We're home and it's great to be here.
We arrived yesterday at half four local time.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A Coal Miner's Daughter
At about 8pm on Monday night we received the dreaded news that Pauline's dad, Dan Jones, had passed away in Glan Clwyd Hospital.
In a few hours from now we're leaving Australia and heading home. Arriving at tea time on Thursday, U.K. time.
We both knew that a moment like this would come, but, however you steel yourself for it, you can never be prepared. Dan had been ill, on and off, since his heart attack and subsequent retirement a good while back, but he's been hanging in there without complaint ever since.
He was a good man. A family man. A son, a brother, a husband, a father and grandfather. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. He mined coal for all his working life, put food on the table and raised his kids the best he could.
And I know that Pauline was proud to be this coal miner's daughter.
In a few hours from now we're leaving Australia and heading home. Arriving at tea time on Thursday, U.K. time.
We both knew that a moment like this would come, but, however you steel yourself for it, you can never be prepared. Dan had been ill, on and off, since his heart attack and subsequent retirement a good while back, but he's been hanging in there without complaint ever since.
He was a good man. A family man. A son, a brother, a husband, a father and grandfather. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. He mined coal for all his working life, put food on the table and raised his kids the best he could.
And I know that Pauline was proud to be this coal miner's daughter.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Fred's Dead
Well, my week of being a single parent is nearly over.
Tomorrow, after work, me and the girls head down to Melbourne to meet up with the wife. We're having the weekend there. We're going to the Olympic gymnastic trials. We went to the swimming trials while we were in Sydney at Easter and the girls loved it.
This week hasn't been easy. It's the lack of freedom that I struggle with, you're chained to the house really. Last night was the first State of Origin game of the year and I would have loved to have watched it down the boozer, but, instead, watched it at home with the girls. They enjoyed it though, which was nice. They're getting into the rugby league now, especially Robyn.
We've also managed to let both of our remaining pets die during the wife's absence. Robyn discovered her pet lizard, Fred, dead in his converted former ice-cream tub yesterday morning and, tonight, when we got back from swimming - oddly enough - our goldfish had stopped swimming and was also brown bread.
We're having a double funeral tomorrow.
Tomorrow, after work, me and the girls head down to Melbourne to meet up with the wife. We're having the weekend there. We're going to the Olympic gymnastic trials. We went to the swimming trials while we were in Sydney at Easter and the girls loved it.
This week hasn't been easy. It's the lack of freedom that I struggle with, you're chained to the house really. Last night was the first State of Origin game of the year and I would have loved to have watched it down the boozer, but, instead, watched it at home with the girls. They enjoyed it though, which was nice. They're getting into the rugby league now, especially Robyn.
We've also managed to let both of our remaining pets die during the wife's absence. Robyn discovered her pet lizard, Fred, dead in his converted former ice-cream tub yesterday morning and, tonight, when we got back from swimming - oddly enough - our goldfish had stopped swimming and was also brown bread.
We're having a double funeral tomorrow.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Cor blimey guv'nor, it was freezing here this morning.
Perhaps I'm turning into a nesh Aussie, feeling the cold more acutely than your average former northern hemisphere resident. The radio said it was five degrees, but it felt lower to me. It was really foggy and overcast too. Very reminiscent of a cold, late October morning back home.
The girls still wore their shorts to school, as did most of the kids I saw when I dropped them off there.
I'm playing the part of Mr. Mum again, as the wife left for Melbourne at the unearthly hour of four o'clock in the morning. This time it's for the full week too.
I used to do this sort of thing regularly back home, but it's much easier these days. The girls do a lot more for themselves. I used to have to do their hair, that was the worst bit. It used to take about fifteen minutes per head of hard labour and at the end of it they still looked like they'd been dragged through a hedge backwards.
Given that I've been sporting an inverted mohican for the last few years, it's hardly surprising that I'm no black belt when it comes to hair styling. I use a flannel when I need to tidy my barnet up.
Hair was a fleeting visitor during the early part of my life, and a nuisance at that, attracting girls and the like. I'm glad it's gone. Things are simpler now.
And, nowadays, the girls take care of their own hair. They do a pretty good job too, saving me time and them ridicule.
Perhaps I'm turning into a nesh Aussie, feeling the cold more acutely than your average former northern hemisphere resident. The radio said it was five degrees, but it felt lower to me. It was really foggy and overcast too. Very reminiscent of a cold, late October morning back home.
The girls still wore their shorts to school, as did most of the kids I saw when I dropped them off there.
I'm playing the part of Mr. Mum again, as the wife left for Melbourne at the unearthly hour of four o'clock in the morning. This time it's for the full week too.
I used to do this sort of thing regularly back home, but it's much easier these days. The girls do a lot more for themselves. I used to have to do their hair, that was the worst bit. It used to take about fifteen minutes per head of hard labour and at the end of it they still looked like they'd been dragged through a hedge backwards.
Given that I've been sporting an inverted mohican for the last few years, it's hardly surprising that I'm no black belt when it comes to hair styling. I use a flannel when I need to tidy my barnet up.
Hair was a fleeting visitor during the early part of my life, and a nuisance at that, attracting girls and the like. I'm glad it's gone. Things are simpler now.
And, nowadays, the girls take care of their own hair. They do a pretty good job too, saving me time and them ridicule.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Clearly Canadian
Sydney was as entertaining as ever.
The highlight of the weekend was returning to my old haunt of twelve years ago, the GarryOwen Hotel in Rozelle. Unbelievably, I was reunited with my old mate Yummy, who I last saw on a memorable Friday night in November 1996, when he gave me the most cherished gift of a South Sydney jersey.
It was amazing to see him again and we reminisced about the good old days and had a general catch-up of what we've been doing since.
The GarryOwen itself hasn't changed a jot. It's as if the place had been locked in a time warp, circa 1996, waiting for my return. I don't think it's even had a coat of paint since I was last in there. I think the website that I visited prior to moving over here, showing it looking like an Ikea showroom, was merely a group of projected images of what they intend to do with the place one day. For me, it was great to see it once again, in all it's shabby glory.
The only lowlight of the weekend was getting in such a state on Anzac day that I caused a bit of a kerfuffle in our dormitory on my return, after a full day on the turps.
We were in a four 'person' dorm and when we checked in, our room-mates were out. So, naturally, we had a quick scan of their gear to see what we could ascertain about them. The only items that weren't buried in dirty rucksacks, were a pair of boxer shorts on the top bunk and a map of Australia, written in French, on the bottom bunk. So me and Young Al assumed that our roomies were two French blokes, or hommes as they are so fittingly called in their native tongue.
That was at nine in the a.m. Fifteen hours, one emotional reunion and many, many schooners of VB later, I returned, prepared myself for slumber and crashed out.
I don't know how many hours later but I became aware of someone gently shaking me and speaking to me in a Chinese accent. I don't know how long this went on for, I thought I was dreaming, but eventually I stirred. I also became aware that I was coughing and spluttering like someone close to death. I sat up and looked to my right. There was this Chinese kid holding a bottle of water out to me, saying,
'You want drink water? You cough'.
I also heard frustrated rustlings from elsewhere in the dorm. I slowly realised that I had woken the whole room up with the cough I've had for the last week or so. I accepted the water and drank it.
The Chinese kid climbed back into his bunk and I tried to settle down again but had another coughing fit. I decided I should stretch my legs. Slowly rising from my pit, stretching, scratching and yawning, I scanned the dimly lit room for my jeans which contained my room key and the key to the bathrooms. Barely able to see, I fumbled around for an age before, once again, I heard a Chinese voice.
'You want more water?'
Before I could reply, I heard another voice. Quite a few octaves higher than the last, Canadian or American in origin and nowhere near as friendly.
'Hey man, this is a mixed dorm. I don't need to see your penis!'
Clearly female and clearly unimpressed.
Sure enough, previously unbeknown to me, my bojangles were on full display. In a futile act I used my hands as a temporary shield, found my undercrackers and headed for the door.
The next morning was tricky. My apologies seemed to fall on deaf ears. We left for our day out in Manly.
However, on our return from the beach, our female room-mate had mellowed somewhat. She introduced herself as Veronique, a French Canadian travelling around Australia. She even brought me a packet of cough sweets.
I apologised a few more times and she seemed to see the funny side of things.
My things, probably.
The highlight of the weekend was returning to my old haunt of twelve years ago, the GarryOwen Hotel in Rozelle. Unbelievably, I was reunited with my old mate Yummy, who I last saw on a memorable Friday night in November 1996, when he gave me the most cherished gift of a South Sydney jersey.
It was amazing to see him again and we reminisced about the good old days and had a general catch-up of what we've been doing since.
The GarryOwen itself hasn't changed a jot. It's as if the place had been locked in a time warp, circa 1996, waiting for my return. I don't think it's even had a coat of paint since I was last in there. I think the website that I visited prior to moving over here, showing it looking like an Ikea showroom, was merely a group of projected images of what they intend to do with the place one day. For me, it was great to see it once again, in all it's shabby glory.
The only lowlight of the weekend was getting in such a state on Anzac day that I caused a bit of a kerfuffle in our dormitory on my return, after a full day on the turps.
We were in a four 'person' dorm and when we checked in, our room-mates were out. So, naturally, we had a quick scan of their gear to see what we could ascertain about them. The only items that weren't buried in dirty rucksacks, were a pair of boxer shorts on the top bunk and a map of Australia, written in French, on the bottom bunk. So me and Young Al assumed that our roomies were two French blokes, or hommes as they are so fittingly called in their native tongue.
That was at nine in the a.m. Fifteen hours, one emotional reunion and many, many schooners of VB later, I returned, prepared myself for slumber and crashed out.
I don't know how many hours later but I became aware of someone gently shaking me and speaking to me in a Chinese accent. I don't know how long this went on for, I thought I was dreaming, but eventually I stirred. I also became aware that I was coughing and spluttering like someone close to death. I sat up and looked to my right. There was this Chinese kid holding a bottle of water out to me, saying,
'You want drink water? You cough'.
I also heard frustrated rustlings from elsewhere in the dorm. I slowly realised that I had woken the whole room up with the cough I've had for the last week or so. I accepted the water and drank it.
The Chinese kid climbed back into his bunk and I tried to settle down again but had another coughing fit. I decided I should stretch my legs. Slowly rising from my pit, stretching, scratching and yawning, I scanned the dimly lit room for my jeans which contained my room key and the key to the bathrooms. Barely able to see, I fumbled around for an age before, once again, I heard a Chinese voice.
'You want more water?'
Before I could reply, I heard another voice. Quite a few octaves higher than the last, Canadian or American in origin and nowhere near as friendly.
'Hey man, this is a mixed dorm. I don't need to see your penis!'
Clearly female and clearly unimpressed.
Sure enough, previously unbeknown to me, my bojangles were on full display. In a futile act I used my hands as a temporary shield, found my undercrackers and headed for the door.
The next morning was tricky. My apologies seemed to fall on deaf ears. We left for our day out in Manly.
However, on our return from the beach, our female room-mate had mellowed somewhat. She introduced herself as Veronique, a French Canadian travelling around Australia. She even brought me a packet of cough sweets.
I apologised a few more times and she seemed to see the funny side of things.
My things, probably.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
A Weekend To Remember
I've just been watching Coronation Street on UKTV.
Tracey Barlow is in court accused of the murder of Charlie Stubbs. Using my blog as a guide, that puts us approximately fifteen months behind the UK screenings of Corrie.
The good news for us though, is that six episodes a week are aired here, compared to five back home. Which means that, in time, not only will we catch up with them, we will, eventually, overtake the UK!
In other good news, tomorrow is Anzac Day. It's the equivalent of Remembrance Sunday in the UK, only the Australian government has got the decency to hold our day of remembrance on a Friday and everyone gets the day off work. To remember.
As for moi, I'll be doing my remembering in Sydney. Me and my young mate Al are flying there tomorrow for a weekend on the lash, sans la famille.
It's been a long while since I had a boys' trip away, I may struggle to keep up with the pace.
Let's hope I don't forget more than I remember.
Tracey Barlow is in court accused of the murder of Charlie Stubbs. Using my blog as a guide, that puts us approximately fifteen months behind the UK screenings of Corrie.
The good news for us though, is that six episodes a week are aired here, compared to five back home. Which means that, in time, not only will we catch up with them, we will, eventually, overtake the UK!
In other good news, tomorrow is Anzac Day. It's the equivalent of Remembrance Sunday in the UK, only the Australian government has got the decency to hold our day of remembrance on a Friday and everyone gets the day off work. To remember.
As for moi, I'll be doing my remembering in Sydney. Me and my young mate Al are flying there tomorrow for a weekend on the lash, sans la famille.
It's been a long while since I had a boys' trip away, I may struggle to keep up with the pace.
Let's hope I don't forget more than I remember.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Up For The Cup!
At around lunchtime today the city of Albury grinds to halt.
For today is Albury Gold Cup day. Businesses, offices, shops, banks and almost all areas of commerce put up the 'closed' sign, lock their doors and anyone who's anyone heads off to the racecourse.
We'll be there of course, as debutants, for this magnificent event. The kids are staying over at our good friends Jeff and Sharon's, so we've got the day to ourselves.
Yippee!
For today is Albury Gold Cup day. Businesses, offices, shops, banks and almost all areas of commerce put up the 'closed' sign, lock their doors and anyone who's anyone heads off to the racecourse.
We'll be there of course, as debutants, for this magnificent event. The kids are staying over at our good friends Jeff and Sharon's, so we've got the day to ourselves.
Yippee!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Wonder Woman
Congratulations are in order in our house as the old bread knife got the job she applied for in work.
Not only has she managed to organise, largely single handedly, our move over here and to juggle a new job in a new environment, whilst continuing to run a busy family home, on top of all that she now runs the IT department that she began working in last August.
I'm glad she's mine.
Not only has she managed to organise, largely single handedly, our move over here and to juggle a new job in a new environment, whilst continuing to run a busy family home, on top of all that she now runs the IT department that she began working in last August.
I'm glad she's mine.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
What's Hot And What's Not
We had an impromptu house meeting the other night and we all wrote down our five favourite things about Australia and our five least favourite things. We did it as a secret ballot, with copying and discussion being discouraged.
Here's what Lowri, our seven year old, wrote, word for word, letter for letter.
Likes
1. the weather
2. the schools
3. the houses
4. the People here
5. I Like the shops
Dislikes
1. I hate the flys
2.When People Die
3. When I miss my friends and my family
4.
5.
Here's what Robyn, aged ten, had to say, again, exactly as written.
Likes
1. The weather
2. friends
3. School
4. Gymnastics
5. Shopping!!
Dislikes
1. Miss the snow
2. Miss family
3. Miss friends
4. sometimes gets too hot
5. That I had to do year 4 and 5 again
And finally, for now, the wife;
Likes
1. The people
2. Climate
3. Housing
4. Family time
5. Space/Roads
Dislikes
1. Miss family and friends
2. Distance from the UK
3. Cost to get to the UK
4. Salaries
5. No NHS
There you have it folks, from the female view point anyway.
I'll get to mine soon.
Here's what Lowri, our seven year old, wrote, word for word, letter for letter.
Likes
1. the weather
2. the schools
3. the houses
4. the People here
5. I Like the shops
Dislikes
1. I hate the flys
2.When People Die
3. When I miss my friends and my family
4.
5.
Here's what Robyn, aged ten, had to say, again, exactly as written.
Likes
1. The weather
2. friends
3. School
4. Gymnastics
5. Shopping!!
Dislikes
1. Miss the snow
2. Miss family
3. Miss friends
4. sometimes gets too hot
5. That I had to do year 4 and 5 again
And finally, for now, the wife;
Likes
1. The people
2. Climate
3. Housing
4. Family time
5. Space/Roads
Dislikes
1. Miss family and friends
2. Distance from the UK
3. Cost to get to the UK
4. Salaries
5. No NHS
There you have it folks, from the female view point anyway.
I'll get to mine soon.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
There Is A Green Hill Far Away...
This Monday, as most of the world knows, was St. Patrick's Day.
Most of the world knows because most of the world celebrates. Even here, in our quiet corner of Australia, Paddy's Day is massive.
Paddy's, Albury's aptly named Irish bar, had a bumper day to say the very least. Me and the wife turned up at tea-time to find the place bursting at the seams, awash with shamrock-clad punters swilling the Guinness as if it were 1999. They had pipe bands, Irish dancing and even a lifelike leprechaun. Green was very much the new black.
I've long since envied the way other nationalities embrace Ireland's national day. Surely no other country in the world shares the Emerald Isle's global popularity.
Without dredging up the past, I haven't always viewed Irish Culture in such a positive light. During my time in the armed forces, certain elements of the island's inhabitants and it's sympathisers regarded me and my mates as their enemy, and we regarded them likewise. Paddy's Day was never circled on our calenders.
Fortunately for us all, things are different now. Age old problems seem to be easing and, besides, age old problems certainly have no place in a new land.
So, for the first time, we joined in this years revelry and felt more than comfortable doing so. And why not? I do get asked which part of Ireland I'm from at least twice a week anyway!
In other news, we head off to Sydney tomorrow to spend the Easter weekend there. We plan to spend some time at the beaches, probably Manly, Coogee and, of course, Bondi. Hopefully, I will also get realise one of my sporting dreams as South Sydney are playing the Bulldogs tomorrow night and I might just be there. Wife permitting, of course.
We had hoped to visit the southern New South Wales coast but couldn't get digs anywhere. Unbeknown to us newbies, Easter is a time when everyone seems to head off somewhere and you need to book well in advance for accommodation in popular spots.
A bit like Christmas, I think Easter is viewed by most Aussies as a chance to getaway and enjoy a few days off work, rather than for it's religious overtones.
I'll be sparing a thought for our saviour though, and my favourite passage from the good book is never far from my thoughts at this time of year.
If my memory serves me well, it goes a bit like this;
The soldier, kneeling before him, did spake unto Christ. With fair mind, in kindly tones and with compassion, he did say unto him;
'Put your feet together please mate, we've only got one nail left!'
Happy Easter folks.
Most of the world knows because most of the world celebrates. Even here, in our quiet corner of Australia, Paddy's Day is massive.
Paddy's, Albury's aptly named Irish bar, had a bumper day to say the very least. Me and the wife turned up at tea-time to find the place bursting at the seams, awash with shamrock-clad punters swilling the Guinness as if it were 1999. They had pipe bands, Irish dancing and even a lifelike leprechaun. Green was very much the new black.
I've long since envied the way other nationalities embrace Ireland's national day. Surely no other country in the world shares the Emerald Isle's global popularity.
Without dredging up the past, I haven't always viewed Irish Culture in such a positive light. During my time in the armed forces, certain elements of the island's inhabitants and it's sympathisers regarded me and my mates as their enemy, and we regarded them likewise. Paddy's Day was never circled on our calenders.
Fortunately for us all, things are different now. Age old problems seem to be easing and, besides, age old problems certainly have no place in a new land.
So, for the first time, we joined in this years revelry and felt more than comfortable doing so. And why not? I do get asked which part of Ireland I'm from at least twice a week anyway!
In other news, we head off to Sydney tomorrow to spend the Easter weekend there. We plan to spend some time at the beaches, probably Manly, Coogee and, of course, Bondi. Hopefully, I will also get realise one of my sporting dreams as South Sydney are playing the Bulldogs tomorrow night and I might just be there. Wife permitting, of course.
We had hoped to visit the southern New South Wales coast but couldn't get digs anywhere. Unbeknown to us newbies, Easter is a time when everyone seems to head off somewhere and you need to book well in advance for accommodation in popular spots.
A bit like Christmas, I think Easter is viewed by most Aussies as a chance to getaway and enjoy a few days off work, rather than for it's religious overtones.
I'll be sparing a thought for our saviour though, and my favourite passage from the good book is never far from my thoughts at this time of year.
If my memory serves me well, it goes a bit like this;
The soldier, kneeling before him, did spake unto Christ. With fair mind, in kindly tones and with compassion, he did say unto him;
'Put your feet together please mate, we've only got one nail left!'
Happy Easter folks.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Indian Summer
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On Saturday evening we headed down to Wodonga city centre for the annual festival, Carnivale Wild.
I say city centre as that's strictly what it is, but it's more like a small town centre - just like Rhyl really.
One thing we love about Australia in general, and this region in particular, are the amount of community based events organised by local towns and cities. In this region alone we have the Tallangata Fifties Festival, the Country Muster, Rutherglen Wine Festival and the Beechworth Celtic Festival to name but a few. This weekend was Wodonga's turn and it didn't disappoint.
The High Street and surronding roads were closed and the whole town centre was full of people, stalls, beer tents, food outlets and performing artistes.
The girls did the usual stuff, got their faces painted, made masks and got temporarily tattooed. There were some great bands on and we sat out, on a beautiful night, until about eleven o'clock.
We really are enjoying an extended summer over here. It's been in the twenties for the last few weeks, but this week it's risen to the mid thirties again like it was in December and January. And they reckon it's gonna get hotter, culminating in weekend temperatures of 38 degrees, which is bad news for me as I'll be spending the next two days on someone's baking hot roof installing solar heating for their pool.
It ain't 'alf hot mum.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Chocks Away!
I took to the skies above Albury Wodonga on Saturday during my first flying lesson.
It was a fantastic experience, I loved it. My instructor, Darren, got us airborne and as soon as we climbed to a decent altitude he handed control over to me. I flew us over Lake Hume and the Dam before heading over to West Wodonga to do a fly past over our house. Then after a couple of laps over The 'Dong, I took us back, following the freeway, and handed control back over to Daz to return us to terra firma. It was great!
At $214 per hour though, my first lesson may end up being my last!
Friday, March 07, 2008
The Spice Of Life
It's been a big week.
On Wednesday we were granted permanent residence status in Australia and on Thursday I had lobster for lunch.
Tonight the wife is having her first 'girls night out' in Australia and tomorrow I'm having a flying lesson.
Variety is the spice of life.
On Wednesday we were granted permanent residence status in Australia and on Thursday I had lobster for lunch.
Tonight the wife is having her first 'girls night out' in Australia and tomorrow I'm having a flying lesson.
Variety is the spice of life.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Previously On Lost
Again, it's been a while since I updated this blog. I haven't been overly busy, usual stuff working, drinking and ferrying the kids around to their activities. The wife has finally updated her blog as well, so if you click here you can read it for yourselves.
We went water-skiing on my boss' boat last weekend. I use the term 'water-skiing' loosely, what actually happened was I got dragged around Lake Hume for half an hour with two pieces of fibre glass attached to my feet. I only managed to actually stand up for about three seconds on my best attempt, and that three seconds was pretty painful as my undercarriage took a battering from the water. The girls enjoyed seeing their old man in pain though and got to have a go on the 'donuts' too, which they loved.
The weather here is just perfect now. It's officially autumn but everyday of late has been in the mid-high twenties and the flies have all but gone, which is a massive bonus.
It's going dark a little earlier of course, and we've slipped into our old habit of lounging around in front of the telly of an evening. After watching it sporadically since it's release in the U.K., we've finally caught up with Lost, after hiring series three, ten days ago. It's been hard but we've toughed it out, putting in a couple of long shifts to ensure we got it back to Video Ezy without incurring any late fees.
Series four isn't out over here yet, so we'll have to find another way to occupy our evenings.
I'm missing Sawyer already.
We went water-skiing on my boss' boat last weekend. I use the term 'water-skiing' loosely, what actually happened was I got dragged around Lake Hume for half an hour with two pieces of fibre glass attached to my feet. I only managed to actually stand up for about three seconds on my best attempt, and that three seconds was pretty painful as my undercarriage took a battering from the water. The girls enjoyed seeing their old man in pain though and got to have a go on the 'donuts' too, which they loved.
The weather here is just perfect now. It's officially autumn but everyday of late has been in the mid-high twenties and the flies have all but gone, which is a massive bonus.
It's going dark a little earlier of course, and we've slipped into our old habit of lounging around in front of the telly of an evening. After watching it sporadically since it's release in the U.K., we've finally caught up with Lost, after hiring series three, ten days ago. It's been hard but we've toughed it out, putting in a couple of long shifts to ensure we got it back to Video Ezy without incurring any late fees.
Series four isn't out over here yet, so we'll have to find another way to occupy our evenings.
I'm missing Sawyer already.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Veni, Vidi, Vici
He came, he scored and he conquered.
Good old Super Tim played a blinder as the Socceroos beat Qatar 3-o. That's him celebrating his goal in what has become trademark fashion
Good old Super Tim played a blinder as the Socceroos beat Qatar 3-o. That's him celebrating his goal in what has become trademark fashion
Not only did Super Tim score, but so did Wodonga's very own Josh Kennedy. Our little hometown proudly boasts to be the home of two current Socceroos - Josh Kennedy and Archie Thompson.
When you consider that Wodonga, with only 35,000 residents, has a population similar to Rhyl and has two of it's sons representing a nation of over 20 million, you can't fail to be impressed.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Football's Coming Home
As I type, the one, the only, Super Timmy Cahill is heading home.
Yes, my hero, the Australian Pele is winging his way to Melbourne to join the Socceroos as they prepare to take on Qatar in their opening qualifier for the 2010 World Cup.
All Hail Super Tim, Everton Legend!
Bet he scores.
Yes, my hero, the Australian Pele is winging his way to Melbourne to join the Socceroos as they prepare to take on Qatar in their opening qualifier for the 2010 World Cup.
All Hail Super Tim, Everton Legend!
Bet he scores.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Never Say Dai
It's been a while since my last blog entry. I've had a lot to blog about but little time to do so. We've been using the library and the Commercial Club in town for our internet use so that can be restrictive, but now we're on t'internet at home so I've got no excuse.
We've had a hectic time of late. Saying goodbye to the folks was sad, but not half as sad as I'd expected. I'd envisaged wanting to get on the plane with them when they left for home, but I didn't feel like that at all, which surprised me. I was sad to see them go, of course, but glad I was staying put.
We've had another house guest since I last blogged, my little mate Dan Barker from Halkyn, North Wales. Dan's a real blast and a great bloke to have around. He helped to ease the pain of my parents departure.
I got to know young Dan many moons ago on his brother Paul's stag nights/weekends (he had two, the cheeky monkey.) Although we haven't seen an awful lot of each other since, our friendship was forged on those two momentous tours and flourished further during the wedding and christenings that have followed.
Dan's currently on the Australian leg of his world tour. On and off he's been travelling for ten years, returning home for periods just to save up enough money to travel again. He arrived here in Albury Wodonga via Perth, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. We picked him up from the pub near the train station and after an hour getting freshened up at home we headed off to Albury city centre for a night on the grog.
Dan's bird mad, and we couldn't have picked a better night for him to be in town as there were three hen nights going on. During the evening Dan chanced his arm with all three groups, but to no avail. He tried and tried all night, but as chucking out time approached it appeared as if he would come up empty handed for a change. While mere mortals would have consoled themselves by cuddling up to a pizza or a kebab, the Pride of Halkyn just lowers his standards and ups his game.
As we stood about to board the courtesey bus home Dan's prospects looked bleak, but as he climbed onto the bus he immediately identified a target, got 'missile lock' and homed in, plonking himself down on the seat next to his unsuspecting victim. We moved further down the bus and watched the little master at work. After a brief bit of small talk the little fella cut to the chase and threw the lips on her in a big way, not coming up for air for a good five minutes. He then preceeded to give her some more flannel before initiating another lengthy bout of tonsil tennis.
The journey home lasted longer than usual because of the number of drop-offs we made and gave Dan the opportunity to transfer about two litres of saliva into his new birds gob. They looked like newly-weds as he gazed into her eyes, fed her his best lines and licked her chops in front of the whole bus. When we arrived at our stop I'd assumed we'd be having an extra house guest that evening, but Dan, like the true gentleman he isn't, simply pecked on her soaking wet cheek, thanked her for her company on the journey and staggered off the bus. We were amazed, but that's Dan for you.
The remainder of his all-too-brief stay was a good laugh and we're hoping he'll swing back this way before he departs for New Zealand. I think the bird from the bus would like to see him again as well.
I was also proud to witness another example of extreme Welsh persistance this weekend as the Welsh rugby team came from behind to give the English a beating at Twickers. It doesn't happen that often these days and was great to watch.
Da iawn hogiau! Twll du bob Sais!
We've had a hectic time of late. Saying goodbye to the folks was sad, but not half as sad as I'd expected. I'd envisaged wanting to get on the plane with them when they left for home, but I didn't feel like that at all, which surprised me. I was sad to see them go, of course, but glad I was staying put.
We've had another house guest since I last blogged, my little mate Dan Barker from Halkyn, North Wales. Dan's a real blast and a great bloke to have around. He helped to ease the pain of my parents departure.
I got to know young Dan many moons ago on his brother Paul's stag nights/weekends (he had two, the cheeky monkey.) Although we haven't seen an awful lot of each other since, our friendship was forged on those two momentous tours and flourished further during the wedding and christenings that have followed.
Dan's currently on the Australian leg of his world tour. On and off he's been travelling for ten years, returning home for periods just to save up enough money to travel again. He arrived here in Albury Wodonga via Perth, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. We picked him up from the pub near the train station and after an hour getting freshened up at home we headed off to Albury city centre for a night on the grog.
Dan's bird mad, and we couldn't have picked a better night for him to be in town as there were three hen nights going on. During the evening Dan chanced his arm with all three groups, but to no avail. He tried and tried all night, but as chucking out time approached it appeared as if he would come up empty handed for a change. While mere mortals would have consoled themselves by cuddling up to a pizza or a kebab, the Pride of Halkyn just lowers his standards and ups his game.
As we stood about to board the courtesey bus home Dan's prospects looked bleak, but as he climbed onto the bus he immediately identified a target, got 'missile lock' and homed in, plonking himself down on the seat next to his unsuspecting victim. We moved further down the bus and watched the little master at work. After a brief bit of small talk the little fella cut to the chase and threw the lips on her in a big way, not coming up for air for a good five minutes. He then preceeded to give her some more flannel before initiating another lengthy bout of tonsil tennis.
The journey home lasted longer than usual because of the number of drop-offs we made and gave Dan the opportunity to transfer about two litres of saliva into his new birds gob. They looked like newly-weds as he gazed into her eyes, fed her his best lines and licked her chops in front of the whole bus. When we arrived at our stop I'd assumed we'd be having an extra house guest that evening, but Dan, like the true gentleman he isn't, simply pecked on her soaking wet cheek, thanked her for her company on the journey and staggered off the bus. We were amazed, but that's Dan for you.
The remainder of his all-too-brief stay was a good laugh and we're hoping he'll swing back this way before he departs for New Zealand. I think the bird from the bus would like to see him again as well.
I was also proud to witness another example of extreme Welsh persistance this weekend as the Welsh rugby team came from behind to give the English a beating at Twickers. It doesn't happen that often these days and was great to watch.
Da iawn hogiau! Twll du bob Sais!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Mercury Rising
It's been absolutely roasting here this week.
It's been in the high thirties all week and is forecast to touch forty today. It's even been too hot for mum and dad to sunbathe and they are devout sun-worshippers. They've got good tans already though, with dad bearing more than a passing resemblance to Mohatma Gandhi.
It's hard on us outside workers too, although I'm surprised with how well I've coped. You sweat buckets, but kinda get used to it.
Tomorrow promises cooler temperatures, which would be nice as we're off to visit the wineries of nearby Rutherglen.
It's been in the high thirties all week and is forecast to touch forty today. It's even been too hot for mum and dad to sunbathe and they are devout sun-worshippers. They've got good tans already though, with dad bearing more than a passing resemblance to Mohatma Gandhi.
It's hard on us outside workers too, although I'm surprised with how well I've coped. You sweat buckets, but kinda get used to it.
Tomorrow promises cooler temperatures, which would be nice as we're off to visit the wineries of nearby Rutherglen.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Old Dog, New Tricks
Today is my 40th birthday.
To celebrate this momentous event and also to bring in the New Year, we've journeyed to Sydney.
Last night we spent the evening down at The Rocks and Darling Harbour before heading back to the hotel where me and dad had a nightcap to bring in my birthday.
It's 7.30am here now, I got up extra early to open my cards and gifts. Thanks to everyone from home who got stuff out to me for the big day, it was overwhelming.
I won't bore you by listing all my pressies, but the main one was a flying lesson to be taken at Albury airport.
And, in one hours time, I will be meeting up with my old mate Hed for a surfing lesson at Bondi beach.
Following that we'll be having lunch out at Manly with the folks and then me and the wife are having a big night out in Sydney.
Contrast today's plans with my birthday last year - they're a world apart. Literally.
According to my blog entry one year ago, I spent a soggy day in Rhyl with Weeb as we scoured the towns pubs trying, unsuccessfully, to find somewhere to watch the Everton-Newcastle game.
I would dearly love to be drinking with Weeb today, but here in Sunny Sydney not Rainy Rhyl.
To celebrate this momentous event and also to bring in the New Year, we've journeyed to Sydney.
Last night we spent the evening down at The Rocks and Darling Harbour before heading back to the hotel where me and dad had a nightcap to bring in my birthday.
It's 7.30am here now, I got up extra early to open my cards and gifts. Thanks to everyone from home who got stuff out to me for the big day, it was overwhelming.
I won't bore you by listing all my pressies, but the main one was a flying lesson to be taken at Albury airport.
And, in one hours time, I will be meeting up with my old mate Hed for a surfing lesson at Bondi beach.
Following that we'll be having lunch out at Manly with the folks and then me and the wife are having a big night out in Sydney.
Contrast today's plans with my birthday last year - they're a world apart. Literally.
According to my blog entry one year ago, I spent a soggy day in Rhyl with Weeb as we scoured the towns pubs trying, unsuccessfully, to find somewhere to watch the Everton-Newcastle game.
I would dearly love to be drinking with Weeb today, but here in Sunny Sydney not Rainy Rhyl.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Field Of Dreams
Christmas has been good so far. Having the folks here has made all the difference.
Me and dad had a traditional Christmas lunchtime drink with fellow expats Glyn and Alun followed by Christmas lunch at home with all the trimmings. We rounded the day off with a pool party at Dave and Karen's house, around the corner from our own.
Boxing Day saw us visit Wodonga races. My luck was in as I backed the winner in the first three races. I lost the final three, but still ended up even-stevens overall.
We're in Melbourne at the moment. The girls have been to St. Kilda beach while me and dad have spent the day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground watching the test match between Australia and India.
The 'G', as it's affectionately known, is an awesome sporting arena and a must-see for any sports fan. Dad had his photo taken with the statues of Dennis Lillee and The Don himself, Sir Donald Bradman.
Being at a test match was a first for both of us and although it was a relatively ordinary days play it was still an unforgettable experience to be there, especially with the old man, who's a lifelong cricket fan.
I have fond childhood memories of watching cricket with him, as he explained the games intricacies to me as a young boy. I recall sitting cross-legged in front of the telly in our lounge in Winchester, watching some of the games greats like Lillee, Thomson, Richards, Lloyd and Boycott, with my dad in the armchair behind me.
Today, we were at the 'G' watching modern day greats Tendulkar, Hayden, Kumble and Lee.
The place and the names may have changed, but it was still me and my dad watching the cricket.
Me and dad had a traditional Christmas lunchtime drink with fellow expats Glyn and Alun followed by Christmas lunch at home with all the trimmings. We rounded the day off with a pool party at Dave and Karen's house, around the corner from our own.
Boxing Day saw us visit Wodonga races. My luck was in as I backed the winner in the first three races. I lost the final three, but still ended up even-stevens overall.
We're in Melbourne at the moment. The girls have been to St. Kilda beach while me and dad have spent the day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground watching the test match between Australia and India.
The 'G', as it's affectionately known, is an awesome sporting arena and a must-see for any sports fan. Dad had his photo taken with the statues of Dennis Lillee and The Don himself, Sir Donald Bradman.
Being at a test match was a first for both of us and although it was a relatively ordinary days play it was still an unforgettable experience to be there, especially with the old man, who's a lifelong cricket fan.
I have fond childhood memories of watching cricket with him, as he explained the games intricacies to me as a young boy. I recall sitting cross-legged in front of the telly in our lounge in Winchester, watching some of the games greats like Lillee, Thomson, Richards, Lloyd and Boycott, with my dad in the armchair behind me.
Today, we were at the 'G' watching modern day greats Tendulkar, Hayden, Kumble and Lee.
The place and the names may have changed, but it was still me and my dad watching the cricket.
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