Fremantle with Colin and Holly Story

We had some wonderful days in Fremantle, walking about the town which is especially interesting because it is where so many immigrants landed, both originally when Australia was found and then during the years post war.  The influx is well recorded, both in the maritime museum and in the history museum which is situated in the old women's lunatic asylum, itself a part of the history.  What seemed to become apparent from both the museums and from the art, much of which was showing aboriginal art and modern, was a country weaving its identity from many different strands.  Of course, staying with Holly whose artistic work is about transforming one material from one state to another through immersion, sometimes literal in another substance, this was highlighted.  We loved the way Colin and Holly have created a place to be, both in the choice of pictures and placing of pictures and furniture, all of which makes you feel as if you are part of an art work, we loved the way they had made their lives, and the simplicity and care which manifested from them both.  Swimming was part of the joy, we swam early and late, and late meant under the huge full and just past full moon, in sea which was neither too hot nor too cold, and this kept us at just the right temperature to face the day and to transform us after the heat of the midday.  It seemed perfection! and so enjoyable, we ended our stay with  supper in Fremantle, outside in a cheerful restaurant in the main area, we walked in and out and enjoyed continuing a great catch up with two delightful relations.  The interesting thing about meeting someone who you knew a longish time ago, means that you get the fun of meeting somebody who is completely new, who has renewed themselves as we all do through experience, but also you have the sweetness of shared memories