h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So, here I am in Australia. Landed in Sydney before dawn on an autumn morning, and watched the sun rise. Day 1: spent relaxing in Sydney, went up to The Rocks, bought some opal earrings for HI. Then out to dinner at The Summit, a revolving 47th-floor restaurant at the top (well, duh! ) of one of Sydney’s tall towers.

Next day: I went on a climb of Sydney Harbour Bridge. This is an organised excursion, where they fit you out in climbing gear, and take you up one side of the bridge, across the top, and then down the other side – so that you end up on the same side of the bridge as you left from. All in all, a 3 ½ hour trip, including getting into and out of your kit. The views from the top – and indeed, on the way up and down – are, needless to say, spectacular. At one stage there’s a walkway made of metal mesh: if you look down between your feet, you can see...the harbour (and nothing else in between)! Not for those with a fear of heights. It was a brilliant blue day when I made the climb – bright sunshine and no clouds, so I could see for miles and miles – to the blue mountains in one direction, and New Zealand in another (OK, not quite! ) It was pretty breezy at the top of the bridge, and quite chilly too – so you’re glad of the fleece that you’re equipped with at the bottom when you’re kitted up and don’t think you’ll be needing!

Next day, flew into Melbourne to be met by my sister-in-law, then drove up to Castlemaine to see my brother and his family. Now I’m having a relaxing time staying with them, and going out to see the sights in Melbourne and the surrounding Victoria countryside. I’ve been down to Melbourne a couple of times – sampling the fine dining experiences in some of Melbourne’s top restaurants, as well as visiting Bendigo and Dalesford.

On Tuesday, the weather changed, and from being sunny with blue skies, a front has swept in over Victoria bringing much-needed rain to the state, which is suffering from a 10-year drought. Since then it’s been much colder (it’s nearly winter here) and as it’s up in the mountains, frosts and even snow aren’t uncommon. Melbourne has been living up to its nickname of “the rainy city”.

At the weekend, I’m going to watch an AFL game. My brother, who has lived in Australia for 12 years now, is going to attempt to explain the rules to me, but he’s a bit hazy about some of them himself, so...it should be an experience! Apparently the eating of something called a “four’n’twenty pie” is an integral part of the game.

That's about it for now...

RF

Oh sounds like you're having a lot of fun.

AFL - is that the one with "the shorts"? As far as I understand it, if it is, there are no rules. And the two blokes dressed as Butchers are Very Important.

Those four'n'twenty pies are also known as Identify the Animal I understand

*goes back to being veggie*

It reminds me of the Chunky Pies the NAAFI pie wagon used to bring when we were on exercise.

How spooky - I was checking Australia's weather yesterday (for no particular reason).

Chuck us a boomerang, dear!

Mol

Ouch! That hurt!

RF

Glad you're having such a great time.
How much time have we got to finish the m...

err, I mean, when will you be back?

I'll be back in the UK on the 12th to inspect the final state of that other thread...

RF

Oi! You weren't meant to know about t'other thread before your return.

Heh heh heh!

RF

Spoilsport.

still, he doesn't know about what we did to the bathroom...

oops, what a give away

Glad you're having a fab time