Journal Entries
Back to the UK for a visit
Posted Jun 8, 2011
My ticket is booked and I'm coming home for a couple of weeks.
I'm in a strange position that I'm living in Sydney most of the time and my return ticket finishes in the UK - so I have the problem of do I buy a single when I come back to Sydney and then buy return airline tickets from this end.
I go home with Etihad via the middle east but come back with Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong - any tips from seasoned travellers?
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Latest reply: Jun 8, 2011
Be careful what you wish for...
Posted Jan 11, 2011
I wanted to see a big spider while in Australia. I mentioned in a previous mail that the Huntsman is a big beast and would love to see one.
As I pulled into my parking space in the underground carpark and turned the engine off my little neck hairs stood on end as a Huntsman spider made its way straight up the middle of my windscreen from where the wipers are partially hidden by the bonnet. I have quite big hands but this thing would have hung off either side of my palm if I had had the nerve to handle it.
I got my bags together and prepared myself to get out of the car. In my mind I had the plan that I would get out, step away, shut the door and then see what happened. I didn't want it leaping into the driver's seat while the door was opened so I moved a bit smartish. It did run across the roof of the car in my direction but travelled straight down the side. I had time to take a picture with my mobile phone to show non-believers.
I went into the office and spent the morning in meetings and then at lunch time I told one of my colleagues that was coming to lunch with me that I had had a big spider on the car. When I parked in the shopping centre car park and we got out the spider came out again and walked up the door (luckily closed). "See! That's the one!" I casually announced while jumping up and down on the spot waving my arms.
We had lunch and I went back to the car while my colleague went to the bank. I had a look all around the car to see if the spider was near any door opening. Nothing! Phew.
I got in and started driving towards the exit. Then something caught the corner of my eye and I turned round to look out the drivers door window. There squarely in the middle of the glass was the spider. Enormously big and enormously close to my face. Think! how will I get my ticket into the machine to get out of the car park? I'm not winding the window down with that great thing staring at me. Oh, yes! this is a free car park and I don't have to pay! THANK YOU! At which part the spider seemed to disappear and I went back to the office.
Back in my own parking space I carefully got out and looked all around the vehicle. It's gone. Thank goodness!
"Can you take this cheque to Dryden Avenue?"
"Yes, of course no problem!"
At Dryden Avenue I was met by one of the workers. "Cooee! Happy New Year!"
"Happy New year. Did Lena tell you about the spider I had on the car?"
"Yes she did!"
Right on queue O'Ryan (with reference to the constellation of similar sound) popped himself out from his hiding place and skittered across the windscreen and across the roof. He dutifully behaved while having his photo taken and responed like a pro when gently prodded with a leaf to move to a more photogenic part of the car than underneath the windscreen wiper.
I have driven home and parked but I don't know whether my driving companion will be there in the morning. I am now in two minds as to whether I want him to be there!
I have parked the
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Latest reply: Jan 11, 2011
He was a cannibal
Posted Dec 3, 2010
I'm not sure if I need my ears washed out or whether I will just have to wait to acclimatise, but I keep mishearing things.
A young woman was telling me about a play she had been in, "It was a play about a fart. Two men were farting. They were farting over a woman."
Then it clicked and I almost jumped. It was a play about a fight. Two men were fighting. They were fighting over a woman. I was so relieved.
Can you imagine my consternation when I heard that a man I knew was a cannibal.
"He's a cannibal."
Dumb look on my fizzog.
"He can try and deny it, but in the end it's his responsibility. He's a cannibal"
Jump again as it sinks in, "He's accountable!"
Woohoo! My liver is safe and the fava beens can stay in the tin.
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Latest reply: Dec 3, 2010
I'm in Melbourne, now.
Posted Nov 19, 2010
Today I spent a full day in Melbourne having had a one hour flight from Sydney yesterday and a meal with some really nice people.
I went to the art gallery and saw some really striking Aboriginal artworks. I was allowed to take photos so long as I didn't flash.
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Latest reply: Nov 19, 2010
My first Day in Hobart, Tasmania
Posted Oct 4, 2010
I arrived last night when it was quite dark and friends met me at the airport and took me to where I was staying. Today I have been able to look around in the daylight and I really like it. It is green and mountainous, a bit like Wales. It was rainy and overcast when I left Sydney. Today it is sunny and bright and I had a very pleasant lunch outdoors. Mount Wellington is very impressive and apparently had snow on it up until last week. I'm not sure how much of the Island I'll get to see while I am here (business trip for two weeks) but my hosts are a lovely bunch and I'm sure they will let me have a look around.
The flight from Sydney is only an hour and a half and it's not too expensive. Budget airlines are here too. I'm hoping to get to Melbourne in November to see friends there.
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Latest reply: Oct 4, 2010
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