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.

My oh my...

... What a long train journey. I reckon it clocked in at about 41 hours. Yes that's right, not 4.1 but 41. Needless to say it was long. Should I ever have a similar rush of blood to head and decide to do it again, I think I'll pay the extra and take a sleeper. Somehow the nice people on Indian Pacific had managed to make chairs that were impossible to sleep on. And no it's not just me whinging. I know this on three counts; firstly everyone else around me had the same problem, I usually have no trouble sleeping on aeroplanes, and finally, I had two seats to myself and STILL couldn't manage it. What with all the time difference and the hallucinatory pressures of sleep deprivation, I'm not really sure, but I think I'm in Perth. Perth's beendescribed to me as a sprawling city that's quite dull. The only reason it's got so many people is that it's so far away from anything else no one can be bothered to leave it. Haha, considering the fact that I've only just booked into the backpackers I really can't pass judgement but I'll let you know within the next couple of days.

Extending your visa is easier than extending your overdraft

That's right, my visa extension has come through. How quick was that? I sat down on Thursday afternoon in a net cafe, 20 minutes later my application was complete, and today the confirmation is through. I'm now allowed to stay in the country till the 30th of May. I don't know if I will or not but it's nice to have the buffer. So Phil, I'll definitely see you in March! Wooooooooo! I reckon it's the West Coast for me now at a nice leisurely pace.

Time difference time schmifference

Where's all my valentine's messages? :-(

Hello everyone. Photo's have finally been scanned in. I'm in Adelaide. It's shit. I'm leaving today... Hurrah! Andy's legged it up to Alice Springs and I'm going to Perth today on the train which'll only take 39 hours. Hmmm. So anyways, click on the photograohy bit at the top and then look for the album called Oz. Here's a little taster.

G'day peeps. And how be all of you? All well and good I hope. The weather here has been absolutely gorgeous for the last couple of days and the Great Ocean Road is proving a good trip (for the second and a half time around). We've had more time this time though, and a car, which makes all the difference. Phil, I didn't get chance to stop in at Warrnambool as Andy and Tina weren't too keen on the idea. Sorry about that.

Been doing loads of sight seeing too. Stopping off at random beaches for a dip in the freezing sea, a tree top walk (47m up in the canopy), saw the twelve apostles again, and am currently in the Grampians which are gorgeous. We went to Mackenzie Waterfall, The Balconies (rock formation with a stunning view) and the aboriginal museumy type thing today. Staying in an eco friendly hostel tonight. Everything is recycled including the shower water (only to flush the toilets though) and the place is lovely. If we had the car for longer I'd push to stay here for a bit longer but we have to be in Adelaide for tomorrow night.

Eating our dinner tonight we were invaded by Kookabarra's (recognised them off the cricket bats) and what I think were cockatoos. Walking back to the car after a fine meal Andy noticed two Kangaroos just munching grass in the park. The whole place is like a safari. Loads of insects too. Haha, playing scabble this evening (it's a quiet place) and two midges landed on the board. They looked to be mating and had aptly chosen the 'e' of the word vet to get down to it on. Caused a titer amongst. I won at scrabble by the way, but does the word 'mutings' exist?

Ask and thou shalt receive

Loads of comments. Haha, cheers guys. I think out of all 18 of the new comments, only four different ones existed. The trick is to just type it, click comment and then leave it till the comment window disappears. If you want to see if it's worked, wait a bit and then refresh the revolicktion page. Aaaaaaaah, genius.

As for me I'm doing a true Birt Packing thing tonight. I'm going to the Neighbours night where I shall meet no less than, Harold Bishop, Toadie and special guest Alf from Home and Away. It'll be Toadie's first night back following a ban (for wooing all the English 'ladies') so he should be on good form. How funny will that be? We were also supposed to be touring the set this afternoon but alas, they'd doubled booked us. No probs though as that means we just go tomorrow and get it for half price. Haha! The only slight problem is that Andy and I need to hire a car, sharpish, to drive to Adelaide in. That was tomorrow's job but now today will have to be spent shopping around for one. Best bet is to go a for a relocation vehicle (cheaper) but whether we'll find one..? who knows?

Checked out the casino last night as it's apparently the largest in Oz. Managed to get away with spending virtually bugger all as we found the poker tables. Haha, you can learn to play for free so we did that for about 2 hours. Just like Late Night Poker except no cash involved. Very much fun.

So the trip to Adelaide should be commencing on Wednesday. Tina from the hostel has also expressed an interest so she may or may not be coming with us.

How are you all doing at home? Hope you're all top and Dandy and fine. Incidentally, could someone please send me Pratt's e-mail address as I need to speak to the young man, if he even has an address these days. And the leg's address wouldn't go astray either.

Jess got off to Finland fine yesterday I believe. Spoke to her in the morning but haven't heard whether or not she got there alright. I'm assuming she did. Right then, sorry for the lengthy post of not much value but I haven't writte for a while. anywho, see y'all anon.