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.

Indian Summer

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Do They Know It's Christmas?

It's lunchtime on Christmas Eve, the sun is shining and I've been working.

The latter two events may explain why I'm struggling to feel any Christmas spirit.

The calender says it's Christmas, so it must be. I think it's just a much lower key event over here. I can't say I'm too bothered about that, Christmas is over-hyped in the UK. People see it as a nice week or two off work over here and that's about it. Xmas decs go up, presents are exchanged and all that, but on a smaller scale.

I got a great pressie from my new boss - a Leatherman multi-tool. I've owned a Gerber one for a while but always fancied the more compact Leatherman. And now I've got one. Get in!

Fair do's to the guy, I've only been there a week or so. I'm working as a pool technician, repairing and installing swimming pool equipment. It's an interesting job with plenty of variety and I'm enjoying it thus far.

During the break we're taking the folks down to Melbourne, me and dad are going to the cricket at the MCG, and then off to Sydney for my birthday and the New Year.

I was on the phone to my old mate Weeb last night and he was telling me of his xmas plans - the lads are meeting up at two in the arvo, in about nine hours time, in the Swan and getting on it for the day. I wish I could join them for an hour or two's festive drinking.

We'll miss our xmas drink with Caroline and Paul this year in The Crown, Trelawnyd and our xmas day drink with everyone in the Esp.

We'll be thinking of everyone from home and we hope you all have a great, safe xmas.

Have one for us.

In Rod We Trust

Tonight is Wodonga's 'Carols By Candlelight' service down at nearby Willow Park.

Robyn is taking part and virtually the whole town will be there to watch. She is part of a three girl group and will be singing three songs on the main stage.

She was on local telly on Friday promoting the event. And yesterday they performed at the Mate Street Festival in Albury. It was great to see her perform in front of a crowd and to have her grand parents there too was nice. She sings a solo part during 'Silver Bells', something she would have never have had the confidence to do back home.

Last night me and the wife had our first night out together since our arrival in Australia. It was the Softball team's Xmas do and we had a good time. I'm struggling to get my head around the fact that it's the festive season- it just doesn't seem right in the warmth of an Aussie summer.

Joining the Softball team, as gay as it sounds, was a social master stroke, as they're a great mob, all around our age with a similar outlook on life as ourselves.

Last night we both noticed how the Aussies seem to be charmingly lacking in self-consciousness. We spent a good deal of the night observing them as they let their hair down. They dance like no-one's watching.

We caught the excellent courtesy bus home for the bargain price of $5 apiece and whilst travelling we witnessed another example of them not giving too much of a hoot.

This pretty young girl got on the bus, her appearance not dishevelled even after a nights partying. She looked about eighteen or nineteen, prime age for vanity. She sat on her own near the front and about ten minutes into the journey she reaches into her handbag and pulls out this massive chicken leg and starts munching on it. Due to it's 'doggy-bag' style of packaging it was obvious that she had liberated said leg from the buffet of the Xmas party she had been attending. She gets down to the bone in no time and then, very delicately, wipes her chops as if she's at the Captains Table and folds up all her rubbish and tucks it neatly away into her bag.

Nothing too remarkable, I suppose, and no-one on the bus so much as raised an eyelid but it struck both me and the wife how unlikely it would have been to have witnessed this in the UK. She probably wouldn't have travelled alone to start with and it's unlikely such a bus service would even be running at that time of the morning anyway. Thirdly, self-consciousness would have prevented her British counterpart from, not only, eating her snack until she was safely out of the sight of her peers, but also of taking it in the first place.

In other local news, Wodonga's superbly named Mayor, Rodney Wangman, has been re-elected to serve a second term.

Although Rod possesses the classic political 'smiling assassin' look I'm glad, purely on the basis of him having such a cool name.

So Far So Good

My folks have been here for two weeks now.

It's absolutely flown by and it makes you realise the worth of having an extended stay over here. They didn't seem to suffer too badly from the jet lag that hampered our first week in Australia

We haven't done an awful lot, the folks are happy just coming and going as they please and sitting out in the sun all day.

We've had a couple of nights out down at the golf club and we went to Pete and Helen's for a barbie at the weekend. They seem to like their surroundings and it's been great for us to have them here.

Our house feels more like a home now they're here and even when they do go back, just the fact that they were here and we'll be able to relate our everyday environment to them will help. It'll help me anyway.

Although I'm enjoying life I'm still missing home. Not all the time but with varying frequency and intensity. Knowing we can go back is a great crutch for me. Whether we will or not remains to be seen. Life is better here, in many ways, but whether it's that much better to compensate for missing family, friends and familiarity, I'm unsure.

Whatever happens, this has been an amazing experience thus far and has benefited us a great deal. All of our horizons have been broadened massively and that can only be a good thing. As individuals and as a family I feel we have learnt an awful lot.

When I think about how far we've come, not in a physical sense, but in a development sense, I feel proud. We are carving out a life for ourselves from nothing in a brand new environment.

We've really challenged ourselves by moving so far away from what had become our comfort zone and we're doing OK.

All About Becks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!