Diary 25 - 28th November 2000 & Images
from my time in Perth, Australia.

Saturday 25^th November

Sunday 26^th November
By 0300 I decided that I'd had enough and left the discotheque. As I walked along the pavement outside I was greeted by a nonchalant character who appeared to be in his early thirties asking me if I had a good time and what it was like in the disco. I replied that I had an interesting time and it was noisy and busy in the disco. I asked him if he had been in earlier and he told me that he would like to have gone but didn't have the admission price. He offered me cigarette and we stood chatting for a few minutes. I indicated that I was on my way back to my hotel and didn't really want to hang around very much longer. He asked me if I'd take a walk round behind the building with him and we could have some sex as it was quite and dark round there. I looked at him closely and weighed up the situation. "What exactly did you have in mind?" I inquired.
"Well nothing very heavy, snogging maybe a low job if you're into oral sex, that sort of thing." he told me.
I hesitated, he was not unattractive, he appeared to be reasonably clean and didn't look like he would present any physical threat. "How far exactly the intended to go behind the building?" I asked playing for a little more time.
"There's an alleyway just across the square." he pointed his finger in the direction diagonally across the open ground beside us. "It's pretty deserted and quite dark so we'll be safe enough there for 10 minutes or whatever." he added by way of explanation.
I made up my mind and replied "Okay let's do it. What's your name?"
"Call me James. And yours?"
"Call me John." I answered as we set off across the open ground.

When we arrived at the alleyway it was as dark as he had indicated and as soon as we were out of sight we were kissing and fondling each other. A few minutes later we stood with our trousers around our ankles taking turns to go down on each other. The danger of the situation and the excitement of the impulsiveness of our actions gave the sexual satisfaction an extra kick of adrenaline that I found very stimulating and soon we were both spent. We left the alleyway walking in different directions, he back toward the disco, and I began walking back to my hotel.

After breakfast I picked up my hire car from the local Avis office and proceeded south out of the city by way of Fremantle. I parked car near the harbour and had a wander round to familiarise myself with Australia, the town was busy, the markets were open and I sat at a pavement restaurant where I consumed a leisurely lunch. In the afternoon I drove farther south eventually arriving at Rockingham. Here I parked car and took a walk on the beach to stretch my legs and find out what the local people were like. I went out on the wooden jetty and talked to some men who were fishing. They told me it was quite town and especially quiet on Sunday. On a different part of the pier some boys playing a game of jumping into the water to retrieve a bottle filled with water. When it was brought up one of them would throw it in again and so the game repeated itself. I spoke to one of the lads to inquire what there might be of interest in the area. He told me there was an island just around the corner at the point which was famous for its small burrowing penguins. He gave me instructions on how to get there so I set of as there wasn't much here to hold my interest. It was only an eigh minute drive before I reached Penguin Island.

Looking back from the peak lookout point on Penguin Island we can see the shallow causeway where one may walk across from the mainland at Rockingham.	One of the small Penguins seen here swimming	A plaque in the information centre gives details of the breeding habits
This little Penguin is feeling very poorly and has been receiving treatment.	Though tiny this Penguin is a fully grown adult	The penguins live in burrows which they dig under shelter or bushes
While wandering on the island I encountered this large lizard as it was about to scamper under a rock.	The ferry makes the ten minute journey across the narrow shallow water to and from the island each hour.	Here is the last ferry of the day about to leave taking the last visitors back to the Mersley Point at Rockingham.

Monday 27^th November

I woke up at 0130 and wandered over to get a coffee in Fast Eddies 24 hr diner. The place was deserted and I was the only patron there. I returned to the vehicle and fell asleep again.

The noise of rain falling on the roof of the car woke me at 0240. Feeling a little cold I made my way across the street for another refreshment at Fast Eddies. On this occasion a chap wearing the uniform of a security guard came in and chatted to the counter attendant. She apparently had little time for him but served him the coffee that he asked for and went back to cleaning her worktops and accoutrements again. I soon realised that he had had a few drinks too many and he proceeded to spend half an hour telling me that his father was an important businessman in the city. Since I had nothing else to do I allowed him to amuse me with his tales of bravado. At 0330 he decided he had to go on a tour of inspection. He wished me luck on my adventure and went his way.

By now I felt a bit tired again and went back to the comfort of my reclining seat and the radio for company. I fell asleep almost immediately and the next time I awoke there was daylight as the sun was rising. I went back into Fast Eddies for a cup final coffee, washed my face and tidied myself up in the men's restroom before setting out to drive on at 0510 heading for the town of Margaret River.

Woke and had coffee in Fast Eddies 24 hr diner a few times then left at 0510 for Margaret River. It was a pleasant enough driver in the early morning. There was not much traffic to hold me up and I made good progress. When I drove into the town I noticed a coach parked in front of the tourist office. Thinking it might be open I parked my car and went across to investigate. Unfortunately it was closed that there were several people getting on to the coach. I stood beside the driver hoping to asking for some information when I heard one of the passengers been told that the coach was full and therefore he could not accommodate him. The young man did with the driver to find just one spot for him but the driver was adamant that there was absolutely no vacancies.

I turned to the disappointed fellow and said, "I'm sorry to hear you can't get I left to Perth. However I have and empty car park across the street and would be very happy to take you." This immediately grabbed his attention and he showed interest. "The thing is that I came down to tour the area and would not be returning to Perth until the afternoon. Do you know this area well?"
"Yes I know this area well, and lived here for some years now." Replied the stranger.
"Well if you have the driver to show me around perhaps we can do each other a favour."
"You say you want to drive around the area and will be going back to Perth in the afternoon?" He wanted clarification.
"Yes. If you're willing I'd be delighted."
"Okay my friend. My name's Dominic." He held out his hand, I took it and was impressed by the firmness of his grasp. We introduced ourselves. He appeared to be a solid, reliable and trustworthy character. And I felt rather satisfied at the turn of events.

While this conversation had been taking place a young girl, who had also been refused a seat on the coach, stood patiently listening and as soon as it was clear what was going to happen she immediately asked if I had room for her too. I immediately regretted telling Dominic that I had and empty car and wondered what would be his reaction when I refused to accommodate the girl. I smiled to her and simply said, "I'm sorry but I can't take you with me." turning away from her I looked at Dominic but could read nothing in his face or attitude. "Do you have some luggage?" I asked.

We loaded his holdall into my car and I suggested we go to find a place for breakfast. He told me it would be unlikely that we'd find anywhere around here that would give as breakfast as early as this but we could start the day off by going down to the Margaret River and he would show me the views.

Margaret River runs past the Town named after it through a long wooded valley to the sea.	Here we look down at the mouth of the Margaret River	The southwest coast over looking the Indian Ocean has many sandy and rocky coves. This is Grarabup beach used for surfing and good for fishing.
Dominic took me to visit Vasse Felix Winery & Gallery and here the sales counter is being prepared for a coach party due to arrive.	Dominic suggested that he take a photograph of me with the vineyard located near Red GunM Ridge in Western Australias finest grape growing area as a backdrop..	This of course gave me the opportunity to take a photograph of him also.
We continued our tour through the forest and I parked my car so that we could go and look more closely at the trees and vegetation.	Only here in the Boranup Forest of Western Australia can these ancient Karri trees be found. Dominic told me they can grow to be 100 feet high.	Dominic was a most informative guide and knew much about his country. Here on Caves Road we decided to head north again.
We travelled along the Bussell Highway and stopped to visit Margaret River marron farm. We watched a video showing the breeding and life cycle of these lobsterlike creatures.	They are an expensive delicacy some of which are exported and some of areserved in some of Australia's finest restaurants.	Continuing up the coast we came to Yallingup Reef at the mouth of the Yallingup Brook. It is a beautiful coastline, spectacular surf the and and beaches and boasts a beach caravan park and holiday homes.
Here further along the cove the dark sea and breaking surf make a fine contrast.	This type of bay and breakers can be found in many places along this coastline.	Often the coast has interesting and colourful flowers and shrubs intemingled with the rocks