Gingin, Western Australia

Mr PP has an uncle (only a few years older than him - more like a big brother) and aunt who live in Melbourne but who happened to be visiting Perth this week, so ... they very kindly took us out for the day, driving us about 90 minutes north of the city to an isolated venue in Gingin: the Australian International Gravitational Observatory (AIGO). There we climbed to the top of the Leaning Tower of Gingin, constructed to enable people to replicate the experiments by Galileo from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We filled balloons with water, to different weights, and dropped them to a sandy landing from the top of the tower. Unsurprisingly, heavy or light, dropped simultaneously, both landed at the same time. Worth the climb for the vast views of the more verdant quarter of the Australian Bush - on and on for miles in all directions. Of course, the venue is perfect for stargazing, being free from light-pollution, though we left before sunset.

Interesting as all the physics displays and experiments were - from the big bang, via dinosaurs, to black holes and the bendiness of time and space - it was the natural world that was the main attraction for me. Here is the New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae), who as well as nectar, eats spiders and insects for protein. This one is finding nectar on a Banksia bloom. Mr PP spotted a fabulously exotic caterpillar, too! (See Extras.)

On the way back to Perth I saw my first kangaroos - way in the distance - huge and crossing the road. By the time we drew level with the place they'd disappeared into the bush, they seemed to have turned into two emus. (See Extras.)

Feel so lucky to be enjoying such amazing experiences in a continent that I never dreamed I'd ever visit. It really is the most amazing country. Thanks for your visits and comments.