This Perth Life

WA Rated Highly by Travel Writer

Surfer at Yallingup
Originally uploaded by thisperthlife.

Getaway presenter, Catriona Rowntree, has visited more than 45 countries in 10 years of being a TV presenter but says that some of her favourite holiday spots are in WA.

After spending 42 weeks of the year abroad for the programme she heads for the Margaret River and more specifically, the Moondance Lodge in Yallingup.

In her new book Catriona's Australia: My Favourite Aussie Locations, she also raves about the Kimberley and the aqua waters of Cape Leveque and Faraway Bay.

Little Britain in Perth

Lou & Andy
Originally uploaded by Princess Sparkle Arkle.

For all you devoted fans of Lou & Andy, Vicky Pollard and Daffyd, Little Britain Live are coming to Perth for one night only on 3rd March next year!

Playing at the Challenge Stadium, tickets will be available through Ticketmaster from Monday 6th November.

"In The City AAA" Music Festival Comes to Perth

Coldplay
Originally uploaded by thisperthlife.

Perth is set to host an international music industry event similar to one in the United Kingdom that launched bands Oasis and Coldplay.

Perth has beaten other countries to host "In The City AAA", a new four-day music industry event set to attract the world’s most influential music industry leaders.

Shark Season has Officially Arrived!

Great White Shark
Originally uploaded by Dermal Denticles.

It's official! The shark season has started with a 4 metre white pointer spotted off Trigg Beach this weekend.

The shark spotter plane noticed it before 8am on Saturday morning when it was seen about 100 metres from the shore.

They notified the water police who sent a patrol out where it was confirmed that the shark was a White Pointer or Great White.

Buying Off-the-Plan: Don't be Caught Short

house plans
Originally uploaded by Brenda Anderson.

Buying off the plan means entering into a contract to buy a property before it's been built - in other words, when the development is still in the planning stage.

But before you decide to invest in your own piece of surburbab bliss, it's wise to know what you're getting into and this article by Nicole Harrison of West Coast Solutions will help you along the way.

Australia Finally gets Solar Power!

Ancient and Modern: Solar panels at Wilpena
Originally uploaded by wombalano.

Australia is to build one of the world's biggest solar power plants to try to combat climate change.

The plant is due to be built in Victoria and will use mirrored panels to concentrate the sun's rays and produce power that can go into the national grid. It will be the largest project in the world of it's type.

Cricket Gossip

The Ashes Urn
Originally uploaded by lildude.

Our weekly Ashes news round up before they start in 26 days time, with a song at the end to finish on a flourish!

Shane Warne believes that the England Ashes side this time around are stronger due to "beefing" up their spinners and wicket keepers.

One of those spinners is Ashley Giles who believes he will be fit to take part despite three hip operations.

Claim Your Full Pension on Visits Home

HLP-050221.JPG
Originally uploaded by Alex Segre.

If you are from the UK, did you know that you can claim your full National Insurance pension on holidays back home?

Frozen pensions can be "defrosted" for the duration of your stay. Even if you are only back for a couple of weeks you'll be able to claim the full weekly UK pension or if you are a partial pensioner, the pro rata equivalent.

The Telegraph has an interesting article on this possibly unknown benefit and also gives details on how to go about claiming it, but beware, it's not usually paid until after you've left the UK.

Confusion over Daylight Savings

Sunset Coast
Originally uploaded by thisperthlife.

It's all getting a little confusing.

Now it appears that Daylight Savings isn't necessarily going to go through after all with the vote being decided by the Upper House Members of which there are only 33 and not the majority of the WA Government as previously thought.

The Upper House Members are currently thought to be at 14 for to 13 against with 6 undecided. This seems to include people who's members are for Daylight Savings but they themselves may be going to vote against.

By the sounds of it, the anti daylight savings lobby is being very vocal whilst the people who want it, think that it's going through anyway and aren't phoning their MP's to lobby for a yes vote.

If you want daylight savings, then get on the phone to your MP and tell them your views!

Missed out on Ashes Tickets?

WACA
Originally uploaded by thisperthlife.

If you couldn't get Ashes Tickets, then what about watching the test on a large screen?

Live Sites will be operated in all the Test Cities for the duration of the test match.

The Perth Live Site will be in Northbridge on the corner of Lake and James Streets. With free entry with activities and entertainment, the action will be live between 10am to 6pm every day between 14 to 18 December inclusive.