Andrew has a yacht called Sandale, moored at Fremantle yacht club, so he took us for a weekend of sailing out to Rottnest Island.

Andrew in his favourite place.

The sky looks menacing, I know, but it was actually very mild, and it didn’t rain. We packed up the food, wine, dive gear and surfboards and motored out to Rottnest Island on Saturday. It’s a great way to spend election day! But it was quite strange to know the result before the WA booths has even closed, given the two hour time difference.

Andrew and Michelle

As you can see, the sea was like a mill pond when we started and we had to motor much of the way. Finally the wind picked up and Andrew gave Fergus some tuition at the helm.

And then he left him to it!

Captain Fergus looking very happy at the helm

Harry spent time at the wheel too, and Andrew put them both to work on the winches when it was time to change sails. The boys can now add sailing to their repertoire of new activities for our trip! We sailed around to the northern side of the island and moored in Marjory Bay, protected from the wind. We stayed the night there, falling asleep to the gentle rocking of the boat.

There was time to nip around to the next bay in the inflatable boat for a dive and a jump off the rocks. No surf for John though. It was here that they swam with seals. The seals were zipping all around the boys, and I think Harry wanted to swim off with them! They saw lots of fish and coral too.

Harry got back on board feeling rather cold

On Sunday we pulled in to Thompson Bay where the ferries from Perth dock and the original village is located. Rottofest – a music festival – was on, so it was a busy place. We had coffee in the sunshine, and then spotted the famous Quokkas.

The boys thought they were exceptionally cute, but I think they are like well fed rats!

We were back in Freo in time to visit the Maritime Museum of Western Australia. We saw Australia II and heaps of other good stuff. There was also a temporary photographic exhibition of the Abrolhos Islands telling the story of the decline of the fishing industry there.

And what better way to finish a day in Freo but with fish and chips!