Sat 01: So much news to report today. Today, 01 August is a special day for horses in Australia. It's their birthday. t was also a 'different' day at work as I created chaos when I reported that I had an elephant on my bus - and it was left behind (lost property). Fortunately - the elephant was 'stuffed' and its owner came back a couple of trips later to claim it (him or her). How anybody can forget an elephant is beyond me. Subway for dinner and then I put my washing in the machine and changed my sheets.

Sun 02: Another great day - my audited HitWise figures were released early this morning. My peter991.com™ website grew by 12% last month. On average, 131,768 people viewed my website each day last month. That makes peter991.com™ the most popular daily Australian blog by far. Thanks for your support. A laid-back day today, I made my bed, brought in and put away my washing and visited my daughter. I also visited a garage sale on the way and added another monkey to my collection.

Mon 03: A huge $3 million fire in Osborne Park (a light industrial area located between Perth city and Scarborough Beach) left a huge plume of black smoke visible for some time today. I captured two exclusive pictures which are currently on my home page but the link will remain. Apart from that, a fairly cool night (last night) at 5ºC when I left for work. I even wore my Long Johns (thermal underwear) to work. I was going to give you pictures of me modelling them - but 98% of my readers said NO WAY - or words to that effect. Same shift again tomorrow - early night for me tonight.

Tue 04: Another pleasant day at work. The WA Police have finally decided to spend some time looking after the safety of bus drivers. Bus driving used to be a safe (government) job in WA. Now it is very dangerous. Drivers will stop work for between 3 and 4 hours on Thursday (06 August) to hear a report on improved safety. I'll give you an update Thursday night.

Wed 05: Slightly warmer overnight at 8ºC (due to extensive cloud cover) but no drizzle until tonight. A lousy shift today - all interchange work (Warwick to Whiotfords to Stirling to Joondalup). Very few smiles from customers - until the last 352 to Landsdale. I prefer Wanneroo Road and Mirrabooka runs. I did some shopping at lunchtime at Woolworths (getting fruit juices and toiletries). Mum gave me a couple of bowls of homemade pumpkin soup (spiced with Italian parsley). Amy and Troy shouted dinner tonight.

Thu 06: Stop-work meeting of Perth bus drivers at Gloucester Park from 10.30am today to hear a report on improvements to safety for bus drivers and passengers. I was a bit disappointed with the meeting. Some 750 bus drivers attended - but almost 40% of drivers stayed at work. To them - I hope you never have an emergency and need help. I hope you don't expect a pay rise. 90% of what happened at the meeting could have been done with a flyer, email and SMS. Very tired today - I will have an early night, after ironing a work shirt or two.

Fri 07: Funeral (cremation) of former Karrinyup bus driver, Peter Donley at Pinaroo Cemetary at 12 noon today. A sad occasion but at least Peter is not in any more pain. He had been battling cancer for some time. Julie, Dave, Tracey, Amy and Troy attended the fuineral as well. A tiring day at work - late to finish after a truck jack-knifed on the Narrows Bridge, effectively closing the Mitchell Freeway out of Perth, forcing traffic onto arterial and minor roads which were never designed for the volume of traffic. Amazing that was all it took - one accident in the PM peak to shut down Perth.

Sat 08: I woke around 0500 and was just getting back into the Land of Nod when my (mobile) phone rang at 0610. It was Joondalup depot, asking if I could cover a shift for them. One look at my wallet and I said YES, please. Quick shower (no time for a shave), ironed a work shirt, no time for breakfast, and out the (front) door by 0625. I had to travel via my home depot to collect my work bag, then onto the freeway to get to Joondalup. Arrived at Joondalup (about 30km from home) by 0650 - ready for an 0700 start. I managed to head down to Red Rooster to get a chicken roll for lunch - so I was glad to get home around 1800, just as my daughter (unpaid part-time housekeeper) was leaving.

Sun 09: Another day, another dollar. A fairly straight-forward day, up and down Wanneroo Road on route 346) and a round 278 (Osborne Park). Glad to get home and unwind. This week is early twighlights, starting around 1030 and finishing around 1900.

Mon 10: Very broken sleep last night and I woke (as usual) around 0500. Considering I wasn't due to start my shift today until 1051, that's way too early. Quite tired by the end of the shift. Tomorrow is my last day off before I work 11 straight days (my next day off is Saturday week, by the way). Result: after I make my bed and do my washing, I am going fishing with friends at Rockingham.

Tue 11: Day off. Today's update is posted very late (for me), at 2215 (local time) as I had a long day. Out of bed at 0730, did my washing and then headed from home to Rockingham (1 hour south of Perth, mostly along the Kwinana Freeway). Met up with Ron and Heather. Had a McCoffee and then drove to the foreshore, walked to the local jetty and tried our luck fishing. A few nibbles, but no fish caught by any of us. A drive to Point Perron to look at the Garden Island causeway and finally off to Safety Bay to have lunch at a new cafe, overlooking Penguin Island. I took a few photos but they will not be online until later this week. Home to help Amy do her tax return with eTax and then caught up on my emails. As I said yesterday - 11 days straight coming up - I had an enjoyable day today. My 'battery' is recharged.

Wed 12: Just 5 days to go to my birthday and that of my son, Troy. I had a good sleep last night and was feeling quite refreshed when I started work today. Unfortunately, the 'recharge' didn't last that long ... by 5pm (1700) I was feeling a bit run down. Home after work, had a couple of poached eggs on toast for dinner, checked the mail, brought in my washing and made my bed, plus ironed a work shirt. I would like to do more - but I don't have the energy.

Thu 13: A different shift today. The first half went well. I even found time to drop off my drycleaning - the second half was a nightmare with insufficient running time, so I was running late most of the time. To compound the problem, the rain arrived with a vengeance (just as the sun set), with driving rain making it hard to find passengers. I dropped in and saw Julie on the way home and then came home to unwind.

Fri 14: I thought yesterday's weather was bad - today's was worse. Wind and rain combined to make driving a dangerous job - a few accidents caused by people's lack of attention and not driving according to the conditions. I finally caught up with Mum and Ian (before work) and also managed to get two of my prescriptions (scripts) filled, so I have enough medication for a few more weeks. Tiring day. Sorry about the short update - but I have to start work again in another 10 hours. The highlight of the day was a Birthday Card from my work's CEO. Thanks.

Sat 15: I think I got a good night's sleep. I had a reasonable day. Troy was sick yesterday (with stomach pains). I think they are sympathy pains for Amy - who is due to deliver their first child on either 31 August or 01 September. I had a quiet evening - a simple meal and did my washing - before having an early night.

Sun 16: Dad's 80th birthday celebration. Unfortunately, I couldn't attend - as a late Roster change resulted in me doing a 10 hour day. Quite a tiring day - but the money will come in helpful (as always). Reports back from Tracey and Troy say a pleasant afternoon was had. Early night tonight as I have a 0630 (6.30am) start tomorrow.

Mon 17: Birthdays (I am 56, Troy is 24). A very low-key day today. Up at 0445 and got ready for work. Got the paper at a Peak servive station near work and lashed out and treated myself to a nice toasted bacon and egg sandwich. I know they are no good for my health / waistline etc. but this was a rare treat. I received quite a few birthday emails from family and friends and even a birthday handshake from Rob, our TC. A pleasant shift this morning - then home-made tomato soup for lunch (thanks, Mum and Ian) and a nap. I even scored my only birthday present - some pocket money from Mum and Ian - I hope Mum can come shopping with me in a week or two - when she is feeling better. Amy made a nice dinner - and my son, Troy, insisted I eat my carrots and broccholi (even on my birthday!).

Tue 18: Birthday (Dad is 80). A good first half (only 3 hours), more soup and toast at number 5 with Mum. Caught up with sister Wendy (over from Sydney). A tiring second half in an old Renault bus. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Wed 19: I have heard Wednesday being called Hump Day - think of a hump (Monday and Tuesday precede it; Thursday and Friday are 'over' the hump). If today was a hump day - I am glad it's over. Lately there hasn't been enough hours in the day to get everything done. I get to have a bit of a sleep in tomorrow as I have a twilight shift - with an 11.41am start, followed by a spread shift on Friday (with the weekend off). Brian's fridge arrived today - at the moment it's in the carport (behind the roller door), plugged on - ready to be moved inside - but that will wait until tomorrow night.

Thu 20: The end of winter in Australia is now only 10 days away (01 June to 31 August), but nobody has told the Big Guy ... steady rain all day today made driving difficult and I saw a lot of traffic accidents between cars which didn't make allowances for the wet conditions. Very tired tonight - off to bed as I have an early start tomorrow.

Fri 21: It's 9.33pm (2123) local time as I update today's entry. I am home alone - Troy and Amy have gone away for the weekend - probably their last weekend alone as a couple for the next 18 years - as their baby (daughter) is due at the end of this month. It was cool and wet again today and tonight will be cold. I have caught up on my sleep - both last night and again at Mum and Ian's place earlier today.

Sat 22: First day off for 11 days. I made some plans - but they have gone 'out the window.' Glen was going to do the lawns and gardens while Tracey and I clean the inside of the house. Glen is not available - so I am looking at Plan B. I will be mowed lawns today, ready for next Wednesday's rent inspection, while Troy did the whipper-snippering and edges and Tracey cleaned the inside of the house.

Sun 23: Yesterday was a day off - but the back of my legs ache from walking, pushing the lawn mower. I started work at lunchtime today, had a nice break at WSBS (Wellington Street Bus Station, in Perth) and ate the sausage sandwiches Tracey made for me, then had 10hrs 01min off, before coming back to work tomorrow - so tonight was straight to bed when I got home.

Mon 24: Just one week of Winter to go (officially), but Perth is set for a 4ºC night tonight - thank heavens for electric blankets! I caught up on my sleep at Mum and Ian's place today - making the most of my split shift. I was planning to 'see a man about a dog,' during my break, but I was able to let my fingers do the walking - one phone call saved me a lot of running around. I was hoping for a quiet weekend - but you know how things work - have a plan B handy! I have a 3 hour training course to attend at Malaga on Saturday and a 9¾ hour shift on Sunday.

Tue 25: I was aching all over when I started work today, so I paid $35 to the Chinese masseur at Warwick Grove shopping centre for a 30 minute neck and shoulder massage during my lunch break today. Result: I feel much better physically and a lot less stressed. Ian made me some nice curried egg and homegrown parsley sandwiches for lunch and also loaned me his (car) battery charger, which Troy needs to recharge the battery on his Holden Commodore.

Wed 26: Middle of the week and not one of my better days. I decided NOT to wear my thermal underwear and NOT to take my jacket to work - then I found out (too late) that the outside temperature was only 5ºC. Things went downhill from there. The morning at work was reasonable - lunch was nice as I caught up with Mum and Ian and also my brother, Brian. Mum made some delightful pikelets from an old family recipie. The afternoon at work started okay and then went downhill. I ended up phoning the TWU's Industrial Officer after I was sent into a dangerous environment. Home to unwind and do my washing. Troy removed the car battery from his Holden Commodore and put it on charge before he went out. A new shift for the next 2 days - hopefully that will cheer me up. Perth's annual Royal Show is on next month. I haven't been since the mid-1990s, so I may go this year.

Thu 27: Nearly the weekend - another cool morning in Perth - about 5ºC, I think. A better day today - although I did get lost (briefly) this morning when I was running empty to my first pick-up point as my 'short-cut' didn't work out. After that things went (relatively) smoothly. This weekend is still a bit up in the air, so to speak - I have Saturday evening free - who knows what will happen.

Fri 28: I find it hard to believe there's only 4 days of Winter left - if you include today. Officially, Spring starts on 01 September. Very cool in Perth today and quite a few downpours of rain. On the work front - nothing dramatic to report (which is a bit of a change). I have a 3 hour 'shift' tomorrow - training at the Malaga/Morley training centre, towards my Certificate course, then back to work for another 6 days straight (Sunday to Friday, with Saturday off). Hey - it pays the bills - with a bit left over for holidays.

Sat 29: It's amazing how tiring it can be to basically 'do nothing.' I had a fairly good sleep, then woke around 0700. Read for about 20 minutes, then had a shower and got dressed. I drove to number 72 and collected 2 of the boys and headed to Mirrabooka Square shopping centre to exchange a couple of defective xBox games. Dropped the boys back home and killed some time before heading to Malaga to attend my 3 hour training class, lead by Jason and Peter. Home again, a light lunch, then did some research online. Multi-tasked and did my washing and hung it on the line, made my bed and ironed a work shift. I am quite tired - do I'll have an early night tonight.

Sun 30: My daughter (Tracey) and I went for a drive today - and came back with a single bed. No mattress just the bed, which will be used if Tracey sleeps over. We then tried a Jesters pie each for lunch, before I got ready and went to work. Tracey is not well and went home to rest. I had a fairly pleasant day at work. Just 10 hours and 05 minutes and I start work tomorrow morning - so it's goodnight from me (for now). Just a quick thank you to my ex-wife (Julie) who dropped over just as I arrived home. Julie will take our water bill (and payment receipt) to the real estate office tomorrow morning - saving me going out of my way during my break tomorrow.

Mon 31: It's been a long and cold and lonely winter - here comes the sun. That was a Beatles hit from the 1970s (and that was a long time ago!). Today is OFFICIALLY the last day of winter. The minimum temperature in Perth this morning was 4.8ºC. Hopefully - with spring starting tomorrow we will see warmer days (and nights). I woke at 0530 to no electricity. For some reason, that meant no hot water, even though we have a gas hot water system. Fortunately I was able to have a shower at number 5 at lunchtime (and a nap) and then some nice ham and mustard sandwiches with Mum and Ian and Brian. A quiet evening - Troy isn't home (I think he is at poker). Amy is due to give birth any day now - so I will be a grandfather (that's scary!).