Whiteman park

We headed out to Whiteman park early on Saturday morning. The park is situated in what is commonly known as the Swan valley.The swan valley is an area about 20 km east of Perth and it is known for it's wineries and tourist attractions like the chocolate factory. The swan valley is the oldest wine growing region in Western Australia. Whiteman park consists of 4000 hactares of natural bushland. In the centre (or about the centre) they have created an oasis of parks, picnic spots, play parks (mini water park and huge under cover play park for kids of all ages), museums (Tractor museum of WA, Motor museum of WA, WA transport heritage centre), and The village which make me think of a tiny Pilgims Rest.The Lolli Stop, Mal's art studio and the Pottery shop is but a few where you can spend dollars if it burns your pocket.There is also a children's forest, train rides, vintage tram rides. Walking distance from the picnic area is the Caversham wildlife park where you can see the Koalas, the Kangaroos, wombats and a few others and feed some of them. They have a farm display with sheep shearing, cow milking, sheepdog display and an opportunity for the little ones to bottle feed the lambs. We had a picnic at one of the picnic spots, and then Alisha wanted to play and play and play. Johan walked to the transport heritage centre while I stayed with her in the playpark.She loves to play imaginary games with the sand - selling me ice cream that I must eat before it melts and she loves to swing (and I love to daydream while pushing her)..We headed home after we drove around the mussel pool (just another huge green picnic site with a pond in the middle).

Birthday in Kingspark

We had Alisha's birthday party in Kingspark - in the Lottery West Family area close to the Ivey watson Playpark. They were 5 little girls of which Alisha was the youngest...There were birthday cake and parcels for the fairies and birthday cake and snacks for the grown-ups.

We (I say we because Mom was her partner) played games like vroteier, musical pillows, pass the parcel and a few others and then they just ran around and climbed to get rid of the excess energy.

She requested that we please sing "Happy birthday" to her, because she wanted cake...and we did. She also wanted to open her presents. She enjoyed every moment of that and immediately put all the jewellry on and the fairy dress.....She stripped there and then and in front of all who wanted to see.It was a beautiful cloudless day and we stayed until it became dark and cold. Alisha had fun, and ran away when I told her we have to go home. Of course she did'nt want to go home....who would want to after so much fun.

Cottesloe and Scarborough beaches

We packed another picnic bag and headed to Cottesloe beach. Beautiful beach...lots of families on the beach. Some people swimming and many kids playing in the protected and beautiful bay. Alisha and I sat on the beach for about 45 minutes while she was playing in the sand and enjoying the sun (sunblock on and hat on) and Johan wandered off to take some more snapshots of the beautiful scenery....There is again a stunning playground on the grass overlooking the beach. We then drove on to City beach and further to Scarborough beach. At Scarborough beach we found a shady spot under a tree and had something to eat and drink...It was scorging hot and we headed back home as the sun made us all tired and lazy.W try and avoid the sun after 11 and before 4 in the afternoon.

Woodman point and John Graham reserve

Friday evenings are great to get out and see the sunset at the beach....this Friday we bought Pizza (our first in Perth). We had it on one of the picnic tables and then Alisha (still dressed up) ran to the play park...to play and I followed her.



She understands that dresses are for wearing when you play lady games and when you just want to feel like a lady and play clothes are for playing on the equipment.

Johan went to take some photos of the sunset at another spot which he wanted to capture but missed the opportunity due to excessive wind on another day.

Cycling around Yangebup and Bibra lakes

We started Sunday with untraditional chocolate mini pancakes and syrup - and our princess enjoyed those. Then we had a cycling day - 12 km in the early morning and 20 km in the late afternoon. We cycled around Yangebup lake the morning and Bibra lake the afternoon. Both have beautiful cycling paths all around that is used by enthusiastic cyclists like us or joggers or people walking their dogs.

Bibra lake had yet another impressive playground and we had to stop to allow Alisha (and Melanie) time to climb and slide again. The place is chirping with bird life and we spotted some Egrets, herrons, ibis, spoonbills, pelicans and plenty of ducks. The playground is surrounded by shady picnic spots and electric barbeques. There are public toilets and water points and lots of green grass. It is a 5 km path around the lake and every 1 km distance is marked out on the cycling path with yellow paint.

Heathcote park and Heathcote point, Applecross

We visited the Heathcote playground late on Saturday. It is situated in Heathcote point in Applecross.This is an impressive playground, designed in the shape of a ship and is connected from stern to bow with a series of walkways, tunnels and slides.

The boat has an authentic set of chimes on board. There are swings. The playground sits in the grounds of the old Heathcote hospital. The gardens are immaculate, there are gas barbeques, picnic tables and chairs, and lovely spots where you can view the vast expanse of water from the Swan river.You can see Perth in the background.The view from the park is spectacular to say the least.Here is a few of the views.

We left late, only nine o' clock as we waited for the sun to set and because Alisha enjoyed the playing so much. She was very dirty and very tired.We ate fruit, that was what we had in the famous pink backpack - next time we will be prepared and bring some meat for the Barbeque.There are public toilets and lots of care free, running , jumping and climbing kids.

Ivey Watson Playground in Kingspark

Alisha and I had an appointment to meet her Japanese friend Ashley and her mom Masumi and babysister Hannah in the Ivey Watson Playground in Kingspark. This is one of the best playgrounds I have ever seen for children aged 2-7 years old.It is protected from the harsh Australian sun and it has either sand, or bark or tartan surfaces to ensure they do not get hurt. There is covered and colourful picnic tables and children's toilets..

They played, and crawled and slid and jumped and we had a picnic. We left at one o'clock when they were both too tired to walk...and I had to carry my fairy with all the rest of the goods to the car. Of course it was moan moan al the way home for the comfort of her bed!

Kings Park

Today we went to Kings Park in the City Centre. It is the biggest park of its kind in the world, beating Central Park in the US. Photos are available on our web site at www.iinet.com.au/~tweedie. After entering the site just choose 08 Feb. The 07 th has other photos, you are welcome to have a peep. I kept the photos a bit smaller so that they can load faster on your computers. Write me if you think they should be bigger.

This afternoon after Lishi had her normal afternoon nap, we tackled the streets on our bikes and took some shots of the local play parks in our neighberhood (aptly named Success).

We live in Success, which is the same as living in Rynfield, Geduld etc. It forms a part of a greater metro (such as Ekhurhuleni) and it is known here a Cockburn (but no, you do not pronuonce the "ck", so it Ko-burn). There is going to be a mayoral election and we are unindated by the advertising and promises of everyone who wants to be elected!

Was 33 oC today, looking like 35, 37 and then 38 for Wednesday! If you want to see EXACTLY what the local weather is like here, go to www.perthnow.com.au and click on the weather tab. It is a live feed from the weather station.

Welcome in Australia to Hannes, Mariaan, Juan, Marnus and Lee! They arrived yesterday all the way from South Africa. After some delays they boarded their transfer plane and landed Adelaide and then on to Brisbane. Lamboude!

New!

Hi there everyone! This is my (Johan) and my (Melanie) and my (Alisha) first post on a blog. The aim of this blog will be to keep all of our family and friends up to date with our life here in Perth, Australia.