Perth

We had a fantastic time in Perth, a few days in Fremantle where Alec, Billy, Axel and Riki came to stay, down to Secret Harbour (best name ever) to stay with Billy, on to Margaret River for a few more days. We went to a Rottnest Island, snorkelling, Penguin Island, Sealion Island, Charlie saw 20 minutes of the Ashes, a winery, two breweries, a cave, lots of beaches, did lots of driving, celebrated Christmas. Action packed but also very relaxing.

Chasing the birds at Penguin Island

FISH! Rottnest Island

Cottesloe Beach

On the ferry to Rottnest Island

Hanging out with Alec in Fremantle

Hanging out with Pooh at Billy's in Secret Harbour

Penguin Island

Sea lions on Sea lion Island

How to avoid the safety gate - come through the stairs

The view of our Gnarabup beach, where we stayed just outside Margaret River

Caving in Monmouth Cave

A laid back approach to present opening on Christmas morning

Gnarabup beach on Christmas morning

Isla's usual outfit in Australia

She loved this high chair

Bucket on her back - ready for some digging

Beep, Beep!

Shower Time, always with the green Crocs on

The Bootleg Brewery, "an oasis of beer in a desert of wine"

Perth

On Wednesday we leave for Perth, Charlie needed to take a block of two weeks off, The Ashes are on, we have friends there, it is hot - all VERY good reasons to visit!

We are spending a few days in Fremantle, then staying with a friend 45 minutes South, then on the Margaret River for Christmas. Cannot wait. We have all been sick so looking forward to some R&R, lots of sleeping and playing on the beach. Pictures and updates to follow.

Happy Christmas from The Caskeys!

Three Blueberry Pancakes

For breakfast, sitting at the big table. What a mess.

The Christmas Party

Isla and I went to a Christmas party yesterday. Isla visited Santa, she was happy to wave to him from a distance but when we went near him she SCREAMED, I suppose that is normal. He said I could sit on his knee if I wanted and I thought he was quite creepy - so not really surprised Isla was scared! No photographs as we did not get close enough.

Mummy!

Isla will not say Mummy, just Daddy, Daddy, Daddy all day long. After much internet research we implemented a plan to teach her whilst Caroline was in town. This mainly involved her watching videos of me saying Mummy, and me popping out from behind things and screeching Mummy at the top of my lungs. It was good fun. It didn't work, we think we got a very whingy Mummy one afternoon then nothing else.

Boracay Baby!

We had a little holiday in Boracay in the Philippines, what a beautiful place. Isla was even more popular there than she is here in Japan, one of the pictures above is her having her picture taken with a big group of Taiwanese tourists - they LOVED her.

The Cat Hunt

We have cats living across the street. Whenever we start back up the road, from any direction, Isla starts saying "Psssh wssh wwssshh"to the cats. Then we have to stop and look for them. This involves her lying in the street and looking under the cars. We only ever find them in the evening but we usually check anyway a couple of times a day, just in case. This in one of the reasons I spend a lot of my time doing laundry.

It's the yellow ones you have to watch out for

PS

That is hand stitched as Charlie will not let me buy a new sewing machine - MEANIE!

Creating

Bandana bibs to catch the rivers of dribble flowing from Isla's mouth. Now if only she would keep it on her and not keep putting it on her doll Mell.

New Hair

Thanks Mel for calling it my "Mumsy-Do".

SHE ROCKS!

Autumn is looming

I have switched on the toilet seat and the leaves are a-turning. The sun is shining out there today but it is almost time to cozy up at home. The locals are already dressed like it is below freezing out there.

Goodbye Grandma

Lunches, walks, art museum shops, ordering up multiple fried oysters and spicy tofu lumps on the Izakaya computer, a trip to Nagoya, a pottery walk, photo shoots, sliding and swinging, long lunches and short dinners, rain and lovely sunny days, crysanthemum and bonsai viewing, ten minute castle tours, aquarium and dolphin shows, the lovely hotel breakfast buffet, shinkansen rides and Fuji views.

We have had a FANTASTIC time with Grandma (even if there are no pictures to prove she was here as she was the photographer) we will be sad to say goodbye tomorrow.

Goodbye for now!