Saturday 2 February 2008

We have arrived Down Under!


Hello, sorry about the delay in updating the blog but we have had difficulty finding internet out in the outback!! We arrived in beautiful Perth to find out the following day was Australia Day. After a mad panic to find a bed for the night we were able to soak up the atmosphere and participate in the festivities – including stick on tattoos! First things first we ordered a large glass of rose and pint of beer. In the evening we headed to the foreshore and watched with hundreds of thousands of locals a spectacular fireworks display, fabulous. By the way the weather since we have arrived has been over 40 degrees and they haven’t had rain for over three months. It is so, so, so hot we have never experienced heat like it!




The next couple of days we explored the city of Perth.




Here is Mike in beautiful Kings Park.




The hunt was on to find a home for the next six months. This came in a shape of a campervan!! We managed to purchase a lovely 1998 Toyota Hiace Hitop, complete with fridge, microwave and cooker. Cowhead you would love it, this info is all for you baby!! I know we have promised you a post just on the van but you will have to wait for our next blog to see our new home, bet you can’t wait. This is a taster you BONEHEAD!



However since we have got the van I am sorry to say Mike’s disorder has returned. It was a sad day but I knew it something was wrong when he got that look in his eye and reached for the dustpan and brush!! The dyson has been replaced and CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN is his new motto. His new OCD friend is the dustpan & brush and baby wipes! Seriously if we go to the beach and any sand gets in the van, it sends him into a frenzy. Check this out. ( Jen notice any family trait?)



We headed north and our first stop for Mike and I was to visit the eerie Pinnacles. Shelia I thought of you, it was a long drive but we got there in the end and it was well worth it.




Here I am next to a Pinnacle that Mike says it is not as quite as big as his!!! Ha Ha (Aimee can you find Peter?)

After an overnight rest it was then a long drive to the coastal town of Kalbarri. Honestly the roads over here go ON and ON and ON and ON! If you’re wondering yes I have been driving too. You can drive for hours without seeing another vehicle but as you can see the scenery says it all.





Every morning you can watch the Pelicans come for feeding.




Here is Kalbarri National Park and its gorges.



This is called Nature’s Window.



Well we will try and update the blog a little quicker next time. Looking forward to meeting the Graham family soon( and the digestives!) when the touch down on Oz soil.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't know what you're talking about Danielle, I just don't clean anymore!! My dyson tells a different story.... Just got back from Whitsand Bay Hotel and the weather was extreme! High winds High seas, nothing changes. Perth looks wonderful, just like you said, you are certainly seeing some lovely sights, you both look so chilled and healthy. Stock up on the wine Dan, it might be some miles before you find the next off licence. Passed all your bits to Ian for him to bring over, saw your dad today Dan too.

Take care like I said through those quiet parts!

Will phone you on your mobile very soon, don't wake us up at 2 a.m. again, Dad never slept through worrying!

Love you lots
xxxxxxxxxxxMum King

Anonymous said...

Hey you guys - the blog is at last updated as you promised! The views look slightly better than the ones down at Porth and Watergate Bay!!! Dan - Well done on the spelling (9 out of 10!) Kingy - Ry needs far more info on the van - that snippet has only just wet his appetite! Was good to speak to you the other night - Ry can't wait for his phone bill to arrive! Kingy hope the OCD is not taking over your life......Take Care out there in the big old outback. Lots of Love Us xxxxxxxxxx ps Wes is sorting out the webcam for us this week so will be able to Skype soon!

Anonymous said...

Finally, i recon the fireworks were for you finally updating the blog. Worth the wait though. When i see you both and the campervan it reminds me of that film, think it is called MURDER IN THE OUTBACK, but im sure your be ok, i hope! i had to look twice at the picture of Dan and that Pe?is looking rock as i thought it was mike stood by side you. Love the van, am very jelous and it brings back some amazing memories. Mike, are you walking on an invisible tight rope in Kings park? Anyway look after each other. Leeroy & Ange. x x x x

Anonymous said...

Guys it looks amazing and thats just the van!! Seen any deadly spiders yet and i am still waiting for the great white adventures to start... We are not jealous of you both in the sun its great weather over here at the moment(if you like kite flying in the rain). Look after yourselfs. Wes and Caroline xx

Anonymous said...

Oh my god, it just gets better and better. Love the van,its soooooooo clean! Well I finally got out with the girls saturday(1st time this year) and had a fab night. Got chucked out of lavish by the bouncer but he was an idiot.The rain and wind hasn't stopped so stop telling us how hot it is. You have so much longer to go. Not sure what we are doing for our hols but hopefully going with Em and Stu the 1st 2 wks in Aug.You both look so happy, be careful on those long roads and DO NOT STOP IF ANYONE FLASHES YOU!!!! Love to you both have fun with the grahams the lucky things. PS im off to woodys tomorrow evening to see her wedding photos. Steve is away so im gonna get in her swimming pool.Ha ha. take care love Sammy Jammy and girls xxxx

Anonymous said...

only me again, photo's look great did you get your camara fixed as im starting to feel a little guilty for the recommendation. Did I mention work is crappppppp

Anonymous said...

Hi Guys. You look like you are having a fab time - Leon is soooo jealous that you both are browner than him!!
Sorry if you have replied to our last e-mail and we have ignored you - it's just that we cannot get access at mo. You know what tech whizzes we are tho - i'm sure we'll be back on soon (next year!!). Leon swears I broke it as I was last on it - but that means it was working when I left it, so I'm sure he's done something!! Can't get excited about your camper van - you know what I'm like for camping etc - but I'm glad to hear that Mike is staying true to his domesticated roots!!
Anyway guys, the places look amazing - can't believe the difference in the weather from here!!??, and even the pelicans look cute - although I would have a heart attack if they came anywhere near me!!
Carry on having a fantastic time, miss you loads, love Leon, Sharon, Ella and Andreas xxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Guys, what amazing photos!! Its sunday am and we have a bit of sun at last, but its still freezing cold!It was great to speak to you the other night, Jo was so drunk she had to go to bed and woke up with a cracking hangover!We can't 'till out hols in June,we need some hot weather!! The camper van looks great and so do your tans, we will all need to get spray tans for the next nine months to keep up with you!! Take Care and keep in touch love Nick, Lisa and Isabella xxx

Anonymous said...

Sorry Dan, but just a quick question for MIke. Mike do you think it is fair that when we go on Ross's stag do that Mr King and Mark Penprase, i mean cow head, sorry, should be aloud to use the same fancy dress they used on the new year when everyone else has to buy new. This to me is unfair and should be punished. I would like you to chose a drink for the both of them as punishment. We will have a few for you mate.XXX