Fremantle, All at Sea and Pirates

Sea Princess at Fremantle

Due to the storm which swept across the south west corner of Western Australia last week, we docked in Fremantle a day late.

Having been here several times before, we didn’t book any excursions, but planned to just wander the city, shop and take photos.  We did find Fremantle somewhat shabbier than during our earlier visits. Many closed down shops for instance.

The city centre was less than 10 minute walk from where the ship docked, and as there was no rain (a bit cool and breezy, though), we set off with a map and lots of energy.

We found the Woolstore Shopping Mall which included a Coles and made a few purchases.

Then, of course, Margaret needed a coffee. So John was allowed (??  says Margaret) to leave her to it and go and see what he could photograph.

The only problem was that John had all the cash and the café would not accept Margaret’s Visa card.

This major disaster was averted by Margaret borrowing $20 from some fellow passengers we had met and who were at an adjoining table – see, it pays to make friends.

John returned with some pics of some of the old buildings, and we set off to find the library to avail ourselves of the free Wi-Fi. (usually the port terminal has good free Wi-Fi, but we couldn’t it get to work in Fremantle).

After posting our blog and catching up on emails and Facebook, we headed off to wander some more and then make our way back to the ship.

And that, of course, was when it decided to rain. John left Margaret to her own devices and made a dash for it. So we got a bit wet but also safely back on board.

Margaret being Margaret, she asked the Entertainment team to schedule a Common interest meeting for guests interested in family history/genealogy.  The meet-up was advertised for last Friday 27^th at 11am in the Whisky Nook – and guess what? Thirty people turned up.

We swapped yarns about our families and our research methods, and after our allotted hour was up agreed to meet again.  There were quite a few Kiwis with Maori and “fencible” ancestors, as well as Aussies with the usual variations – English, Irish, Aboriginal, convicts, Germans.

Since then we have had many interesting chats with those who were present about family history, including with a chap who is in charge of Auckland Library and who many tips about NZ sources.

Some of these may help with John’s quest to find his maternal g-g-uncle, George Fitzpatrick in Feilding (North Island), and some trace of Clara Ann Riddell and her supposed husband Alexander Wilson and of course, Alfred Moxon (John’s paternal great uncle), whom she had taken to NZ and raised as her son.

Yesterday, Tuesday 31 May, we had “Pirate attack training”. Really, we did.

We are now in the area where pirates attack any vessel they can to take hostages or simply loot for money. If the alarm sound, we are all to go into the corridor and sit or lie on the floor.

Until further notice, all outside areas are out of bounds during the hours of darkness.

Crossing the Equator

Also yesterday, we had the “King Neptune” ceremony to celebrate crossing the equator.

Selected passengers were put on trial, found guilty, and punished by being doused in slops of god knows what.

All good fun, if a tad childish.

Even had one guy dressed up as Johnny Depp – but no sign of Pistol and Boo.

Dubai on Sat 4 June, where we have two tours booked.