Wow, I didn't expect that!
Fantastic performance from the England boys yesterday that shut up more than a few aussies that were sat around me at the 'G. Great recovery to restrict them to 252ao when they should have got well over 300, followed by Colly's 2nd consecutive century and good contributions from Belly and Fred. I must say though that the 'G is awesome and certainly the best cricket venue in the world. The only downside is that tickets for the 2nd final in Sydney tomorrow are going for double face value and it would cost me 300 bucks and a night in the airport to get there - tempting, but not that tempting!
One negative comment from yesterday was the farcical decistion to restrict drinks to two per person, making it a pain in the backside to get a round in for the three of us (me, Dom and the old man). Every other ground (even the fascists at the Gabba) would let you buy 4 or 5 at a time - it was a minor annoyance on a great day. that was finished off with a bottle of:
Crown
A lager produced by Fosters, and a hell of a lot better than the Carleton Mid they were serving in the ground!!! A quiet day today I think before settling in to watch the match on the tele tomorrow. I'm 3-1 so far!
A very happy England fan
R
Friday, 9 February 2007
Thursday, 8 February 2007
Aussie Beer of the Day #17, #18 and #19
Sorry folks, but I've been a bit remiss on getting onto the internet until now. Am now back in Melbourne and getting ready to watch England tround the Aussies in the first final in a couple of hours!!!
The Gabba was a great place to watch cricket, if a little bit concretey. Mind you, most of Brisbane is like this so why should I expect the cricket ground to be any different. A great innings from Colly, with good support from Strauss and Jamie D got Englan a reasonable 270 - and got me over the disappointment of Michael Vaughn getting out without laying willow on leather! A shocking first few overs, they got to 50 in the 6th, were dragged back well by Freddie and Monty. Colly also bowled well, but they still looked favourites needing 80 off 10 overs with wickets in hand. But England managed to take wickets steadily from then on and they never caught up the 20 run differential. Bring on the Aussies. Unfortunately I can't reprot a new beer from the ground because they only served XXXX Gold, however I did have a quick one in the hotel, which was:
Cascade Premium
A damn good drop. So up early at 4-30am, which idiot booked the 6-50 flight because it was cheap, and back to Melbourne. Fairly quiet rest of the day 'cos I was knackered, but did manage a:
Redback
A pretty good wheat beer. Then back out in Melbourne city yesterday. Had a nosey round the market, casino and lunch on the south bank. Followed this with a trip on the circular tram, a pub visit or two and then dinner with the folks and family here in a really nice restaurant on docklands. However I must report that no beer was consumed yesterday, but I did try:
Bundy's and Ginger Beer
Which is a bit more refreshing than the usual Bundy's and coke (Bundy's is Bundaberg Rum for the uninitiated), but probably not the session drink the coke variety is!!! Must go and don the lucky shirt for todays match - Come on England!!!
From Melbourne
R
The Gabba was a great place to watch cricket, if a little bit concretey. Mind you, most of Brisbane is like this so why should I expect the cricket ground to be any different. A great innings from Colly, with good support from Strauss and Jamie D got Englan a reasonable 270 - and got me over the disappointment of Michael Vaughn getting out without laying willow on leather! A shocking first few overs, they got to 50 in the 6th, were dragged back well by Freddie and Monty. Colly also bowled well, but they still looked favourites needing 80 off 10 overs with wickets in hand. But England managed to take wickets steadily from then on and they never caught up the 20 run differential. Bring on the Aussies. Unfortunately I can't reprot a new beer from the ground because they only served XXXX Gold, however I did have a quick one in the hotel, which was:
Cascade Premium
A damn good drop. So up early at 4-30am, which idiot booked the 6-50 flight because it was cheap, and back to Melbourne. Fairly quiet rest of the day 'cos I was knackered, but did manage a:
Redback
A pretty good wheat beer. Then back out in Melbourne city yesterday. Had a nosey round the market, casino and lunch on the south bank. Followed this with a trip on the circular tram, a pub visit or two and then dinner with the folks and family here in a really nice restaurant on docklands. However I must report that no beer was consumed yesterday, but I did try:
Bundy's and Ginger Beer
Which is a bit more refreshing than the usual Bundy's and coke (Bundy's is Bundaberg Rum for the uninitiated), but probably not the session drink the coke variety is!!! Must go and don the lucky shirt for todays match - Come on England!!!
From Melbourne
R
Sunday, 4 February 2007
Aussie Beer of the Day #15 and #16
Made it to Brisbane. Many thanks to Fitzy's Dad, Rod, who picked me up from the airport and showed me round on Saturday afternoon. Got a great seat on the halfway line for the Super 14 game between the Reds and Hurricanes on Sat night. Cracking match, the pace of the game was extraordinary! Shame it was a bit spoiled by the South African ref, Caplan, who continued his kiwi biase for the evening. Beer in the ground was self-service, another good idea, so I had to sample the local brew:
XXXX
Not to be confused with XXXX Gold, which I have to say I preferred!!! Had a fairly quiet day yesterday. Mooched around the city for a while before going out in the evening and watching the Aussies beat NZ in a couple of pubs. That really sets the game up here on Tuesday - winner goes to the final! Controversially, a different type of ale was tried:
Tooheys Old
Which is a stout. Didn't realise this when I ordered it, but its not as heavy as Guinness so it went down ok.
Form Bris
R
XXXX
Not to be confused with XXXX Gold, which I have to say I preferred!!! Had a fairly quiet day yesterday. Mooched around the city for a while before going out in the evening and watching the Aussies beat NZ in a couple of pubs. That really sets the game up here on Tuesday - winner goes to the final! Controversially, a different type of ale was tried:
Tooheys Old
Which is a stout. Didn't realise this when I ordered it, but its not as heavy as Guinness so it went down ok.
Form Bris
R
Friday, 2 February 2007
Aussie Beer of the Day #14
Boy am I surprised I don't have a hangover after yesterday! Great day at the cricket topped off with an England win. Started the day by heading down to Bondi (well you've got to, don't you!). Great beach and watched the surfers for a while - buggered if I could do it!
The SCG is a pretty modern ground, but they've retained the old members areas which gives it a bit of tradition. Was sat in the O'Reilly stand, pretty much opposite the members area. Met Mick and the boys who'd driven 6h and 600km that morning from the interior - really nice bunch of lads. When Freddie won the toss there were the usual cries of "no" as he chose to bat, but they were completely unfounded. A solid start from Ed and Mal, included one huge six that landed about 10 yards in front of me, was broken just after Mal took one on the chin from Pidgeon. Belly came in and batted well for 50, but it was Ed Joyce and a late flurry from Jamie D that got England to a competitive 292-7.
The boys were looking forward to watching Gilly chase them down, particularly Mick, but he was disappointed as England took 2 quick wickets. I was getting a bit worried when Haydos and Roy got the runrate going, but steady wickets and Roy's retirement gave the fans the win we'd craved for! Where's Mr C when you need him! The beer flowed pretty freely all day, with the beer snakes being raised and hidden from the, somewhat overzealous, stewards in green. The beer of the day was:
Some 3.5% light ale they were serving
Because I'm buggered if I can remember what it was called! Not seen it anywhere else though! Off to Brisbane today, rugby to watch tonight! Come on England in the 6 nations!!!
From Sydney
R
The SCG is a pretty modern ground, but they've retained the old members areas which gives it a bit of tradition. Was sat in the O'Reilly stand, pretty much opposite the members area. Met Mick and the boys who'd driven 6h and 600km that morning from the interior - really nice bunch of lads. When Freddie won the toss there were the usual cries of "no" as he chose to bat, but they were completely unfounded. A solid start from Ed and Mal, included one huge six that landed about 10 yards in front of me, was broken just after Mal took one on the chin from Pidgeon. Belly came in and batted well for 50, but it was Ed Joyce and a late flurry from Jamie D that got England to a competitive 292-7.
The boys were looking forward to watching Gilly chase them down, particularly Mick, but he was disappointed as England took 2 quick wickets. I was getting a bit worried when Haydos and Roy got the runrate going, but steady wickets and Roy's retirement gave the fans the win we'd craved for! Where's Mr C when you need him! The beer flowed pretty freely all day, with the beer snakes being raised and hidden from the, somewhat overzealous, stewards in green. The beer of the day was:
Some 3.5% light ale they were serving
Because I'm buggered if I can remember what it was called! Not seen it anywhere else though! Off to Brisbane today, rugby to watch tonight! Come on England in the 6 nations!!!
From Sydney
R
Bloomin' 'eck - we won!
Get in there. Fantastic performance by the boys, particularly Ed Joyce and Liam Plunkett. Pretty beered up (!) so more tomorrow!
R
R
Thursday, 1 February 2007
Aussie Beer of the Day #12
Got loads done yesterday. Took the ferry up to Manly and spent the morning around the beach up there. Went to Olympic Park in the afternoon and did the Telstra Stadium tour - very impressive place! Grabbed a beer in a bar there:
VB
Yes it had to happen, we all know how good (!) VB is!!! Met up with Becky in the evening, a friend of Lisa and Sam's who is working over here . Had a couple of drinks and dinner in Doyle's, a fish restaurant overlooking the bridge and opera house - really nice.
Off to watch England get murdered at the SCG today - hopefully they put up more of a fight!
R
VB
Yes it had to happen, we all know how good (!) VB is!!! Met up with Becky in the evening, a friend of Lisa and Sam's who is working over here . Had a couple of drinks and dinner in Doyle's, a fish restaurant overlooking the bridge and opera house - really nice.
Off to watch England get murdered at the SCG today - hopefully they put up more of a fight!
R
Wednesday, 31 January 2007
Aussie Beer of the Day #11
Great news - the broadband works in my new hotel!!! So I'll be uploading some pics to the link on the right.
Transferred to Sydney yesterday. No upgrade on the plane, but I did get an emergency exit seat - hurrah! My new hotel is pretty good (The Menzies), rooms a bit smaller but not a box, and right in the middle of the CBD. Only got a few days here so got on with it straightaway, wandering round the coastline to get a look at the bridge and opera house - very cool!
Wandered round the Rocks last night, grabbing a few ales. Completely randomly met Darren Gough, Graham Hick and Allan Border in the Fortunes of War pub. They were out promoting the XXXX beach cricket that's on over here. Didn't have my bloody camera with me though! However I was drinking:
Tooheys New Supercold
A pretty decent lager, reminded me of Carlsberg! Oh, one other thing, if the Aussie Premier is listening - can I suggest he gives me a job to help out with the water shortage. Every time I land in a new city IT'S BLOODY RAINING. If he wants to pay me, I don't mind flying round the country visiting cities and reservoirs! Drought my arse...
From Sydney
R
Transferred to Sydney yesterday. No upgrade on the plane, but I did get an emergency exit seat - hurrah! My new hotel is pretty good (The Menzies), rooms a bit smaller but not a box, and right in the middle of the CBD. Only got a few days here so got on with it straightaway, wandering round the coastline to get a look at the bridge and opera house - very cool!
Wandered round the Rocks last night, grabbing a few ales. Completely randomly met Darren Gough, Graham Hick and Allan Border in the Fortunes of War pub. They were out promoting the XXXX beach cricket that's on over here. Didn't have my bloody camera with me though! However I was drinking:
Tooheys New Supercold
A pretty decent lager, reminded me of Carlsberg! Oh, one other thing, if the Aussie Premier is listening - can I suggest he gives me a job to help out with the water shortage. Every time I land in a new city IT'S BLOODY RAINING. If he wants to pay me, I don't mind flying round the country visiting cities and reservoirs! Drought my arse...
From Sydney
R
Tuesday, 30 January 2007
Aussie Beer of the Day #10
Wow! Had a superb day today, $75 well spent. The Barossa Valley Experience is effectively a great big piss up where you get to sample over 40 wines at 5 vineyards - thus I apologise for the spelling mistakes! I think I went a bit over the top though, buying 8 bottles (hic!), shhh, don't tell HM Customs or Gordon Brown will want some cash off me!!!
Highlight was the 4th vineyard, Langmeil, where Jonathan, the Cellar Manager, gave us a really insightful overview of the place. It has the oldest shiraz vines in the world (over 140 years old), and judging from the quality of the wine that came out of them, these guys know exactly what there doing. Sorry Lis, I didn't buy you a bottle (not at $100 a throw!), so you'll have to settle for one from their 120yo mates, today's Wine of the Day:
Langmeil Shiraz 2004
Just got back to find that the sheep-shaggers have smashed England for over 300 in Perth, I'd best go watch it before we're bowled out for sod all again! Off to Sydney tomorrow...
Hic!
R
Highlight was the 4th vineyard, Langmeil, where Jonathan, the Cellar Manager, gave us a really insightful overview of the place. It has the oldest shiraz vines in the world (over 140 years old), and judging from the quality of the wine that came out of them, these guys know exactly what there doing. Sorry Lis, I didn't buy you a bottle (not at $100 a throw!), so you'll have to settle for one from their 120yo mates, today's Wine of the Day:
Langmeil Shiraz 2004
Just got back to find that the sheep-shaggers have smashed England for over 300 in Perth, I'd best go watch it before we're bowled out for sod all again! Off to Sydney tomorrow...
Hic!
R
Sunday, 28 January 2007
Aussie Beer of the Day #9
Posting early because I'm off on a Barossa Valley wine tour tomorrow, so won't have time in the morning! Phoned Lis this morning 'cos I was feeling a bit isolated - thanks for the pep talk honey, I really needed it, and brought you your first pressy today as a thankyou!
Have to say I was quite disappointed with Port Adelaide today. The Maritime Museum was okay, but I was round it in about a hour. The rest was a pretty drab dock, and to be honest, touring Fleetwood would be more interesting! Weather was much better though, so I spent the afternoon in the Botanic Gardens - what a fantastic place!
The Aussie Wine Museum is there, free, and well worth a nosey. It also doubles as a conference centre and, randomly, the local Uni was holding it's annual chemistry conference there! Those of you who know my current skill level in the subject will not be surprised that I gave the lectures a wide berth, but I did have a look round the posters while sampling some wine - some quite interesting work.
Anyway enough of that. Treasure number two in the gardens was the Palm House - a mini Kew that looked very impressive sat in a grassed area with marble steps. Then I stumbled across a quite unexpected modern structure, that I can only describe as a leaf shaped vesion of the Eden Project. Great selection of rainforest and insects inside - the only shame was that I forgot my camera - will try and get down there again before I leave on Wednesday. On the way home though, I did nip into a bar for a pint (now there's a surprise!), giving today's beer:
Coopers Sparkling
A bit stronger than the pale ale tried earlier, and to be honest, not as good in this tasters eyes! Anyway, off to the Barossa tomorrow - maybe it will be the first "Wine of the Day"?!!!
From the Hotel Reception (because my broadband STILL isn't working)!
R
Have to say I was quite disappointed with Port Adelaide today. The Maritime Museum was okay, but I was round it in about a hour. The rest was a pretty drab dock, and to be honest, touring Fleetwood would be more interesting! Weather was much better though, so I spent the afternoon in the Botanic Gardens - what a fantastic place!
The Aussie Wine Museum is there, free, and well worth a nosey. It also doubles as a conference centre and, randomly, the local Uni was holding it's annual chemistry conference there! Those of you who know my current skill level in the subject will not be surprised that I gave the lectures a wide berth, but I did have a look round the posters while sampling some wine - some quite interesting work.
Anyway enough of that. Treasure number two in the gardens was the Palm House - a mini Kew that looked very impressive sat in a grassed area with marble steps. Then I stumbled across a quite unexpected modern structure, that I can only describe as a leaf shaped vesion of the Eden Project. Great selection of rainforest and insects inside - the only shame was that I forgot my camera - will try and get down there again before I leave on Wednesday. On the way home though, I did nip into a bar for a pint (now there's a surprise!), giving today's beer:
Coopers Sparkling
A bit stronger than the pale ale tried earlier, and to be honest, not as good in this tasters eyes! Anyway, off to the Barossa tomorrow - maybe it will be the first "Wine of the Day"?!!!
From the Hotel Reception (because my broadband STILL isn't working)!
R
Aussie Beer of the Day #7 and #8
Two days in one again, 'cos the internet connection in my hotel room is playing up again - sorry.
Saturday was a bit of a struggle to be honest. Wandered round Adelaides museums and art galleries, the highlights being an exhibition of mock-ups of Da Vinci's machines and the Bradman collection. By the time I got to the evening, I was a bit lethargic, and couldn't really be bothered with the effort of wandering into a pub and speaking to strangers again. However, I didn't miss out on the important things, with dinner being accompanied by a couple of pints of:
Pure Blonde
Not a bad pint, more like one of our lagers than most so far! Sunday was better. Caught the tram to Glenelg beach in the morning. Weather wasn't great but had a good nosey round and watched a beach volleyball competition that was on. Went to the A-League major semi-final in the evening at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory. Nice little ground, with the sellout being ~15,500. Just my luck, it was a bloody nil-nil draw, with the second leg to come. Adelaide should have won, but didn't have the quality in the final third. Stevie C at Burnley, get a video and have a look at Adelaide's number 4, looks a quality centre-half!!! Great thing was that you could have a beer while watching the match, so after a few pints of:
West End Draught
I couldn't help but join in with the singing! I did draw the line at "We hate you 'cos you're Victorian" though out of deference to Mr C!!! Off to Port Adelaide today for a look round there.
From Adelaide
R
Saturday was a bit of a struggle to be honest. Wandered round Adelaides museums and art galleries, the highlights being an exhibition of mock-ups of Da Vinci's machines and the Bradman collection. By the time I got to the evening, I was a bit lethargic, and couldn't really be bothered with the effort of wandering into a pub and speaking to strangers again. However, I didn't miss out on the important things, with dinner being accompanied by a couple of pints of:
Pure Blonde
Not a bad pint, more like one of our lagers than most so far! Sunday was better. Caught the tram to Glenelg beach in the morning. Weather wasn't great but had a good nosey round and watched a beach volleyball competition that was on. Went to the A-League major semi-final in the evening at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory. Nice little ground, with the sellout being ~15,500. Just my luck, it was a bloody nil-nil draw, with the second leg to come. Adelaide should have won, but didn't have the quality in the final third. Stevie C at Burnley, get a video and have a look at Adelaide's number 4, looks a quality centre-half!!! Great thing was that you could have a beer while watching the match, so after a few pints of:
West End Draught
I couldn't help but join in with the singing! I did draw the line at "We hate you 'cos you're Victorian" though out of deference to Mr C!!! Off to Port Adelaide today for a look round there.
From Adelaide
R
Friday, 26 January 2007
Aussie Beer of the Day #6
First things first. England's performance at the Adelaide Oval yesterday was nothing short of a disgrace, and highly embarrassing to the travelling fans who made the effort to watch it. We started off okay, Mal Loye's six was huge and Ian Bell partuicularly looked good. But the wheels quickly came off, and it was a good thing I was amongst some sympathetic aussies and close to the bar! Speaking of which, today's pisswater, sorry, beer was:
XXXX Gold
The only stuff on offer in the ground, and only acme in half pints, so you had to get 3 or 4 at a time! Met some cracking people yesterday. There was a small packet of the Barmy Army about 20 yards from me on the hill, but I decided to park myself right in the middle of some locals and wait for the abuse. Ended up primarily chatting with a group from North Adelaide, who I then went out with later on in the evening. Popular bars visited included the Oxford Hotel and the Cathedral, a popular post-match haunt, which we snuck into through the back to beat the queue!
Can't wait to see what Saturday night is like!
From Adelaide
R
XXXX Gold
The only stuff on offer in the ground, and only acme in half pints, so you had to get 3 or 4 at a time! Met some cracking people yesterday. There was a small packet of the Barmy Army about 20 yards from me on the hill, but I decided to park myself right in the middle of some locals and wait for the abuse. Ended up primarily chatting with a group from North Adelaide, who I then went out with later on in the evening. Popular bars visited included the Oxford Hotel and the Cathedral, a popular post-match haunt, which we snuck into through the back to beat the queue!
Can't wait to see what Saturday night is like!
From Adelaide
R
Thursday, 25 January 2007
Aussie Beer of the Day #4 and #5
Missed posting yesterday 'cos I was travelling to Adelaide and couldn't get the broadband in the room to work!!!
Had a cracking last day in Melbourne. Went to the Aussie Open tennis and watched a few doubles matches, hmmmmmm! At $19 for the ticket it was an absolute bargain. Also saw a bar called "Gingerboy", couldn't face going in there in case I ran into Kenny!
Went out in the evening with Dom and a load of his mates to the Old England Hotel - it is his local, he wasn't taking the piss! Cool bunch of people and carried on drinking Carlton, but with dinner earlier I had beer #4...
Boag's Draught
Which was ok, but nothing special!
Flew to Adelaide yesterday and got upgraded by Qantas, hopefully a sign of things to come - Singapore Airlines take note! Hotel in Adelaide is smart, but my inroom broadband doesn't work, not amused. They have given me free access on one of their PC's though so can't complain too much. Went out last night, and town was heaving. Today's a bank holiday (it being Australia Day), so just like us, everyone goes out on the ale the night before! Went to four or five quality bars, including The Exeter Hotel (everywhere seems to be a hotel over here) which had some decent live music on. Got chatting to a few people who started the cricket abuse off early but I expected that. Beer's good here though, with yesterday's brew being:
Cooper's Pale Ale
A damn good pint (although their pints are ~400ml, go figure). Locally brewed and in one bar was $10 a jug. Suffice it to say that my first hangover of the trip duely arrived this morning, but don't panic, I'm fine now and ready for the match.
Speaking of the match I'd best get going once I've donned my England one-day shirt (thanks Chris). Keep an eye out for me, I'll be the one taking the piss out of the Aussies when we're 300-2 after 42 overs... NOT!
From Adelaide
R
Had a cracking last day in Melbourne. Went to the Aussie Open tennis and watched a few doubles matches, hmmmmmm! At $19 for the ticket it was an absolute bargain. Also saw a bar called "Gingerboy", couldn't face going in there in case I ran into Kenny!
Went out in the evening with Dom and a load of his mates to the Old England Hotel - it is his local, he wasn't taking the piss! Cool bunch of people and carried on drinking Carlton, but with dinner earlier I had beer #4...
Boag's Draught
Which was ok, but nothing special!
Flew to Adelaide yesterday and got upgraded by Qantas, hopefully a sign of things to come - Singapore Airlines take note! Hotel in Adelaide is smart, but my inroom broadband doesn't work, not amused. They have given me free access on one of their PC's though so can't complain too much. Went out last night, and town was heaving. Today's a bank holiday (it being Australia Day), so just like us, everyone goes out on the ale the night before! Went to four or five quality bars, including The Exeter Hotel (everywhere seems to be a hotel over here) which had some decent live music on. Got chatting to a few people who started the cricket abuse off early but I expected that. Beer's good here though, with yesterday's brew being:
Cooper's Pale Ale
A damn good pint (although their pints are ~400ml, go figure). Locally brewed and in one bar was $10 a jug. Suffice it to say that my first hangover of the trip duely arrived this morning, but don't panic, I'm fine now and ready for the match.
Speaking of the match I'd best get going once I've donned my England one-day shirt (thanks Chris). Keep an eye out for me, I'll be the one taking the piss out of the Aussies when we're 300-2 after 42 overs... NOT!
From Adelaide
R
Wednesday, 24 January 2007
Aussie Beer of the Day #3
No Mr C, it's not VB yet! Far more interesting beers to try than that, including today's selection...
Carlton Draught
Good brew this one. It needed to be as well. I spent yesterday evening in The Imperial, a boozer over the road from the Parliament Building in central Melbourne. So where's the problem, I hear you ask...?
England's Cricket Team
That's the bloody problem. Walked into the pub and we were just bowling the sheep-shaggers out for 200ish, pretty good, I thought, so I ordered another beer and settled in. Not for long though as the England put up about as much fight as Bicester's 1st XI last year. Not too amused to say the least!
Other than that,had a good wander round the city taking in the sights. Can thoroughly recommend the view from the observation deck at the Rialto Tower, outstanding. Off to the tennis tomorrow, the onto Adelaide...
R
Carlton Draught
Good brew this one. It needed to be as well. I spent yesterday evening in The Imperial, a boozer over the road from the Parliament Building in central Melbourne. So where's the problem, I hear you ask...?
England's Cricket Team
That's the bloody problem. Walked into the pub and we were just bowling the sheep-shaggers out for 200ish, pretty good, I thought, so I ordered another beer and settled in. Not for long though as the England put up about as much fight as Bicester's 1st XI last year. Not too amused to say the least!
Other than that,had a good wander round the city taking in the sights. Can thoroughly recommend the view from the observation deck at the Rialto Tower, outstanding. Off to the tennis tomorrow, the onto Adelaide...
R
Monday, 22 January 2007
Aussie Beer of the Day #2
Right then, quality first full day in Oz. I was a bit boring I'm afraid 'cos I was absolutely shattered after the flight. Details? Well, I'm staying with Paddy, Chris and Dominic in Yallambie, which is a suburb of Melbourne, abour 30km north east of the CBD. Had a wander round yesterday and it seems a nice enough place, although it does remind me of the west coast of the US though - lots of diversely designed, single storey houses, wide roads and parched earth (they've still got a drought on here!).
Dom is Paddy & Chris' son, and seem a pretty cool bloke. We had a few beers last night after the olds had gone to bed and watched Andy Murray get beaten by his fitness and inability to close out break opportunities against Raf Nadal - it was a cracking effort though. I couldn't believe, however, that they were still playing here at 2am! I guess it must be for the foreign TV, but it can't be easy on the players. Somewhat bizarrely, you can buy cans of premixed shorts here, so I was happily consuming the rum and cokes last night, but first I had a beer, and it was...
Haan
"Australia's Premium Lager" or so it says on the bottle! Not bad to be honest. Brewed in Sydney (sorry Victorian's but it was the first one I pulled out of the fridge!), and a pretty decent five percenter. Have to say I preferred to rum and coke in a can though!!!
Right, off to central Melbourne today to have a good mooch round, see thee later!
Dom is Paddy & Chris' son, and seem a pretty cool bloke. We had a few beers last night after the olds had gone to bed and watched Andy Murray get beaten by his fitness and inability to close out break opportunities against Raf Nadal - it was a cracking effort though. I couldn't believe, however, that they were still playing here at 2am! I guess it must be for the foreign TV, but it can't be easy on the players. Somewhat bizarrely, you can buy cans of premixed shorts here, so I was happily consuming the rum and cokes last night, but first I had a beer, and it was...
Haan
"Australia's Premium Lager" or so it says on the bottle! Not bad to be honest. Brewed in Sydney (sorry Victorian's but it was the first one I pulled out of the fridge!), and a pretty decent five percenter. Have to say I preferred to rum and coke in a can though!!!
Right, off to central Melbourne today to have a good mooch round, see thee later!
Aussie Beer of the Day #1
Isn't an aussie beer at all! On the flight from Singapore on Sunday 21st and you just have to drink...
Tiger
Quality lager, free (always a bonus!) and in plentiful supply thanks to Suresh and Singapore Airlines! A bit of a cheat this one I know, but it was this or Fosters, and we all know drinking Fosters is like having sex in a canoe!!!
An apology, no photos yet I'm afraid as my wonderful hosts (Paddy & Chris - I mean wonderful, I'm not being sarcastic) don't have broadband, so you'll have to wait until I get to Adelaide!
More to follow shortly!
R
Tiger
Quality lager, free (always a bonus!) and in plentiful supply thanks to Suresh and Singapore Airlines! A bit of a cheat this one I know, but it was this or Fosters, and we all know drinking Fosters is like having sex in a canoe!!!
An apology, no photos yet I'm afraid as my wonderful hosts (Paddy & Chris - I mean wonderful, I'm not being sarcastic) don't have broadband, so you'll have to wait until I get to Adelaide!
More to follow shortly!
R
Saturday, 20 January 2007
Let the adventure begin...
Right then, halfway to Melbourne and on a public PC in Singapore - I love free internet access! First flight on Singapore Airlines wasn't too bad, except for....
SCREAMING BLOODY KIDS
I hate them, they should be banned or gagged. There's only two hopes of getting any kip when they're on the row in front, and one of them is Bob! Other than that the food was ok and good movies!
On to Melbourne!!!
SCREAMING BLOODY KIDS
I hate them, they should be banned or gagged. There's only two hopes of getting any kip when they're on the row in front, and one of them is Bob! Other than that the food was ok and good movies!
On to Melbourne!!!
Wednesday, 3 January 2007
Hi folks!
Hi folks
Just set this up, so I hope you enjoy reading in over the next couple of months. As it says on the side, I'm off to Oz on January 20th in hope that England might win a game of cricket at some point! I'm watching four one-dayers in the major east coast cities and hope to also take in some Super 14 rugby. It's my first trip down under, so I'm looking forward to finding out why my great Victorian mate, Mr C, decided to give it up and move to Bicester (yes Sal, I know it was obviously for you)!!!
My aim is to bring you all a look into what awaits this 32 year old Lancastrian exile as I take in big 4 before swinging by Singapore on the way back to Blighty, and the wonderful Oxfordshire hamlet of Bicester.
Look out for my "Aussie Ale of the Day", probably the most important and informative part of this misadventure!
Just set this up, so I hope you enjoy reading in over the next couple of months. As it says on the side, I'm off to Oz on January 20th in hope that England might win a game of cricket at some point! I'm watching four one-dayers in the major east coast cities and hope to also take in some Super 14 rugby. It's my first trip down under, so I'm looking forward to finding out why my great Victorian mate, Mr C, decided to give it up and move to Bicester (yes Sal, I know it was obviously for you)!!!
My aim is to bring you all a look into what awaits this 32 year old Lancastrian exile as I take in big 4 before swinging by Singapore on the way back to Blighty, and the wonderful Oxfordshire hamlet of Bicester.
Look out for my "Aussie Ale of the Day", probably the most important and informative part of this misadventure!
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