Exploring Bunbury 5

There are many wonderful things to do and sites to see in Bunbury, many within easy walking distance from the centre of town. Some have already appeared in other posts.

There are many sculptures and art works in the town including The Navigators on the Casurina roundabout,

Brother and Sister at the intersection of Wellington and Victoria streets,

and artistic structures in Stirling Street.

Street art located in streets and lanes is a feature in the city.

Some of the murals illustrate part of Bunbury's history including

 

timber

and ports

Arriving in Bunbury at the end of November there were lots of Christmas decorations in the streets.

They are colourful during the day

but at night lights on and near the decorations

are well worth viewing. A special Christmas festival is held in December.

Perth

Wednesday 29 November

Bunbury weather – minimum temperature 12.9 with a maximum temperature of 27 degrees predicted and a partly cloudy day. It was certainly cloudy at 6.30. 

We finished packing for the next part of our holiday. The weather forecast for Perth was partly cloudy with a possible morning shower, minimum temperature 15.6 with a maximum temperature of 25 degrees. 

After breakfast we drove to Perth arriving shortly before 11 am. 

Gina and Andrew met us at the airport where we left the hire car and drove us to their home in Perth. There we met Jessie. Jessie took a while to become used to us but once Robin threw her the ball a few times we were accepted. 

We went to Hillarys where we had lunch at the Beach House and drinks at San Churro.

We then walked around Hillarys Boat Harbour.

Back at Andrew and Gina's home Andrew and I looked at some family correspondence from our parents and grandparents time.

Thursday 29 November

Another fine sunny day and we were off to explore part of Perth. It was a while since our last visit so it was good to explore the area once more.

Gina drove us to Kings Park from where we had a good view of the city.

The park also contains the Western Australian Botanic Gardens

and the War Memorial.

We then drove to South Perth and took a ferry across the Swan River to Elizabeth Quay.

We spent some time exploring the quay

including the First Contact sculpture welcoming visitors to the quay

and a metal model of a sailing ship.

We then took the ferry back to South Perth

where we were greeted by a yellow frilled neck lizard

connected to a yellow numbat.

Andrew, Gina, Michael, Robin and I had lunch at Miss Chows – spring rolls, dumplings etc – before going for a walk by the river.

In the evening we headed to a local park (Emerald Park) where food vans had been set up

and enjoyed selecting dinner in the park at Edgewater Night Market. The chicken teriyaki bun with salad and chips was very tasty.

Friday 1 December

Andrew and Gina took us to the airport for the flight home to Melbourne after a most enjoyable holiday in south west Western Australia. We arrived home in time for Robin to go and watch the under ten cricket team play their match.

Flora of south west Western Australia

 Everywhere we went we found colourful and often unusual trees and plants.

Adelaide - Victoria versus South Australia 2023

On 13 March we were once again off to the airport to travel on a Virgin flight to Adelaide where the annual Victoria versus South Australia veterans' cricket competition was to be held. Most of the team members stayed at the Arkaba Hotel at Fullarton.

The hotel provided comfortable accommodation, including a functional shower which was easy to use. There were many entertainment spaces near the hotel entrance foyer including the bistro and other restaurants, bars and gaming areas.

We knew that the Monday was the Labor Day (Moomba) holiday in Melbourne but did not realise until we went for a walk that it was also a public holiday in Adelaide - Adelaide Cup Day - and everything, including the local supermarket, was closed.  It was strange to wander around the empty streets. In the evening we had dinner in the bistro with members from the over 70s team and also the over 60s team.

Next morning members of the Victorian over 70s team who had stayed at the hotel met near the hotel lobby before travelling to the Kensington Gardens Cricket Club. We had played at this complex before but this time the weather was perfect for cricket while in 2019 it was raining.

The cricket club has three ovals set in a large park. Other sporting facilities include tennis courts and a bowls club. The over 70s played their match on the Ford Oval.

Team meeting where strategies for the game were discussed before the team moved to the Ford Oval to play the match. Members of the Victorian over 70s team included Kevin Lanigan (Captain), Ian Gibson (VC & Wk), Denis Brown, Robin Court, Jim Geltch, Barry Hopper, Ron Kasputtis, Peter Neville, Les Quarrell, Tim Spear, Robert White and Graeme Wilson.

Robin ready to play cricket

Victoria fielded first with Ronnie Kasputis and Robin opening the bowling.

Both bowlers bowled their eight overs tightly restricting the runs of the South Australian batters so that at the end of sixteen overs the score was around 40 runs. South Australia only managed to score 113 runs in their innings. After lunch Victoria passed the South Australian score, losing only three wickets.

Meanwhile a much closer game was in progress on the Colonel Waite Oval. The match was eventually won by the Victorian over 60s team.

The over 50s match played on the Parkinson Oval was also a close game that Victoria won.

The shield for each match was presented to each of the Victorian teams after the game. We then went back to the hotel to have dinner in the bistro.

Next morning we returned to Adelaide Airport to board the plane returning us to Melbourne. At Tullamarine, the car that Robin had booked was waiting to take us home.

It was a successful and enjoyable trip although we were only away for a couple of days.