Sunday 2 August 2009
Another train journey! We were off to Fremantle, the port at the mouth of the Swan River. The City has given its name to the sea breeze experienced in the Perth area – the Fremantle Doctor, which was originally called the Fremantle Docker, as we learned later that day.
Chrissy and Lachlan took the responsibility of getting us to Fremantle. The trains were smart and clean – and only cost us a total of $8.80 for a family go anywhere all-day ticket (only available at weekends, folks!). In Fremantle (or Freo, as we now knew it), we were meeting Lynne and Tony, who had stayed with us in Sheffield last year.
The main event was a tour of the famous Fremantle Prison. Built by convict labour in the 1850s from limestone on site, the prison was only closed for that purpose in the 1990s.
Our tour guide pulled avery good “keep them in order” trick – someone’s mobile phone went off, and he took it from the culprit, and answered it by saying that the owner was currently in prison and not available to take the call. Plenty of scurrying in pockets and handbags to check phones were turned off ensued! The prison was impressive for its austerity and sense of foreboding.
In the anglican chapel, the ten commandments set out on the wall panels behind the altar had been slightly adjusted – from “thou shalt not kill” to “thou shalt do no murder”; the presence of the 43 times used gallows on site provides the reason for the subtle variation.
After the Prison, we had a meander through the Markets, where all sorts of things were on sale from good-looking fresh food and big hot curly potato chips, through to funky clothes and jewellery. Just adding to the atmosphere were street entertainers and buskers.
Lynne and Tony then took us down the coast to their home in Safety Bay where we enjoyed a very nice barbie with them and their son Scott and daughter-in-law Tracey. More excellent hospitality!
We were concerned that Holly would smuggle out their puppy dog, but we made sure she was searched as she left!
Lynne took us to the station and within not more than half an hour we were back in Perth.
We’d certainly go back to Freo, there was plenty more to see and do.
Postcards from Down Under 