Cape to Cape Track

YIC has just completed the Cape to Cape Track, a 130k walk that follows the Western Australian coast from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin. It took him 6 days and he carried all his gear - backpacking in "wild" campsites en-route. The sites were wild in the sense of there being little there, rather than rave parties every night. Indeed on a couple of nights, YIC was the only person at the sites. The sites were available at a very reasonable price - ie free, always a bonus.

While walking, YIC saw lots of lizards, a kangaroo, and whales at North Point, Gracetown. The whales were the most memorable part of the walk: tail-fin slapping and jumping out of the water.

YIC was fuelled by pasta, cup a soup, and chocolate. Indeed for the whole week, he drank only redbush tea and water clear from the babbling brook. However he is now back in Fremantle, where stronger sustance is available to quench the mundane but necessary task of slaking the raging bushwalker's thirst.

Cape Leeuwin lighthouse - the end of the walk

waves breaking over whale rock

Congratulations to

Chris & Jane Atwell - on the birth of Rory Arthur Duff Atwell who was born weighing 10 lb 9 oz (crumbs) with blue eyes, lots of black hair, and built like a prop forward.

Euan Duff - who ran the Great North Run in 2 hrs 12 mins. Euan reports that he was happy with his run, given age, decrepitude, and starting almost at the back of the field. Michael & Elaine also finished the run. Euan has raised over 2,000 GBP for Christian Aid - a stout effort.

whale watching

YIC was whale watching off Freemantle today. Humpback whales were on view breaking the surface, blowing, then tail-flipping and diving. YIC was waiting for some-one to cry "see-ho!" but most of the (American) tourists settled for "awesome" in their best Officer Dibble accents. It was interesting, but slightly tame. YIC confesses to getting more excited when he sees a hare close up in Northumberland.

Monster Joke

Which day do monsters eat people? Chewsday!

This joke was brought to you by Walter Cox.

In Slammer

YIC is in Fremantle, Australia. He has visited the former gaol.
There he learned that "in the slammer" comes from the doors slamming
behind inmates in prsion. There is also the phrase "don't let the cat
out of the bag" - this comes from the cat o'nine tails being taken out
of a cloth bag for a flogging.

Happily, YIC is not in the slammer. However he has been to the Sail &
Anchor pub. It is good, he likes it, and intends to visit again.

escalators and a hawker dinner

YIC met Richard Cox and his children Charlotte and Walter for dinner. This was a fine hawker style meal at a local French restaurant (rather bizarrely situated in Little India). After dinner, there was a trip on the MRT, a race against Walter and Charlotte up and down the escalators (YIC lost and has made a note to practice his descending technique), and then a walk through Chinatown for a convivial beer. All in all, a very pleasant evening.

Here we are at the hawker restaurant.

YIC in Singapore

Your International Correspondent has started the first leg of his world tour with a weekend in Singapore. YIC flew with Qantas (no "U" he now realises) which was unwittingly entertaining. YIC chortled away at the 2 overenthusiastic Aussies on the flight safety briefing: fortunately their names weren't Bruce [Monty Python reference]. After doing some culture at the National Museum, YIC did some beer on Boat Quay - not cheap at $9 for a half. He is staying in a hostel in Little India run by a cheerful chap called Nava, so some good curries should be on the menu.

Friday night - Maruthappa Restaurant fitted the bill with a chicken meal on a banana leaf and masala tea [gently spiced] for $6.50. The sauce was v v v hot - but fortunately it was in a bowl, so could be added as required. Nearby beer in the bars was also cheaper at $10 for a pint (though hardly a bargain). The Tynemouth Lodge looks more like a bargain with every passing day.

Saturday - checked out Chinatown and learned from the heritage museum about the vices that the immigrant coolies suffered from: opium, gambling, and drinking. Readers will be relieved to learn that, apart from the odd Tiger beer, YIC is currently standing fast against temptation.

Sunday - attended the local Church of the One True Light. This was an Anglican church which seemed to serve the local Chinese community. The service was loosely based on morning prayer and featured an 8 strong music group - drums, guitars, bass, the lot. Most of the songs were unknown to YIC, apart from "Blessed Assurance" which seemed to be the star turn of the day and was played with a slow rock beat. The church was very welcoming and sent YIC on his way with prayers for his time in Australia.