Today we take a trip into Fremantle proper. I spent a day here while on a Perth work trip, probably 25 years ago. I remember it being a cross between the Rocks and maybe Norton St in its heyday.
We do a drive around and I see the round house (the very old convict jail) and recall it from my last trip so we park up there and do a walk into the main district. Being a Saturday it is pretty busy and has a vibrant good feel too it. We have a yummy lunch at the Fremantle Bakehouse and then take a walk through the markets…. that was a bit crazy.
Notice the yellow paint on buildings 
A visit to the Round house, and it’s just like I remember it. We’re about to leave and we notice a sign saying at 1pm they fire the cannon, as a time marker. Obviously now it’s just for show, but at the time it was to let all the ship in the port know that it was 1pm so they could set their clocks. At about 12:50 we make our way to the deck, a guide gives an interesting talk on what’s about to happen and the history behind it. While the cannon now only fires a fireworks shot, He warns us we may have some explaining to do if we are tested for explosives at an airport later today.
Now the yellow paint makes sense. 
The cannon Liam didn’t get to fire
As it turns out Liam is the in the right place at the right time again, along with the cannon shot, they need to lower the ball (a large black ball that can be seen from ships). Liam happens to be next to the rope for the ball when the proceeding starts, so he is offered the roll of lowering the ball at the appropriate time.
So at 1pm, the countdown happens and we’re advised to block our ears (although Liam needs to hold the rope so can’t) then BANG! It’s all over. There appear there will be a certificate to the little girl who pressed the fire button for the cannon, Liam is less than impressed that there is no certificate for lowering the ball!
The Ball 
The lowering of the ball. “She only pressed a button. I deserve a certificate!”
We take the scenic route back via Cottesloe Beach and Kings Park.
Tomorrow we’ll try and get over to Rottnest Island.
Some housekeeping, I finally wash the car and get rid of most of the red dirt. I try and remount the dashcam that has been falling off the windscreen for the last 1000km or so and finally I fit some fly screen to the fridge vents. Some week ago I realised, while the van has these fantastic fly screens on all the windows, the vent for the fridge are big enough to let in bugs that could walk the fridge out.
I totally agree with Liam, he did all the hard work and did not get a certificate. Commiserations mate, at least he has a good photo to prove his effort. That was a very interesting old building on the corner site, was it an old pub? Beautiful colonnaded veranda. Christmas lights are good too.