the troubadour

No country is perfect, but not all attempt to sell themselves as near as.

the troubadour

Another acquittance told me the other day that their son , recently married who moved over to QLD about eighteen months ago from WA , moved from Ipswich in outer Brisbane because of the drug issues (mainly meth by the sound of it) in that location . Meanwhile fair to say inner city area Perth rat infestation around drug production worse. Or more noted anyway. Amazing what one spots being home during the days.

the troubadour

Good to see Fremantle attempting to clean up its act when there today. Police mounted and bicycle and on foot, appeared to have an operation in progress cleaning up the streets. Over past three months on about five visits to the port city, it was shameful to see just how far it had declined. Meth heads, anti social types, alcoholics, homeless and mentally ill appeared to have much the streets to themselves on those visits. Today far more other people about. A far better ambiance and hopefully a return to what things once were in Freo. A change from usual disgraceful language and constant hints at violence and or disruptive behaviour.

brits1

When we first arrived in Perth on our first visit to Fremantle I turned toy DH and said " this place is rough" but over the years the lovely old buildings were refurbished and we use to visit most weekends, on our travels around WA we found it to be the most vibrant and felt slightly European ....I hope it has not "slid" back to the bad old days lol as I think it's a little jewell for Perth. A friend we knew moved from a big city in the UK to Perth so their children would be free of "temptation" growing up and sadly a few years later they lost their eldest to drugs so sad.

the troubadour

Indeed it was a rough place at one time. But going back decades it was a result of rough people and alcohol abuse rather than rampant drug abuse and a substantial per cent that look like they have been excluded from any since of economic well being. I recall being there for the 1988 New Year and it was a massive punch up every where. Never witnessed anything as Wild Western before, nor since. (closest would be a punk gig that went a bit ape in London years earlier.) Strangers thrown punches without reason. No in more recent times without international tourists, the place has been struggling. The coffee strip is a shade of what it was in the nineties. Far fewer on the streets apart from the waterfront where the fish and chip venues still pull them in. (A large Italian population originally brought change helped on later by The America's Cup, where Freo had to change their image and a coffee culture was born. in the eighties) But drugs are the big problem in much of Australia. Shocking here in Perth and I now am aware of several houses making the stuff in my area. But ripe in many places. Country WA has a big problem. In my local experience, those making it could easily remain under the radar, if not somehow brought to attention. They are either students or professional people , with a few tradies thrown in for good measure.

brits1

We spent new years (1999/2000) eve in Freo with another family and let's just say the police were busy lol it helped with the entertainment..joking apart though at times it was like a wild west brawl

the troubadour

It seems most everywhere large crowds gather there is violence of a certain velocity. Perth this New Year was no different. Unsavory elements witnessed large numbers of families, especially of ethnic backgrounds seek 'protection' on a higher level; at the newish Yagan Square development. Police kept very busy at ground level. Still different to 88 in Freo though. Street drinking had been permitted (probably never again) I wonder if that is a reason many don't go out much in Perth? Especially to the city.

the troubadour

Back to the drug issue. Spotted a middle aged couple concealing what could be safely assumed as illegal substance both within and under their car , while walking the other day. (sadly in my street)I believe their daughter rents at the address and have noted some 'strange' activity previously, but nothing so overt. Car had country number plates (BSN) as did two other cars parked in drive way. I watched for about two minutes then witnessed their extreme nervous reaction when aware they were spotted.

Amazulu

Fremantle is, essentially, a seaport, and those places tend to be on the rougher side. My next door neighbour, who is over 80, was born there and he has told us how tough and rough it was. It's been massively gentrified - which is not always the best for a city as you replace decent working-class families with inner city, champagne socialist, arty twits - but I'm not a fan of the place and find it hugely overrated. Okay for a night out now and again but I'd hate to live there. It's also wanker central

No thanks

the troubadour

Fremantle has for a considerable time refined its port status. The days when cargo vessels lined the dock and seafarers and wharfies and Italian migrants filed the streets and pubs is but a distant memory. Many decades ago witnessed an all mighty brawl between Aboriginals and Zulu seaman off a visiting South African cargo ship in a night club called Cleo's. I was visiting myself, but that place had a name as a bit of a blood house. Rough pubs in those days as well. Always been socialist from my recall. There weren't many living inner city in those days. Sunday was near enough to dead in the centre, pre cafe coffee culture starting up just before America's Cup. Which in turn saw Freo become a tourist destination in its own right. With the loss of tourism ,a souless ambiance has resulted. The roughness of old has been replaced with more of a hopelessness for want of a more apt word with far too many down on their luck , drug abusers , homeless, or simply victims of changing economic circumstance and government handling of that.

the troubadour

In Fremantle a few says back again and can report much better. The police crackdown in the area as reported in an earlier post has paid dividends. Still witnessed a little drug activity close to the church in the centre , but Freo is looking more its old self rather than skid row. Obviously orders came from above in the political area to regain control.

Amazulu

Did you know, when I was I child in Africa, I could burp a four syllable word - Bulawayo - which as you probably know, is a town in Zimbabwe - Bul-a-ay-wo. Four syllable words are not that easy to burp and it would take a bottle of coke to achieve, but pretty impressive eh. I used to have burping competitions with my mates with this very word. Those were the days

Bul-a-ay-wo

the troubadour

Question being of course is have you moved on from such pursuits or still (as it appears to be the case) find it amusing and rather clever?

Amazulu

I still find it amusing and clever
Bul-a-way-o

the troubadour

No surprises there. Although I expect the former Rhodesian town of Wankie would prove more in line with your burping expertise. Somehow Hwange its replacement name would likely baffle an expert even of your calibre. Although practice makes perfect as they say. But never the less good you bring a touch of class to the forum.