My folks arrive in a few hours.
The girls are very excited although Lowri was disgusted to learn that she still had to go to school today as her friend had the day off when her nanna came out to Australia! She had a right stink about it this morning, more than likely due to the fact that this lunchtime, her and her partner in crime, Jed, are on litter duty for larking about yesterday.
It wasn't Lowri's fault, of course. Jed 'dacked' her and they both copped it from a passing teacher. 'Dacks' meaning trousers and 'dacking' being the noble art of pulling someone's strides down when they're least expecting it. One of my old mate Pepsi's favorite stunts. I wonder who he's 'dacking' now that his favourite victim (me) is living in Australia. Whoever, I'm sure that he'd be pleased to know that his greatest skill is being utilised and appreciated on the other side of the world.
Also visiting Australia at the moment is world superstar David Beckham. He's over here with his team the LA Galaxy and last night they played in front of a full house in Sydney against A-League outfit Sydney FC.
Sydney won an entertaining game 5-3, but it was more about the phenomenon Becks than footy. All week he's been all over the media. If you think he's only big in Europe then think again. 80,000+ fans attended the game last night - Sydney FC usually get a fraction of that. This was all about Becks.
He duly scored with a trademark free-kick, an absolute carbon copy of the goal he scored for England at Old Trafford in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Greece a few years back. He also played a full game as well, even though he got some 'rough' treatment in what was quite a spiteful game for a 'friendly'.
The Galaxy are staying in town doing promotional stuff for a few days before leaving for New Zealand on a similar mission. I say Galaxy but the spotlight will solely be on Becks. The media circus surrounding 'his' visit is of the volume normally reserved for a visiting monarch or the head of the Catholic Church.
For the Aussies to pour this much acclaim on a sportsman has really surprised me. A foreign sportsman at that and, above all, a pom. I think it goes some way to show how much football is growing here.
They even call it football now, and it's official. The Aussie governing body recently renamed itself the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) from it's old title of Soccer Australia.
But, for the game to become fully embraced by Australia, one of two things will have to dramatically change.
Either the game changes and players stop acting like they've been shot when an opponent brushes past them. True blue, dinky-di Aussies, to a man, won't put up with the absolute rubbish that takes place on football fields the world over. Although the A-League games can lack a bit of quality at times, they still maintain a degree of honesty, toughness and integrity that has all but vanished from the modern-day game.
If the game doesn't change then the Aussies might. The more their kids see of these underhand antics on the field and on TV then they may begin to view them as acceptable and adopt similar. And it doesn't stop on the field either, I think it manifests itself in life. Australian sports are the epitome of tough, honest and courageous competition and that has had a very positive effect on the culture of this great nation.
So, while I'd like to see football gain credibility and popularity over here, if it comes at a cost of the deterioration of good old Australian morality and values then I'd happily start calling it soccer again and watch other countries play it every four years. For that would be too great a levy to pay.
The ball's in your court Becks. Do the right thing.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Meet The Parents
I had a day out at Wodonga races this weekend with my 'first' Aussie mate, Fridgey.
Aside from the flies and poor horse selection, we had a good day.
It's a small racecourse, reminding me very much of Bangor-on-Dee at home, which is just how I like it - no queues, plenty of room, not-extortionate beer and food pricing. All in all, a lovely place. All the ladies dress up to the nines and the blokes get to wear their scruffs, which is also just how I like it.
They hold meetings throughout the year and the next one, on Boxing Day, is regarded as the biggest and busiest. We plan to go with my mum and dad, who arrive this Wednesday evening at half-eight local time for a two month stay.
We left home on July 23rd, little over four months ago although it seems like much, much longer. It feels closer to a year to me. Oddly enough though, it only seems like yesterday that I said goodbye to my folks - to my mum in the conservatory of their house and to my dad, with a firm, manly handshake in the Esp.
It'll be great to see the old duffers and we've got a few things planned for their stay. My dad and I have got tickets for the second day of the cricket test match between Australia and India down at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and we'll be spending the New Year in Sydney. We'll visit the local wineries too and take them around the region's attractions, including Wodonga races.
I hope my mum behaves.
Aside from the flies and poor horse selection, we had a good day.
It's a small racecourse, reminding me very much of Bangor-on-Dee at home, which is just how I like it - no queues, plenty of room, not-extortionate beer and food pricing. All in all, a lovely place. All the ladies dress up to the nines and the blokes get to wear their scruffs, which is also just how I like it.
They hold meetings throughout the year and the next one, on Boxing Day, is regarded as the biggest and busiest. We plan to go with my mum and dad, who arrive this Wednesday evening at half-eight local time for a two month stay.
We left home on July 23rd, little over four months ago although it seems like much, much longer. It feels closer to a year to me. Oddly enough though, it only seems like yesterday that I said goodbye to my folks - to my mum in the conservatory of their house and to my dad, with a firm, manly handshake in the Esp.
It'll be great to see the old duffers and we've got a few things planned for their stay. My dad and I have got tickets for the second day of the cricket test match between Australia and India down at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and we'll be spending the New Year in Sydney. We'll visit the local wineries too and take them around the region's attractions, including Wodonga races.
I hope my mum behaves.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Wet Weekend
Last weekend began with the great news from home that Pauline's dad was home from hospital and was progressing well with his recovery.
My mood was good and, even when the car broke down later that day, it remained so.
On Friday evening we ventured down to Wodonga High Street for the inaugural 'Lounging on High' event.
This is a council organised affair where the locals are encouraged to head down to the town centre with a chair or blanket, bring some refreshments and, basically, hang-out on and around the High Street.
They closed part of the road, there was a band on, face painting and entertainment for the kids, the new lights were illuminated on the town's iconic water tower and there was much merriment for all ages. It was pleasing to be recognised and greeted by a few people as we meandered around waving the flies away.
We met up with our South Walian buddies, Glyn, Deb and their son Al. After which, much beer began to flow. It was a balmy night and it felt like we were on holiday.
The party continued back at Glyn and Deb's house until the wee small hours where I proved that I had lost very little of my ping-pong skill by becoming the house champion, beating all-comers with an ease that could, in part, be attributed to the drunken state of my opponents.
The boozing continued on Saturday when we attended the official opening of the Wodonga Golf Club.
This place, due to it's close proximity to our house, will, undoubtedly, become our local. It's had a big refurbishment and is looking like a new pin. Again, there was much to do for the kids with bouncy castles, face-painting, free sausage sizzle, ball games and a cracking firework display. Again we were joined by Glyn, Deb and Al. We also met some new people and had another good night.
Finally, I'm beginning to feel the comforting warmth of a social circle developing.
My mood was good and, even when the car broke down later that day, it remained so.
On Friday evening we ventured down to Wodonga High Street for the inaugural 'Lounging on High' event.
This is a council organised affair where the locals are encouraged to head down to the town centre with a chair or blanket, bring some refreshments and, basically, hang-out on and around the High Street.
They closed part of the road, there was a band on, face painting and entertainment for the kids, the new lights were illuminated on the town's iconic water tower and there was much merriment for all ages. It was pleasing to be recognised and greeted by a few people as we meandered around waving the flies away.
We met up with our South Walian buddies, Glyn, Deb and their son Al. After which, much beer began to flow. It was a balmy night and it felt like we were on holiday.
The party continued back at Glyn and Deb's house until the wee small hours where I proved that I had lost very little of my ping-pong skill by becoming the house champion, beating all-comers with an ease that could, in part, be attributed to the drunken state of my opponents.
The boozing continued on Saturday when we attended the official opening of the Wodonga Golf Club.
This place, due to it's close proximity to our house, will, undoubtedly, become our local. It's had a big refurbishment and is looking like a new pin. Again, there was much to do for the kids with bouncy castles, face-painting, free sausage sizzle, ball games and a cracking firework display. Again we were joined by Glyn, Deb and Al. We also met some new people and had another good night.
Finally, I'm beginning to feel the comforting warmth of a social circle developing.
Friday, November 16, 2007
A World Away
I've felt, of late, that I've turned a corner with regard to homesickness.
I still think about home regularly, but it doesn't hurt as much as it did. The events of this week, however, have made me think again.
Pauline's dad has been hospitalized after a fall at home. He's on the mend, but we're still worried.
The distance between us and our loved ones seems all the more apparent in a situation like this.
People say the world's a small place and you can be anywhere in a day. That's true idealistically, but, realistically, unless you own a private jet, things are a little trickier to say the least.
We want to be there to support Pauline's mum in anyway we can, but we can't and it hurts. We can phone and email but it's not the same as a visit and a hug.
We knew a situation like this would arise sooner or later. You always hope for later but we don't call the shots. All we can do is hope.
Get well soon, Danny Rhyl. We're thinking of you.
I still think about home regularly, but it doesn't hurt as much as it did. The events of this week, however, have made me think again.
Pauline's dad has been hospitalized after a fall at home. He's on the mend, but we're still worried.
The distance between us and our loved ones seems all the more apparent in a situation like this.
People say the world's a small place and you can be anywhere in a day. That's true idealistically, but, realistically, unless you own a private jet, things are a little trickier to say the least.
We want to be there to support Pauline's mum in anyway we can, but we can't and it hurts. We can phone and email but it's not the same as a visit and a hug.
We knew a situation like this would arise sooner or later. You always hope for later but we don't call the shots. All we can do is hope.
Get well soon, Danny Rhyl. We're thinking of you.
Friday, November 09, 2007
European Breakfast
It's Friday once again. Everyone's favourite week day.
This weekend we're off to the Celtic Festival down at Beechworth. It's mostly a Scottish/Irish affair but hopefully there'll be some Welsh input too. The wife emailed the organisers earlier this week and they have asked if our eldest daughter, Robyn, would like to sing in Welsh at next years festival. Bendegedig, as they say yn Gymraeg.
Also this weekend our boy travels to Belize in Central America with his battalion for some jungle manoeuvres. He's coping admirably without us around, as we thought and hoped he would. Bon Voyage Champ!
This morning I had the pleasure of watching the Super Blues play in Europe as I ate my cornflakes. I do apologise to readers who haven't the slightest interest in sporting matters for continually banging on about Everton on this blog, but I find it absolutely mind-blowing that I get to watch them 'live' on this side of the planet! On a Friday morning too!
They smashed the krauts two-nil as well, which was nice. Away from home too. I wonder how many Rhylbillies made the trip out to Germany. I would have gone had I been still a resident of Europe. I like Germany - great beer and even better food.
Not to mention the lederhosen.
This weekend we're off to the Celtic Festival down at Beechworth. It's mostly a Scottish/Irish affair but hopefully there'll be some Welsh input too. The wife emailed the organisers earlier this week and they have asked if our eldest daughter, Robyn, would like to sing in Welsh at next years festival. Bendegedig, as they say yn Gymraeg.
Also this weekend our boy travels to Belize in Central America with his battalion for some jungle manoeuvres. He's coping admirably without us around, as we thought and hoped he would. Bon Voyage Champ!
This morning I had the pleasure of watching the Super Blues play in Europe as I ate my cornflakes. I do apologise to readers who haven't the slightest interest in sporting matters for continually banging on about Everton on this blog, but I find it absolutely mind-blowing that I get to watch them 'live' on this side of the planet! On a Friday morning too!
They smashed the krauts two-nil as well, which was nice. Away from home too. I wonder how many Rhylbillies made the trip out to Germany. I would have gone had I been still a resident of Europe. I like Germany - great beer and even better food.
Not to mention the lederhosen.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Dead Ringer for The King
I went down to Melbourne yesterday.Wasn't over-impressed with the place but I'll get to that later.
While I was there I walked down a lane that was full of buskers doing their thang, when I spotted this Chinese Elvis singing 'Blue Suede Shoes'.
He was the absolute double of young Stuey Harris from back home, so I got a snap to prove it.
I couldn't believe my ears when I saw him. Let me know what you think Rhylbillies!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)