20150811 WA Perth with Waldo and Mary-Jo

20150811  The year was 1988 when Desie left the Redlands to travel Australia and meet up with Waldo and Scotty in various towns working their way around.  Des had told me many stories of their expedition and the one that stands out is when they all worked together removing asbestos in Melbourne and they all lived together.  Every afternoon after work one would buy a carton of beer which they would ALL drink that night (of cause), that would be there routine every day and no one missing out.  Des and Scotty were the main cooks as Waldo doesn’t cook and to this day he still won’t cook, apparently Scotties spaghetti Bolognaise was the best they had ever tasted although he cooked it for ages and Desie made the best Chinese while Waldo was left with the dishes which he still does to this day, I get the feeling our Waldo’s a bit of a creature of habit.

Laid back having a beer and catching up on old times while Mary-Jo cooks dinner, he never cooks, as a matter of fact he doesn’t do anything said Mary, he! he!.

13-08-2015  Mary-Jo organised a loan of her daughters car so Des and I went into Scarborough to check out another of his old stomping grounds.

This building was where Des stayed when working in Perth.

The monument overlooking Scarborough Beach is dedicated to the life savers.  Scarboro Surf Lifesaving Club was established in 1928 and in the war older men and woman raised funds to ensure the clubs survival.  Lives continued to be saved and on one weekend in October 1991 the SSLSC with help from Trigg and Floreat clubs made over 350 rescues with no lives lost, now there’s a bit of trivia for you

Scarborough Beach on an over cast day, check out the surfers out there and it freezing, as they say no brain no pain.

The Observation City originally built in 1986 for Alan Bond whose intention was to profit from anticipated accommodation demands when the 1987 America’s Cup challenge was held only instead it sent him bankrupt, so Desie told me.

We then drove into Fremantle looking for the all-important wharf where in 1987 we won the Americas Cup for the first time ever, I have a very clear memory of that day as I was driving to work at Hemant and was so excited waiting in anticipation for our Stars and Stripes to cross the finishing line.

The Basilica of St. Patrick Church, I know it’s another church but I just love the old structures.

14-08-2015 We take advantage of the car and take another trip around the outskirts of Perth.

Hillary’s Boat Harbour is the premier recreational destination for Perth and a great place for lunch but be prepared to watch the moths fly out of your wallet.

Home relaxing and having a beer with the man of the house while Mary cooks up a feast as per usual.

This is the closest I will ever get to a bear and yes it was once a bear from Canada which her father caught many moons ago and Mary was lucky enough to have inherited it, the fur is so soft.

15-08-2015  Waldo plays golf every Saturday so with him out of the way Mary-Jo was off to the antique markets which I so wanted to go only we had made arrangements to meet Stain for a few drinks and as Des doesn’t know how to use the Nav I have to go, not that I minded.

Many years have passed since Stain (who once lived in the Redlands) and Des last saw each other so as usual I had to get a shoot of them both for old time sake.

Des had only brought three beers with him and when Stain offered him one of his he was a bit dubious until out came the breathalyser, now I don’t know how true this is but Stain seems to think the legal limit in W.A is 0.8 which Des was way under so another beer he can have.

Stain turn and he is good for a few more yet only he’s not driving so he can have as many as he pleases.

16-08-2015  Every Saturday night Mary-Jo cooks up a feast for the entire family followed by desert and it was to die for, well done Mary.

After we returned from Stains Mary takes us to check out the bee hive in the park where some bloody kids had been throwing bottles and sticks at it, little buggers.

Mary-Jo even trims the old boy’s goatee while standing on a step, don't worry Mary we are all short ares's next to Waldo.

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to take the piss out of Des, once again so here he stands on a table in a pair of Waldo’s shorts that nearly fit as jeans.

Talking up a storm with his old mate Scotty.

Mary-Jo slaving over a hot stove but I get the feeling she really enjoys it as no one is allowed in the kitchen.  I especially love the reminder on the black board for Mark (Waldo) Pills who can be a tad absent minded sometimes.

After dinner all the crew gather in the kitchen for the clean-up with Waldo leading the way, Yep nothing has changed Scotty he is still washing the dishes, mind you that’s all  he does, Mary told me he! he!.

Not sure what to do with this Mair, what is it?

As this was to be our last night we all gather for a last time photo shoot.

My new found friend Mary-Jo who is a collector of honey pots and trust me she has a great collection but it doesn’t finish there she is also a bit of a craftsmen and makes quilting and has some lovely pieces, I want one, just kidding although I wouldn’t mind learning it.

23-08-2015  We were leaving but Mary-Jo offered to take me to a boot market so it look like we stay another day.  At the markets I scored a new pair of boots for a $1 and a long black coat for $8 and a few nick nacks for the grand kids and Des was so proud of my boots for a $1.

24-08-2015  We are defiantly leaving today but not before Des plays a last minute trick on Waldo for old time sake.

This would be Waldo’s crocs which we are continuously tripping over, they sit outside near his chair where he removes his work boots and slips into house shoes (more like skies) only when he arrives home today they were missing.



Mary has been asking Waldo to take this box of rags to work for months and the box hasn’t moved so Des pulled a swiftie and hid his crocs in the box.  That afternoon I had a missed call from Waldo and when I retrieved the message it said: Leonie can you ask that little Leprechaun what he did with my shoes, well! Des and I peed our self-laughing.  That will teach you a lesson Waldo, get rid of that bloddy box, he!he!.