Here in the Siggy Camp we pride ourselves on offering new and authentic experiences for our visitors.
Judy was treated to one such experience after her morning ablutions.
Caleb yelling from outside the van to Judy: ” Mrs G, can you come outside the van so I can show you to my friends”. Judy went, delighted to be Caleb’s show and tell for the morning. Her teacher training didn’t let her down as she asked and answered all the appropriate questions. “How old are you? How long are you here for? Are you twins? ( Judy asking, not the kids).
Caleb has really been chuffed to have Judy here with us. He insisted she travel in the back of the car yesterday and sat next to her, continually touching and tickling her as if to make sure she was real and not a pigment of his imagination and indeed still there at regular intervals. He even organised for the two of them to watch a movie together asking permission from Ray last night. “Dad, can Mrs G and I please watch Rango together”. Although permission was granted, Caleb watched it on his own, while Judy engaged in more adult activities. He is just loving her being with us!
We headed to Mandurah, Judy who is new to Western Australia and has travelled extensively throughout the rest of the civilized (and not so) world, has never been to Western Australia before. Mandurah was a good place to start.
Before hitting the tourist spots we had to make a small detour to the “poo chute man”. Easily explainable, our van toilet is broken. I must make it clear that it was broken BEFORE Judy used it. It was one of the additional repairs that didn’t quite take place a couple of days ago! Ray purchased the correct part and then we were off to Mandurah proper. We bought fish and chips to eat on the foreshore as we decided that this would be a nice welcome to the area for Judy. The price of fish and chips in Western Australia has not ceased to amaze us for towns that are so closely settled next to the water, they price their fish and chips like gold. When we once again saw the price of dim sims, Ray actually asked to see what they looked like because he was convinced that they must be homemade mega dim sims for the price of $3:00 each. The young girl behind the counter was not impressed, we didn’t think she liked her job much, and she went to get one from the freezer. Yep, same as we get at home! The fish was a couple of dollars more than home and while tasty, wasn’t anything to write home about. (!?!)
We decided to rent a boat and cruise up the Mandurah estuary and show Judy the houses of the rich and famous. Ray took to the wheel like an old pro and with the assistance of Caleb at the helm, guided us around the waters while our mouths hung open at the opulence. One house even had a tennis court backing onto the waters edge, obviously no concern over miss hit balls, or they were very capable players. Everything was going well until Ray showed us what happens when a passing vessel leaves waves in its wake and you drive into them. The first splash over the front of the boat where we were sitting drenched us and Aaron and I bolted to the back of the boat. Judy, laughing madly which slowed down her escape, copped the second wave over the front all on her own and ended up drenched to the core a second time. The remainder of the trip was spent trying to dry out wet knickers and pants by chasing the sun around the boat. Judy was hilarious as we chastised Ray for his terrible boat maneuvers which we knew were deliberate.
We needed some sustenance after the boat adventure so we headed straight for San Churro Chocolateria. Judy ordered up a storm (and paid for it all, naughty lady) and we laid into it like professionals. I had a slight accident in my hurry to get a chocolate covered strawberry to my mouth and ended up wearing it instead. Very embarrassing!
Dinner back at the van was another BBQ, too easy, and Judy booked a hotel for tomorrow night in Perth for a much looked forward to girls getaway. We can’t wait for Emma to pick us up in the morning.