Let's go back...all the way to Mother's Day.

Now that you've all read about Sam and I's engagement it's about time I caught up on a few things. This will include catching up on a little of the creativity that this blog is supposed to be about and taking you back to the start of this Land of Oz trip that I'm currently partway through.

We're actually in Bali (Indonesia) right now and I'm planning to get some surfing lessons today but for now let's go back to the start of the trip. Sydney.

Every time I'm in Sydney I marvel at the seemingly endless waterways that flow off in every direction from Sydney Harbour. (That's how we spell Harbor, US people. Same with flavor (flavour), color (colour) or favorite (favourite) - just so you know I can actually spell)

Our friends Nigel (who I've been friends with literally my entire life) and Jenny (and their very cute daughter Leila) were very generous in letting us stay with them while we were there and we really enjoyed our time with them in their lovely suburb of Putney.



We took the ferry from the end of their street into Sydney CBD a few times which is a lovely trip. Apart from viewing the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from every angle we went to Darling Harbour and the serene Japanese Garden nearby, the Botanical Gardens, the Sydney Art Gallery, Manly Beach and much more. Nige and Jen's neighbours very kindly took us out on the Harbour on their boat which was a really special day.

The magnificent Sydney Harbour!

Nigel, Jenny and Leila. Thanks so much guys!!

Leila really liked Sam (which I can understand) and was by her side at every opportunity (which I can also understand) so it was with some fat bottom lips that we left for Cairns in Queensland. This was a bit of an education into the Great Barrier Reef. Firstly, Cairns itself is surrounded by mangroves. You have to go a long way out to get to the reef and we had to do it in a very big swell and strong winds. I think we were some of only a small percentage not throwing up. The reef was amazing nonetheless, with highlights being seeing "Nemo" (clown fish) and some of his similar cousins wiggling around in big sea anemones, giant clams, fish and coral of all colours and descriptions and even a reef shark, which got the heart rate up even more than the swimming around in the rough waters had already done. We also went up to Port Douglas and the surrounding rainforest. We have footage of me swimming in the picturesque (but very cold) pool below but I'm going to have to leave videos until the next post.

A natural pool in the rainforest. It was pretty darn cold though.

Next destination was Perth, my home town, and to see my family - for Sam this meant meeting my parents for the first time. It's been nice for my parents and friends to meet Sam and see that all my raving and gushing about her is actually warranted. We also got to meet my new Nephew, Zephan, for the first time - my brother Caleb and sister-in-law Catherine's first child! Here he is with us just after we got off the plane.

Uncle Josh's first hold of little Zephan Southey Jones

Our second morning in Perth we did the HBF Run For A Reason - a 14km run around Perth's CBD. It was the farthest I've ever run (I'd never jogged a mile in my life until January this year) but I'm proud to say it wasn't too hard and I felt right as rain the next day. Sam did the LA Marathon last year so for her this was a casual scenic jog. ;~)

Caleb walked Zephan down to the Northbridge Tunnel entry so he could take a snap of us. Thanks!

Having seen the city by foot we then saw it by air an hour or so later, thanks to my step-Dad, George, who has his Private Pilot's License. We saw some amazing views but I love this one, which shows Fremantle Harbour and the mouth of the Swan River, then its winding path down to Perth city.

We had a late lunch at Cicerello's in Fremantle Boat Harbour (which I loved going to as a boy due to its mass of fish tanks), just near the group of Norfolk pines you can see to the left of the wing's edge, after we went to Penguin Island (photos further below).

The next morning it was off to Rottnest and to propose...




On our return from a lovely few days on Rottnest we arrived at Barrack Street Jetty in Perth and this view of the city.

The end of that week provided a rare opportunity to do some sightseeing with both my parents. This included a trip to my old haunt of Mandurah, south of the Perth Metro Area, which is now much more built up with a Marina and apartment buildings. It was a trip down memory lane to the houses I'd owned, lived in and kicked a number of non-paying tenants out of. On the way back north we went to Penguin Island, the charming Rockingham industrial coast, the new Coogee Marina and Fremantle.

My Dad, Sam, Myself and Mum

We soon found out that the Penguin in front was the oldest of the clan and was standing in that spot to be at the front of the line for food. Again - I have video but you'll have to check back in a few days for that.

The Penguins were very cute, with their many funny sounds and behaviors but the nesting seagulls weren't so fun. They were squawking constantly - either at us, to warn us away from their nests, or at each other, as they always like to do, particularly when they think there's food to be had. It was a lovely day aside from the squawking though.

A seagull chick and eggs we came across. The mother squawked in defense of the nest, until we got really close at which point she decided it was every seagull for themsleves.

The day before heading up to Lancelin and The Pinnacles to do some Four-Wheel-Driving with some good mates - the subject of a future post - we went to Cottesloe Beach for some sun and afternoon tea at the Indiana Tea House (the big building on the beach.) It has to be said that Perth has the best beaches in the world.

Sam and I at Cottesloe Beach.

That's about enough for this entry, except for the following poem, which I wrote in my Mum's Mother's Day card and it was meant to be posted on Mother's Day. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for all that's she done, on this trip and in every single year of my life, to help me and care for me with all her love and support. There are very few people in the world as unselfish, loving, giving and forgiving as my Mum. If you are lucky enough to know her then you know this to be very true. Thank-you for everything Mum. I love you so much.


There are many mothers in the world
But only one is mine
And I think that she's much better than
Most others that you'd find

But I don't mean to compare
I'm sure your mother's earnt some praise
And this is what they all deserve
To get on Mother's Day

For it seems to me there'll never be
A way to overstate
How much our mothers do for us
To help make our lives great

So you may say you love them
And say thanks from time to time
But on Mother's Day simply must
Get treatment so sublime

So I write this poem for my Mum
For she's given me so much
For changing sheets to drying teary cheeks
With her loving touch

She gives unselfishly
And never asks much in return
So all I want to say on Mother's Day
Is "it's your turn!"

Plus, I love you Mum, and no words
Could ever match the praise you earn


Feel free to forward this to your Mum. It doesn't need to be Mother's Day to show them you love them!