Hot as 1844

A little south of Perth is Fremantle which is the Perth port and the original settlement for the WA convicts. Freo has maintained it's late 19th century architecture with narrow streets and cobbled walk ways. The old prison is now a museum and the high street has become a funky cuppacino strip. The University of Notre Dame is currently buying up all the old buildings and turning it into a little university town. My aunt Alison has recently started lecturing in their Health Sciences department.

Monday was West Australian Labour Day and I went down to meet Ali and her hubby for lunch in 38 degree heat. After two beers I suddenly realised that I was plastered! John and I had to walk around Freo for 2 hours to sober up while Ali finished her lecturing.

This is the 'Gate to Fremantle', through which the convicts entered Freo from their ship in the harbour. Freo Prison is widely regarded as one of the harshes and most brutal convict prisons in Australia. It also holds the dubious distinction of hanging the first white Australian in 1844 (a 15 year old boy convicted of murder) The colonials were enthusiastically hanging Aboriginals long before 1844.