Monday 12th Sept - In the Land Down Under

It's been a bit a hectic 12 days since I left home to be driven in my VIP transport in the middle of the night down to London Heathrow airport, where I got my mid day flight firstly to Dubai, and a few hours later on to Perth, Australia arriving at sunset the following day!!

 













Good, comfortable flights, well looked after by the airlines, and fed well.... But not much sleep... And a slight hiccup when I collected my (rather large) suitcase, to find it had been broken open in handling, however I reported it easily, and wasn't delayed much as I staggered out of the arrivals hall of the nice new airport to be greeted by my Camino friend Jacqui, who had been patiently waiting over an hour for me - thanks!!

I was soon whisked off to her home in Central Perth, given my own room in the family home, and made to feel very welcome by her husband Peter and the rest of the family, and joined later by my other Camino friend Christine, whilst we all toasted my safe arrival.... And I then collapsed into bed!! 

Friday I was firstly driven to the luggage repair centre, then on a walking tour down to central Perth in nice warm sunshine, and a relaxing afternoon, before we went out to watch the girls basketball team that Jacqui coaches play at a large Basketball arena, amazing to see so many youngsters playing, then an early night for me!! 

Saturday I was driven out to Freemantle by Peter and Jacqui for a wander around this quite interesting old settlement town, ending up at the roundhouse old gaol:

and watching the canon being fired:

then after lunch in a trendy busy bar, we were off to Cottisloe beach to see the Ocean...

And another early night!! 

Sunday morning we were out early for 0800 mass at St Joseph's church, Subiaco, where we met the other 22 pilgrims walking the Camino Salvado with us...


I'll only pick out some bits of the walk for you, and accompanying photos, details of the walk and route are on my last blog page... 

Sunday we walked through Perth itself, and then Monday we were out into the 'Bush' and along the River Avon

Tuesday again saw us walking through deeper bush:

with distant sightings of my first Kangaroos,and later in the day a herd? Of Kangaroos crossing the road in front of us, and hopping alongside:

Wednesday we were deeper in the bush away from civilisation and I had sightings of Emus running through the trees!! 

Thursday saw us gathering on a gloomy morning to start the day with a special prayer song

before setting off through the forest, and a good picnic spot in the trees for lunch.

We stayed at a farm that night, which had a wild, but tame Kangaroo 'Tess' visiting, along with a 'joey' (baby) in its pouch, and last years youngster with it before a nice sunset from the hills.

Friday we were nearing our journey's end, skirting some military training grounds, and walking on rough boundary tracks... 

We stopped for lunch at a farm, which had some Emus in a paddock.

Saturday saw us on our final walk, along a long gravel/ dirt road 

and finally early afternoon walking into New Norcia 

with the church bells ringing out in greeting..and then a monk washing the feet of a couple of the walkers in a welcoming ritual... 

Then we went to the pub and celebrated!! 

Sunday we were welcomed again at the 0900 mass in the settlement church 

and had time for a look around before returning to Perth mid afternoon where Peter collected us and took us home!! 

So, a quick view of my pilgrimage, with an organised group of people, and welcome views of the countryside in Australia!!