I was going to write individual posts about the various highlights of my trip to Perth back in April but, as time goes on, it's becoming evident that I'm not going to get around to it. So here it is. The bumper post of trip highlights in pictures.
This first part is most of the sights we saw with various family members. Part two will focus on Enigma and I's day trip to Fremantle.
South Perth Foreshore
Enigma and I spent our first morning wandering along the South Perth foreshore. The foreshore is well kept parkland with cycle and walk paths, playgrounds and more with great views of the central Perth skyline.
We were lucky enough to be walking on a fairly cloudy day but I'd recommend a hat and sunscreen because there are long stretches of path with no shade.
Kelly's Cafe and Restaurant
Kelly's Cafe and Restaurant is actually in the middle of a garden centre known as All Palms Garden Centre located in Canning Vale.
The dining space is large but inviting and doubles as a gift shop where you can browse either whilst you wait for your order or after you've eaten.
Enigma and I had a very nice lunch here with my Mother, Sister, Brother and his Partner.
London Court
London Court is actually just a themed shopping mall but it makes for a great many photo opportunities due to the amount of detail in the architecture. It's also not an uncommon site to see people standing at the entrances to the mall waiting for the clocks to strike so they can see the animated knights jousting (I think - it's been so long since I really stopped to look and see what characters spin around when the clocks strike).
Ken Done Retrospective Exhibition
This exhibition was on at the Linton & Kay Galleries on St. Georges Terrace in the city. Ken's art is always divisive among any group of people (who aren't Ken Done groupies) and my family was no exception.
Best comment on the exhibition was from my brother who posted the photo he took on the right to his Facebook page whilst at the exhibition. His comment is below the photo.
For my part I'm more of a fan of the work that really put Ken on the map. The really colourful paintings of Australian scenes such as the beach and Sydney Harbor. Beyond that I admire him for his career and how it progressed more than the art.
I must say I was really impressed by the staff at Linton & Kay Galleries. The most pro-active gallery staff I've ever encountered.
Usually you go into a gallery and the curator just sits at their desk and barely even says hello. At Linton & Kay the girls there actively approached everyone visiting the gallery, spent some time with them and also took the time to explain whatever art you happened to standing in front of.
If I sold through galleries they're the kind of staff I'd like to have representing my work.
Tomato Lake Cafe
My Dad took myself and Enigma here for breakfast. Tomato Lake Cafe is located in Belmont by the lake of the same name.
We didn't really walk around much of the park even though I'm sure it would have been a pleasant walk around the lake. Our sole purpose was breakfast at the cafe.
I don't think I've ever seen service quite so good, not just on our table. If you watch the staff whilst you eat you can easily see they're all going the extra yard to make sure everyone has a great dining experience.
The food is best described as taste is more important than presentation. Which is not to suggest their presentation is poor by any means... you just won't find any pretentious food sculptures and arty plates of 'whatever that is' that would look more at home framed on your wall than as a meal on a table.
Yanchep National Park
Yanchep National Park boasts a Koala sanctuary in which we only saw two koalas, both sleeping and neither in a very good spot for a photo opportunity. That's why my only picture is of the sanctuary's sign.
Fortunately the koalas are not the only reason to visit the park. We stopped in for a drink at Yanchep Lakeview tearooms (which also doubles as a Chocolate Shop.
We also had a nice meal at the Yanchep Inn and saw a whole family of kangaroos on the lawn out the front. Who were unfortunately startled and ran when some dick started up his motorbike that was nearly as loud as a jet engine (look closely you can see him and his girlfriend in the photo).
Dad's 70th Birthday
Finally the whole reason we went to Perth in April was to attend my Dad's 70th birthday. It was mostly an extended family affair along with a few my Dad's long time friends. It was a great afternoon with excellent food and a good time had by all.
The highlight though was definitely my Dad's cake which was a replica tool box and 100% edible. The level of detail was amazing.
This first part is most of the sights we saw with various family members. Part two will focus on Enigma and I's day trip to Fremantle.
South Perth Foreshore
 |
| South Perth Foreshore. |
We were lucky enough to be walking on a fairly cloudy day but I'd recommend a hat and sunscreen because there are long stretches of path with no shade.
Kelly's Cafe and Restaurant
 |
| Kelly's Cafe. |
The dining space is large but inviting and doubles as a gift shop where you can browse either whilst you wait for your order or after you've eaten.
Enigma and I had a very nice lunch here with my Mother, Sister, Brother and his Partner.
London Court
 |
| London Court. Photo: Enigma |
Ken Done Retrospective Exhibition
 |
| Ken Done Retrospective. Photo: Enigma |
 |
"Checkn out the Ken Done exhibition.
This one has been done well
looks spot on like a tv." - Carl A.
|
For my part I'm more of a fan of the work that really put Ken on the map. The really colourful paintings of Australian scenes such as the beach and Sydney Harbor. Beyond that I admire him for his career and how it progressed more than the art.
I must say I was really impressed by the staff at Linton & Kay Galleries. The most pro-active gallery staff I've ever encountered.
Usually you go into a gallery and the curator just sits at their desk and barely even says hello. At Linton & Kay the girls there actively approached everyone visiting the gallery, spent some time with them and also took the time to explain whatever art you happened to standing in front of.
If I sold through galleries they're the kind of staff I'd like to have representing my work.
Tomato Lake Cafe
 |
| Tomato Lake Cafe. |
We didn't really walk around much of the park even though I'm sure it would have been a pleasant walk around the lake. Our sole purpose was breakfast at the cafe.
I don't think I've ever seen service quite so good, not just on our table. If you watch the staff whilst you eat you can easily see they're all going the extra yard to make sure everyone has a great dining experience.
The food is best described as taste is more important than presentation. Which is not to suggest their presentation is poor by any means... you just won't find any pretentious food sculptures and arty plates of 'whatever that is' that would look more at home framed on your wall than as a meal on a table.
Yanchep National Park
 |
| Koala Sanctuary. |
Fortunately the koalas are not the only reason to visit the park. We stopped in for a drink at Yanchep Lakeview tearooms (which also doubles as a Chocolate Shop.
We also had a nice meal at the Yanchep Inn and saw a whole family of kangaroos on the lawn out the front. Who were unfortunately startled and ran when some dick started up his motorbike that was nearly as loud as a jet engine (look closely you can see him and his girlfriend in the photo).
 |
| Kangaroos out front of the Yanchep Inn. |
Dad's 70th Birthday
 |
| Dad's Cake. Photo: Enigma. |
The highlight though was definitely my Dad's cake which was a replica tool box and 100% edible. The level of detail was amazing.