Planet Ruby Starrs

 We picked the van from Perth.   We hit the road we just went to the supermarket for some provisions and then we set off to find a camping near York  not our York obs...but the next town was Beverly so I reckon there is some Yorkshire blood around here... Glorious forest site, nobody else here just the trees for shade, there were toilets, water, swings if you were so inclined - It totally reminds me of why we do this camping milarky... it's just very nice it's also very hot so we got here and we kind of arranged and sorted stuff out in the van and made the bed up and then we fell asleep for an hour then a quick explore - a walk where we saw the most enormous spiders I think they were huntsman because they had those big big fat body.  I didn't have my camera with  me.  We came back and couldn't be bothered to cook so we just had crisps and hot cross buns sat in this beautiful forest watching the sun go down and the stars come out I just think what more ...

 not knowing when i'll get chance to post I'm adding this for now short and sweet words more pictures... Today Perth downtown - Elisabeth Quays by ferry and then  bus to Kings park for a picnic under trees and wander around park, including walkway over tree canopy , fountains and dna ladder. Evening was more riverside visits to Nigel and lovey food by our hosts. what more can a girl want!!!

 Jet Lag!!!   I was up at the ungodly hour of 6.00 am the first morning and that was it it!!! But it was fine, and we got up leisurely and had breakfast and then headed off to find a Australian sim card - harder then it sounds - 4 supposedly intelligent people who had no idea what to buy - the waiting time in the phone shop was 90 minutes so we were advised to go to the supermarket and just but one of the rack - but which one?  anyhow we finally made a decision and got what we hope is right. Next.. Fremantle - first, to recover from the ordeal of buying a sim card, to a lovely quirky coffee shop with a little - well actually quite big- art gallery showing local art  and a lovely outside seating are for nice coffee - I finally felt I was on holiday- the temperature was about 29 degrees blue skies all around and serious cafe culture!!! Fremantle is an artist town - the old bit is really pretty full of interesting buildings that in terms of Australia are quite old ...

 We are in sunny Australia!! After a journey that seemed like forever but wasn't even 3 days - including 25 hours airport time 18 hours of which was actual flying in the air time... Fortunately we had forgotten just how dreadful travelling long haul economy is - not that we have any other option and now we are here is was worth every long hour in a very large metal box - the largest passenger aircraft currently in use- with 800 plus other would be explorers and adventurers. The whole trip went without any drama - from a fabulous 'send off breakfast/ coffee time with Anzac biscuits and delicious grapefruit and yogurt cake - to meeting my son for dinner in Manchester and having the opportunity to have an exterior view of his new flat he is in the process of buying.  The hotel was conveniently near the airport transport, and its always exciting getting to the airport at the start of an adventure.  The flights were as advertised, on time, and very crowded!!! We were surprised...

I'm soooo desperate for an extended adventure - some sunshine - a different landscape and the sea.... so 4 more sleeps and we head off into the yonder blue heading for Perth Western Australia. Of course there is an Eclipse involved - the basic premise for us planning such a big trip - the irony is that the build up, the expense, the 24 hour flight plan, living in a campervan for months (which tbh is no hardship) could technically be blamed on a one minute natural phenomena! A stunningly beautiful one but this time very short and hopefully sweet - and of course its very weather dependant!! If its cloudy - unlikely where we are going but I wouldn't care to be complacent - there is limited viewing!  hence making a holiday out of the occasion - lots of other exciting things to do and see around the coastal areas of WA. This will be my fifth eclipse - I have been very lucky and the weather has always been kind allowing me some beautiful experiences - the finest nature can offer - It...

We are getting giddy about our up and coming trip to Australia...  but in the meantime all sorts is happening - lots of overdue family visiting and Dr Fred and a couple of pals played a charity gig at The Studio in Hartlepool - helping to raise money for the local foodbank.  Including Cosmic Egg there were 12 very varied performers all giving up their time for free and altogether they raised £1000 - it was an excellent days entertainment all for donations. 

 Another Landmark Trust tick - this time Ascog House on the Isle of Bute - stunning as always... a very comfortable warm accommodation for the usual 8 suspects. This time we had a wee tower house for Dr Fred and myself - a lovely bedroom up the stairs with a big window and a bathroom al to ourselves - having said that all the other bedrooms in the big house were large and serviced by two bathrooms so there was no hardship for any visitors!   The grounds of the house were very extensive with ponds and secret passages - hidden paths and we even spotted a deer late afternoon - there were lots of old features - ornate staircases and a lovely hidden door which I did a quick sketch of. Bute provided quite a lot of entertainment as well - the weather was kind and we did a a muddy wander down the south of the Island taking in St Blanes Monastery and Kilcannon Bay.  The views were spectacular and it was fabulous to be out in the fresh (and it was fresh on the tops) air and we...