Evelyn Parry from Fankland Western Australia writes:
Hello Agmate’s. I’m Eve Parry the producer of the Video of the day “Morning has Broken in Western Australia” as featured on Agmates last week.
My husband Jim & I live in a small rural community called Frankland River in Rural Western Australia Location map . We are city folks who have chosen to retire to the country. I am a keen amateur photographer and over the coming weeks we’d like to show you just how beautiful our part of rural Australia is.
Photo – King George Sound at Albany (Click on all Photos to see larger view). Here there is always something to watch or photograph. Small boats that take the tourists out to watch the whales cavorting in King George Sound.
Originally we are from Shropshire, England. We spent 27 years, living in a suburb of Perth. We retired 10 years ago and moved to the small country town of Frankland River, Western Australia.
Photo – Albany Jetty – Princess Royal Harbour. From here you can look across the water to the Albany port where large ships take on their cargo, like wheat and other grain.
When we moved here Frankland River had one shop, a garage and the doctor came once every two weeks. Aging meant that parts of the body started to break down and we senior citizens had different bits that needed regular attention.
Albany, a 1½ hour drive, is the nearest major town for shopping and to get ears and eyes tested, teeth filled, and corns removed. X-rays on various parts were done at Albany hospital, and the heart specialist helped regulate our high blood pressure.
Photo – Waiting for a handout - The fishermen always attract the birds and the pelicans have become one of my favourite subjects.
Retiring to a small rural community was so different to our life in the city that we really wondered for a while if we had done the right thing.
When Jim was newly retired and although there was much for him to do, he found being retired difficult to come to terms with.
Our children had left home several years ago, and living in Perth I was used to having many hours during the day when I could visit family & friends, dabble in several hobbies and shop almost daily in the large shopping centres.
To complicate things further my parents who were in their eighties, weren’t keen to stay in Perth so it was decided that they would come to live with us. You can imagine how hard it was for everyone to deal with all these changes.
Photo - Albany Jetty – My favourite place to eat lunch. -Today though we are busy and happy and I always carry a camera; you never know what will be around the next corner. A picnic lunch allows us to have a break in many of Albany’s beauty spots and my favourite is the town jetty.
Photo – Albany Jetty – Princess Royal Harbour
One of the most memorable days in Albany was a lunch break at the Jetty. The day was so calm, the water in the harbour was almost like a mill pond.
Photo – The cloud pictures
The clouds hung low and the reflections were stunning.
Photo – QE2 Last round-the-world voyage.
On another day while in Albany shopping I was fortunate to see the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) docked in Albany on her last round-the-world voyage.
Next week I’ll tell you a bit more about our life in Franklin River and some shots of just how beautiful it is. Cheers for now - Eve.
Agmates Note: If you liked Eve’s photos and article please give her your “keep” vote at the top.
If you can’t wait for the up coming articles to see more of Eve’s stunning photography visit her online photo gallery.
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Tags: Australia
What a great article and magnificent photography too! Albany is a magical place to visit in every season and the rare times when the harbour is like a millpond has been beautifully captured through Eve’s photographs. Comments on the transition from city to rural living were interesting to read. It is good to see that people adapt and contribute to their new hometowns in creative ways. This article as a feature of Agmates Rural News is a worthy addition to the blog. I will look forward to reading and seeing future articles about this special part of Australia as seen through Eve’s camera.
G’day Kev,
I’m pleased you liked the article. Eve’s photography is stunning. I’m really excited about the articles she has coming for us. I hope you used your “drafting gate” to vote for her as a “keeper”. Thats the little icon at the top where you either vote the article +1 or -1.
Hi Kev,
Thank you so much for your lovely compliment. Frankland River is such an easy place to make the transition from city to country town as the locals are so friendly. However, you do have to make the effort to meet the people halfway and not expect them to come to you.
Eve
That looks like heaven on earth Eve.
Ironically my last Morgan stallion I imported from Rosita Hamar, Lagden Farm, Colebatch, Bishop Castle, Shropshire….and I sold a yearling filly to her in January. She left here in 40 degree heat and arrived to the minus wind chill factor plus snow you’d be pleased to see the end of no doubt!!!
If you were an Aussie the next question would be “Do you know her?” But I know we are the only ones who assume there will be someone a person knows that you know. England is a bit different to Australia in that regard!
Am looking forward to more photos from you.
Jenny Bird
Yes Jenny,
We certainly feel as though we have landed in paradise. Living in the country was what we were used to when living in Shrewsbury, however, I believe the place has grown out of all recognition since 1971.
Bishops Castle is about 22 kilometres from Shrewsbury, but I can’t say I’m familiar with it. We probably just drove through on our way to somewhere else
I regret that photography was not my hobby when I lived in England.
Next week I am hoping to show why we chose a sleepy town like Frankland River to retire to.
Eve
Hi
Wonderful photos I was sent them via a friend in farming near Albury but as I live in Shropshire am curious as to which part of our lovely county you originated from?
Regards
Rosita
Just realised my Pal Jenn Bird had already written to you as you have probably forgotten we tend to do things in a hurry here in Shropshire before reading instructions & the like!
Rosita
Hi Rosita,
Thank you for your compliment on my photos. I still have strong ties with family back in Shrewsbury and my sister who now lives in Wales, still works in Shropshire as a mobile hairdresser. So I’m able to keep up with the local news. In the next issue I will be showing some photos of the town where I now live.
Regards
Eve