March

Just a quick post to pop some photos up. Mostly from the Blues and Roots festival we went to in Fremantle last weekend, where we saw Graveyard Train (an Australian band, really good), Ben Harper, Rufus Wainwright, Paul Simon, Steve Miller Band, Jimmy Cliff, Santana. We had such a good time, and didn't stop dancing from the minute we got there. It was definitely the most civilised festival we've ever been to though - especially as it all ended at 10pm, and everyone politely made their way home, rather than camping out!

In other news, we actually had a day of bad weather during the week. I mean grey skies, over 40mph winds, and fairly torrential rain. But not to worry, we're back to clear sunny skies again... (although it is starting to get noticeably cooler - perhaps 'winter' is on its way?!). We're off to Esperance for the easter weekend, and the forecast there is much chillier - max 22 degrees, min 11 degrees (Perth is set to be around 27), so will need to pack a few jumpers etc. Not quite the snow boots that seem to be required back home though...

Sunset over the 'big top'

Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite

Rufus Wainwright, glowing

A misty morning on North Cottesloe beach (whilst waiting for my bus)

Sunset at Lancelin (having watched some dolphins feeding in the bay) 

A still from a rather unexciting video clip of the dolphin at Lancelin - it was far more exciting in person, honest!

Surfers out at North Cott - it's getting to be surf season!



River trip

We took the SUP boards out onto the Swan River this afternoon, after the wind had dropped right off so it was ideal - much easier than the open sea first time trip yesterday. We even saw a dolphin, and were on the water at the time, however it was too far away to take a decent photo. Was great to be able to see the jellyfish too, from the perspective of being above the water rather than in it - some of them are the size of footballs, but they're not stingers so nothing really to worry about. As you can see from the pictures, today was actually cloudy. Fancy that.

Van racking

Whilst Becks was away in Tasmania over the long weekend, I kept myself busy in manly fashion and built a racking system in the back of the van, and then put a stereo in. And then went to see Metallica at the Soundwave festival.

Tasmania

Bit out of sync date wise, but I just came back from a work sponsored trip to Tasmania. Arrived late Saturday (after a casual 7 hrs flying time via Melbourne) so had most of Sunday to myself. Total bliss! Hiked up mount Wellington in inappropriate footwear, but was very lucky with the weather. In fact, the whole time we were there it was pretty hot, which is apparently unlike Tasmania.

Here's a few photos mostly from my walk up the mountain, but also featuring my first sighting of a cork-hatted local. Pretty exciting find!

SUP

So money burnt a hole in our pockets and we went and bought 2 identical SUPs. We found a very enthusiastic shop who loved our van and were very keen to help us find a way of fitting two enormous boards inside it.

With a tape measure, spare roof rack strap and removal of some glass we somehow managed to fit 2 9'6" boards in the back of the van reasonably comfortably.

An added bonus is that we can stick windsurf sails on the boards if we like.

For our first session we walked the boards down to our local beach and ended up heading out at the worst time of day when the wind had picked up. Even so it was pretty good fun and a good workout.

Now off to an open air cinema for the evening.