The Cathedrals et al

In Perth City there are three cathedrals. St Andrews which is the Scottish cathedral, this is one I couldn't visit as the storm had damaged it and it was closed due to unsafe features. It was old, possibly the end of the 19th century. There is very little in Perth that is before 1870, although Perth was settled first of all in the 1830's. The convicts built the Governor's property first and that was 1870, so most things come after that.
St Georges's cathedral is the Anglican cathedral. This looks very much like any large UK church. It is not large, but it is old. It was not particularly impressive.
However, St Mary's cathedral which is the Catholic cathedral is very, very impressive. It is modern and light and has been refurbished only a short while ago at huge cost. It had beautiful sculptures showing the story of Jesus from Pontius Pilate to rising from the dead, very impressive. I just loved it and spent some time there. It is based on a hill and also has the Convent of Mercy (1846) close by and Mercedes College which is a catholic girl's school. Both of these are attached to the cathedral. Next to the cathedral is Perth Hospital, some of this is old and attractive but most is 1960/70's. There is also the old firestation which now houses a fire museum, set up for general public and education. It was very good and the two ladies running it were very friendly and I spent a long time chatting to them. One was from England and had lived over here in Perth for 43 years, coming from Chichester! It was then on to Perth Mint. This was an impressive building, again quite old with the story of the original gold rush in Western Australia. There was a large shop in the entrance selling gold shares, jewellry and bits of gold, all well out of my price range. I spent a short time looking and then moved on to the Governor's gardens which have a limited opening. These are central in Perth and considering the area is surrounded by cars and more cars it was exceptionally peaceful and a good place to sit a while and reflect. The native trees of Western Australia adorn the countryside and make an impressive landscape. The same can be said in these gardens. Sitting in the shade of a gum tree is as good as an old oak tree! The sun shining, the huge variety of parrots squawking, the grass cool, followed by a good lunch at a local eatery, who could ask for more, except for me, my family with me!