Michael enjoyed exploring the sand bar at Point Walter the day before his second birthday.

          

 

          

Ben’s parents asked for an updated photo of Vi for their grandchild wall of fame.

Nikki and Michael volunteered to have their photos taken as well.

     

Note: this post has been edited with our second attempt.

Let me know if these don’t work out, because we’re happy to keep trying!

Nikki is getting into the swing of things with a tennis trainer given us by friends at church.

We enjoyed fresh cherries and cheese – despite temperatures above 100 degrees.

After attending church last night for carols and ice pops (?!! yes it is warm here), we took off this morning driving northeast out of Perth, just for a change of pace.

This picture was taken during a roadside pit stop after Vi had a quick numnum. Michael was so happy to hold his little sister.

After church we drove until we found a shaded playground. A cool breeze off Lake Monger was an added bonus!

After church today we cheered a Cambridge crew of eight as they went up against Oxford on the Swan River. One alumnae, seeing Vi in her girly hat yet wearing a light blue onesie said, “A Cambridge supporter? Bless!”

The weather was absolutely perfect, and even the wind died down as the boats were under starter’s orders.

The distance rowed was more modest than the 4¼ miles rowed from Putney to Mortlake on the Thames, being officially measured at 2¾ furlongs (about 550 metres or a third of a mile), from Riverside Gardens to Hinds Reserve on the Bayswater/Ascot stretch of the Swan River.

Both crews were composed entirely of alumni of the two universities, and they rowed a fine race, competing for a new trophy named The Swan Blues Cup.

Light blue vs dark blue, and dark blue took the cup today. We’ll see you next year, Oxford!

Our landscape includes a cute little gate that leads to nowhere – a perfect launch point for a preschooler’s imagination!

We have a tradition of celebrating the anniversary of the day we land in any country by eating a favourite national dish.

• In England, we enjoyed fish & chips.
• In Egypt, we ate koshari.
• And now here in Australia, we went for steak!

With three small children, we prefer an early dinner out. The only place serving steak at 4:30pm was The View, up a steep flight of stairs near the Fremantle fishing boat harbour. With friendly service, tasty food, and a nice big outdoor table overlooking the Indian Ocean, we thoroughly enjoyed our steak celebration!

Continuing our recent trend of enjoying picturesque elevated walkways (such as the tree top walk and the suspension bridge at Beedelup Falls), today we crossed the lovely arched bridge overlooking the Swan River from King’s Park.