We always knew that Perth would be scorching as Christmas drew near, but it was still very surreal to see the shop decorations, trees and lights whilst wearing T-shirts and flip-flops, singing along to carols!
Still enjoying our week off after the farm, and with new jobs for Blue Cow Cheese beginning a couple of days later, we were keen to indulge in some glamour and fun; the Melbourne Cup provided just such an opportunity.
These races are celebrated all over Australia and whilst we couldn’t yet head to Melbourne, we went down the road to Ascot Racecourse, Perth.
A rooftop cinema was pretty novel for us as any such venture would struggle to make it back home in rainy England. Whilst being situated on top of a car park doesn’t sound the most glamorous of venues, it’s a stunning place to watch your movie of choice (and very convenient should you be arriving by car!).
Kelly Family – Nannies
Our first day in Perth we were lucky enough to land ourselves short-term live-in nannying positions with the Kelly family. Fortunately, the Kelly family were able to accommodate two people, one working as the nanny for wages and accommodation, whilst the other paid rent, or alternatively, both people split the nannying role and work for accommodation and food without wages. We opted for the latter, meaning we’d both have enough free time to get part time work at the local pub to fit around the children.
Oliver, 7, and Grace, 6, are hilarious and we became instantly attached to them, with us partaking in all manner of arts and crafts, dance performances, baking, computer games and gymnastics. In reality, it required a lot of energy and a lot of cunning. Grace loved arts and crafts, and we were constantly trying to come up with new ideas for her that wouldn’t destroy the house. Oliver was fairly self-sufficient, but trying to get him to take his maths problems seriously took military-type planning and attack. But the best thing of all was the affection; both loved hugs, climbing on us and whispering secrets to us. This was definitely the most rewarding of all our Australia work.
Grace, the morning after payment from the tooth fairy
Oliver, bankrupting the tooth fairy
Two One-Way Flights 