Hello, Gday, and welcome.

I'm leaving tomorrow for the east coast so I thought I'd make a quick entry to get you guys up to speed....

Well, as i predicted, I discovered that australia does indeed have some pretty amazing beaches. Yesterday we went on a day trip to Rottnest Island, which is off the coast of Perth. It was stunning. The island is covered by a bike path and has a main hub where there's lots of facilities and coffee shops etc, but despite this high level of "organised tourism", within 3 mins we managed to find an idylic, deserted beach, with no signs of mankind visible at all. And the beaches really were amazing! For a while now I've been pining for the ruggedness of Britains coastline, as all Tropical beaches are basically the same: big arc of golden/white sand, blue water, backed by palm trees. But the beaches on Rottnest had the best of both worlds: perfectly clear turquoise blue water, white sand, but backed by dunes and limestone rocks that have been worn by the wind into amazing overhangs and craggy..... crags. The only drawback was that the water was icy cold, but that didn't stop us having a paddle... (Jim even went the whole way and plunged in, although this may well have been as a self inflicted punishment. His crime: making us all search for 45 mins for my "lost" sunglasses when all the while they were actually on his head under his bicycle helmet...)

mmm, what else to write.... Just had a long "discussion" with james about the Aborigonals and whether or not they are all "usually drunk" and "don't want to work".. will have to do some research so that I can argue with facts in future.... ;)

I'm feeling a little apprehensive about starting my trip down the east coast. The problem is that i'm attempting to do it in a month, whereas most sane ppl give themselves 3 months at least.. just hoping I can find some other idiots who have a car and also want to rush their way down one of the most beautiful coasts in the world.... mmmmmm.

Am getting very used to this cosy home.. not looking forward to being in a smelly hostel... then again my mattress here does smell of cabbage... Lynn and Jim are waiting for the company to come and replace it... :) I saw my first kangaroo today. It was.. well... a kangaroo. I was more impressed by the quokkers on Rottnest island. They're like big friendly rats that sit on their hind legs and come up to you and sniff your hands.. very cool. It's a bit bloody cold here tho.. looking forward to getting back to the tropical weather in cairns... I'm definitely a warm weather kinda guy....

I played a gig the other night!!!!! Yes indeed, my musical talents were on display for all to hear (at least those who still had their hearing) at the Kalamunda Folk Club! I was on second, after a few women had performed a strange medieval folk song about removing one's head and then going on holiday. As I took the stage... well, the chair at the front of the room..., the audience hushed in anticipation. All you could hear was the static crackling of wooly jumpers and cardigans colliding in the crowded pews as people jostled for position.... and then my moment came.... I think the shock of hearing my lyrical skill was too much for some people, as when I returned to my seat I saw a surprising number of grey haired heads in the room.... anyway, I'm just messin, it was the first time I've ever been to a "folk night" and I have to say it was excellent fun. There was a few semi-proffesional acts who were really very talented and very, very funny.

I've uploaded some new photos to my yahoo folder in a new folder called "perth".. go to:

http://photos.yahoo.com/billymation

ok, it's time for me to go...

seeya on the other side.... :)