An Australia Day to Remember

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Australia celebrates its beginnings on 26th January. This is a public holiday and each year the city of Perth in Western Australia is one of those that go to a great deal of trouble to provide an entertaining day for everyone. Most of the activity centres on our beautiful Swan River and culminates in a massive Sky Show or fireworks display. We were lucky enough to be able to go with our friends on their cabin cruiser, seen in the first photo. We left around 10am as later the river is closed to traffic. Once we found our vantage spot we anchored and proceeded to while away the day watching the activity around us. There were many out enjoying the water on paddle skis or in canoes. The river police were keeping a watchful eye for any rowdy behaviour. One big old houseboat near us was obviously a 'party boat' for the evening. Around 3pm, aerial displays were put on by various planes including Tiger Moths, Cessnas, water bombers and a jet of some sort which thrilled the crowd with its noise and aerobatics. The helicopter which looks like it has had a bit taken out of it is 'Elvis', one of the massive water bombers which was recently employed to help fight the bushfires in our south-west. It holds 9,500 litres of water or foam mix. There was also a sail-past of old wooden vessels. We were then treated to an incredible display of fireworks. The photos are all Vince's and he has photo-shopped some to enhance their best features. Once the show was over, many boats headed off to their moorings. We continued to sip wine and nibble nibblies until it was time for bed. We stayed the night on the boat, and were rocked gently to sleep by the water. An Australia Day to remember for us.