190 years between them ...

Cliff and Clare are quite a pair - both celebrating 95 years!
Cliff plays a mean 'Stephan Grapelli' style fiddle and Clare just recently had to give up playing her beloved Chopin and Beethoven piano works because her left hand has become arthritic. They both have brains that are clear as a whistle!

 
 

Heaven's Restplace ...

... there's nowhere to compare ...
 

Off to the islands

Today we went about 45 km south of Perth to Shoalwater Bay Marine Park near Rockingham. We took a 5 minute ferry boat to Penguin Island, the largest of the islands in the bay and the only one that people are allowed visit. It's a rugged, wild island in its natural state with large colonies of sea-gulls, terns and pelicans, all of which are breeding at the moment - it being Spring, you know! There's a little group of 10 captive penguins for visitors to see. We also took a ferry boat from the island out further into the bay to see sea-lions and dolphins. Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be seen! But, we enjoyed the trip anyway! Here's a LOT of photos for you to see. It was a beautiful day - calm and about 20 degrees - ideal for this kind of trip.

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Dangerous sandbar

This is the sandbar from which some men drowned recently. A very tragic end to a family outing. The sandbar appears at low tide and allows an easy walk between the island and the mainland. But, the tide turns very quickly and two men were lost a few months ago.
 

Funny fish

 
 
 

Stunning scenery ...

There's a boardwalk which traverses the island allowing access to all sides and view of the birds as they nest and live.