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PERTH is one of the friendliest places to live, but this isolated capital can make you feel even more so if you're over 35 and single.
For some people,pubs and clubsseem intimidating. So, too,can dating agencies, the personals columns, speed-dating and the internet singles scene. And ifsports clubs and church groups are not your thing either, your optionsare even more limited.
But there is an alternative - an array of get-togetherswith character of their own.
If you haven’t heard of them already, Characta Tours is a companymaking a name for itself in Perth,the South-West and Kalbarri.
It is run bytwo single mums, Kerry and Sally, who were oncestuck in a routine lifestyle in Ballarat, Victoria, then decided to head west on a Kimberley backbacking tour for a change of pace and scenery.
Both outgoing, adventurous types, the pairquickly warmed to others on the tour and decided Perth would be the place to start a business for singles such as themselves.
On the tour they met John and Rina, who promptly offered to help get them started. They also met a graphic artist who offered his artistic skills.
The women didn’t need any persuading and have never looked back. John is now a co-manager and also a great friend.
Once ‘’Annie’’, the 20-seat tour bus, was shipped from Japan, Kerry and Sally rolled up their sleeves, got stuck in and Characta Tours was on its journey.
The five-day South-West trip they offer caters for those who simply want to get away from the home, office, and the stresses of life.
Activities includecanoeing, swimming, bushwalking, abseiling and a massage is thrown in for good measure. A singalong around the campfire at night with a few glasses of redafter a barbecue is mandatory.
What caught my eye was the day trip to the Swan Valley. It sounded too good to be true, so I rang Sally to find out a bit more. She didn’t need to twist my arm.
Although a bit apprehensive, these two gals immediately put everyone at ease and I warmed to them right away. Their fun-loving nature and bubbly personality soon had everyone chatting away like old friends.
‘’It’s what it’s all about,’’ said Kerry. "Making people feel they are just having a day out with friends and simply being themselves.’’
Characta Tours is not a dating agency (although one couple who met on the tour are now talking wedding bells). It’s all about making friends, keeping in touch and,if romance blossoms, all the better.
Everything is catered for. Music, nibblies on the way, and the ‘’linger longers’’ (those who have been before) are given a bottle of something as a gift.
The mixed bag of 35-plus singles on the tour I joined came from diverse backgrounds but we all had one thing in common. We enjoyed a good time with good people.
The day comprised a tour of some great wineries, tasting some local reds and whites, then relaxing over a sumptuous lunch before visiting more wineries, finishing off at the Iron Bark Brewery, listening to live music and chomping on wood-fired pizzas washed down with some cleansing ales.
A typical comment from one guy was how he loved this sort of thing on a weekend, but couldn’t get anyone to goalong with him.
‘’All my mates are married with kids and their weekends are taken up with family responsibilities,'' he said. "I don’t want to go to the pub Friday, Saturday and Sunday.''
Adivorcee, Rob has his children at homeevery other weekend, so now he knows who to call during his free time.
When we boarded Annie for the trip back, hugs were exchanged and peoplepromised to keep in touch.
Kerry and Sally now have a thriving little concern going and they’re good at it.I know I will be going back for seconds.
Jenny Bishop was a guest of Characta Tours
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