Russell Pike Landscape Photography

G’day Mate

From the dirty back lanes of Kuta to the fresh aired parks and tidy streets that belong to one of the most isolated city’s in the world…..The city of light’s.

We arrived salty with Uluwatu sand between our toes into Perth’s coldish airport at 2am with a fair bit of time on our hands before we picked the camper up at 9am. First things first, we checked what our colourful money could get us. It didn't take long to find out that WA is one expensive place; I’m mean Airports always are clearly, but even outside it’s another level. For instants, my new Bryson book, down under, is printed on the back for £8.99; the airport shops want £19 for the bugger. I didn't buy it of course, but after a few days trawling the streets for it, it became apparent that even a modest book shop wanted an Elgar for it. I would say I'm £10 worst off, but the listed price is worth every penny. But high pricing applies right down to the small purchases too. A carton of iced coffee comes in at £3.30. I'm not sure if it’s because we have been in cheap cheap Asia for 3 months, but that seems pretty steep for a bloody nice but poxy cartoon of coffee. I think you get the legist anyways.

The taxi we got to the camper depot was another story, although the price was balanced with our driver’s relentless exaggerated stories including a tale of landing a 15 meter shark. I made him repeat the length to make sure he didn’t mean feet…. he confirmed meters. As far as I’m concerned Megalodon is extinct. He had moved down from Darwin and it doesn’t take long to realise that everyone in Australia thinks the northerner's are mad as fish. He was our first, so we can’t judge them all by the likes of him, but my work mates believe I should.

So we made our way to Bunbury (2 hours south) and spent a few nights with Kara auntie and uncle, which was bloody lovely. A smart new build by the sea with more beer inside then liquor land. But the hold idea of getting a job was a little worrying as everyone in the towns on route was saying we have come at the wrong time of year. Well cut along story short, I placed an ad on Gumtree and within 24 hours I had work. Wonders of the trade. So we are now based in Mandurah which sits one hour south of Perth city. Carpenter/labourer is the name of the game, although it’s the latter of them that best describe my role; making a tidy wage for basically tidying. We will be based here now for a while to get the money in the accounts, Kara's managed to grab a position as the latest “young fresh beautiful girl to strut her stuff to make the customers happy” (Words of the female boss at hog’s breath steak house not a skimpy bar). Mandurah isn’t a bad place to be staying, its home to an insane wedge about 10 mins from our patch. Hopefully be scoring that in the coming weeks.

While waiting around for the waves I’ve been out with a work mate, Daneo, on his downhill long boards. Having been a skateboarder I was pretty eager to give it ago back then but it’s taken till now to get a proper chance. These boards are super super smooth, very responsive and immensely quick. We will see what happens with this as its great fun and addictive carving the hills around Perth.

A weekend get away from work, Busselton jetty at sunset. The longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere reaching 2km out to sea.

Well as for this Blog, there’s no point in updating for a while, I’m pretty sure you don’t want to here about my weeks at work. We leave for the big adventure across the Nullabor to the east coast in a few weeks, hopefully there will be plenty to shoot/surf on the way; we really can’t wait to get back on the road!

Below is some snaps kings park, Perth and Daneo sending it on his longboard.

Will post before we leave,  Chow for now J