When I first returned to Perth in Early December 2003 after living in Ireland for 14 months, the Jacaranda outside my kitchen window was in full bloom!
Hubby and I took a ride into the city via the Sunset Coast Tourist Drive, along the coast from just north of my suburb to Fremantle, back along the Swan River (home to our black swans) and into Perth City.

My Jacaranda

Views on our 5 min drive from our house, along Ocean Reef Road, to the sea.

West Coast drive and our many white beaches…

Whitfords Avenue has multi-million dollar beach side homes on it and a huge shopping centre. About 7 mins drive from my house.

West Coast Highway part of the Sunset Coast Tourist Drive to Fremantle and South.

Swan River meets Leach Highway from Fremantle and Kwinana Freeway to the city skyscrapers in the distance.

Now we’re on the Kwinana Freeway, almost into Perth City, still driving next to the Swan River.

Sailing on our beautiful Swan River at sunset.

Freeway in South Perth just about to cross the Narrows Bridge and into the city with iconic Kings Park on the left.

Kings Park Memorial where the Anzac Ceremonies take place every year, overlooking the Swan River.

About to turn down, into the city… must take some more photos and this time, show you how our beautiful city sits next to the Swan, sparkling in the sunshine.

In the city now and looking up.

Hay Street Mall in December sunshine with its very modest Christmas Decorations, 2003.
It was good to see skyscrapers again… Cork didn’t have any really tall buildings in 2003 – part of it’s great charm. Although 11 years later, the Perth skyline has changed and I should do an update… If you enjoy this post, I will.
The multi-million dollar houses on Whitfords Avenue are the opposite of my little 3 x 1. A different postcode 5 mins away, off the same Ocean Reef Road, means they have sea views and beaches at their feet. I keep saying to hubby, if we just put another storey on our house, we’d see over the sandhill to the sea. too! Ha-Ha.
#francesmacaulayforde #PerthCity #FremantleWA #WestCoastHighway #SunsetCoast #KwinanaFreeway #SwanRiver
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