reconnoitering

(Access to a fast internet connection is limited here, so I may get into the habit of posting a few days worth all at once.)

Today is Wednesday June 20th, and we're driving north up Wanneroo Road on our way to check out the beaches of Yanchep and Two Rocks. Our "Wave Finder Australia" guidebook lists a few left reef breaks there. Yanchep also has a national park with walking trails, underground caves, wetlands and traditional Australian wildlife (koalas, kangaroos, emus and cocatoos).
Today is also our 6 month wedding anniversary. We were married on the first day of winter. Strange that it is, again, the first day of winter.


The surf at both "the spot" and "2 rocks" was small, so instead we just enjoyed the beach. It is so quiet and peaceful here.



Thursday June 21st
We applied for a loan this morning, and once approved we can buy the truck and camper we'll travel in for the next few years. We've chosen the kind of camper you pull behind. Here they call them "caravans" and ours will be a small pop-up, off-road model. Click on the top left model for a virtual tour of the inside: Jayco Expanda

While I'm at it, this is what the back end of the truck, a Toyota Hilux, will look like:

After applying for the loan, we went to Fremantle beach & met Alberto, a surfer from Italy who manages a windsurf and surfboard shop here. He gave us a few tips on where to surf & let us borrow his paddle board with a stand-up paddle. The surf was too small again, so Mike and I paddled out to sea together on Alberto's board. One of us always standing, the other laying down. Our first dip in the Indian Ocean since our arrival.

Evening Sunset, City Beach

Friday June 22nd
Stood in line at the immigration office this morning, so that we could get little paper labels pressed into our passports that will keep us from getting kicked out of the country.
Today was gray, windy, and rainy. We tried to get a PO Box, but we're having problems since we don't have an actual permanent address. Thinking about paying for a month at a caravan park in Yanchep, and then using that as our address.

We fly out to the mine on Monday for our first week of work. We're not sure if we'll be there for 9 days or only 5 for the first visit. I also recently found out that I'll be working in Human Resources instead of as an administrative assistant. I haven't even started work, and I've already been promoted! Not too bad for a "spousal hire". One surprise after another.