Day 52 (Perth) - Wednesday 9th November 2016

Posing with my sunhat

Once the children were suitably dispatched to school and daycare, I spent a very lovely day with just my sister. Bought a new sunhat at the mall and tested how well it would stay on my head when faced with the gusts of wind at the beach in the afternoon. Answer: extremely well.

Day 51 (Perth) - Tuesday 8th November 2016

🎵 He's making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty and nice... 🎵

It's a little surreal to have Christmas music playing in the background whilst walking past beach and summer gear in the shops. The same goes for seeing Father Christmas and Christmas trees when I've put on suntan lotion before leaving the house.

Anyway, had a successful trip to the mall and Christmas presents have been bought (hopefully, niece was suitably distracted by her mode of transport around the mall to realise what was happening). There was even time for a babyccino for her later.

Day 50 (Perth) - Monday 7th November 2016

Niece delighted to bury her feet in the sand

Went down to the beach this afternoon and played 'Dodge the waves' with niece. One wave caught us all by surprise, and I had to grab niece before the wave knocked her off her feet, whilst her mum rescued our belongings.

Partial video evidence of this is available for the right price (see my sister for details and charges before she sells out to 'You've been framed'). 😄

Day 49 (Margaret River) - Sunday 6th November 2016

My sister crammed a lot into her 40th birthday celebrations today. After breakfast there was a swim in the pool, followed by a walk along the beach. Then candles were blown out on the birthday cake and wishes were made (as well as slices consumed).

We didn't make it all the way to the end of the Busselton Jetty, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere at 1.8 kilometres, but we did get to the lowest boardwalk in Ngilgi Cave, which was about twelve storeys below ground.

Surprisingly, the only alcohol imbibed by her all day was a little wine tasting at the lunchtime vineyard. The subsequent case of wine purchased still remains intact this evening (#ShockerIKnow).

Happy 40th Birthday, sis! 😀 💖

Strongwoman Sis on Busselton Jetty

Ngilgi Cave

Yes, that is her non-alcoholic drink

Day 48 (Margaret River) - Saturday 5th November 2016

Nemo and Dory

Call off the search - Nemo and Dory have been found!

On our drive to Margaret River, we stopped off at the Dolphin Discovery Centre at Bunbury. Niece was very excited to see Dory there (I don't think she realised Nemo was there too). We also spotted dolphins out in the bay.

Lunch was at a picturesque vineyard, where sister stocked up as she meant to go on for her special birthday weekend (#SozzledSogAtWineTasting).

Dolphin Discovery Centre

Rock climbing to see dolphins

Aravina Estate vineyard

Enjoying wine at the Aqua Resort

Day 47 (Perth) - Friday 4th November 2016

Match going on in background

Nephews bunked off school today to go to the WACA Ground and watch Day 2 of the Test Match, where Australia were playing against South Africa. (Okay, so youngest nephew might've had permission to go as he was part of a group of boys and girls who were allowed onto the pitch during the cricketers' lunch break to practise their cricketing skills.)

It was a good atmosphere and, when we left mid-afternoon, Australia had just beat South Africa in the first innings (#StillHaveNoClueHowTheScoringWorks).

Day 46 (Melbourne/Perth) - Thursday 3rd November 2016

Melbourne airport

Phew! All my domestic flights are over now - I just have the (v. long) international ones to contend with midway through this month.

Arrived back in Perth safely from Melbourne.