I haven't blogged in an age.
We've had a turbulent time of late with the wife being taken seriously ill and being flown down to Melbourne for treatment. I'm mightily pleased and relieved to report that the medication she's been given appears to be working and she's been back home for over a week now after being in St. Vincents for a fortnight.
It gave us all a hell of a shock and, once again, made me long for the familiar surroundings of home and family. The support we received from 'home' and from our friends and work colleagues over here was overwhelming and I thank everyone for their well wishes and kindness during this time. It was really, really appreciated by both Pauline and myself.
It's going to be a fairly long road to recovery for Pauline and life will never be completely the same again, but that's a small price to pay.
At least she's here.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Victoria Burns
As I type, fires rage all over Victoria and many Victorians are battling for their lives and the lives of others.
The death toll currently stands at 35, but will surely rise. Hundreds of homes have been lost.
There's a fire burning around Beechworth, where I work, only 40kms from here. I've been called into work as many of my colleagues are involved in the struggle to subdue the flames that threaten their property and their lives.
The skies above the Dong are grey with smoke and the smell of burning is ever present outside.
The CFA firefighters will be doing it tough. The temperatures haven't really dropped as predicted so no real respite looks possible anytime soon.
I've recently joined the service as a volunteer firefighter and many of the CFA staff involved in my training will be on the front-line today, tonight and tomorrow.
May God protect them.
The death toll currently stands at 35, but will surely rise. Hundreds of homes have been lost.
There's a fire burning around Beechworth, where I work, only 40kms from here. I've been called into work as many of my colleagues are involved in the struggle to subdue the flames that threaten their property and their lives.
The skies above the Dong are grey with smoke and the smell of burning is ever present outside.
The CFA firefighters will be doing it tough. The temperatures haven't really dropped as predicted so no real respite looks possible anytime soon.
I've recently joined the service as a volunteer firefighter and many of the CFA staff involved in my training will be on the front-line today, tonight and tomorrow.
May God protect them.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Smokin' Hot
The folks arrived safely in Australia on Wednesday morning.
My mum caused a bit of a kerfuffle at customs by beating the record for cigarettes brought into the country by one person. Unsurprisingly customs officials didn't believe her when she told them they were all for her personal consumption and confiscated the lot. They clearly didn't know what a proficient smoker she has become over the years and thought she was going to open an unlicensed tobacconist in the Dong.
The good news is she can pick them up on her departure in two months time.
My dad's holiday began disappointingly for him, when on Thursday morning me and him got up early to watch our teams do battle in the F.A. Cup.
His face was a picture as Everton scored the winner with a mere two minutes remaining in extra-time. Seeing the Blues beat Liverpool has always given me enormous pleasure but to witness it in such a fashion and in the company of a Red was special, very special. Of course Dad didn't think so and spent the day sulking in the garden.
Things didn't improve for him the next day when the sweltering summer heat caused him to faint, giving us all a scare. He's still feeling a bit weak today but is on the mend. The heat's taking it's toll on the entire state, and it's no wonder mum and dad are feeling it more than most.
Fortunately temperatures are forecast to peak at 44 degrees today and then drop to the thirties this coming week.
It won't just be mum and dad that are relieved.
My mum caused a bit of a kerfuffle at customs by beating the record for cigarettes brought into the country by one person. Unsurprisingly customs officials didn't believe her when she told them they were all for her personal consumption and confiscated the lot. They clearly didn't know what a proficient smoker she has become over the years and thought she was going to open an unlicensed tobacconist in the Dong.
The good news is she can pick them up on her departure in two months time.
My dad's holiday began disappointingly for him, when on Thursday morning me and him got up early to watch our teams do battle in the F.A. Cup.
His face was a picture as Everton scored the winner with a mere two minutes remaining in extra-time. Seeing the Blues beat Liverpool has always given me enormous pleasure but to witness it in such a fashion and in the company of a Red was special, very special. Of course Dad didn't think so and spent the day sulking in the garden.
Things didn't improve for him the next day when the sweltering summer heat caused him to faint, giving us all a scare. He's still feeling a bit weak today but is on the mend. The heat's taking it's toll on the entire state, and it's no wonder mum and dad are feeling it more than most.
Fortunately temperatures are forecast to peak at 44 degrees today and then drop to the thirties this coming week.
It won't just be mum and dad that are relieved.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Elation, Deflation
So much for having a cooler summer this year.
During the past fortnight temperatures have seldom dropped below thirty degrees, even at night. Today, at thirty eight degrees, we're having a cooler day but tomorrow it's back up to the forties as summer strikes back with a vengeance and Australia's most severe heatwave in over a century continues.
My folks arrive in Melbourne in the morning, having left a freezing, snow-bound Britain. I doubt whether they'll have ever experienced such a climate contrast in their lives. From zero degrees to forty plus, it'll be a massive shock to their systems. I hope they cope alright.
We had a nice break from the furnace-like temperatures of Australia's interior last week as we headed for the south coast of NSW for our first 'Aussie' holiday.
We stayed in the resort town of Merimbula and it was quite nice. We didn't do an awful lot really, the girls just played in the hotel pool, Pauline did some reading and sun-bathing while I mooched around the area on my bike, stopping off for a bet and a beer every now and then.
My thoughts during the holiday were dominated by events back home. Just prior to us leaving we had the fantastic news that Aunty Lyndsey, or the Colonel as she is lovingly known, has all but beaten her illness. Although, as I understand it, she's not totally out of the woods yet, things are certainly looking very positive and we were cock-a-hoop to say the least.
Less than an hour after recieving that news our joy was tempered somewhat when a phone call from my dad told us of our son Cory's latest misadventure. He's made some very poor decisions of late and is causing us major concern. Hopefully he'll see the error of his ways before he makes a total balls-up of his life.
While we rejoice for the Colonel, we fret for our boy.
During the past fortnight temperatures have seldom dropped below thirty degrees, even at night. Today, at thirty eight degrees, we're having a cooler day but tomorrow it's back up to the forties as summer strikes back with a vengeance and Australia's most severe heatwave in over a century continues.
My folks arrive in Melbourne in the morning, having left a freezing, snow-bound Britain. I doubt whether they'll have ever experienced such a climate contrast in their lives. From zero degrees to forty plus, it'll be a massive shock to their systems. I hope they cope alright.
We had a nice break from the furnace-like temperatures of Australia's interior last week as we headed for the south coast of NSW for our first 'Aussie' holiday.
We stayed in the resort town of Merimbula and it was quite nice. We didn't do an awful lot really, the girls just played in the hotel pool, Pauline did some reading and sun-bathing while I mooched around the area on my bike, stopping off for a bet and a beer every now and then.
My thoughts during the holiday were dominated by events back home. Just prior to us leaving we had the fantastic news that Aunty Lyndsey, or the Colonel as she is lovingly known, has all but beaten her illness. Although, as I understand it, she's not totally out of the woods yet, things are certainly looking very positive and we were cock-a-hoop to say the least.
Less than an hour after recieving that news our joy was tempered somewhat when a phone call from my dad told us of our son Cory's latest misadventure. He's made some very poor decisions of late and is causing us major concern. Hopefully he'll see the error of his ways before he makes a total balls-up of his life.
While we rejoice for the Colonel, we fret for our boy.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Heat Is On
While the U.K. has been enduring freezing conditions over the last few weeks we've also been experiencing a cooler summer than normal.
I'm not complaining, temperatures in the mid-twenties suit me fine. It's been fairly windy too, which has been nice. Some nights we've even needed long sleeves outside. On NYE we dusted off the brazier and fired that up for extra warmth. But the best thing about this weather is that the flies have been virtually non-existent.
This time last year they were the bane of our lives. There were so many of 'em, it was unbelievable. Without warning, one day in late November, they just 'arrived'. In their masses, making our lives a misery until the end of January. Every aspect of the outdoor Aussie lifestyle that we'd moved here to enjoy, was hampered by their constant presence. They were the ultimate pest and I seriously considered turning around and heading home.
Perhaps the cooler temperatures and the breeze have kept their numbers down. That's all changed this last week or so though. It's been in the high thirties all week and today it's 42 degrees.
It's cracking flags as they say back in Blighty.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Cheap Is Good, Free Is Better
Happy New Year to all my readers, I hope you had a good one.
Ours was fairly quiet by usual standards. Hed and Arrrnabel had arrived a couple of days before and we walked down the road to the golf club and had a few drinks while the kids went on the rides and ran around the ninth hole with their pals.
The festivities culminated in a firework display at ten o'clock. We then headed off with friends to our house, where we watched the fireworks from Sydney on telly and saw in the New Year. I had a shift at the gaol the next day so I turned it in shortly after one o'clock. Boooring! The good folk from home will be shaking their heads in disgust. Rightfully so.
New Years Day saw the return of intrepid explorer Neil, to the Dong. He had been scheduled to fly from Sydney at 9.30 in the morning but, due to a heavy night, missed his flight and didn't arrive in Albury until five in the afternoon. He had a ball on tour, but his finances have suffered extensive damage and he has begun his search for gainful employment in the area.
Hed and Arrrnabel returned to the Gold Coast yesterday and seemed to enjoy their stay - we certainly enjoyed having them around. We managed to get a few days out with them, including a day at Albury Races and a trip to Rutherglen's wineries.
It was fortunate that I had a fridge full of home brew as Hed was in thirsty mood during their stay. It was full to the gunnels on their arrival but looked severely depleted on inspection this evening.
Hed's drinking performance surprised me somewhat. I've always considered him a bit of a lightweight when it came to the noble art of knocking back the amber nectar. Clearly what's been holding him back all these years is the fact that he's had to pay for his grog - when it's free and gratis, he turns into the love child of Ollie Reed and Bangor Lil.
You can take the lad out of Rhyl...
Sunday, December 28, 2008
On The First Day Of Christmas...
Thus far I've worked every day over the festive period, including a double shift on Boxing Day. And, although my next pay packet will be bulging, my Christmas could be summed up in two words - the second word's 'boring' and the first rhymes with 'trucking'.
However, now I'm off until my next money-spinning shift on New Years Day, so the fun can begin. Hed and Arrrrrnabel arrive tomorrow, the day after is my birthday and then, of course, it's NYE.
My plans for today are pretty straight forward - I'm gonna get trucking spannered!
However, now I'm off until my next money-spinning shift on New Years Day, so the fun can begin. Hed and Arrrrrnabel arrive tomorrow, the day after is my birthday and then, of course, it's NYE.
My plans for today are pretty straight forward - I'm gonna get trucking spannered!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas In The Trenches
I successfully passed my training course and I'm now a fully fledged member of a profession that could, quite legitimately, be described as the oldest in Australia.
I nearly blew it on the 'end of course' booze up when I got so spannered that I 'redecorated' our motel room thus incurring the severe wrath of the owners, who were so upset by events that they decided to dob me in to the course management.
So, the following morning, I stood bleary eyed and nauseous, outside the Governors office. I felt quite the schoolboy with the 'Beano' annual shoved down the back of his kecks waiting to see the Headmaster. Indeed, the schoolboy feeling remained with me as I copped a dressing-down of gargantuan proportion and I left the office shame-faced, vowing never to drink again.
But, graduate I did and I've spent the last fortnight 'on the job'. Although nothing too major has occured during this period, I've had an interesting and enjoyable time.
On the home front everything is alright. We had a big disappointment last week when our boy, Cory, decided he wanted to stay in Rhyl for Christmas instead of coming out to Oz. We were all upset, especially the girls, but I understand his thinking. I used to love going on leave and 'tanking it up' around town, I had a ball and he wants to do the same. I get it.
That aside, life is sweet. Our lodger, young Neil, is on his travels - he got himself on a Contiki tour from Sydney to Cairns, stopping off at various points on route to get full and chase birds. He's working his way back down to Sydney for NYE with a bunch of people he met on the tour and is spending Christmas in Byron Bay.
As for me, I'm working Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day, which is a bit of a bummer but FNG's have to put up with that sort of thing I suppose. I have got some time off though which coincides nicely with my birthday and , more importantly, our great friends Hed and Arrrrnabel's visit from Queensland.
Although we're on the phone to each other quite a bit, we haven't seen them since our wonderful NYE in Sydney last year and we're really looking forward to their arrival. They're here for almost a week and I'm off work for most of it.
Well folks, it's 6.30 in the p.m. here on Christmas Eve and Santa will be here before we know it - so I'll take this opportunity to wish all our friends and family back in North Wales and all our friends out here, a Happy Christmas.
Eat, drink and be merry. I'll be in prison.
I nearly blew it on the 'end of course' booze up when I got so spannered that I 'redecorated' our motel room thus incurring the severe wrath of the owners, who were so upset by events that they decided to dob me in to the course management.
So, the following morning, I stood bleary eyed and nauseous, outside the Governors office. I felt quite the schoolboy with the 'Beano' annual shoved down the back of his kecks waiting to see the Headmaster. Indeed, the schoolboy feeling remained with me as I copped a dressing-down of gargantuan proportion and I left the office shame-faced, vowing never to drink again.
But, graduate I did and I've spent the last fortnight 'on the job'. Although nothing too major has occured during this period, I've had an interesting and enjoyable time.
On the home front everything is alright. We had a big disappointment last week when our boy, Cory, decided he wanted to stay in Rhyl for Christmas instead of coming out to Oz. We were all upset, especially the girls, but I understand his thinking. I used to love going on leave and 'tanking it up' around town, I had a ball and he wants to do the same. I get it.
That aside, life is sweet. Our lodger, young Neil, is on his travels - he got himself on a Contiki tour from Sydney to Cairns, stopping off at various points on route to get full and chase birds. He's working his way back down to Sydney for NYE with a bunch of people he met on the tour and is spending Christmas in Byron Bay.
As for me, I'm working Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day, which is a bit of a bummer but FNG's have to put up with that sort of thing I suppose. I have got some time off though which coincides nicely with my birthday and , more importantly, our great friends Hed and Arrrrnabel's visit from Queensland.
Although we're on the phone to each other quite a bit, we haven't seen them since our wonderful NYE in Sydney last year and we're really looking forward to their arrival. They're here for almost a week and I'm off work for most of it.
Well folks, it's 6.30 in the p.m. here on Christmas Eve and Santa will be here before we know it - so I'll take this opportunity to wish all our friends and family back in North Wales and all our friends out here, a Happy Christmas.
Eat, drink and be merry. I'll be in prison.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Blood, Sweat And Beers
Two weeks remain on my training course.
I've been on placement locally for the last fortnight, but return to the course on Sunday.
I'm really enjoying it. It has been intense, challenging and, above all, thoroughly interesting. We've covered all manner of things from fire-fighting to plain old fighting, use of pepper spray to use of a verbal spray.
In addition we've also undergone much extra-curricular 'training' in the local pub.
That's one area where I'm excelling.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Celtic Band
It's been a hectic couple of weeks.I'm home for the weekend after completing week two of the seven week training course for my new job. The course is heavy going, but very, very interesting.
Last weekend young Neil and I had a big weekend on the sauce down in Melbourne. We went down to watch England take on Australia in the Rugby League World Cup. Even though the poms got flogged, we had a thoroughly good time. We spent Sunday afternoon in Melbourne's best known British pub, The Elephant and Wheelbarrow, which felt even more homely as it was full of poms doing what feels right on Sunday afternoons - getting full. We also caught up with former Miss Albury, Jen, and her fella Matt and had a good old catch up with them. They told us all about their recent excursion to Europe.
We'll be spending the majority of this weekend in the lovely town of Beechworth at their annual Celtic Festival. It's a great event and this year our daughter Robyn will be performing on the stage accompanied by fellow Welsh Wodongian Glyn on guitar. You can read Robyn's 'festival profile' here.
They'll be performing on both Saturday and Sunday and Robs will be singing in Welsh. It's a big event but she doesn't seem to be nervous at all. I'd be bricking it.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Apprentice
Neil's here!
I picked him up from Melbs safe and sound at daft o'clock on Monday morning. Since then we've done a bit of boozing, a bit of mooching around, etc.
Today he started to earn his keep by helping me fix the brakes on the car and he mowed our extensive grounds all by himself.
This weekend, if he continues his good behaviour, I might even give him some pocket money.
Monday, October 13, 2008
From Pools To Porridge
In exactly one weeks time my former apprentice/understudy/lacky, Neil Wynne, arrives in Australia.
He's in the enviable position of having a one year working visa to explore this great land. He plans to find some work locally and, in between jobs, have a good old mooch around the joint. He wants to do the normal touristy 'stuff' like visit Ayers Rock, the Barrier Reef and get around the state capitals, of course, but, in staying with us, he will also get the opportunity to experience life in 'country' Australia, something many tourists miss out on.
I'll be able to spend the entire week showing him around his new environment, which will be nice, as I've missed the little fella since we've been over here.
I finish my current job as a pool technician this Friday and have a free week before I begin the training for my new role as a prison officer with the Department of Justice.
It'll be a bitter sweet experience as I really have enjoyed what I've been doing for the last ten, or so, months. Working outside in mainly brilliant sunshine doing all sorts of jobs involving domestic and commercial pools has been, quite literally, a real breath of fresh air. I work with a great bunch of people, who I'm sure I'll miss. But, I'm also pretty excited about my new role and the challenges that it will bring.
Additionally, I'll be earning quite a few more beer tokens which, naturally, means quite a bit more beer. Can't be bad!
He's in the enviable position of having a one year working visa to explore this great land. He plans to find some work locally and, in between jobs, have a good old mooch around the joint. He wants to do the normal touristy 'stuff' like visit Ayers Rock, the Barrier Reef and get around the state capitals, of course, but, in staying with us, he will also get the opportunity to experience life in 'country' Australia, something many tourists miss out on.
I'll be able to spend the entire week showing him around his new environment, which will be nice, as I've missed the little fella since we've been over here.
I finish my current job as a pool technician this Friday and have a free week before I begin the training for my new role as a prison officer with the Department of Justice.
It'll be a bitter sweet experience as I really have enjoyed what I've been doing for the last ten, or so, months. Working outside in mainly brilliant sunshine doing all sorts of jobs involving domestic and commercial pools has been, quite literally, a real breath of fresh air. I work with a great bunch of people, who I'm sure I'll miss. But, I'm also pretty excited about my new role and the challenges that it will bring.
Additionally, I'll be earning quite a few more beer tokens which, naturally, means quite a bit more beer. Can't be bad!
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Where Everybody Knows Your Name...
Our friends from Wodonga, Jeff and Sharon are currently on a six week holiday in the good old U.K.This week they called into World Headquarters to say 'Gidday' to my mum and dad.
My dad took Jeff down to that magical place known as 'the Esp'. They sent this snap over to make me feel homesick.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Do Nothing Day
I awoke this Sunday morning, wiped the drool from my chops, glanced at my watch, and turned my thoughts toward the day ahead.
Something was odd. Something didn't seem right. By my reckoning, for the first time in ages, we had absolutely no plans for the day in front of us. No work, no social engagements, no activities for the kids, no jobs around the house, no nothing. Doubting myself, I thought hard. Aside from returning Lowri's friend Portia to her parents after a sleepover, our agenda was empty.
I hopped out of bed, silently chastising myself for thinking of Portia as if she were a library book, and headed to the kitchen, with hope in my heart.
I found the Minister for Home Affairs outside, under the pergola, engaged in a telephone conversation. Judging by the time of day and her lip-speed, it was a call from the U.K.
If this were so, then I may have to wait some time to discover whether or not my hopes of a free day were to be dashed. I paced up and down the kitchen, scanning my minuscule, short-term memory for any recollections of arrangements that I may have overlooked. I checked the diary on my mobile too. Nothing. Zilch. Squat. Sweet F.A. My hopes were rising.
I looked through the patio window, the wife was still going at it hammer and tongs. While I was waiting, I allowed myself to think about how I should spend a completely vacant day. The pub? Hmmm, I could do worse, but no. A round of golf perhaps? Hmmm, tempting, but no, too busy on Sundays and the flies are growing in number.
Then it came to me - a day on the sofa, flicking through the channels on our new telly whilst shovelling scooby snacks into my mouth, pausing only for a nap around lunch-time and then more of the same in the arvo. Homer Heaven!
My excitement was growing, but at the forefront of my mind was the knowledge that women all over the world love nothing more than scuppering such bone-idle plans.
The wife being on the phone allowed me to ponder on how best I should broach the subject. Should I meekly ask what we had planned for the day, allowing her time to come up with no end of chores around the house for me to do? Or should I go straight on the attack by stating that we have nothing planned and just hope not to be corrected?
I opted for the latter as she came into the kitchen, still-hot phone in hand.
'We've got jack-shit to do today,' I said manly.
'Have we?' I added meekly.
I think she could sense the hope within me as she carefully considered what I'd said.
After what seemed like an age, she said, ' No, you're right. I don't think we have'
I walked away, concealing my inner joy, but half expecting a post-script statement beginning along the lines of 'Oh no, I forgot. We have to...'
I increased my pace to get out of earshot should such a statement be made, but nothing was forthcoming. Yes! It was on!
The rest of the day went exactly as I had planned. I love our new telly and I love food.
I had plenty of both.
Something was odd. Something didn't seem right. By my reckoning, for the first time in ages, we had absolutely no plans for the day in front of us. No work, no social engagements, no activities for the kids, no jobs around the house, no nothing. Doubting myself, I thought hard. Aside from returning Lowri's friend Portia to her parents after a sleepover, our agenda was empty.
I hopped out of bed, silently chastising myself for thinking of Portia as if she were a library book, and headed to the kitchen, with hope in my heart.
I found the Minister for Home Affairs outside, under the pergola, engaged in a telephone conversation. Judging by the time of day and her lip-speed, it was a call from the U.K.
If this were so, then I may have to wait some time to discover whether or not my hopes of a free day were to be dashed. I paced up and down the kitchen, scanning my minuscule, short-term memory for any recollections of arrangements that I may have overlooked. I checked the diary on my mobile too. Nothing. Zilch. Squat. Sweet F.A. My hopes were rising.
I looked through the patio window, the wife was still going at it hammer and tongs. While I was waiting, I allowed myself to think about how I should spend a completely vacant day. The pub? Hmmm, I could do worse, but no. A round of golf perhaps? Hmmm, tempting, but no, too busy on Sundays and the flies are growing in number.
Then it came to me - a day on the sofa, flicking through the channels on our new telly whilst shovelling scooby snacks into my mouth, pausing only for a nap around lunch-time and then more of the same in the arvo. Homer Heaven!
My excitement was growing, but at the forefront of my mind was the knowledge that women all over the world love nothing more than scuppering such bone-idle plans.
The wife being on the phone allowed me to ponder on how best I should broach the subject. Should I meekly ask what we had planned for the day, allowing her time to come up with no end of chores around the house for me to do? Or should I go straight on the attack by stating that we have nothing planned and just hope not to be corrected?
I opted for the latter as she came into the kitchen, still-hot phone in hand.
'We've got jack-shit to do today,' I said manly.
'Have we?' I added meekly.
I think she could sense the hope within me as she carefully considered what I'd said.
After what seemed like an age, she said, ' No, you're right. I don't think we have'
I walked away, concealing my inner joy, but half expecting a post-script statement beginning along the lines of 'Oh no, I forgot. We have to...'
I increased my pace to get out of earshot should such a statement be made, but nothing was forthcoming. Yes! It was on!
The rest of the day went exactly as I had planned. I love our new telly and I love food.
I had plenty of both.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Big Game Big Screen
We've splashed out on a new telly.
It's a 42" plasma and in Australian terms would be described as being 'schmick' or 'schmicko', which, roughly translated, means it's the dogs bollocks.
I've been stuck in front of it for the last couple of days, only straying from viewing range to go to work and use the toilet. Today is Aussie Rules Grand Final day and we've pledged our attendance at a barbie. I've offered to drive so I won't be drinking, enabling me to remain fully focused to watch tonight's major sporting events on the big screen.
Firstly, Manly take on the NZ Warriors in the rugby league and then the main course - the Merseyside Derby, Everton v. Liverpool.
This time last year we were all excited as we had Austar fitted on the day of the game, but it ended in disappointment as the dirty Reds got the win, ably assisted by the referee.
I wonder who they've got reffing for them this year.
It's a 42" plasma and in Australian terms would be described as being 'schmick' or 'schmicko', which, roughly translated, means it's the dogs bollocks.
I've been stuck in front of it for the last couple of days, only straying from viewing range to go to work and use the toilet. Today is Aussie Rules Grand Final day and we've pledged our attendance at a barbie. I've offered to drive so I won't be drinking, enabling me to remain fully focused to watch tonight's major sporting events on the big screen.
Firstly, Manly take on the NZ Warriors in the rugby league and then the main course - the Merseyside Derby, Everton v. Liverpool.
This time last year we were all excited as we had Austar fitted on the day of the game, but it ended in disappointment as the dirty Reds got the win, ably assisted by the referee.
I wonder who they've got reffing for them this year.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Taking The Mick
It's a beautiful Sunday morning here and my day, despite having a headache for no apparent reason , just got off to an amusing start.
Reading the Daily Post website I see that ex-Manchester United player Mickey Thomas had his car pinched outside Anfield last week after commentating on the Liverpool/Man. U. game.
Mickey's a colourful character and imagining him wandering around 'enemy territory' scratching his dome, looking for his motor, makes me laugh.
Even funnier though, he's appealed to the 'good' people of Mersyside to come forward with any info regarding his cars current whereabouts. Yeah, righto Mickey, that's likely to happen! Talk about wasting your breath!
Scousers may be good at 'liberating' stuff, but are also renowned for not dobbing their mates in, particularly if the victim of the felony is a former United player who himself is not adverse to a bit of gaining personal wealth through illegal means.
Reading the Daily Post website I see that ex-Manchester United player Mickey Thomas had his car pinched outside Anfield last week after commentating on the Liverpool/Man. U. game.
Mickey's a colourful character and imagining him wandering around 'enemy territory' scratching his dome, looking for his motor, makes me laugh.
Even funnier though, he's appealed to the 'good' people of Mersyside to come forward with any info regarding his cars current whereabouts. Yeah, righto Mickey, that's likely to happen! Talk about wasting your breath!
Scousers may be good at 'liberating' stuff, but are also renowned for not dobbing their mates in, particularly if the victim of the felony is a former United player who himself is not adverse to a bit of gaining personal wealth through illegal means.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Typical Tim
Super Timmy Cahill made his long awaited Everton comeback this weekend. Typically, the Australian Pele scored the winner with a trademark header.
My behaviour was also fairly predictable as I dozed off on the sofa and missed the entire match.
My pre-match preparations weren't ideal, I suppose. They began well enough with me having an afternoon nap after mowing the lawn, but ended poorly as I headed down the Golf Club and sank a few schooners of the amber nectar, rendering me useless for anything, apart from eating six bags of crisps, a sandwich and a bacon omelette, of course.
Needless to say, no sooner had I parked my fat arse in front of the telly, my eyes were shut.
I woke up, covered in crumbs, just in time to see the credits roll. Typical.
My behaviour was also fairly predictable as I dozed off on the sofa and missed the entire match.
My pre-match preparations weren't ideal, I suppose. They began well enough with me having an afternoon nap after mowing the lawn, but ended poorly as I headed down the Golf Club and sank a few schooners of the amber nectar, rendering me useless for anything, apart from eating six bags of crisps, a sandwich and a bacon omelette, of course.
Needless to say, no sooner had I parked my fat arse in front of the telly, my eyes were shut.
I woke up, covered in crumbs, just in time to see the credits roll. Typical.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Victoria's Empire
'I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way' - Linda Creed, 1986.
Surely there can be no finer tonic for life's woes than seeing a whole bunch of kids trying their hearts out and giving it their all.
And last weekend in Melbourne, as privileged guests at the Victoria State School Spectacular, that's exactly what we witnessed.
Pupils from schools all over Victoria were taking part, including forty students from Wodonga Primary, our Robyn being amongst them.
The event was hosted by the Hisense Arena - formerly, and more famously, known as the Vodafone Arena. Believe me, this joint is no two-bit Girl Guide hut, it's a world-class venue more used to hosting major sporting events like the Commonwealth Games than a bunch of schoolkids singing and dancing.
Even more impressive than the venue was the production itself. The logistics, organisation, props, choreography, costumes and make-up would have been befitting a West End musical or a Broadway show.
And the kids themselves - they were something else. Unbelievable. Thousands of 'em were involved and everywhere you looked they were trying their level best. There was no bludging, no having a breather on the wing - from go to whoa they gave it absolute socks. Few things in life touch me as much as a 'young 'un' giving it max, and I barely had a dry eye from the anthem to the encore.
In contrast to the modern trend of over-statement and exaggeration, the Victoria State School Spectacular was appropriately named.
Gee, I was impressed and I was proud - proud of Robyn, proud of the kids from Wodonga Primary and proud of being a resident of Victoria.
Surely there can be no finer tonic for life's woes than seeing a whole bunch of kids trying their hearts out and giving it their all.
And last weekend in Melbourne, as privileged guests at the Victoria State School Spectacular, that's exactly what we witnessed.
Pupils from schools all over Victoria were taking part, including forty students from Wodonga Primary, our Robyn being amongst them.
The event was hosted by the Hisense Arena - formerly, and more famously, known as the Vodafone Arena. Believe me, this joint is no two-bit Girl Guide hut, it's a world-class venue more used to hosting major sporting events like the Commonwealth Games than a bunch of schoolkids singing and dancing.
Even more impressive than the venue was the production itself. The logistics, organisation, props, choreography, costumes and make-up would have been befitting a West End musical or a Broadway show.
And the kids themselves - they were something else. Unbelievable. Thousands of 'em were involved and everywhere you looked they were trying their level best. There was no bludging, no having a breather on the wing - from go to whoa they gave it absolute socks. Few things in life touch me as much as a 'young 'un' giving it max, and I barely had a dry eye from the anthem to the encore.
In contrast to the modern trend of over-statement and exaggeration, the Victoria State School Spectacular was appropriately named.
Gee, I was impressed and I was proud - proud of Robyn, proud of the kids from Wodonga Primary and proud of being a resident of Victoria.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Bad News Bears
I haven't blogged in ages.
It's not that there's nothing going on, there's plenty, but bad news from home has left us reeling.
I won't go into the specifics.
I'll be back.
It's not that there's nothing going on, there's plenty, but bad news from home has left us reeling.
I won't go into the specifics.
I'll be back.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Pole Dancing
As I downloaded the photographs taken on my mobile phone over the last few months, this one struck me as being particularly noteworthy.
This one, simple photograph says a lot about the changing face of multicultural, small town Britain.
It was taken on a Sunday night in Ellis', a nightspot in Rhyl's town centre. In the photograph are a young Chinese kid and a Polish fella. People who reside in bigger, more cosmopolitan areas of the world may think this unremarkable. But to someone like me, who left this country ten months ago, two things are remarkable. Firstly, that there was anyone in Ellis' on a Sunday night at all and, secondly, that it was full of people from all over the world.
Sunday nights out in Rhyl are shit, or, I should say, were shit. Things have changed. On this Sunday, we had a ripper night.
The dance floor resembled a 'ho-down' at the U.N. with nationalities galore strutting their funky stuff. Poles, Latvians, Turks, Indians and Chinese, to name but a few. The fashion police would've had a field day, not to mention the Ku Klux Klan.
The Poles ruled the roost numerically and the lad in the photo ruled the busy dance floor. He danced and pouted his way around the joint like the Polish John Travolta. I studied the scene in awe. All these people. Foreign people. Was this really a Sunday night in Rhyl?
Although this multicultural miracle was mighty impressive, I reckoned it still lacked some antipodean influence. I limbered up, not wanting to 'do a hammy', and decided to enter the fray, representing Australia. I kicked off my thongs and tripped the light fantastic, throwing out some big shapes. My moves were loosely based on an aboriginal dance I'd seen on The Discovery Channel. For added authenticity, I danced in true Aussie fashion - like no one was watching.
My efforts seemed to be appreciated by most, with a couple of noticeable exceptions. Namely, the Polish lad whose spotlight I'd stolen and the bouncer, who told me to put my shoes back on or get out.
Miserable git. Some things will never change.
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