Last weekend was such a lovely weekend. The late winter / early spring weather was perfect for going out for a walk. Coincidently me Humans discovered a guided walk around Fremantle harbour run by Fremantle Ports that was dog friendly.
Anyway although me Humans were a little sceptical being locals it turned out way more interesting than any of us thought. Anyone local reading me blog should go along, the walks are free, ya get morning tea chucked in (although me Humans scoffed most of it, all I got was a bitten off biscuit crumb).
The views are spectacular and the guides are really knowledgeable about the port both from a working shipping port perspective to the multitude of animal wildlife and ecological programs going on.
Now I love boats and ships and pretty much anything that moves on water. I know, I know, I’m a Border Collie but there is something captivating about so much water and so much activity on the water. Ya sometimes see dolphins too but sadly not today.
A few facts and figures about the Port of Fremantle in Western Australia. Most of this from the knowledgeable guides: The harbour was opened in 1897. It housed the largest submarine base in the southern hemisphere during WW2. In the 1970’s it was a major entry point into Australia for hundreds of thousands of European immigrants.
Fremantle is a major container port but also hosts cruise ships and many ferries and private pleasure craft.
This Human Dude is C Y O’ Connor, West Australia’s Chief Engineer and responsible for the construction of Fremantle Harbour, something other engineers thought impossible. Sad story though, he was also responsible for building a water supply line to the goldfields at Coolgardie some 330 miles from Perth and is the world’s longest water main. However when first turned on no water flowed and myth has it he was so distraught he committed suicide. The really sad thing is a few days later the water did flow it just took a very long time due to the huge distance.
This boat is the Leeuwin II, a sailing ship based out of Fremantle Port, that is operated by Leeuwin Ocean Adventures a charity group taking young Humans out on 3 day training adventures. Lucky people, I’d volunteer!
That’s it for me this week, I’m off to find a Human to finally chuck me ball.
R
The Life and Times of Ralph 