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[Page 169]
was a flutter of flags as we pulled into the wharf. The Weststralians went ashore and we soon followed, the people had a great spread ready for the soldiers, and everything that could be done for us was done. Nevertheless about 5 % of goats showed their unbounded gratitiude by getting drunk, and creating some beautiful scenes when we were returning to the ship. I went down town and took a tram out into the country. Australia eh smell the gum leaves and the fire burning in the bush. On the road out the conductor whispered he knew of a place where one could get a drink, the hotels being closed that day, on being told we, there were two of us, did not drink he seemed quite surprised and so it is; the soldier who looks on the bugjuice when it is brown, is always seen flashing himself in the street, the other passes by unnoticed.
We walked along the edge of the town, which is all bush, the soil is sandy and the country almost a replica of Liverpool N,S,W,. On coming back we went into a restaurant, and had a good feed of fruit, the first watermelon and peaches for 18 months for me, for 2½ years the other fellow. Freemantle is a very nice town for a port, the buildings all having a good, clean appearance. Also there was an absence of ramshackle building so common in all towns. Fruit was very cheap and good, around 3d to 5d for grapes, and 2 months ago I paid 2/- for ½ a pound in England. We got on board at 4, and at about 6PM we were sailing out once more. The next day we were given some repatriation papers and it was funny to hear the talkers at the tables, some of them I should say wanted two pound a week and beer for nix for life, the hide and impudence of some men passeth all understanding. We are now cruising along the coast around the Leuwin and it is getting colder.