Stop doing what you're doing

And go look at my photos. It's the usual procedure. Click on Photos at the bar on the top of this page. That'll take you to the lomography site. Next scroll down and click on my public albums. From there, click on the one called surfaris and there you go. Easy as a walk in the park.

I'm off to Noosa tomorrow as Brissy's a bit dull and I'm going to meet Andy on Sunday in Hervey Bay to crack on with a trip to Fraser. That means I'll be out of touch again next week but such is the travelling way. Enough chit chat, go look at my pictures.

End of an Era (for now)

The time of surfaris is finally over. Due to a host of factors, not least conditions and injuries This is the first week in a while that I'm not in the sea. I realise that I haven't really described what it was all about all that well, but I found when I was in South Africa last year that if I put absolutely everything I've done on this here blog, I'll have nothing to tell you when I get back. For those of you salivating for more details though, we stayed at Yuraygir National Park in various campsites. Absolutely beautiful spots that I'd love to return to. And it seems that that is in the pipeline (forgive the pun). There's talk of some of us returning to the wilderness in early May, after we've done a few various things, such as Frasier Island, etc. After arsing about in the North for a while we'll meet up back down in Byron, fully recharged, and hopefully not injured, to embark upon another week (or maybe two) of surfing. I am actually missing it loads. Not only the surfing but the whole outdoorsy sleeping in tents, the campfires, the sound of the sea as you go to sleep. City life's shit in comparison. Oh yeah, and I'm back in a city now. Brisbane to be precise. I met up with Clever Claire last night (lived with her in 3rd year of uni) which was cool. Everyone was knackered though so it wasn't a late one. Mind you, I get the feeling Claire returned to her hostel to tie one on.

I'm not entirely sure why I'm in Brissy as I'm once again a bit directionless. However, the north looks good and maybe Andy and I will hook up for a bit of island hopping japery. Never know though. I think he's in Innisfail at the moment. Hmmm, actually Glenda, drop me a mail or ring me or something! Right, I'm off to score some food now. I was threatening to get ill over the last couple of days (a bastardised hybrid of Irish and Canadian illness which has been mercilessly slaying surfaris members left right and centre) but I do believe I've managed to beat it. Feeling a bit better today. Well, that belly rumble's sealed it. Food time.

Oh yeah, photos will be going up tomorrow in the usual place, click the photos bit at the top and then look for my public albums. It'll probably be under surfaris or something equally as imaginative.

Surf Tastic

Been out of touch with everyopne for ages. Incredibly sorry but I've been in the sticks. National Parks down the East Coast, camping right on the beach and surfing every day. Thursday was incredible. So good that we spent 6 hours in the water with only a reluctant break for lunch. I hurt now. Wednesday was pretty insane too. 6 foot waves (that means a 12 foot face) in stormy conditions (the swell came from a cyclone up north). Apparently the radio gave out warnings of dangerous high seas. So me Tao and Jack toodle off to the rocks and flung ourselves into it. Jack's an instructor so he was catching so class waves. I was morew concerned about survivng as I think Tao was. I got smashed by about three waves in a row and on the third my leggy came off. Panic. In high seas and no more surf board. I managed to get it back and had to paddle in with my head low. At least I'm still alive though. Tao caught one of the monsters and rode it for a bit. Lucky bastard. Anyway, more surfing is required, just as soon as I've had a massage. Ciao peeps.

Blogger Happy

I've been a bit post happy over the last couple of days. Pure and simple because it's pissing it down here. Yes very funny, but it does rain in Australia sometimes. I've also signed up some new folk. For those of you that haven't got a clue what this is, it's my travel journal type thing. Photos, words and nonsense relating my nomadic roamings. If you want to unsubscribe feel free. Tis up to you. Links at the top allow you to mail, look at the photos, etc. So have a look around.

Shout Outs

Thanks all and sundry for your latest comments. Most profound some of them. Al, there's absolutely no need to put the same comment up 7 times but fear not, your hard work at the mouse button has won you a rare e-mail from yours truly. Katy, much more sensible putting it up only once and you too have a textual joy waiting for you. Bell, you've won the longest comment ever award. Congrats. Your prize is a tin of HP's All Day Breakfast, to be consumed hot or cold... the choice is yours! One problem though, your yahoo mail address doesn't seem to be working. Please advise.

In Touch with being Out of Touch

The surf trip is finally upon me. If the rain doesn't stop soon it could be an awful and expensive five days of damp misery. Mind you, I suppose I'll be wet most of the time anyway whatever the weather but the tents we'll be using don't look best water proof. As I'll be in the sticks I'll be out of touch for at least five days, including moby as it'll probably be out of range. Just thought I'd let you know, but feel free to leave many a mail for me in my inbox. Usual address. Or use the link at the top if you don't know my address. I've changed that to another mail address (didn't want my personal one flaunted shamelessly over the net) but I'll be checking regularly as always.

Look forward to hearing from you all. The Beek.

Some things you just have to do

Anybody read McCarthy's Bar? Apparently it's really good. I can't comment as I've only read a little bit of it. I rememeber one line though. Something along the lines of, you can never go past a bar that has your name on it without stopping for a drink (he undoubtedly phrased it more eloquently than that... but anyway). Same rules apply here, only on a bigger scale. Click here! Now, dammit! Honestly, it'll knock your socks off. Well it would if you were me.

Been a while

Yep indeedy, I haven't posted on here for ages. Terrencely sorry for the slackness but there you go. Right, quick synopsis of what I've been up to.

Perth was shit. Didn't like it at all. Therefore, I went back to Melbourne. I wanted to go up the West Coast though, and looking back on it I probably should've. Still no regrets. It was one of those drop of the hat decision things to back to Melbourne (been having quite a few of those recently) and I'd really just run out of steam a bit. So back to Melb it was. I do like Melbourne, alot, and it didn't fail to please. Stayed in the same place I was before and just chilled out for a bit.

Whilst there I went to see the Cat Empire for free. A bloke called Phil just walked in and asked me if I'd like to go. Why not? Not that I'd ever even heard them but it was a cracking gig. Recommend you all go out and but it now (perhaps listen to a bit first though).

Following day I was sitting (or rather slouching) outside the kitchen and an American girl called Jesi walked in and asked if anyone wanted to go to Sydney. Much as I hate the city I said yes... for why???? I know not. Still that set us rolling the next day for a three day road trip up to Sydney. It was quite sound actually, with the highlights being:

a Ned Kelly museum (I knew nothing about Ned Kelly before that, let alone that we were in the heart of Kelly Country... every day's a school day),

me driving (to be honest I was sure we were going to get pulled over but it was nice to be back behind the wheel),

just the fact that Gunagai exists (that photo is of the apparently 'famous' Niagra restaurant... Hmm!),

watching the senate in session at Canberra's Parliament House, arguing over whether or not the Iraq war was justified,

finally buying some cds in Canberra; I only had mds and shitty little speakers and Jesi had none,

and the blowhole in Kiama. I'm confident my photo of it is better than that one. I pick it up tomorrow.

Change of Plans

So why back to Sydney of all places, especially when I don't like it that much? Well, Phil and Helen were supposed to be coming out to Cairns in the middle of March for Helen's mate's wedding. I was heading up to Cairns. However, poor Phil had to have his appendix out the other day. The op went well and he's doing fine apart from being, I should imagine, a touch pissed off about being in hospital rather than Cairns. As Phil put it, 'Appendicitis is a right pain in the arse... well, almost.' Good to see he hasn't lost his sense of humour.

What Now?

Flitting between plans is all good and well but eventually you need a little direction otherwise you will become a true nomad. So, with Phil not coming out (thoroughly gutted but what can you do?) I'm still going to go up Cairns way. First off a surf trip from here to Byron Bay. Then up to the Whitsundays and Frasier Island for some yacht / 4 x4 action. Following that up to Cairns. Then over to Ullaru and back down to Adelaide (hmmm....) then...? Well that's as far as I've got for now.

Last Words

Sydney's Mardi Gras starts tomorrow (I think). As a result, Sydney is filled with raving homs. Haha, should be pretty funny though.