A Wee Day Out...

Back home a number of people told me that a visit to St Kilda was a must once I get to Melbourne. So today Trish (see earlier post) and I took the tram to St Kilda beach.

St Kilda is a suburb just 10 mins on the tram from the city centre. It's kinda the bohemian quarter- streets of coffee shops briefly interrupted by bars. And its by the beach! Perfect!

We had a great time looking around, drinking coffee and eating ice-cream. See photo tab for more. I've now been here for two weeks and have taken roughly 600 pictures. So I'm trying to cut away the chaff before uploading! I would love to try and find accommodation here but, having looked at some rental posters, the rent per week is about what I'd pay per month back home. Ah well.... Plenty more visits will have to suffice. 
Note to self: Australians have no idea what a 'black Americano' is. The woman in the coffee shop looked at me like I was a complete racist! Apparently a black coffee over here is a 'long black'. Whatever...

She's A Gold Digga...

Yesterday was Steve's (See earlier post) birthday so we all headed off to Sovereign Hill in Balarat. This is an old gold mining town from the time of the gold rush in the 1700's.

We spent the day having a tour of the old caves, looking around the village and panning for gold. Melbourne has proven to live up to its reputation- four seasons in one day! Rain one minute, sunshine the next. I have to take my coat off as soon as I've zipped it up!

It was a great day. We had a lot of fun and found 'tonnes' of gold! I guess its a place that local kids go to on a school trip, but it was all new to me. It's strange to be learning about the history of a country that is as old as our house back in Ireland. 

First Day Of Spring

Paul and Rosemary- The folks that have been putting me up. (Or putting up with me!)

Footy Fever Sweeps Melbourne!

So it turns out I'm an Aussie Rules fanatic! 


The only problem is that I've joined the action right at the end of the season. Today was Grand Final day so we headed out to some friends to all watch the game together. I spent the whole game with people either side explaining what was going on! It was really close and ended up being a draw, which in Aussie Rules is almost unheard of. Fortunately these Aussies have never heard of the concept of 'extra time', so the match is gonna be replayed next weekend- MORE FOOTY FOR MEEEEEEEE! 


The build-up to today's game started yesterday with a big parade in the city. I took the train in to see what all the fuss was about. (Click the photos tab to see some piccies) I can't believe how big this sport is here! There were thousands of people out in the streets. All the roads closed and the footy players were driven past in cars. Everyone was yelping and screaming and here's this pasty Irishman looking around wondering what the heck was going on. :o) 


I'm getting into it though. A few days ago I went to the footy ground of the Essendon Bombers (sorry Matt and Tracey). I got a tour of the Hall of Fame from a friend who's a big fan- Margi. (She's 70 and has a nickname! What's up with that!) At the end I even got a free hat and scarf!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEHAAAAAAA! Pics on the next page. 

Not Much To Say

There's been little to comment on over the past few days. The folks I'm staying with are moving house tomorrow so we've spent our time painting walls and getting the new house all ready. It's been a hectic time but it'll be nice to get settled into the new place. (Listen to me- 'get settled' I sound like an old man!)

Well conveniently, I've made an appointment to go to the bank tomorrow so I'm gonna make myself scarce and leave them to it! I'm gonna take my first trip into the city and go exploring. I have a list the length of my arm of places that have been recommended to me, so I'm just gonna enjoy wandering around Melbourne and seeing the sights. (Lots more photos to come Anmonymous Commentor) 

This weekend is the footy Grand Final here in the city so tomorrow there's a big parade in town. It all sounds a bit cheesey- so I can't wait!! 

Last night I had dinner with two new friends, Stefan and Trish. We had a great time cooking up a storm and getting to know each other. (See photos on Facebook) They live in the city and have been really helpful as I get to know my way around this crazy country. The only downside is, they insist on calling me 'The Little Leprechaun". Well it's a small price to pay I suppose. And after the abuse I've put up with in England for the past four years I should be used to it!

Exercise Is Bad For Your Health...

I've been here for almost a week now and I'm still waking up at around 4am and struggling to get back to sleep. So today I decided a run was in order to help put me off to sleep tonight.

I set off up the street and it wasn't long before I saw a beautiful white parrot with a big yellow plume on its head. "I'm in paradise!" I said to myself as I kept on going. It wasn't long before I got to the nature reserve that is behind our house with this sign (see right) at the gate. I shrugged it off and told myself they'd all be behind fences out of the way.

As I jogged along the path I saw a group of kanagroos a few hundred metres off in the distance to my left. There was a fence running along both sides of the path so I assumed (!) all was safe. It wasn't until I rounded the corner to the left that I saw that these roos (check out my local lingo) we not behind the fense, but rather right in the middle of the path.  I stopped and we stared at each other in a scene straight out of a Clint Eastwood western. Apparently I don't look too intimidating 'cos one of them decided to have a go and came bounding towards me. It was around about this point that I wet myself and turned and ran. But did Mr Roo stop his pursuit? NNNOOOOOOOO!!!!

Now I know that you all back home are giggling to youselves about what I wuss I am. But you should know that the cuddly image we have of kangaroos is no reality. We've heard stories about how they punch, but yesterday I was told about how they have big claws on their hind legs! Apparently they hold you with their arms and then hack at you with their hind claws. Just recently a 9yr old boy was slashed down to his belly button! The only thing that saved his life was the fact that he was wearing a leather belt!

So I ran as fast as my little legs could carry me. I kept looking over my shoulder only to see that he wasn't gonna give up easily. Eventually he decided I wasn't worth it and I decided I'm never going for another run again!

I know people don't enjoy reading big, long-winded blog updates. So this post will be much shorter.

See.

Birthday Greetings...

Ok so I'm a day late... sorry! It's been a bit more tricky to get internet access than I thought, but I think we're getting wifi next week so that should help.

I've had a few days in Australia now and I think the jet-lag is finally beginning to lift. It's been a time of running around trying to get stuff in place for work- new mobile phone and number, tax file number, looking for accommodation, visitng schools etc.

So far so good. The only hard part has been staying awake!

The folks I'm staying with have been fantastic. Driving me around all over the city and answering all my myriad of questions. They cooked a big birthday meal for me yesterday of roast lamb followed by mud cake! Delish! Thay have been so welcoming and friendly, I really dont know what I would do without them.

The only problem is that we're a bit too far outside the city. If I'm going to get supply work I need to be closer to the action (and closer to public transport). We've been to look at some places and are going back tomorrow to meet possible housemates. All very exciting! Just pray I don't move in with some psychopath and I'll be fine!

Yikes!

The stopover...

Two days in Hong Kong have flown by, but I've tried to cram some sightseeing in before I fly on to Melbourne tomorrow morning.

Ann- My tour guide

Day one: Arrived early and crashed as soon as I got to my guesthouse. Then it was on to meet Ann, a friend (thanks to Phil) who lives here. We had a great time- eating noodle soup with red vinegar, going up the world's longest escalator, taking the old tram up to the peak overlooking the city, visiting an 'ice bar' (fur coat much needed) and then running just to see my last ferry home pull away as we got to the dock! (Don't worry, the underground was still running.)

Day two: Up early (9am!) to get the ferry over to Lantau Island. After some noodles for lunch at the port it was just a short ride to Po Lin Monastery- the home of The Big Buddha! And big he is- 250 tonnes! (see photos on the next tab) Got the bus over to Tung Chung before a train ride back home. Ann and I went out for (you guessed it) noodles tonight. I planned on coming home to get an early night before tomorrow's flight but my body clock is all over the place. So I'll sit here and write to you instead! 

And so it begins... ... ...

A wise man once said, “Start as you mean to go on.”

Keeping this in mind I set off for Nottingham train station today. As usual, I had pre-ordered my ticket and collected it before getting on the train.

Checking my ticket I walked along the platform to the right carriage. I smiled to myself, happy with how well organised I was to have left home without a hitch.  (You can see what’s coming!)

Once outside the carriage, I checked my ticket again to see what seat I was in. So I climbed aboard and found my seat. It was around about then that I thought I’d get my ticket out for the ticket inspector.

*Then follows fifteen minutes of blind panic as I search EVERYWHERE for the ticket I had just been holding*

Without so much as a glimmer of sympathy, the ticket inspector told me that a new ticket would cost £66! What a BARGAIN- especially as my original ticket only cost £16. My only option was to hop off the train at Leicester and hope they’d do me a better deal. So I hobbled along to the ticket office with a year’s supply of junk on my back, round my neck and under my arm.

Eventually I got to London. And the whole way I have this phrase going round and round in my head:

“Start as you mean to go on.”

Please God no! :o)

Tick Tock!

So the count down is officially on. 

I'm running around like a mad thing trying to get all the last minute preparations in place before heading down to London on Thursday. Then its off to Hong Kong on Sunday. After a few days there I arrive in Melbourne on the 15th! 

Thankfully everything's running smoothly so far so lets hope that continues to be the case! Tomorrow night is goodbye drinks in town so I'm sure the reality of leaving will well and truly hit me in the face. It's strange to think that this time next week it'll just be me by myself- but at least I'll have the sights of Hong Kong to distract me! :o)

So please stop by here from time to time. I'm usually rubbish with keeping up with people when I move away (I'm sure anyone from YWAM or Lurgan are cursing me right now!) but hopefully this blog will encourage me to keep you all updated. I'm not really sure what it will contain- if I just end up teaching every day it may not be worth it. But I'll do my best to give you a picture of my life in Oz. 

Be sure to check out the 'photos' tab to see more of what I'm seeing!