The end of summer

Sunday was a day for celebration of sorts as the end of summer. That sounds weird to say coming from the snow and ice of mid Michigan, but it was the last day of summer before "uni"
started up for another year of school.

It was a last chance to hang out and have fun, and for many to sleep in. We started our day at the Fremantle Markets, which is much like Pike Place Markets in Seatle. It is a place for food vendors, craft makers, and many fresh fruit and flowers to sell goods and produce at reasonable prices. It is an exciting and lively place, and is only open on the weekends. Sunday is a great day to go because vendors need to get rid of the produce by the end of Sunday, and prices are much better then.

The group split up a little bit then. There is a great resort beach a short train ride away and a hotel where a very relaxed bar hosts "sunday sesh" each week. I have not been to that beach yet, Cottlesloe, and want to get down there, but instead three of us stayed back and went to mass. It was a great opportunity to meet people, because there was a pot luck dinner hosted by locals afterwards. We met the chaplain, locals, and got a free meal out of it.

Afterwards we walked along the beach for the sunset, and made our way to the harbor. There is an incredible harbor for recreation use, and the structure is impressive. We made our way along the water to one of our favorite joints, Little Creatures, in an old warehouse over the water that I mentioned in a previous entry. One of the best parts, other than the great hard cider and on-site brewed beer, is a bocce ball pit right on the edge of the water - for free! Kevin, Matt, and I headed down and played two games each. It was fitting that we each went 1-1.

Apparently I have been playing bocce by incorrect rules my entire life. I have always played by the "Hayward Rules". But according to the set of official rules posted by the lit pit, at least in this country, the rules are different.

We had a great time. Eventually we met up at our other hang out the Orient for a few drinks with the rest of the group on the last night before school started (though not for me as I have mondays off).

Monday was a great day. I got to sleep in while others went to class, and even went for a jog along the water. Finally when I got back, a group of us decided to explore in a new direction. We ended up discovering the West Australia War Memorial. Fremantle is the main port on the west coast of Australia. From their ports, war ships left for all of the major wars since Australia's independence.

We came back and went to the beach for a few hours before dinner. Gary, our chef, was here tonight for a delicious dinner of lasagna and corn on the cob, with home-made cheesecake for dessert.

I decided to relax tonight and get ready for school tomorrow. A group of us had a good evening talking and sharing and getting to know eachother better.

Class starts tomorrow - first class I will sit in since December 12th. I think I'll remember what to do.