All on a Winter's Day

A day at the beach and a seaside restaurant


















Early morning mist over the City















The Lord Mayor's boat house

Fun in Oz

Can you see the joey? It was trying to eat leaves like mom.....

Fun in Aus:
Eating at Wagamama – great food – a ‘fusion’ noodle place in Subiaco – a suburb where the King Edward (make that King Eddie) Hospital is located
People watching while having a flat white (coffee) in Forest Chase in the centre of downtown
Walking along the parks by the river’s edge in the sun in the WINTER!
Learning a little lingo Aussie style:
· Arvo = afternoon
· Onya – good on you – well done!
· Doona = quilt or duvet
· Fussed = worried
· Jumper = sweater or sweat shirt
· Lemon squash – lemonade
· Lemonade – pop like 7 up
· Lollies – candy
· Rice bubbles = rice krispies
Bird watching in Kings Park
Watching a greyhound which regularly runs in the park by the river
Being connected with YWAM and all that means
Making new friends via the house exchange sites – our amazing hosts and another wonderful couple who live opposite the cove where Jen and Caleb’s wedding photos were taken
Observing all the ‘winter’ blossoms and foliage and smelling the wonderful fragrances after a rain.
Seeing a play put on by an aboriginal theatre company
Reading in the garden at the back of the house
Visiting Caleb, Jen and Thomas and Caleb’s family
Watching the games - the Eagles (Aussie Rues Football/Footie) and the Wallabies (Australia’s National Rugby Team)
Just being here ….. riverside and beach walks, enjoying Aussie humor
Bike riding on the waterfront
Chatting with the locals – very friendly, humorous and open
Taking the ferry across the Swan River between downtown and South Perth
Super helpful, friendly bus drivers and courteous car drivers even if they all drive on the wrong side of the road!
Appreciating the good signage
Approachable kids with lots of charm
Shop keepers who call you ‘darling’!
Lots of small non-chain interesting shops
Intersections that have nice brickwork and many round-abouts
Unidentifiable (to us) fruit growing on trees in people’s yards
Lots of bird noises – especially the cheeky ones
Lots of freebies – guided tours, museum, art gallery etc.
Great bus system with Smart-rider cards available and free buses and trains in the downtown core.
Relaxed casual way of being…. You should come!

A few More

A Grass Tree


















Swan River Boats











A cooperative Ring Neck who just finished eating our apple! Very brave and very cheeky!


















a little Aussie humour at this cafe - have not eaten there - at least not yet!

Photo Gallery

a view of the Swan River

Thomas in Grandpa's arms



















Claisebrook Cove from the spot where Jen and Caleb's wedding photos were taken.

Out and About

Thomas makes his debut at church! What fun to be part of it all!
A Kookaburra posing for the Canucks - he didn't laugh for us but the pose was great!
The old train tunnel at John Forrest National Park
Typical topography - lots of texture and grass trees.

Thomas is home

Happily Thomas and Jen were discharged on Thursday and are settling in with Dad in their apartment. All is well. Grandma and Grandpa have been on the hunt for a beanie small enough to stay on his little head. We are off to deliver our find after the Friday Night Worship Service.

Today we went for a bush walk with Rosemary and will post photos soon! We were in the John Forest National Park - the place where Jen had her hen's party bush walk before the wedding. The kookaburras and the ring necks were happy to pose for photographs! We were happy to snap them! Stay tuned for photos!

Thomas' First week

Week one has been somewhat dramatic for Thomas. He showed signs of infection and, since Jen had a dormant strep infection, she was on antibiotics during labour and he was put on antibiotics after birth. He has had some problems with chocking on mucous and is under the lamp for jaundice. That being said, there is another reason for a cautionary approach to his care.
This week in Perth three previously healthy children under the age of five have died of a combination of strep and influenza A. How very tragic. As you can imagine there are very busy emergency wards as parents are extremely concerned if their child becomes ill.
all this means that Thomas and Jen will remain in hospital a couple more days .
All that said, Thomas is absolutely adorable and we look forward to a healthy week two!
He has Jen's eyes and Caleb's chin. We are anticipating being able to have some nice long snuggles very soon!