Day 109: Such a Perth-fect Day!

High Point: Our fire truck convoy escort, leaving Perth for the beginning of Stage Five

Snack of Day: Burger Rings

Chat of the Day: The Perth Firemen

Dance Move of the Day: The Box

Gift of the Day: Perth Firemen Calendar

So there we were driving down the Perth freeway sandwiched between an old service fire engine and new fire engine in a special convoy, whilst being followed by a cameraman from the GWN news channel. Just a normal day down under 😉

The day started early as we left our home for the last few days in Cottesloe Beach and headed to see our mates at Perth Fire Station. Since our arrival in Perth, the fire fighters had been incredible. Generous and friendly, nothing was too much trouble and this morning was no exception. Freshly baked scones and coffee were waiting for us along with a cheque that all the fireman had contributed to. Lots of pictures followed, then we rushed to meet with nurses at the Charles Gardiner Cancer Treatment Centre in Perth. We had been asked if we would like to visit the cancer centre. As we were taken into the radiation centre and shown how the radiotherapy equipment works, it is astonishing to think that a piece of equipment that helps so many people costs a staggering £1 million just to buy.  Looks like we’ll be doing a few more laps of the world to raise enough cash for one of those.

Time had caught up with us and we had to rush to Parliament Steps where the Hon Michael Mischin MLC (Parliament of Western Australia), was waiting for us along with the news channel for Great Western Network, the Perth Firemen and Richard Dexter from Blue Freight. Richard had organised the big send off and it was unbelievable. Interviews, more photos, a speech by Micheal Mischin followed before it was time for us to be on our way. Waving goodbye to the crowd, it was quite overwhelming. Little did we know, what was to come. Leaving Parliament steps, we journeyed out of Perth following an old service engine borrowed from the local museum and with the Perth fire engine behind us, we certainly attracted a lot of attention through town. Then before we knew it we were leaving on the motorway with the Perth guys driving along beside us and a cameraman following our exit. How surreal it was, to pass the GWN camera man crouched on the ground of the hard shoulder getting shots of us, but these things don’t last forever and it was then when the sad part came and the engines left the freeway waving and tooting us off. We were left with just us, Martha and 8000km to travel…how hard can it be?!

From non-driver

Lou x

DAILY TALLY

Horns – 25

Road Kill – 5

Road Train – 1

FTFE Road Kill – 0

Michelle drop – 2 (how many times Steve called me Michelle)

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