big girl - Mable!

That's (from the right) Jaimee, Samantha, Deb and Jessica, and the girls are getting some frequent flyer points.

Here's Tony, AKA Anthony David, Pastie Boy, The good Doctor, Doc, the Pie Man, Captain Tubsy, The Wog, and today - Skipper!!

Here's Rikki - look into the eyes, look into the eyes, don't look around the eyes. Do I see the reflection of two sexy blokes?

Smiles all round.

Next weekend we're down at Gracetown again. And the weekend after too, and next Friday is Australia Day and of course we'll have to do much celebrating of this great nation!!

AYE AYE CAPTAIN

Weather looked like it was going to be OK. The swell wasn't too big. So, nice early start, boat ramp by 6.30, and off to Rottnest Island. Me, Ian, Bill, Scotty and Chris left with grand ideas (some grander than others) about catching some tasty ocean produce. Bit windy on the way over and we got moved around a bit, but once at the island things were cool.

Bill and I had scuba gear, so we went diving while the others had a snorkel. I'd never dived for crays before, and even though I saw some nice size ones, I couldn't get the buggers to stay in the loop and they got free. Tank empty we headed around to Thompson Bay and moored up right in front of the pub.

Nothing like a nice cold beer on a boat in a bay right in front of a pub on a beach on an island.

Then it was off the boat for a feed at the bakery. I hadn't been to Rottnest for a few years, it was nice to be back.

Here's me and Scotty outside the bakery.

Nokesy and Bill outside the general store.

I love my boat, but after seeing some of the beauties over there, I can't help wishing for a 35 footer!! Nokesy's been checking them out on the interent......

View from the pub back to the mainland

View from the pub to pub patrons.

The last stop for the day was transits reef. We jumped over and had a bit of a snorkel. Theres a couple of shipwrecks there and the water is gorgeous.

The wind had died down by now, so it was chase the ferry back to Fremantle. Swim in the Nokesee's pool in the arvo (our's still not finished). And, to cap a great day it was zephyrs for tea for a seafood feed. Love summer. Love it.

DOWN SOUTH

Ahhh, down south, just hearing the words makes me relax. Get Christmas done with, load up the car and off we go. The weather turned it on for us, blue skies and at around 35 degrees we were never far from the ocean or the pool.

Me, Jordan and Jess. Yallingup Beach.

The surf.

Here's me and the lovely wife by the pool

Tasting plate WA style

Brad Luke Jordan and the lovely wife.

OFFICE PARTY!

Well, not so much an office, but a few sub-contractors and a ute full of beer. NICE!! knocked off work at lunch and headed down to point walter, put the boat in, then me mate Tony rocked up in his ute. The back full off ice, and icy cold beer. Too lovely.

Smile!!

Off we go!

Here's Santa (aka Pete the plumber) off for a bit of wake board action.

Here's santa getting some air.

Snag in a bun for lunch. What more could you ask for?