Perthy Button!

I am back! I’m delighted to announce that the cyclone heading towards Perth unexpectedly weakened as it approached the coast, and so had no effect whatsoever as the local temperatures continued to soar. I began the day in sporting fashion, walking to the WACA to take in the Museum showcasing the history of Australian cricket. The chatty attendant was pleased to announce that as England were Australia’s most recent opponents at cricket, there was currently a large English display on show for me to enjoy.

Finding out more about Don Bradman remains fascinating, as one of the greatest cricketers ever. I feel kind of sorry that, as he stepped up to his final career innings needing only four runs to secure a career average of over 100 runs, he was bowled out by the English for a duck, eternally denying him that century landmark and trapping him on 99.6. The English room showcased merchandise from all of the English cricket teams (including a Durham CCC jacket donated by someone from Wynyard), and a signed photograph of (then new £6.5m signing) Kevin Doyle training for Wolves on the WACA surface. It didn’t mention that he didn’t really achieve what was hoped of him.

After a short time relaxing in the neighbouring Queens Gardens to avoid having to move in the Sun, I headed up into the city, and hunted down the kangaroos I’d seen the previous night. There was also an ore obelisk, built to commemorate the millionth citizen of Perth. More recently, a diamond dodecahedron (which ironically, I had just been reading about the magic of a dodecahedron’s shape in Mathematics) has been added to the top of the column, and from the plaque next to the monument, I can only imagine the Mayor of the time wasn’t a fan of heights, and wanted people to be aware of what he’d had to do: Diamond Dodecahedron Addition – 1997. Unveiled by Lord Mayor Dr. P. Nattrass (from dizzy heights on cherry picker)

I also frequented “Creative Native”, a store showcasing traditional Aboriginal works which are as fascinating as they are expensive. It almost seems a shame that such is the Aboriginal tradition, most of their stories can not be told to anyone other than tribal elders – only those stories not involving actual people (so animals, and some mythical figures) can be shared in art.

Perth, it must be said, does have dramatic sunsets. Travelling to the East of the City, I was able to snap a few more photos looking down the Swan River…

… before taking a couple of photos of the Perth casino. I had been told that it was a sight to behold as the sun went down, but I was less impressed. Indeed, I only mention it in this blog because of what happened after.

Turning back towards the city, I noticed a statue of what transpired to be Willem de Vlamingh, the man who named the Swan River. Fittingly, facing him was a large bronze swan flapping it’s wings, while just over to the side was a smaller swan looking on. “What a wonderful photo opportunity” I thought, “I’ll take a couple of photos of the bigger swan and de Vlamingh, then go get the smaller one.” And so I did, it took a couple of minutes to get the swan right – I kept moving the camera, and I was trying to get the city just right, but I was quite pleased in the end.

“I’ll move over to de Vla-Ahhh!” It’s fair to say that my first though wasn’t “Oh, I guess that second swan wasn’t a statue but an actual swan now stood just a few feet away and still waddling slowly towards me”, but rather, “Oh no! That statue’s come to life and a bronze alien statue robot swan can almost certainly break my arm!” Once I’d scrabbled away from it (and not with any dignity, but I don’t think anyone saw), and it was stood under the street light, it was obviously a real swan. Spooked, I steered well clear of it, and went back to photographing de Vlamingh.

After that, I decided just to head back to the hostel before any more inanimate objects took to chasing me round.

The following few days were of a much more leisurely affair. With temperatures regularly hitting the 30’s, and the weariness of travelling beginning to get to me, my activities mostly consisted of making a small picnic, finding somewhere with a wonderful view while still being in the shade, and relaxing with a book. Queens Gardens were just a two minute walk from my hostel, and looked over the WACA ground; the coastline of the Swan River was most relaxing, and I could see the city of Perth, and usually a couple of games of football; or I could take a free bus to get to Kings Park, with its remarkable views looking down on Perth.

And finally, I leave you with the story of Percy Button, the street entertainer immortalised on the streets of Perth. A popular character who would entertain locals with simple tricks and acrobatics, he reached the peak of his fame when a local newspaper gave him a makeover, and published his photo on the front of the local paper, offering a reward to the first person who could identify him. Perhaps pleasingly for Percy, he was mistaken for various people of great respect ,from Australian Premiers to American was generals.