So you would probably have seen my Instagram pics on here on my Flickr stream but if not, over last Thursday and Friday the shippers came, packed and loaded all our belongings, except for a couple of suitcases, and its on a train heading to Brisbane, it’s going to be delivered next Tuesday all being well.

Over the weekend we dropped the Jeep off at the house, met up with a few friends, mooched around Fremantle for probably the last time which we now really like, funny,  and had a relaxing weekend in our lovely new town apartment which we’re staying in.

It’s a 10 min walk to the train station or about 15 minutes to the centre of Perth so its really nice and central, plus it has all the home comforts, nice bathroom, lovely bed, a lounge, washing and drying facilities, a balcony and use of a rooftop BBQ and pool. I haven’t ventured into the pool yet, maybe this afternoon when it warms up a bit.

Steve had to catch a plain to Darwin yesterday though which left me to do my own thing, which I like for a few hours, then I miss Steve,  things are just more fun with him around. Anyway I remembered that another market was happening in Perth and I figured I could get to it easily, even with my bad foot which is mostly getting better except for long walks. The market was called ‘Made on the left’ which features all local makers from in and around Perth.

It was pretty similar and featured a lot of the same makers as at ‘The Perth Upmarket’ plus a few different ones too.

My favourite store was the first one you see when you enter the hall by Simonette, it featured jewellery and other accessories made from old china plates, shaped and with holes in or broach backings. Straight away I decided to get a necklace pendant in the shape of a bird, this is very unusual for me to choose something straight away.

After a thorough look around I headed back out into the sun to get some lunch. The area near the market is called Northbridge and it has lots of galleries, bars, restaurants,  coffee shops and huge screens showing artists films, loads and loads of activity.

I sat by the frog pond (with real frogs), on the painted steps, watched a man with a glass ball which he moved around his hands and fingers to music (I don’t know what it’s called) while kids looked for frogs. I ate my salmon, cream cheese, avocado & caper sandwich on a yummy rye bread, with my coffee and took it all in.

I then had a wander around the area and found a garden with people chilling out in the sun, veggies and herbs growing and these blossom trees which were so beautiful, strange against the backing of sky rises but beautiful against the backing of this blue sky. I loved the blood donor tears hanging and blowing in the wind, think I’ll find out where my nearest station is and go and give some of mine.

On the way back to the apartment I stumbled across a designer discount shopping centre and lo and behold they had my favourite shop in there, Gorman.

Unfortunately a lot of stuff was not in my size or they were things I can’t wear like dirty yellows, pale insipid colours, big top heavy baggy shapes, autumnal colours and fabrics, so as much as I wanted to get some serious bargain shopping done I did a little modest shop instead. I found a great spotty organic cotton t-shirt which is fun and I can wear with anything and a spotty vest in a fluro orange, perfect for a splash of fun.

So my Gorman collection is growing, I love the use of colour and prints but the silhouettes seam a bit repetitive which is a shame, I’ve just seen the SS12 collection and there are a few nice bits in there like a multi coloured sequin vest top.

Shopping for clothes here is so terrible, I have tried really hard and I’ve decided from now on I’m going to only look at Gorman and a couple of good quality shoe shops, the rest I will find at Vintage shops, Etsy, other online sources which I will have to find or I’ll make things myself.

Oh speaking of making things, last week I had a major brain wave regarding what I am going to make here as a sort of hobby/interest/part time job. I’m going to keep it a secret this time so I don’t pressure myself to have to keep everyone updated on my progress but I CAN tell you it involves knitting, telling stories and lots and lots of fun so I can’t wait to get stuck in.

When I get to our new house and I’ve unpacked, again I’m really looking forward to lying out on the veranda and doing some planning, drawing and some writing. It’s so nice to think of something new at last.

I’m off for a coffee now and some brunch, the Jeep has been collected and is on the lorry, the dry cleaners are popping by later to pick up the curtains and then I’ll be heading back into Perth.

This new life is very strange but b]very nice, I’m taking each day as it comes.