Names in Perth

There sure are a lot of interesting names in Perth.

For example, a sampling of street names is Inthanoona, Gidegannup, Coomoora, Ullapool, Karawara, Yalambee and Wandarra.

Then there is the Kwinana Highway which leads south to Jandakot, Banjup, Coogee, Yangebup, Coolbellup. Or you can go north to Marangaroo, Wanneroo, Joondalup, Carramar or Mariginiup. Or take a ferry ride over to Rottsnest Island.

I’m used to names like: Smyth Road, Alta Vista Drive, Bank St., Wellington St., 8th Ave., McLeod Trail, Memorial Drive, Kensington Ave, Heights Blvd. and Washington Ave.

Originally I thought the biggest challenge to driving in Perth was to negotiate the left hand side of the road and going through numerous Roundabouts in a clockwise direction. Now that it has basically been mastered, it’s figuring out the names of the streets I’m looking for. (Kinda like chewing gum, walking and talking at the same time.) It will come.

Housing update: there is none. The clock ticks. We just moved to our 3rd (yes THIRD) temporary accommodation in 5 (yes FIVE) weeks. We still do not have a permanent home and there is nothing on the horizon.

We have been turned down at three homes because of our dearly beloved Dawson. There is very little on the market, and what is available I feel like Goldilocks – either too small or too big or…. On a GOOD day one new listing comes up. We did put an application on a home 2 weeks ago. Between the weekend, then a stat holiday (Labour Day), then vacations, then business trips, then sick days, etc. (none of ours) we have not heard back! Don’t get me going!!! “No Worries”.

Other than that, we are all doing great. Little Dawson is up to his old tricks…… he managed to get into the cupboard and opened up a new bag of dog food and helped himself to about 4 days of food. So he will be on a diet again.

Speaking of dog food, a 50 pound bag in Houston costs us about $35. Here in Perth a 30 pound bag was $110 (YES, you read that right, $110)!!! DOROTHY!!! We just burst out laughing when they told us the price. And then we sobered up pretty quickly as we handed over the credit card. So little Dawson just stole about $20 worth of dog food. He’ll be on a diet the rest of the week!

Another update: the Honda CRV is far exceeding our expectations. It is smooth, quiet and handles fantastic in the tight parking spots. We love it. Four thumbs up! (Dawson’s paws don’t count.)

John has been strangely silent on this blog, so I have tasked him with making a journal entry so people won’t have just my skewed perspective. Stay tuned for his entry…

Hopefully soon we will be telling you that we have found a new home on one of the streets with an interesting name. At this point though, I would be happy to tell you we have found a home on ANY street with ANY name.