29 Project: Days 339 - 350

I'm back from my travels! Seeing family in Australia was super, and Mark and I had a fun few weeks with them...the weather in Perth was spectacularly good to us (despite some of the Aussies saying it was getting cold...c'mon, 25˚ is like high summer here in Blighty!) The jetlag hasn't been too bad and I am back to work today...

We didn't return to the best news though...My brother, who is a talented racing driver, suffered a serious crash this week in practice at the Belgian race track of Spa and is in hospital recuperating after breaking his back for the second time (He had a much worse crash in 2006, which he eventually recovered from came back to win the Australian F3 championship in 2009...), it wasn't his fault and is ever so disappointing for him. Horrible, scary stuff for everyone, not least my parents and his girlfriend. Get well soon and come home Joey!

Anyway, after all that here is quite a big 29 project update for you from the last days of our Australia trip.

29 Project: Days 339 - 350...

Day 339: Wednesday 27th April - At Daniel Kitson. Not the best picture I am afraid. Mark, his brother Ian and I went to see comedian Daniel Kitson who was brilliant...If you get the chance, I highly recommend you see him, his stories are incredible!


Day 340: Thursday 28th April - Butterflies...Mark and I took a trip around Perth, saw some shops, bought some stuff, drank some beer and visited the museum where I saw these and many more butterflies...


Day 341: Friday 29th April - Royal wedding Day! We watched the wedding at our sister in law's parents house where they had laid on a delicious spread of meats and salads and champagne bubbles, all complete with a heart shaped cake, aww! In the daytime however, we went for a walk around Lake Monger, where I had been told by the visit WA website there would be lots of black swans...there wasn't! We saw about 4, these guys included, lots of ducks and some turtles. It was a beautiful day and a nice walk anyway...


Day 342: Saturday 30th April - Drawing and a journal. I have been trying to get to grips with some water pens I bought before we left for Australia (much easier than hefting brushes and water jars everywhere) and here is one of my little doodles alongside the Jill Bliss 'Drawing Nature' journal that I spied in a shop in Leederville and couldn't resist!


Day 343: Sunday 1st May - Tasting at the Vineyard. A trip to the vineyards is always in order if you visit Australia I find...we did some tasting, bought some very nice wine and then went to the Margaret River Chocolate company where I gobbled as much free chocolate as I could. Lush.


Day 344: Monday 2nd May (my mama's birthday!) - In Kings Park. Mark and I took a stroll around part of Kings Park (which is HUGE!). Here is a view over the river towards south Perth. It was a beautiful day.


Day 345: Tuesday 3rd May - Looking pretty cool here, yeah? Wearing my mandatory cycle helmet. We took a trip to Rottnest Island for the day where there are no cars and you cycle everywhere. It was beautiful and much quieter than I expected. We cycled a long way, looked at some pretty beaches and swam in the sea...a grand day out indeed. A little word of advice though...if you ever go, and you really don't like boats like me, do try NOT to get the 'Mega Blast' ferry. Hellish is the only way I can describe it. It's like being on a rollercoaster, but in a boat for half an hour. Bleurgh!


Day 346: Wednesday 4th May - Giraffe crane in Fremantle. We went on another little outing to Fremantle, a really lovely place full of old (by Aussie standards!) buildings and cute little shops...I spied this crane and couldn't help thinking it looked like a giraffe!


Day 347: Thursday 5th May - A no picture day. Well, today was the day I woke up and found out about my brother's crash, and to be honest, what with that and packing for the trip home, it wasn't the best day. Mark and I did get to the pool for a swim but with my brother's health hanging in the balance, picture taking was the last thing on my mind. So for the 3rd (or 4th?!) time in the history of the 29 project, I forgot to take a picture. Sorry about that peeps!

Day 348: Friday 6th May - Sunrise over the Southern Hemisphere. We left Perth on a jet plane at 6am and for a good few hours the sunrise chased us around the world. It was so sad saying goodbye to Ian, Natalie and Morwenna. We don't know when we will see them again...Goodbye for now Australia!


Day 349: Saturday 7th May - The green (and fog) of home! I love going away, but it is nice to get home (especially in the circumstances we have found ourselves)...I just wish we could have brought some of the Perth warmth with us. Brr!


Day 350: Sunday 8th May - View from a sick bed. So to finish off a week that started well and slowly descended into something scary, full of sad goodbyes and gloomy weather, I found myself stuck in bed on Sunday with a stomach bug. Oh yay. Anyway, I am feeling much better today and hope to be right as rain tomorrow!