Welcome to a little blog based on my trip to New Zealand. The theory is that if I start this then I'll have to get up off my behind and do enough to complete it. We'll see about that, but it's a plan.
Would be good to hear from a few people from home while I'm away. Just a couple of things though: Please try to keep the swearing to a minimum, and don't bother with any news about work......not interested, unless the share price miraculously rises to £4.50; then you can send me the link for selling shares.
Work is finished until 4th March (Wahoo!) and it's all about ironing and packing now (Doh!). England won the first T20 today and look in good form. Just a week away now from being there.
Very, very good times....
Blimey! The big day is finally here. A good few hours spent on the line planning since the New Zealand v England itinerary came out in June and plenty more now to be spent getting there. And also a good few quid spent on flights and hotels.
All set now and taxi booked to get me to Thorpe Station in good time to catch the 09.00 rattler to London. Hoping for a trouble free ride to the capital and across to Heathrow.
First leg of the journey completed on time thanks to the good people of Greater Anglia. All credit goes to Legend and his gang at Crown Point.
Highlights of the rail journey: Firstly, the Chinese dude opposite me tried to ride using a travel card which expired three years ago! Nice try sir, but ticket collecter man was having none of it. Particularly funny was the fact that he then refused to stump up the £64.20 fair, prefering to dispute it and is now having to pay double when he gets to London. Seems to speak perfect English, right up to the point when he's asked to pay. So that's £128.40 that he won't be pi55ing away in a London casino tonight. Clown!
Second highlight was when the lady across the aisle opened her lunchbox containing the smelliest egg sarnies on the planet. Virtually cleared the carriage and most of those left were aiming accusing looks in my direction. As if I'd blow off on a busy train! Upshot, after we had a good laugh was that I was able to take one of the offending sarnies off her in exchange for a Tesco's BLT, Swapshop style. Result!
Now arrived here at Heathrow killing a bit of time. Trouble free journey so far other than a genuine Mr Bean style attempt to get my bags through the gates on the underground. Too slow to pull my suitcase through before the gate shut. Had to then force my way back through the shutting gate, only to also get my rucksack caught going back. When I finally negotiated getting this over the gate without throttling myself I tripped over the suitcase I'd left the wrong side. Highly amusing for a coachload of tiddlywinks waiting behind me, at least a couple of who were already starting to film it. So that's £250 worth of Yen going to one of those little bleeders when they finally get home.
Onwards and upwards from here I hope. I really, really hope!
If the whole trip is this eventful this Blog is gonna be a stormer!
Next update from Hong Kong if all goes to plan.
Don't let anyone ever tell you it's a small world. I've just spent 11 hours on a plane and I'm still only half way there. 11 HOURS! That's twice as long as it takes to get from Castle Meadow to the Thickthorn roundabout after an inch and a half of snow! Pluto is a small world; the planet Earth is certainly not.
Now safely in Hong Kong. Crazy airport. Just about all the seats are at the restaurants and the only place I could find to park up was on the pan! Not ideal as I've got a six hour wait.
Not many Europeans about here either. I feel more isolated than Holty on a Saturday afternoon.
Had a small triumph earlier by beating a six year old Indian boy in an arithmatic competition. Identified a weakness in his 8x table and hammered it home. Was a bit worried that the little fella had dis-honoured his family as his old man did not look happy. Told him I was the most numerate man in Aviva to make him feel better.
Next stop New Zealand. Still seems a very long way away....
Quick note to say I've landed safely. Updates may be short and sweet as the Kiwis seem determined to fleece us defenceless poms for internet time in return for us spanking them at cricket!
So we've lost the 2nd T20, but on the plus side I've already mastered the language here. 'a's are pronounced 'e' and 'i's are pronounced 'u'. Finny!
Final observation on flying. Virgin Atlantic's stewardesses are nowhere near as good as they look on the TV adverts; Cathay Pacific's are way better. I couldn't even pick a least favourite let alone a best one!
Stayed my first night in Auckland last night at what turned out to be a motel, the type which you imagine people use who are on the run from the police or a gang, or both. This was reinforced this morning when I tried to pay the bill with my card. "You know you can be traced using that." said the nice polynesian lady behind the counter. Er, right. Now wondering what sort of characters my neighbours were. Personally, I think my paperwork showing the booking was made in July on Bookings.com kind of gives my lack of criminality away to be honest. However, I now have one place I know I can retreat to if things do go tits up and I need to lay low for a while.
Another funny moment as well when I asked on booking in when breakfast starts. "You've got a microwave in your room!" was the answer. That told me. Quality response.
Well, it's off to Wellington now on the 13:30 plane for three days including the deciding T20. I prefer to think that rather than me jinxing England, the boys were determined not to have made the last game a dead rubber for me. Nice touch. Btw, Apologies in advance for the lack of photos on here. I have neither the technology nor the knowhow to sort that out yet. You'll have just to use some imagination in the meantime.
Have arrived safely in Wellington. Just an hour's flight down from Auckland. Feels I've spent more time in the air than with my feet on the deck in the last 72 hours. A bit like a football at Stoke. Got talking to a young lady who is here for a job interview as a nurse. She can't speak highly enough about NZ and Wellington in particular and says the people here are the friendliest I will ever meet. She kindly showed me the bus to get into the City centre and which handily stopped literally around the corner from my hotel.
Staying at the Cambridge Hotel. A fine looking building which has one of those old fashioned gated lifts inside. Accommodates all sorts here as well, having dorms and private rooms. Quickly realised I've found a gem of a place. As if being nicely central and having a fine, lively bar isn't enough, it's only also got it's own bookies!!! BACK OF THE NET! And to cap it all, Wednesday is free BBQ night as well. Nicely fed and watered already and can there be a better way to offset your gambling losses than troughing into some free tuck? I don't think so.
Obviously, as is tradition you'll hear nothing about the losing bets and all about any winners from Ellerslie, Sydney and Hong Kong over the next three days. As much as I would love to be telling you about the wonders of Wellington and it's cable car, Te Papa museum, and zoo etc, there is a fair chance that you'll be hearing mostly about what I can see from my bar stool. A bookies in the hotel bar....and people say NZ is behind the times. Talking of which, with all the Antipodeans you see behind the bars in London and other UK cities, I wasn't expecting to be served my Gold Lager by a young lady called JJ from Prestwick near Glasgow.
I've also been fortunate to witness a phenomenom even David Attenborough has not yet documented. Forget any spectacular bird migration you can think of, wilderbeast rampaging across the praries, or the turtles in the Gallapagos Islands, you've seen nothing until you've seen the Cambridge Hotel 'Six O'clock Swill'. Basically it's a happy 'hour' between 6.00pm and 6.15pm when there's a reduction on the price of jugs of beer. The place went absolutely mental. In the calm before the storm the barstaff were filling jugs with beer like the end of the World was nigh and they still couldn't keep up with the demand cometh the hour. You had to see it to believe it.
Aim tomorrow is to somehow bypass the hotel bar and get out into Wellington as there are just too many distractions too close to home.
Time will tell if I'm up to the challenge.
A reassuring morning as I seem to have already adapted to the time difference nicely and actually woke up at 6.45am just as I would at home. To top it all I'm even back to a regular cycle of a seven o'clock plop. Makes planning the day so much easier.
However, the plan of a quick breakfast and to get out to see the sights had to be put on hold. Firstly due to the mountain of scrambled eggs served up down in the bar and then the fact that the Real v Man Utd game appeared on telly while I was tucking in.
First place to visit was to be the Basin Reserve just down the road, still the preferred Wellington Test match venue, for a look at the Museum of NZ Cricket. Unfortunately the museum was closed, so I just had to make do with watching the England players going through a few practise sessions. What a bonus! Had a good yarn with a few Kiwi journalists there as well. Nice start to the day.
Onward then across the city for a trip on the Wellington cable car and a walk back down through the Botanical Gardens. It's an amazing place. Trees and plants from all over the planet and a perfect sunny day to take it all in. Real quality, relaxing, holiday time.
It was on the way to the cable car station that I had the first experience of the Kiwi's genuine hospitality. Asked a lady for directions and she insisted on walking me as far as she could towards it rather than just telling me the way. When she had to go back to work, she even found another lady to take me the rest of the way. Far and away beyond what either had to do and quite humbling to be honest. Really set the tone for the rest of the holiday.
Just popped in to an internet cafe to update this before meeting up with the local regulars in the hotel bar. No idea what tonight holds, but it definitely won't be staying in and watching TV. Channel One has Miranda, Mrs Brown's Boys and the Citizen Khan on. Whatever has New Zealand done to us for the UK to inflict this on them? Absolute TV hell.
Robbo's arrival and the deciding T20 to look forward to tomorrow afternoon/evening. May well take a look at the Zoo in the morning, or if it's another scorcher it could be time to give the seafront a look. Tough choices!
----Forwarded Message----
From: patgiles_uk@yahoo.co.uk
To: patgiles_uk@yahoo.co.uk
Sent: Thu, Feb 21, 2013 02:58 GMT
Subject: pics
A slower start yesterday after bowing to the pressure of my new gang in the hotel bar and bookies and partaking in the Six O'Clock Swill. Elbows sharpened for the battle at the bar and two quickly sunk jugs later it all goes downhill very quickly. Got given the third degree by my new mates and then slaughtered by them for the rest of the evening. I could just have gone 10 miles down the road to Acle Social Club for that kind of treatment. Soon given the unenviable title of worst gambler they've ever seen. Unfortunately, unable to defend myself as no luck on the horses or the dogs. Even resorted, without success to the trotters with chariots. Desperate times!
A much improved afternoon visiting a top museum called Te Papa and then meeting Robbo who rode into town in his own new chariot.
Really good to catch up with Robbo, goalkeeper with Acle Rangers Reserves and skipper of Acle Cricket Club, out here for a few months after travelling in Asia. A couple of swift pints and it was off to the Westpac for the deciding T20. Despite getting our tickets several months and thousands of miles apart our seats turned out to be spitting distance away from each other. A quick fush and chups and a four pack of Tui each and we settled down to see England give the Black Caps the mother of all hidings. Absolute highlight was when Alex Hales, having reached his half century gave the strike to Micheal Lumb to get his 50 and finish the game with a six onto the roof of the stadium! Sat next to a nice family who were sports mad and had followed the NZ football team at the last World Cup in South Africa. Their two young lads were Man Utd mad so I gave them plenty about Norwich beating them earlier this season. Also good to see their faces when Robbo told them that he'd had their hero Ross Taylor's wicket when he was playing in Norfolk for Wanderers a few years ago. Funny.
Nice touch before leaving was giving an old fella who was born in Gorleston a picture with the Norwich City flag. A quick chat revealed he was like myself a Great Yarmouth Grammer School Old Boy. Despite him being 63, what were the chances of him having been taught by a same teacher as me? Every chance thanks to the legendary Wally Hogg, a man who taught history because he was literally there as it happened. Quality!
Now Wellington is without doubt the friendliest place I've ever been and all the attention has been welcome up until last night. Friday night however is clearly the night they unlock the asylum doors. Every nutter in the City must have been out and and for some reason made a bee-line for us wherever we went. We managed to give one guy the slip on the way out of the stadium, only to be acosted by a Will Smith impersonator in the first pub we went to. We moved on only to have two chicks come over who went from friendly to hostile and back and forth like it was at the flick of a switch. Blimey, does the moon move that quickly down here? We were finally joined by an absolute nuisance who reckoned he was a goalie in his footy team and also top scorer for them. "Yeah right!" As they say in the Tui's adverts. Eventually managed to offload him onto our new bi-polar friends and then had the bonus of him leaving 20 bucks on our table when he left. Well deserved after putting up with his rantings all evening and that was the late night kebabs paid for.
So today it's sadly good-bye to Wellington, but three days with Clanger to very much look forward to now up in Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. Would have loved to stayed longer here but I'm a busy man, things to do, people to see etc etc. It's also cheerio to Robbo for a short time until we meet up again in Napier. The guy is living the dream, driving around the North Island, camp site to hostel to camp site. Been brilliant company for the last day and some top stories.
Check out the pics. More to come. It's all good!
Landed yesterday evening in sunny Tauranga for a long awaited meet up with Clanger and Collina. Smallest plane I've ever travelled on and so small it only had one stewardess. She was a good one though! Slightly disconcerting as we seemed to hear every gear change throughout the trip. Got a running commentary on the landscape below from a girl sitting next to me as we approached her home town and passed over her house.
Nice to be met at the airport, never happened to me before. After a quick tour taking in the beach and town centre we were drinking beer and eating bacon rolls in the garden within an hour or so. Very much enjoying the great hospitality. This is the life.
Then a little trip into town for a few more beers in town to listen to a couple of local bands, both of which played a bit of Pink Floyd, and weren't too shabby at it.
All set today for a trip to Hamilton for the first ODI. Hopefully also be able to catch up with Jaden & Victoria Hatwell there too. It's gonna be another scorcher today so big decision today is on which hat to wear.
Quality time yesterday, with a very scenic drive with Steve and Colinna to Hamilton for the first ODI. Got there in time to watch England have a session in the nets and in fact in time to have done most of our packed lunch before the gates opened.
We parked up in front of the scoreboard so look out for us if you're watching the highlights. Within 10 mins of putting the flag up we'd spoken to a guy who had emigrated out in '92 who was from Unthank Rd and an old boy from Holt. Even one of the Seddon Park groundstaff came over and was formerly from Old Catton.
The game itself was fairly slow going in the main, but still with a tense ending and fair play to New Zealand who came out on top. One of the highlights though was seeing All Black Richard Kahui, who was sitting right near us, demolish a hot dog in three bites! Good skills.
Plenty of redness today as the temperature got up to 27 yesterday. And I'm talking celsius and not fahrenheit here people.
Off to Rotorua this morning to take in a bit of the Moari culture.
It was into genuine holiday maker mode today as Steve kindly took me on a day trip to Rotorua. Another lovely place, but boy does it smell? It's all about the sulphur from the hot springs and thermals apparently, but bearing in mind I was travelling with Clanger, the jury is still out.
First stop was the living thermal village at Whakarewarewatanga. Well worth the visit with a really good tour and show by the Maoris, many of who still live there. Stunning landscapes all around with hot springs, mud pools and even a couple of amazing geysers. (No, not me and Clanger, the Pohutu and Prince of Wales Feathers geysers.) It was also an opportunity for a couple of the Maori's to have a photo taken with me and get themselves onto the blog. (Eventually!)
Next it was into the town centre for some lunch by Lake Rotorua and a look at the Bath House. A really lovely building, which was also a backdrop to some very competitive bowls and croquet on the lawns in front. All very colonial.
Further out of town we visited the green and blue lakes, which despite being just a few hundred yards apart appear erm, green and blue. You had to be there to be honest. Even more stunning was the scenery at Lake Rotomahana which sits in front of Mount Tarawera, a volcano which destroyed several Maori villages and the famous pink and white terraces back in the 1880s.
Final stop was a a white water rafting venue to take a few pictures of a big drop where the raft coming down was obligingly flipped for the camera. Blatant showboating!
Back home and just tucked into a cracking spaghetti bolognese prepared by Colinna. After a day seeing much of what New Zealand is all about it was good to have a bit of home comfort. Obviously Spag Bol night isn't until Wednesday in my house, but it was very good stuff.
It's my last night in Tauranga tonight and I'm off down further South again to Napier on the bus tomorrow. Will be sad to say cheerio to my fantastic hosts, but will be great to see Si Gray and his family tomorrow evening who are on their way out from Norwich right now. Also a chance to catch up again with Robbo and see what he's been up to since Wellington. Happy Days.
Said my fond farewells to Clanger at Tauranga and got on the 'Nakedbus' to Napier. To be honest I can think of at least one thing wrong with that name. However, the misunderstanding was quickly resolved, I put my strides back on, and the driver agreed to let me travel.
Again, stunning scenery all the way here, especially at Lake Taupo, and the trip soon passed. Had a little bonus due to a road closure in Napier meaning my bus couldn't stop in the usual place and let me off right outside my YHA Backpackers hostel and I was able to book in during one of the rare windows when reception is open.
First person I bump into is Robbo. Again, despite our booking accommodation months and thousands of miles apart, we've ended up at the same hostel and in rooms next door to each other. At some point I think we've got to accept the fact that we're just meant to be together.
Cracking little room. To be honest there's only room for either me or my suitcase but not both. I've seen bigger prison cells. Comfy bed though.
Nipped out at about 5pm for a swift beer with Robbo, rolled in some time in the early hours after a good old-fashioned pub crawl. Not a bad effort seing as there were only two pubs involved and we had to just alternate between them. Met a guy from Sprowston in one who Robbo has christened Simon due to his Cowell-style waistband, probably the highest in the Southern Hemisphere.
A bit of a sore head this morning due to a couple of late unnecessary beers, but a couple of anadin and an Art Deco greasy spoon has sorted that out.
Strange place this, very picturesque, but virtually deserted. This place would be heaving in the UK. Have just seen Si Gray and family on the seafront from our lift on the Hawke's Bay Express. It's a train like vehicle on the road, driven by a chap who is searching for Barmy Army. I'm afraid they seem to be few and far between.
Just getting ready to head off to the cricket where I'll be able to catch up with the Grays properly. Come on England, you owe us a performance and we need to make the Auckland game a decider.
So, a defining moment arrived today in the trip. One week left and that can only mean one thing. I'm out of clean pants and need to turn my dirty underwear inside out for their second rotation. Apologies in advance to the good people of Napier, Auckland and anywhere in between or beyond. Such is the life of the traveller that I now am.
It was another fine day here in Napier yesterday. Me and Robbo met up with the Grays around lunchtime to head for the 2nd ODI at the impressive McLean Park. It seemed unbelievable that we were heading to an international cricket match as only a few minutes from the stadium there wasn't even one man and his dog about.
Not saying the Kiwis are laid back, but a barman we spoke to the previous night reckoned he would roll up at about five in the afternoon (for a 2pm start). Unbelievable!
Great to see Si, a mate from school days and his family. I had braced myself for the usual back slap, which pretty much knocks me over, but it was just hand shakes and hugs so that must still be to come.
We were soon parked up on the grass bank and the first bottles of Tui followed quickly afterwards. From the start it was quality cricket all the way as first England made inroads, then the Kiwis responded with great knocks from Taylor and McCullum. Jimmy Anderson then halted their progress finishing with five wickets, one for each beer we had knocked back interestingly.
England were pretty much always in control during the chase and Cook, Trott and Root (what a prospect he is) saw us home. By the end most of the Black Caps fans had given up hope and gone home and the rest stayed only to hurl abuse at their team. Probably the only angry Kiwis I've seen in all the time I've been here. Really quite surprised at how fickle some of them were, they wouldn't have been out of place at Carrow Road.
Just as before the game, there was literally no-one about on leaving the stadium. Such a contrast to the scrum at the underground station at the Oval, even for a county game. Half an hour after the cricket and Napier once again resembles a ghost town.
We had another quality breakfast at a cafe in town this morning. (Greasy spoons don't serve food like this back home, check out the picture). Then it was time to say cheerio to Robbo and wish him all the best for his year or so out here. He's now off to Wellington to catch the ferry heading back to his base in Christchurch on the South Island. Once again he's been great company while here in Napier. Top man.
A chilled afternoon for me today, taking in the beach and the sights of the town, losing horrendously at crazy golf to a 14 year old girl and then a fush and chups supper for less than five bucks. Probably an evening watching a band in the Irish bar to follow. It's then off to the airport in the morning for a fight to Auckland.
It will be interesting to see the contrast between Napier and what's probably New Zealand's busiest city.
Felt a little shabby this morning after what should have been a couple of relaxing pints in one Irish bar turned into a lock in until 3.30am in the other. How the hell did that happen? Didn't even have Robbo leading me astray. Needless to say, very well looked after again by the locals, one of whom even walked home my way to ensure I got back to the hostel OK. To be honest, unless I was attacked by the invisible man, I did fancy my chances of making the three minute walk back through the deserted streets to my hostel unscathed.
Met up with the Grays at 11am to catch a taxi to the airport for our midday flight up to Auckland and here we are. Have booked into The Surrey Hotel and my bed here is literally bigger than my whole room at the hostel in Napier. Good times.
I'm in an annex across from the main hotel surrounded by what appears to be a national team from The Philippines, but I don't yet know what in. Early indications are that they are certainly international class in 'talking the hind legs off a donkey'. They barely stop to breathe.
I've just had a walk into the city and Robbo, if you're reading this, I can now tell you where all the kebab houses in Napier are. They're in Auckland! To be precise, they are all in one hundred yard stretch of one road. It's called 'K' Road. Just think Prince of Wales Road back home and you're there. Different letters, different hemisphere, basically same place. Definite potential for carnage there on a Friday and Saturday night.
It's a wander back to the hotel now and to visit a supermarket on the way. I have a cracking little kitchenette in my room which has a hotplate, toaster and microwave so time for some home cooking. Chances are whatever is on the menu, it will come out of a tin and will be served on toast though.
Looking forward to the big decider tomorrow. I'm just a 20 minute walk from Eden Park, which looks an awesome stadium from what I could see of it. I've seen two different Englands this week, hoping the better one turns up for us tomorrow.
It's all been good since arriving here in Auckland, although strangely getting online here is more difficult than anywhere else I've been. In my quest to find an internet cafe I've just learned a valuable lesson, to look at the sign above a shop before strolling in. Saw an open door with a row of computers inside, went in to the front desk only to be told I'd walked into the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective. Doh! As the nice lady on the desk said, "We cater for desperate women in here, and desperate blokes outside love." And they say New Zealand has no comedians.
Anyway, great day at the cricket on Saturday. Eden Park is very impressive, great stadium and facilities. The ECB could certainly learn a few lessons on how to look after the punters based on this. Walked down to the stadium with two Kiwis, one of who knew Norwich. Originally from Guernsey, he'd spent 10 years living there after going to the UEA. After meeting Si in the stadium, we also had a guy who used to live in Thetford sitting two seats down. He appeared both mentally and physically unscathed so we can only assume that he left 'Little London' a very long time ago.
As far as the cricket went, England coasted it. Anderson and Finn were far too good for the weakened Black Caps and if it wasn't for the impressive Brendan McCullum once again it would have been no match at all. The Kiwi crowd made most noise when a beach ball was confiscated by the stewards, only for Tim Southee to obtain hero status by nicking it back and chucking it back into the crowd.
Managed to get genuinely lost for the first time on the way home, before regaining my bearings in an Irish Bar. That's a first on this holiday. I'd left Si at the rail station and then started walking in completely the wrong direction. I blame the Coriolis effect. Got speaking to a Kiwi who had been ejected from Eden Park by the police for being intoxicated after he tripped on a step. Although it was a genuine trip and not alcohol related he'd had to take the punishment to avoid being arrested due to the 'herbs'* he was carrying. I earned a beer off him later for just managing to stop him from 'All Black rugby tackling' an annoying English guy wearing a Union Jack suit outside the bar, just as a couple of coppers were going past. We figured he'd probably used up his luck for the day by not getting arrested earlier, so he was grateful for not getting any more attention from the police. While here it was also nice to get a text from Mum who had seen us on telly after the game. *(For the record this blog does not condone the use of any narcotics, other than Anadin.)
Another great day yesterday. Firstly, the news of City's first league win of the year. For the first time I actually felt a little homesick. Can't beat a Saturday afternoon at Carrow Rd and a late Grant Holt winner!
Then it was on the rattler to Henderson to meet up with Si again for a day trip up the coast. He had done the reverse journey to come to Eden Park the previous day and was raving about the $5 bargain he'd got. Slightly pi55ed on his chups when I told him that I travelled up and didn't pay a cent for it.
First stop in the hire car was a stunning little holiday resort called Orewa. This just has an amazing and as usual, virtually deserted beach and a seafront full of good places to eat. We settled on a little takeaway where I got an 'All-day special' for 9 bucks. A lovely Snapper, chups and a sausage and can of pop. Best value of the trip so far. There was also a statue of Sir Edmund Hillary nearby, a memorial to the first man to conquer Mt Everest. By all accounts it was the typical Kiwi challenge set of "Last man to the top's a homo" which was the inspiration.
On then to Warkworth, the Bay of Whangaparaoa and a 'World famous' cheese shop before settling in for an afternoon of beer and cards at the pub in Puhoi. Puhoi really is the land that time forgot and the village pub there attracts visitors from miles around, especially bikers.
In true Kiwi style it was Mrs Gray who picked us up from the pub, having been to another resort with the kiddies and inlaws. Always good to meet up with Emma, Linsey and Phoebe and Emma's parents who are also City season ticket holders. They've been out here staying with relatives since December, about the last time Norwich had won a league game!
After a quick supermarket shop in Silverdale they dropped me off at Henderson station for the ride back. They're off to do some travelling in the North later this week so I'm back on my own now for the rest of the trip. Was great to see the Grays and really appreciate them giving me the chance to see a few of the sights north of Auckland. All the best to them for their remaining three weeks. Hope the weather holds until Si is back in Norwich for his last week at Aviva.
The plan for the rest of the day is to pack a lunch and spend the afternoon at the zoo. Also a little research online and hopefully I've found a race meeting to go to tomorrow in Avondale, which only 10 mins down the line on the rattler. A nice little opportunity to see off the savings I made with the cheap lunch and free train ride.
Well, I just had to check in online and reserve my seat for the first leg of the long journey home, just under 48 hours away now. To be honest, it's a bit cooler today and that's the second day since I arrived that we've had some cloud cover. I'm not standing for this sort of shoddy weather so it's probably time to prepare for the long trip back.
Another reason perhaps is that my travel/sightseeing plans had started to unravel, having completely lost track of the days and dates. Almost missed the races at Avondale yesterday and was on my way to Auckland zoo when I spotted the date on a newspaper and had to sprint (slowly) to the rail station. Lions, giraffes and rhinos can wait, yesterday was all about the horses.
Avondale, is just ten minutes away on the rattler and is a track with what once were probably great facilities, but now sadly it's quite run down. There were only a few, albeit fairly enthusiastic punters, but it was still a nice place to have a few beers and have a bet or two. I met a family who had emigrated from the East end of London in 1963 and had never been back. They seemed to now be genuine Kiwis when I met them, but by the time I left them they were ready to start playing the spoons on their knees, get some jellied eels and start singing 'Roll out the barrel'. Funny.
For the record I was suffering from a bout of 'seconditis' on the day. Not great obviously, but a big improvement on my performance in the bar/bookies at Wellington.
Sadly there was a woman critically injured by one of the trains yesterday when her electric wheelchair stuck in the tracks as she was crossing the line. It happened just one stop up from my nearest station, next to Eden Park, and hoping she makes a full recovery.
Having seen the horses yesterday it was a trip to the zoo this morning. Auckland zoo is a must see, it has all you would expect but was still a great place to visit. Pretty much saw all I was hoping to see, bar the elephant. Gutted! Of all the animals there, how the hell does an elephant hide? Do they use camoflage or something? Dark glasses and a wig perhaps?
Plenty of time left today for a walk down to the waterfront and a beer or two at one of the bars on the way home. One thing to look out for in Auckland. All around New Zealand, the green man at the pedestrian crossings allows you the same time to cross the road. In Auckland, you get the same time, but the roads just happen to be four times wider. Not good for a 'stayer, not a sprinter' like myself. Would be carnage with London drivers but fortunately there generally appears to be more patience on the roads over here.
By this time tomorrow I'll have checked in online for the Hong Kong to Heathrow leg of my journey so time to make the most of the day and a half I have left.
Cracking last full day here. Had to be up early to log on to check in for my flight from Hong Kong to Heathrow and particularly to reserve my seat. Wanted to make sure I wasn't parked next to the toilets, there are some seriously smelly people out there.
Had a trip to a sea world centre, where they have an amazing penguin colony and sharks too. Then on to the Sky Tower. Highest building in the Southern hemisphere. No point in trying to describe either as can't do them justice. Hoping the photos will though.
Got talking to a Singapore expat in the park who had a rage against all the Chinese coming to New Zealand and then went into a deep depression about the state of the UK economy. "Don't let the PIGS drag you down," he said. That's Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain apparently. I promised him I'd do what I can, but that it would have to wait until I was back at work on Monday. Blimey, I'd just planned on checking my emails, doing a bit of reporting and boring people about my holiday. Now I have to save our economy somehow. No peace for the wicked.
I finally had a chance to speak to some of my Filipino neighbours at the hotel and found out that they were here for the mens World Softball Championships. That's Baseball to our American friends, but lets face it, at the end of the day, it's rounders and it's a game for girls. Not that I was going to say that to them, they seemed good guys and I wished them well for the tournament.
Last thing to do before packing is to plan the trip to the airport and then it's 'homeward bound', as Simon and Garfunkle once said. Sad times.
Was up in good time to check out and get a bus from outside the hotel to the city centre. Enjoyed one last cooked breakfast before getting the Airport bus. Another trouble free journey; the beauty of travelling in New Zealand is that traffic congestion just isn't an issue.
Here I am again at half way house, or Hong Kong airport as it's also sometimes known. Just touched down after what seemed like the longest flight ever. Absolutely cream crackered. Got away with no jet lag going out but don't think I'm going to be as lucky this time.
A word to the wise; if you ever fly Cathay Pacific, pack a lunch. The food is shocking. I didn't see anyone eat more than half their meals and most barely touched them. Who actually eats pumpkin for heaven's sake? Glad to have my sarnies and there was some serious food envy pointed in my direction. Will have to stock up again now for the last leg.
Was shocked at the news yesterday that while I was admiring the sharks at the Sea World centre, a man was attacked and killed by a shark at one of the beaches nearby. Very sad news and extremely rare. In fact, statistically you're more likely to be killed being crushed by a vending machine. Survivors of vending machine attacks don't tend to boast about their scars though.
Now looking for some food as I've got a four hour wait for my last flight and it looks like it's gonna have to be the golden arches I'm afraid. Just scouted out Popeyes chicken and didn't recognise the shapes of any of the pieces they're offering. I've come this far without getting the squits so I'm not going to take any risks now.
Wish I was in my bed now.....
Back in Blighty at long last!
Landed at Heathrow at just after 6am and could have been down even earlier had the driver been able to find a parking spot and not had to circle London several times. Just as congested up in the air as on the streets of London. Sat next to a guy from Cambridge on the flight, who was returning from a conference in Southern China. Top man. Turned out he'd played for Histon FC and also scored 110 goals in 150 games for Somersham Town in the ECL. Good skills!
Had plenty of time to kill in London, even after some quality sausages at an airport café and after severely peeing off a lot of commuters by dawdling around the underground with my suitcase and rucksack, as I hadn't booked a train back to Norwich until 3pm. At least they didn't have to put up with a repeat of my failure to negotiate the ticket gates this time. All about learning from your mistakes, this travelling lark.
So nice to see all the smiling faces in the capital. Knew I had to remember that rather than a nod and smile to everyone you come across as you do in New Zealand, it's best to avoid eye contact with people back in London for fear of at the very least an unfriendly scowl, and at worst a potential stabbing. The temperature soon reminded me of where I was though, having been used to it being at least 20 degrees Celsius warmer.
Thought I'd play safe with the train booking in case of delays, but needn't have bothered as I didn't have a single delay in three weeks of bus trips, train journeys and flights. That has to be some kind of record doesn't it, especially as there are two Greater Anglia trips included. Even Judith Chalmers couldn't have managed a trip as smooth as that. I'm putting in down to my planning and organising skills.
At least this gave me a chance to catch up for a couple of lunchtime beers in London with Hamish and Gary Gannon, neither of who took too much persuading, even at short notice.
Absolutely shattered now but determined to get into my usual sleep pattern and hopefully the other 'functions' will get into routine soon after. We'll see how that 'pans' out!
Just also uploading some more photos, which I hope do New Zealand justice.
Time for bed now. Will probably post some thoughts about the trip tomorrow to finish.
Had a great night's sleep. Well wrapped up and thermal socks on and so time to reflect on a great holiday.
Huge thanks to the people who made it so memorable, in particular Steve and Colina who put me up for three nights in Tauranga and showed me the local sights. Also to Si Gray and family and to Robbo who were all great company for some of my time in Wellington, Napier and Auckland. Hope you all have a great time for the rest of your spells in New Zealand.
I was also so lucky that all my plans worked out and that the transport and weather all played ball. Seven flights, seven rail journeys and four bus rides and every single journey arrived on time; just two days of cloud and temperatures above 22c every day.
And of course, 2-1 wins for England in both the T20 and ODI series.
A few reflections on the cultural differences and memories of New Zealand:
The people are incredibly friendly and rightly very proud of their Country. When you ask anyone for directions they will not only show you the way but more likely take you to where you're going. Happened twice to me in Wellington. You'll often find that you wont be on your own for long in a bar.
Kiwis like to buy their beer in jugs and pour their own drinks into their half pint glasses. Presumably the result of an inbuilt antipodean calling to eventually become barstaff in London.
Kiwis don't do rounds. Really strange that whether they're in pairs or groups, they prefer to go and get their jugs of beer on their own. Hence, there is no word in Maori for 'kittymaster'.
In NZ you need to arrive for your plane, bus and train journeys on time. Despite being laid back, New Zealand doesn't seem to do late.
In Wellington there is still a skateboard craze, in Auckland they prefer scooters. Napier has no-one young enough to have ever been into either.
The Kiwis stick everything in a pie. Nightmare trying to buy sarnies in some places. It's a pie or nothing.
You wont see too many Kiwis dying due to stress, but there's a good chance that excessive salt intake will see off a good few of them. They stick a mountain of the stuff on your chups, where ever you go, whether you want it or not.
Like the Aussies, the Kiwis call us Poms or Pommies. However, unlike the Aussies they do not prefix it with 'bloody' and follow it with 'bastard'.
TV in New Zealand seemed mainly fairly awful, other than the breakfast show. Had to watch egg-chasing on Maori TV one day due to the lack of choice. It's also packed full of adverts on every channel. Even Neighbours had four ad breaks in one episode. Not sure how far ahead of us they are but I can't believe that Karl is still chasing after Susan. Leave it man, you can do far better anyway!
Barely ever heard any sirens out in New Zealand. A couple in Wellington, none in Tauranga and Napier and just a few in Hamilton and Auckland. Very few police about anywhere. Always a good sign and a very safe feeling where ever I went.
Didn't see any dogs mess in all my time out there. Every dog walker I saw had a bag for clearing up and parks also provide these. What a contrast to the UK. Also, didn't see any of the aggressive looking hounds everyone over here has these days. Dogs in NZ still seem to be pets rather than a statement of some sort, or the means for claiming benefits.
Without wanting to sound like the New Zealand Tourist Board, this place is just amazing. If you have, or have ever had any thoughts of going, stop thinking about it and do it. You won't regret it. There really is so much to see and do, you can spend as much or as little as you like for accommodation and where ever you are you can get a good cup of tea.
It's a long way to go, but it really is worth the trip. Just have a look at the pics if you don't believe me and that's just scratching the surface of the North Island
Anyone up for the next Cricket World Cup in two years?
The big day has finally arrived and we're off to the Ashes!
By popular demand it's another blog to keep you updated. Not alone this time though, my little mate Rohan is riding as well. A bit of a risk maybe, as this is the guy that has been barred from entering Oakwell (Barnsley) for a Norwich match, has been locked IN Old Trafford after a Lancs v Norfolk cricket match and has been ejected from the Oval at an England match. Good work really from the most inoffensive bloke you will ever meet! Here's hoping they are more lenient with him down under.
Already here at Gatwick. Unlike last trip it's been probably the most uneventful journey ever. No characters met so far and no near strangulation in the gates on the underground. But with my sidekick's record for calamity I think I'll take that. Did have time for a couple of pints and to watch the egg-chasing from Twickenham though.
As per last time, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't break in and burgle me while I'm away. If you do break in though and have OCD tendancies, the Dyson is under the stairs and the duster and polish is in the cupboard under the sink. Should probably let the poles out sometime to be honest, they could be washing the car.
Would be good to hear from you on here if you get the chance, especially the guys from work, just to see how things are and what your plans are.
Next time I get a chance to update will hopefully be from Dubai. It's a six hour flight with a short break before the monster trip of 14 hours or so to Sydney. Not looking forward to that. I'm sure it will be worth it though.
Does anyone know if the Australians like beer and cricket?
Touch down in Dubai.
Still going to plan so far and not much to report from the flight other than it being a bumpy ride and having to sit next to a French girl with serious wind. She was very pretty and with those looks and that wind she would certainly impress your mates, but you probably wouldn't take her home to meet your mother. Not sure whether it is some kind of custom in French France in appreciation of a good meal, or maybe she was just a nervous flyer, or perhaps just a flatulent tart.
Probably the best meal I've ever had on a flight as well. Grilled chicken in a sauce and mash and carrots. Not sure about the sauteed celery though. Rohan was fairly brave in taking on the lamb boogaloo and rice I thought. It came in the design of the Indian flag. Classy. Only problem is that he will now be farting like a French woman for the rest of the trip.
Next update assuming we keep up our fine form, will be from Sydney.
That's a big fat lie to be honest.
We have made it to Sydney, and bang on time again, but it's not a good day. We have travelled some 10,500 odd miles and have walked straight into a monsoon. It's just like the North West of England! How the hell did that happen? The place was literally on fire a couple of weeks ago. Have you ever seen rain at Summer Bay or in Erinsborough? Does Paul Robinson or Alf Stewart even own an umbrella? It has literally been hosing it down all day; the Aussies don't even have a shortened word for this weather. The only consolation is that they are totally unprepared for it and are walking around resembling drowned rats. While me and Rohan might only have around half a dozen long sleeves between us, we did at least each have something waterproof.
Another trouble free plane ride getting here and well looked after by Qantas, which you would want on a 14 hour flight. Food again was ok, lasagne last night and a hot breakfast this morning. Although not sure there's any need for sauteed spinach with scrambled eggs and a veal sausage. There's obviously a loose cannon somewhere at Gate Gourmet having a bit of a laugh. Rohan did provide a little bit of comedy at the airport though when struggling to put his belt back on after going through customs at Dubai. His strides were dropping alarmingly and he only just managed to rescue them as the security guards were closing in.
The first thing that's struck me in Sydney is that beer seems considerably cheaper than tea or coffee, so breakfast comes with a bit of a twist. It does suggest that they are ready for the Barmy Army though. Time to get a bit of rest now before an internal flight up to Brisbane tomorrow.
England look in decent form and with only a small concern over Prior's fitness and the fourth fast bowler to worry about, we're all set to hopefully carry on from the summer on Thursday.
So, here we are in gloriously sunny Brisbane....such a contrast to the weather in Sydney which was akin to a rain forest in Greater Manchester. They even managed a mini tornado in a suburb called Hornsby. (Where the blokes are all called Bruce presumably).
With the inclement weather in Sydney yesterday evening we decided on a couple of beers locally and something to eat. I thought we'd got lucky when we saw a sign offering a $10 steak at the appropriately named Norfolk Hotel. Unfortunately, only after getting our beers did we discover that the offer was only applicable for 'Steak Wednesday' and we had rocked up on 'Muchos Nachos Monday'. Gutted. Seems that there's a different dish promoted every night of the week and while obviously disappointed, I can see some merit in their planning.
Even though we didn't dine at the Norfolk we were at least able to witness their version of 'Man v Food - which involved several punters in a race to clear a plate of scorpion chilli devil's wings. Can't remember if it was 15 in six minutes or the other round, but I do remember that the guy nicknamed 'Ringburn' was very disappointing and would definitely have cost me money in different company.
We then went on to have a further near miss when we spotted another $10 food sign only to discover that this offer only ran on 'Tight Ar$e Tuesdays'. Denied again! By now we were deep in Lebanese and other Asian restaurants' country. Not a place you would walk your dog, but we did eventually find an Italian place where I settled for Spag Bol (nice, but not as good as mine) and Ro had a chicken pizza with so much rocket on top it could have been mistaken for my garden. Disappointingly, I didn't get the opportunity to ask the waitress if he could have more salad as he never left the table.
So, on to Tuesday morning and we finally got the chance to wear shorts as the first break in the clouds appeared. Hallelujah! By the time we got to Brisbane the sun was out in full force. 'Get your socks off!' As Primal Scream meant to say.
Another straight forward trip here. Just under half an hour on the rattler to the airport. They have double deckers here...swish! A bit perplexed to see a guy bring his bike onto the train for a couple of stops and then get off and ride it away. Looks like he's been telling some porkies at home about his fitness regime. If he's cheating, then could it be that other cyclists have as well?
Have just got back from a very pleasant evening having met up and had a meal with the legend that is David King from Acle. Fair play to the fella for coming out as he hadn't slept since he left home nearly three days ago and he was still up for some very immature running away and hiding in the city centre from Rohan afterwards. Strangely he didn't seem quite so keen on getting up early enough to catch the England v Germany game at six tomorrow morning. Lightweight!
We will no doubt see him for the start of the big game on Thursday. Not long now and the Aussies are ramping up the mind games. A good sign. Bring it on.....
Early start this morning; or more accurately a false start. Up at half five to get to the Pig & Whistle for the game against Germany. OK, it's a friendly, but it is against the umlauts so has to be done. Roll up there just in time....to see Sweden playing Portugal. Doh! Aussie tv isn't showing the England game until 8am. Brilliant. And because Rohan couldn't get his lazy arse out of bed I'm now locked out of our hotel.
Had to bite the bullet and watch the first half and then get into the hotel when the front door is open and breakfast starts. Got chatting to a new arrival who turns out to be from Dereham and is another Norwich City season ticket holder. Also knew a good few local football people and worked with Micky Patterson of Gt Yarmouth Town and Acle Rangers fame. Funny.
Eventually got to see the game, England huffed and puffed a bit but I thought we were better than most of the pessimism I've seen since warrants. Was a bit galling to then find out that the second half of the Sweden game was a cracker.
Rohan and Kingy join me eventually and the day starts to look up at last when Kingy offers me half his omelette. Truely a prince among men, is Kingy.
We then made plans for the cricket tomorrow and have also got tickets for Brisbane Roar v West Sydney football on Friday. Managed to convince the girl behind the counter, with the help of her colleagues, that I was a lifetime Roar fan and here just for that game. She would be gutted if I told her that we were only going as we saw some of their comical defending earlier in the week on tv and thought they might concede a hatful.
Getting from one end of Brisbane to the other, from the cricket to the footy, is going to be a job. Unfortunately it's not helped by the fact that every time I leave somewhere I start to walk in the wrong direction. It's that damn coriolis effect playing havoc with my navigation system again. Strangely, Rohan seems to find his way about here better than he does at home. As he often goes missing for days just on a shopping trip to Tesco, we came to the conclusion that he was probably mistakenly wired up for the wrong hemisphere.
Looking forward to the cricket, very close now and we've still yet to meet a single Aussie who thinks his side will win the Ashes back.
Let's hope that they are right.
Well, talk about chalk and cheese; we've seen the best and worst of England in the space of two days.
Got to say firstly that the Gabba is superb, a great stadium and they provide free transport to sports events in Brisbane, so it's an easy bus ride to get there.
Definitely saw the side of the Aussies that we had anticipated when the game began. No pessimism in the stadium, but then you wouldn't drive 13 hours to get to the game, as the guy next to me had, if you didn't fancy your team's chances. They told us it's gonna be a long journey home with England two nil down. We'll see about that.
Then there was the grief dished out to Stuart Broad. 'Broady's a wa_ker' rang around the stadium everytime he was involved. Only one response to that, clap along with their childish song and then rip out the top four Aussie batsmen and finish the day with five wickets. Top man. (The missing letter in Wa_ker by the way, is not an L. The Aussies are nowhere near witty enough or able to produce the irony involved to call him a walker.)
However, all the abuse Broad got was nothing when compared to that directed at our bus driver on the return trip. To be fair he was very cautious and did sit at a set of lights for three changes and he took absolute pelters, but the standing ovation he received when we did finally move will still not have rescued his day.
So, all in all a great day for England and for us. It was cloudless blue sky and sun all day enabling me to upgrade my status from pasty pom to slightly pink pom. Tiring work is drinking beer and watching cricket though. So much so that Rohan was so bushed he was asleep before I'd read him a bedtime story.
And then came day 2 of the test. As I recall it, we took the last two wickets reasonably quickly and were just two down at lunch, then forgot how to play cricket and are now facing a battle to save the game. Fair play to the crowd though, they really got behind their team and at one point were so loud I couldn't even hear my wireless through my earpiece. Whatever must the MCG be like with three times as many people?
Comedy moment of the day again came from Rohan who tried to take a photo of me with the camera facing the wrong way. The nearby steward literally wet himself and as we didn't see him again we can only assume that he was rightly dismissed for soiling his uniform.
No time for dwelling on the cricket though, as we were soon off to the Suncorp stadium to see Brisbane Roar take on West Sydney Wanderers in a 1st v 2nd clash in the Australian Football league. A helpful guy who took us to the ground warned us that we would be disappointed with the standard of football and the originality of the songs, but nothing could be further from the truth. It was a cracking game with a 3-1 win taking Brisbane top of the league. And as for original songs, 'Roar...bouncy bouncy, roar...bouncy bouncy, Roar...bouncy bouncy, Bouncy bouncy bouncy bouncy, Brisbane Roar' takes some beating. Credit to the fans and those from Sydney, who made it a great atmosphere. I know of an over achieving, lower table Championship Suffolk team, who would happily take a 19,000 crowd and a bit of atmosphere right now.
We even had the treat of seeing a Norwich City legend still plying his trade. Rumours that Michael Theoklitis had retired due to irreparable damage to his back after his City debut when he shipped just the 7(seven) at home to Colchester Utd are unfounded. He's now playing for the Roar under a new name, Michael Theo. Presumably they weren't prepared to fork out for printing his full name on his shirt.
With England taking a bit of a pasting and the Roar going top of the table, Brisbane is a happy city tonight for the locals.
No cricket for us tomorrow and no concrete plans so a good chance to see what else Brisbane has to offer. Chances are though that it will be a pub with a telly showing the cricket.
Another early start yesterday as we got into tourist mode for a trip to Moreton Island. It's the World's third largest sand island, after Frazer Island, which is further up the coast and, Stradbrooke, which is just next door.It's been turned into a bit of a resort where you can get adventurous, go camping, snorkeling, quad biking etc or just relax at the resort hotel. I suppose Moreton Island is to Scroby Sands what Las Vegas is to Great Yarmouth.So, it was a 7:10 minibus to Brisbane Bay, where we got the ferry for a 90 minute ride over to the island. Our gang was a bit like the UN, with us Poms, a couple of Portuguese, a couple of families of Indian Malaysians and a Canadian who looked uncannily like Tom Clarke. His trying to talk us into beers half an hour before the bar opened on the ferry did nothing to dispel the similarity.Moreton Bay is a stunning place, great sandy beaches and made for adventure sports. Within a few minutes we were kyaking, or more accurately desperately paddling against an ever stronger tide. It was a real battle just to get back to shore.Already knackered, it was on to the snorkeling around some shipwrecks next. I guess you either take to it or you don't. I didn't! Although I did very much enjoy wearing a wetsuit strangely! I took three huge mouthfuls of saltwater as we got out to where the wrecks were. That was enough for me. I'd had anough salt already, on my chips at the Gabba. I aborted and headed back leaving the rest to it. To be honest, once you've seen one fish, you've seen them all in my opinion. I was more than happy to take a few rays, having got rid of most of my now very salty breakfast first. All in all, massive fail, as the kids say these days.Once everyone was back we had a bit of lunch, prepared by our superb guides CJ and Nathan. Couldn't resist a few shouts at Nathan occassionally. NATHAN! COME HERE! (Angry Boys reference there, if that means anything to you.) It was a lovely spread of salads and meats and wraps. Safe to say that the Malaysians got their moneys worth just on the lunch. All very nice people though.Highlight of the day for me next as we had a ride on a 4x4 truck through the island to what they call the desert. When you get there, it is literally a desert, with spectacular huge sand dunes and it was here that we were going sandboarding. Well, I'd assumed that this was some high tech activity with all the gear, Amy Williams skeleton style. Not quite, once we had got to the top of the very high dunes it was a case of here's your bit of 3' x 1' plywood, wax the shiny side, lay on it, lift the front of the board, keep you shades on, keep your mouth shut and throw yourself down the slope. Amazing! Huge speeds, an almost inevitable crash at the bottom and a mouthful of sand (to go with the salt water earlier.) Great fun, even if I did have a fear of popping my shoulder out at any time.Only one downside, there is only so many times you can walk back up a ridiculously steep sand dune without losing the will to live. That was far harder than I had planned to work on holiday.We did also have the bonus of missing the mother of all storms that was hitting Brisbane at the time and saw the end of it as we were on the ferry home. We just took a very brief shower and a minor sandstorm as it passed us.We eventually caved in to the Canadian TC and had a few beers with him on the way back and mainly used the ice cold bottles to ease the sunburn. Yes, have upgraded again from slightly pink to a definite red.Got back eventually to find that it wasn't only our faces that were red. England had capitulated to an embarrassing 381 run defeat in less than four days in the first test, a shocking performance. If only I had a buck for every Aussie who has come up to me to ask if I'm enjoying the Ashes over the last three days; I would be flying home Business Class.Big debates on the breakfast tv shows about sledging this morning, after our guys took some particularly unsavoury stuff yesterday. Only way to deal with it is to treat it with the contempt it deserves. That doesn't mean tossing your wicket away though. Very disappointing.A lot of Brits in town today, with no cricket to go to. Our plan to get a late, cheap fifth day ticket if it was game on was also scuppered. A good chance though for a lot of them to see a bit more of this fine city than they might have otherwise; and we will be able to dine out at the cheaper lunchtime prices today.Every cloud..... (Contains a bucket load of hail and rain in Brisbane)
Well, we have sadly said goodbye to Brisvegas (So named because it has, err, one casino) and have made a return to Sydney, home of the iconic harbour, bridge and opera house.
Despite it only being just over an hour's flight and our leaving Brisbane at 13:00, we didn't arrive in Sydney until after 15:15! For some reason the good people of Brisbane and Sydney can't agree on what time it is, with the latter wanting to get up and feed the dingos an hour earlier than their counterparts in Brisbane. Common sense would dictate that they split the difference and call the time at half past the hour, or even as a last resort, have a good old game of knifey spoony to resolve the matter. Stubborn people, the Aussies though, so we all have to change our watches every time we want to go anywhere.
Have got to just mention our last night out in Brisbane where we took on a couple of Irish pubs. The first had a very talented entertainer, who in turn had a very enthusiastic, if very young following. There was one exception, an old girl who had got dressed in the dark and was cutting some shapes, Pud style, in front of the singer. Common consensus (ie. Me and Ro) is that Kingy would have been all over her like a rash had we not been there. Alas, despite his first two pints of the tour, he behaved himself in front of us, so we will never know.
Final couple of thoughts on Brisbane. It is a lovely city, but very, very expensive. We were hugely lucky to have landed our B&B which was very reasonably priced, albeit decorated in a very old-fashioned style. The walls in most rooms had more borders than China, but the free tea available alone saved us a fair few bob. The city's style and atmospshere reminded me a bit of Auckland, (where I have also been!), but while Auckland was known as the City of Sails, Brisbane is definitely the City of Crumpet. Honestly chaps, it's wall to wall! And that's coming from a feminist like myself!
Unfortunately, one event we will not see in Brisbane is the cockroach racing World Championships. That's not an annual race between David Warner and Michael Clarke by the way. It features any remaining bugs not eaten by British B list 'celebrities' and is held on Australia Day, which is in January. However, as Ro correctly pointed out, you'd never get a hotel room while that's on anyway.
So, here we are in Sydney and it's fair to say that we are already loving it. OK, so we are in the seedier part of town and are based just off their version of Prince of Wales Road, but we have already stumbled upon two genuine Happy Hours. We are now getting two scooners of beer here for the price of one in Brisbane. And while I have had to cover Rohan's eyes at some of the sights on the main road through Kings Cross, we have at last found the home of the $10 steak. No terms or conditions and no restrictions on when it can be eaten. It's fair to say we have filled our boots and I fear I may be coming home considerably heavier than when I left.
Plan for tomorrow is to have a tour of the SCG and Allianz Stadium and then also a tour later of the 'Rocks', which is the oldest part of the City and a bit of British history.
Good times.
A nice leisurely start to yesterday. Waking up and switching on some Champions League football and then catching up with the latest news on Sky.
The sledging debate is now reaching tedious levels here and we now just see a succession of journalists and ex Aussie players on TV ranting about how England have stuffed it to them for so long and it's now payback time. It's not something the average Aussie we've spoken to gives two hoots about so the criteria for being on TV here seems to be to have a chip on at least both shoulders.
Other major talking points here were the shock elimination in third place from 'Dancing with the Stars' of huge favourite Tina Arena. You could literally hear a pin drop when that was announced and I literally thought the whole country was going to implode. It was won by a guy called Cosentino, who is an illusionist apparently. Only illusion he gives to me is of a bloke who's lost a staple gun fight, with random facial piercings all over the place.
In other news, Australia seems on a mission to seriously pee off all it's near neighbours. Caught spying on Indonesia last week and now in a spat with China. Despite all the economical implications this obviously has, this has just been pretty much relegated to the '....and finally' section of the news by the drug revelations about Nigella. At the end of the day, news is not news here unless it's a bit of scandal about a Brit. I am enjoying the hours of film footage featuring Nigella though, obviously.
We are very lucky and have again managed to get a great little hotel, very close to the rail station and 'livelier' part of town. The staff at reception can't do enough for you in terms of helping you get to any of Sydney's tourist attractions. They have a wicked sense of humour too.
On advice from reception, it was a half an hour walk to get to the SCG and Allianz Stadium for a tour at 11am. The Allianz Stadium is stunning, it's home to Sydney FC, Sydney Roosters, New South Wales Waratahs and NSW Blues. The guide was very good and the tour took in the usual changing rooms and stands etc. Looking forward to going back there on Friday night to see Emile Heskey's Newcastle Jets visit Sydney FC in the A-League.
Even better though is the SCG. Another awesome stadium, literally next door. We had a quick look at the indoor cricket nets, 13 strips there, all designed to replicate pitches from England, Australia and the sub-continent. They can even change the humidity there to replicate the conditions as well. Someone reckoned they saw David Warner at the nets but I missed him unfortunately, not that I had anything to throw at him, with which I would probably have missed him, unfortunately!
The history of the ground was very interesting and we found out that it was originally built by a British Army Battalion nearby. We saw Steve Waugh being interviewed in the members bar and were able to walk onto the outfield to take pictures. Highlight was an unofficial honours board in the away dressing room where cricketers from Tendulkar down have scrawled their own achievements on a cupboard door. It must now be worth a fortune. Swanny has also added his own graffiti in the room. 3-1 to England in 2010/2011. Let's hope he's adding something similar at the end of this tour.
One thing you couldn't help but notice was that they are rebuilding one of the stands and still have a massive amount of work to do on it. The Sydney test starts on January 3rd and you can't help thinking that if any stadiums in Brazil look in this state the rest of the World will be having kittens.... and the World Cup isn't until June next year!
The public transport here is different class and we've got tickets which will get us on any bus, train or ferry in the City for the next week for just $61. Very useful, when you know that half your journeys will probably have to be back-tracked and started again as you've probably caught the wrong train. As it is, we've been on good form and so far are getting to places far earlier than we need to.
A couple of train trips took us to our next tour, later yesterday. A really interesting free tour of the Rocks, the oldest part of Sydney. It is a arranged by a dude called Ross and his girlfriend, who show you places you would never otherwise go and fill you in with the related history. It's free and they just earn through tips given, but they seemed to be tipped well and certainly deserved to be. We then went on to visit one of the pubs we had passed where we had a couple of decent ales and where we miserably failed to help a group of Yanks in a pub quiz.
A leisurely day today. Ro's off to the beach to take on the sharks and I'll potter around and go to the Botanical Gardens. Also got a bit of research to do as there's a horse racing meeting somewhere here tomorrow. A course called Royal Randwick.
Me, at a race meeting, with my redundancy payment in my sky rocket? Oh yes!
Had a quiet, relaxing day yesterday is Sydney and took in the Botanic Gardens. Lovely place to spend some quiet time and watch the world go by. Even walked up some steps that our very own 'Baked Bean' walked up on her first royal tour here in 1954. They are now used by the crazier fitness fanatics here, who run up and down them for a workout, much akin to the Norwich City team of the Ron Saunders era, training on Mousehold.
The gardens also offered an alternative view of the harbour, bridge and opera house. I think I've photographed them from every angle now, so no more pics of that you'll be glad to hear.
We took on another fantastic $10 steak last night, just to check that the first one wasn't a fluke. It wasn't. I don't think I'll ever eat better for that price anywhere. We did have to finish up quickly however, to avoid being drawn into 'Tranny Bingo'! Two strapping, 7 foot (in their heels), beasts were hovering and we weren't going to let them get their claws into us. Never understood this transvestite kind of thing myself. Christopher Biggins as Lukewarm in Porridge is OK, but as Widow Twanky? Just makes my stomach turn. I think I'm safe to say this now as I'm no longer covered by the juristriction of the Aviva diversity CBT.
We then went on to an Irish bar where again we saw some really talented singers who had the pub rocking until the early hours. On the one hand the Irish pubs don't seem to play the diddly diddly music over here, but on the plus side, you don't get the feeling that you are funding the IRA as soon as you buy a pint. Good night, and feeling a little bit tender this morning.
Talking of a tender head, I'm guessing that's how many of my old work buddies in Corporate Benefits will be feeling this morning. It's the end of an era today and most will be leaving, with just a skeleton staff remaining to hold the fort. Hope you guys all had a great time at the Murderers with DJ and Tretty and had a bottle of pop or two for me. I'm sure you will all go on to bigger and better things, you certainly deserve to. Top, top people, one and all.
On the other hand, if our beloved Head of Sales is still spinning the line that we haven't disbanded the department, then for the benefit of our Accounts: -
The Admin team is still in Norwich, but the staff are less inclined to discuss the current form of the Canaries and more likely to talk about the latest episode of Emmerdale Farm and the merits of putting gravy on your chips.
If you're calling with regard to quotes, unfortunately everyone has forgotten everything they had previously learned about GPP, but on the plus side they are all fluent in Hindi.
It's off to the races at Royal Randwick later today. Just checked my bank balance and it has five digits! And all to the left of the decimal point! Must keep my discipline today.
Happy Days!
Another top day yesterday. Leisurely start after the previous night in the Irish bar and we're now making our own breakfast, using the kitchen facilities.
Me and Ro did our separate thing early on and both separately went food shopping on the way home. Needless to say, we both arrived back at the hotel having bought bread, ham and orange juice. Clowns!
In the afternoon it was a bus ride to Randwick Races at nearby Kensington. Unfortunately it rained pretty much all day, but the sun was shining as far as the betting was going. A nice 9-2 winner in the first race set me up and I went on to have another winner called Lucky News in the fifth and also had a further four 2nd places in the seven races. My gang in Wellington would have been well impressed. They never saw me even have a horse placed. Rohan also had a winner, but he had to take on the Hamish/Boss approach to land it with an almost even-money favourite shot. Randwick is a very impressive track and would be right up there with the best British courses in terms of facilities.
As usual for a race meeting, there were a few characters about. Particularly worthy of a mention was a guy who was so drunk he had to be restrained on the floor by three huge security men, before he left in a wheelchair. No idea if he was too drunk to walk, or if he had literally been rendered incapable of walking by the guards. Another stand out character was a chick in a very small dress who hit the deck to do press ups at any and every opportunity. There was no shortage of blokes ready to take her on and it was pretty impressive when a closer look revealed she was actually no spring chicken.
This morning it was an outing to Taronga Zoo here in Sydney, which is just across the bay. A couple of train rides and a short ferry trip and we were there in less than an hour. It's another place well worth a visit and there were plenty of things there I hadn't seen before.
Just had another steak, $12 this time, but a claim to be offering the best steak in Kings Cross has to be verified. No argument from me. Love this place. It's like you can dine at Middletons every night for about six or seven quid. If I lived here I would be the size of a house!
It's off back to the Allianz Stadium in an hour or so for some more A-League football as Sydney FC take on Newcastle Jets, a small consolation for missing City's game against Palace later.
Probably a reasonably early night after as we have an early start for a trip the the Blue Mountains tomorrow morning.
Another great night and day here in Sydney.
Took a wander down to the Allianz Stadium to see 4th placed Sydney FC take on 3rd placed Newcastle Jets in the A-League. With a household name in each side in Emile Heskey for the Jets and Allesandro Del Piero for Sydney it looked set for a decent game. Unfortunately Del Piero didn't even last until half time. Sydney did however take the lead almost immediately and from then on were comfortably the better side. The ineffective Heskey was substituted after an hour (wonder how many times that has been written during his career) and Sydney were two up by the time the Jets played their final card, bringing on Michael Bridges. Has he ever changed a game, ever? Of course not. Two nil it finished.
A couple of things of note: A very innovative song from the Sydney fans - 'We are Sydney, Super Sydney FC'. To the tune of 'It's a heartache' by Bonnie Tyler. Nice. Also, a male streaker from the Sydney crowd. Done his job in leaving a steward on his arse in the middle of the pitch, before running back into the stands. Not sure it was worth the whapping $5,500 fine though. I looked at his mates in the crowd and I don't reckon they were likely to raise that in a whiparound any time soon.
Today we hit the tourist trail again with an excellent trip to the Blue Mountains. An early pick up from another excellent guide called Steve, who kept our gang of 12 entertained all day. Me and Ro were joined by two orange ladies who were made in Essex, three Aussies from Melbourne, two Chinese, two septics and an indeterminate Asian.
Our first trip was to an animal sanctuary/wildlife park, which was quality. We were literally surrounded by little Kangaroos and koalas and they also had a Tasmanian Devil and a crocodile. I had secretly planned to pimp Ro out as a koala for people to cuddle and stroke if the animals weren't playing ball. However, those little hairy fellas were very accommodating and once again my entrepeneurial scheme was thwarted.
It was then on to a bush walk before lunch and then a trip on two types of cable car and the World's steepest train, all giving spectacular views of the landscape and in particular the famous three sisters, a rocky outcrop, the story of which is far to long and dull to repeat here. Google it if you need to know.
We then caught the coach back to the Sydney Olympic Park where the guide left us to get a ferry back down the river for the last hour of the trip. Another quality day.
We'd got talking to the Essex ladies, who were very entertaining and one of them, on hearing of my impending unemployment and my experience in insurance (?!) very kindly offered to give my phone number to a friend of hers in the City to see what opportunities there might be for me. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I wasn't a high-flyer and that my last few months had consisted mainly of opening envelopes and stuffing other envelopes. But I guess it doesn't really matter as the number I gave her was Rohan's anyway!
Talking of Rohan, I had to confide in him today in a little issue I have whenever I visit the gents over here. In every convenience there is a metal grate on the floor in front of the metal urinal wall and to be honest I don't know whether you are meant to stand behind it or on it. Both seem to cause equal amounts of splashback (very evident when you're wearing shorts). I've been taking a position on top of it, but Ro reckons I'm no-balling everytime I go. Any advice from seasoned travellers down under would be appreciated as I hate to overstep the mark.
No firm plans made for tomorrow as yet so we shall see what the weather looks like before deciding. I thought that today contained the most spectacular sights of the holiday so far, but Ro insists that even better were the sights on Bondi Beach. I think he wants to go back there and I've a feeling he may get his way.
Well, we've arrived in South Australia. Definitely a bit off the tourist trail and the locals already seem a bit more Australian to me down here. Even Ro hasn't been here before and he's a much travelled man. At least he's come a long way since the days of sunbathing in his socks in Ibiza in 1993.
The flight down from Sydney was the ropiest yet. In fact it was a bumpier ride than our off-road trip in the 4x4 truck on Moreton Island and the stewardesses didn't even come around to check that we had all belted up for landing. They were all secured in their own seats, not the most comforting sight to be honest. Thankfully the landing was relatively smooth when it came, although it took a considerable effort to uncross my fingers by the time we were safely down.
Our internal flights are all with Virgin Australia, whose stewardesses appear to have completed most of their training behind the make up counter in Debenhams. A look around the airport shows that we could also have used Jetstar, who I flew with in New Zealand and there's also Tiger Airlines, or their budget option, presumably called Easy Tiger Airlines.
First thing I've noticed here is that for the first time in two weeks we have a plug for our wash basin. No sign of one in the bathrooms of Brisbane and Sydney. It's as if the Aussies are ashamed of the fact that the water goes the wrong way down the plug hole here. Honestly, if you're going to get embarrassed about something, it had may as well be Dame Edna or something similar.
We've got another fine hotel and have had the bonus of an upgrade to an executive room, so for once we're not living out of our suitcases. On the downside we are a fair way out from the City centre so will be hoping that the buses are reliable. We'll find out tomorrow as first plan is to have a tour of the Adelaide Oval, which is at least a one, possibly two bus journey away.
Will be good to meet up again tomorrow with Kingy, who headed North to Cairns after Brisbane. Not least to find out just how painful it is to be stung by a jellyfish and to find out what it's like to be rescued by the real life Flying Doctors.
Adelaide, like everywhere else here seems to have screwy weather these days, even more so than the UK. Last week they had a random day with temperatures up in the high thirties. We've just had rain and it's pretty cool so there's no telling what we'll get for the cricket.
The last full day in Sydney was spent at the Anzac memorial gardens and then the Australia museum. The Aussies really do recognise their casualties of war appropriately and with the due respect by creating some lovely gardens and keeping them in immaculate condition. We could learn a lot from them in this respect. The museum was also very good and certainly didn't gloss over the sad history of the treatment of the indigenous people.
Slowly finding our way around Adelaide, which is another very nice city and has a very relaxed feel about it, at least compared to Sydney.
We've now got the buses sussed and have got ourselves a Metrocard each which will let us ride on trains and the tram as well. It works pretty much like an Oyster card. We now know that we are around 25 mins bus ride from the station and centre of Adelaide at peak time, although this time could be reduced if there wasn't a bus stop about every two bus lengths when you reach the main street.
We met up with Kingy yesterday to check out the cricket ground, which is still under development and in parts resembles a building site. They are making a fine job of it though and it will hold around 50,000 when completed. It's expected to be ready for the Aussie Rules football season in March.
Unfortunately they were not running the ground tour due to the work taking place, but we were able to visit the Bradman Collection. The great man is well worthy of the honour and even though England upset the locals when they showed he didn't like it up him with some bodyline bowling in the thirties, he did go on to return the favour with interest in a career with stats which will never be matched.
We were also able to take a good few pictures of the ground and then watch the England players in the nets.
Went on later to dine in a sports bar which had a surprisingly good menu and I was able to get a spaghetti Bolognese, on spag bol night, just the way I like it. I think they use Dolmio too. Happy days.
It was back to the Adelaide Oval this morning for the start of the second test and within five minutes the players were off the pitch due to rain. Not only that, but it was blowing an absolute gale and was freezing cold. It literally felt more like Yarmouth in December than a South Australian summer. I mentioned to an Aussie I was talking to that it was also tipping it down in Sydney when we arrived there and it followed us to Brisbane too. He just said that I might just like to piss off in that case. Funny! Fair enough though I guess.
As for the cricket, it was probably Australia's day, although it could have been better for England had Carberry not made the worst drop I've ever seen in a test match late on. England were also unlucky earlier when they were on the wrong end of the unsatisfactory side of the DRS.
At least we got plenty of sun later in the afternoon and I was able to add a little more red to my slowly browning and ever more flaking skin.
I can't help feeling that tomorrow will have a huge bearing on where the Ashes are going to end up and really hope that Carberry's drop isn't too costly.
Either way, the plan after play is to get the tram over to Coopers Stadium to see Adelaide Utd take on Brisbane Roar, so another long day in store for us.
Sometimes you just know a dropped catch is going to hurt you.
England are merrily dishing out early Christmas presents to the Aussies with every chance they miss and are getting totally hammered here now.
It's a little painful to watch though and it seems that some of our antipodean friends are actually starting to take pity on us now. That's not to say that they aren't loving every minute of it; they totally are. It may be that we are just lucky that we're in Adelaide where the cricket crowd are generally a class above those in Brisbane in that they have more wit and less of the football crowd mentality. Certainly met a lot of top class Aussie blokes here both at the cricket and outside - a good reason to stay a good distance from the Barmy Army to be honest.
Upside of the two days we've seen is that Ben Stokes looks another good prospect for the future, and if you're looking for real positives, our Kwick Cricket kiddies who come onto the outfield at lunch in tests in England look a class above their Aussie counterparts at Brisbane and Adelaide. The future's bright.
That's enough about the cricket; you can read the post mortems in the papers.
After play it was straight onto the tram to the Coopers Stadium to see league leaders Brisbane Roar take on Adelaide Utd. Again, there was a lot of friendly banter on the way with the Aussies and also a lot of help in getting there.
Most interestingly probably was the fact that on buying a ticket we could sit virtually anywhere in the ground, including the away end! Brisbane came back to win 2-1 from a goal down and their 200 or so fans were again on good form. Particularly when they noticed that the steward in front of them was a Roy Hodgson lookie-likey. Another good game, only disappointment was that Michael Theoklitis was injured and didn't play. That means I've still only seen him play once for Norwich and once for Brisbane, but he conceded six less goals for Brisbane.
Making plans to see Nick Butts, possibly to see the Norwich game on TV tonight. Thanks to Curtley for helping to arrange that.
Norwich playing away, that will cheer me up after another tough day for England then!
I don't like to ever appear smug, but I have to say that the decision to only get tickets for the first two days of the Brisbane and Adelaide tests is looking pretty inspired.
We did at least see England have the better of day one at Brisbane and achieve relative parity on the first day at Adelaide. Other than that, England have pretty much had their pants pulled down, and taken it........................, with sandpaper. (Summary kindly provided by one of the more articulate locals and censored for publication.) Unfortunately, there's not much I can put up to argue against it.
I did try to avoid watching Day 3 here, but a quick visit to the Woolshed PH for a swift scooner was a fatal mistake and I was soon joined by a group of Sydneysiders, killing time and out on the lash, while they were waiting to go to the airport. Great bunch of lads to drink with to be honest, but it was not an ideal time and place to be surrounded by six mental Aussies and about 20 TV screens all showing England being dismantled by Mitchell Johnson. Needless to say while they celebrated long and hard, I drowned my sorrows and it was a messy day.
Later caught up with Nick Butts, an Acle ex-pat living in Adelaide, who very kindly came and picked up me and Ro, who had sensibly avoided the cricket at the beach, and took us back to his place to watch the Norwich game. We had plenty of time to kill with kick off not being until 1.30am so it was out with the beers and time to put some steak and burgers on the barbi. A perfect way to spend a lovely warm evening and what a great host Nick is.
We all dozed away while Man Utd lost again in the early game and were all wide awake to see Norwich soak up everything the Baggies could throw at us in a rare 2-0 away win. A real morale boost for City after a mauling at Liverpool on a similar scale to that England are taking over here. However, I'm not sure what was most criminal, our defending and ball retention, or the WBA finishing. Fair to say that 200 years ago either would probably have seen you boarding a ship in the UK, bound for these parts. Chuffed for Hooton though and I think some 'fans' ought to note that this was achieved with five first team players missing.
With a 3.15am finish to the football we crashed at Nick's for the night and then had a superb fish and chips lunch next day in a pub by the sea at Semaphore beach, a lovely part of the city, not too far from his place. Really appreciate Nick taking the time to put us up and drive us back to base. Top, top man.
Last full day here in Adelaide today, so have taken in the free sights, namely the art gallery and the South Australia Museum. Confirmed what I suspected, that I just don't get modern art. If some of that garbage is worthy of displaying then my class at Cobholm Infants School must have been packed full of child geniuses. There are certainly a good few miserable poms around doing much the same today The estimates on the news this morning are that there are around 4,000 of us in town and they are certainly appreciating the boost to the local economy.
We will meet up with Kingy later for supper to wish him well as he heads off to Perth to see if England can buck the trend of both their history of losses at the WACA and the alarming lack of form and confidence in our side at present. I really hope they can give the poms over here something to shout about and also keep the series alive for those yet to travel out.
We fly back to Sydney tomorrow afternoon in readiness for the long journey back to Blighty.
It certainly is nearly all over......in more ways than one.
Have just checked in at Sydney airport for the monster 14 hour leg of the trip home via Dubai. Should be boarding the six o'clock flight having arisen at 2am to get here.
ETA in London is around 4-30pm today, but unfortunately for me that is around 20 hours away.
Will need a holiday after that!
See you all soon.
Well, that's a job ticked off the bucket list. 'Ashes cricket watched in Australia'. Fortunately didn't specify watching England win in Australia as that doesn't look like happening any time soon.
Fortunately, the trip home was incident free. While some kind of mishap or adventure may make for a good blog, you really don't need anything to extend a journey which already lasts in excess of 21 hours.
However, the transfer at Dubai was a little more eventful than planned in that we had to literally run from one end of the airport to the other to get our connecting flight to Gatwick. We'd deliberately chosen a short connection in Dubai but hadn't accounted for strong winds on the flight from Sydney. No, it wasn't the farting French girl again. It was the wind blowing against us all the way and what with that and obviously flying uphill to reach the Northern Hemisphere, it meant that we got into Dubai considerably later than we should have.
Luckily for us there wasn't too long a delay in customs, apart from the usual drama of Rohan trying to pull up his strides and put his belt back on, (He actually set off the alarm this time), and for the 7th time in eight flights I had to go through the extra, supposedly random, explosive checks. I actually know the procedure as well as some of the security staff now.
Luckily, me and Rohan are fine athletes and we arrived at our gate just as they were beginning to call us in cattle class through to board, so, as the Aussies would say, 'no dramas.'
It was a blow to hear that the flight, at seven hours, was also longer than we'd thought. Luckily, the in-flight entertainment provided by Emirates is pretty decent so to pass the time over the two flights I listened to every UK number one from 1968 to 1982. Good variety in those days, from the Beatles to Benny Hill, T-Rex to The Brotherhood of Man! There are also plenty of films if that's your thing, nothing there that interested me though.
Landed on time to hear the captain telling us it was 1 degrees in London, which brought a gasp from a girl nearby who was wearing just a small top and denim shorts. So it's chilly in London at 7.00pm in December? Who'd have thought it? Seems this dozy Doris wasn't the only one though, as when we were picking up our luggage there were three bags on the carousel with 'West Indies Cricket team' written on them. Not sure where those guys think they're going to get a game.
Eventually, after a pint in the newly tarted up Hamilton Hall at Liverpool St Station we got the 10.30pm rattler back to Norwich. Couldn't believe that it was absolutely rammed. Those commuters certainly put in a shift these days. Fortunately, there were also no dramas on the train and we arrived in decent time back in an equally cold Norwich.
A few quick observations to finish with on Australia, I may add to these as they come back to me:
Just like New Zealanders, the Australians are incredibly friendly. Everywhere we went they were interested in where we were from and keen to talk about their connections with the UK. Most have been over here, many have worked here and if you believe them, just about all have managed a Walkabout bar. Well, we all exaggerate don't we? Aussies in England are barstaff, just like the Chinese in Australia are. Despite the historical rivalries, they genuinely have huge respect for the English, both in sport and otherwise and without exception the people we met were really helpful in any respect and particularly when help was needed for directions etc. They did however break out into a broad grin as soon as they realised you were a pom and couldn't resist asking if we were enjoying the cricket.
Again, like New Zealand, there is some amazing scenery. The beaches are well known, as are the landmarks, but the Blue Mountains were a genuine surprise.
The transport systems there are superb. The trains in Sydney and Brisbane are so easy to use, although most things in Brisbane were within walking distance anyway. There are a lot of free options, particularly in the City centres and for getting to sporting events.
One downside is that unlike New Zealand, there does seem to be a lot of crime in Australia. Definitely comparable to the UK. There were some terrible stories on the TV news most days and in Brisbane we were close to being first on the scene of a murder on our early morning walk to pick up our bus to Moreton Island. The body of a young Korean girl had just been discovered just around the corner. The unfortunate victim of a random attack, for which the police had charged a man by the following day.
Aussie TV is mainly re-hashed English or American TV. They showed the new Dr Who the day after it was shown in the UK and they show all the Premiership goals on TV within a day or two as well. As a bonus, there is no summary from Shearer, Hanson or Lawrenson! They also get the live games on subscription with the red button option to pick the game you want. Far too many adverts though. Three ad breaks during one episode of Family Guy!
By the way, in Neighbours, Karl is back with Susan, (clown) and may or may not oppose Paul Robinson in the local elections, as Susan's MS has returned.
The TV news in Australia seems to over-dramatise the trivial and trivialise the serious stuff at times. It is a good source for finding out what's going on in the UK though, especially if a celebrity is having a hard time. They can't get enough of scandals and gossip.
The Aussies are obviously on the up in the cricket and look like regaining the Ashes. Everywhere we went there were fine sporting facilities, particularly at the schools and colleges. In Adelaide here were many bowling clubs which were heaving in the evenings where they played under floodlights. The A-League games we saw were decent entertainment and there's definitely an increasing enthusiasm for football there, with increasing crowds and excellent stadiums. The fans there also behave well enough to mix freely and drink beer in view of the pitch.
That's it for the blog. Back to reality now and the process of finding a new job. If there are to be anymore trips like this, I'll have to find a way to fund it.
In the meantime, anyone got any idea how you sign on?
Holy moly! The big day has arrived. It's planes trains and automobiles all over again. I said I'd be back for the cricket world cup when I got home from New Zealand last time and here I am, on the way again two years later to the very day. Good times.
Minor hiccup before I'd even got rolling after the taxi driver shut the boot of his motor on my head as I was putting my case in. Clown! Not ideal, but fortunately no major damage other than having to break open the Anadin Extra before even leaving Thorpe Station. Very entertaining trip though, from a bloke who could literally name every animal in Australia that could potentially kill me. Thanks then. Obviously not content with having a good attempt at seeing me off himself. Anyway, the Welsh Rugby Union medical team have passed me fit to play on, so onward it is.
Now on the rattler on the way to the big smoke, having checked that I've got my passport and cash for about the 150th time in the last hour. Just a 20 minute delay anticipated due to a problem with the level crossing barrier at Diss. I'm guessing it's something to do with fans favourite Neil Grady clambering over it on his way to work this morning. Not as light as he once was, the big man.
No little mate Rohan with me this time, which unfortunately takes away a lot of comedy potential from the blog. He was a bit of a legend on my last trip, especially when going through customs or attempting to take a photo. Also a shame because he's a good tourist, but he would have slowed me up this time as he's still recovering from a knee injury sustained in Old Orleans after a Norwich match. Not drink related, so he says, despite it happening in the middle of a pub. Yes Ro, and my knee injury wasn't football related, despite happening in the middle of a football pitch!
Just had a nice lady come round taking orders for a nice cup of tea and then fetching them. Not seen that before in cattle class, nice touch. You commuters have no idea how lucky you are!
Will update from Heathrow if there's anything to report. Yet to face my nemesis that is the ticket gates of Liverpool Street Station. Wish me luck......
A very brief update, seeing as wifi is free here these days.
Have arrived safely at Heathrow and somehow ahead of schedule despite the train getting into London 19 minutes late. I guess that can happen if you don't take a detour to The Griffin on the way to where you actually need to get to. Good skills Legend, on getting me here safely. Bad skills Gary Gannon on my train being late.
As usual, came off second best against the first set of barriers at Liverpool St, but managed to retain some dignity and at least stayed upright while the guard unlocked the gate to let me out. No such trouble on the Heathrow Express, a quality service and no gates.
A little comedy moment on the circle line tube where I spotted a chap doing three separate sudukos at the same time and using a pen in each hand. With those skills he could have made a claim to be Aviva's most numerate man. Except a woman sitting next to him was looking over his shoulder and shaking her head as he was making out that he was doing the maths, but putting any old numbers in. He wasn't happy when he realised he'd been rumbled and stormed off in a huff at the next stop. Funny!
The new hip has just set off the usual alarms and I've just had a go in a big scanner type machine with my arms in the surrender position. No takers in customs for seeing my scar as usual. Their loss. The only hold up was due to an Asian gentleman in front of me having to polish off two pints of milk. Obviously the hundred signs he'd just passed about taking liquids through customs weren't quite enough.
Just 20 minutes now until the boarding gate opens. Will possibly update next from Dubai if anything to report. It's now the busiest airport for passenger numbers in the World you know.
Just touched down in sunny Melbourne and still all going to plan.
Got a right result after a bit of tactical seat selection and managed to secure a block of three seats all to myself. Not bad for £434, return to Melbourne and as much room as Business Class but with two more pillows, at least for the first two legs of the trip.
Didn't get a chance to update at Dubai as it was only a quick pit stop. I guess the driver just wanted a fag. One thing I did notice about Dubai was that there's no turning off the street lighting there to save a few quid. The place was lit up like Blackpool.
The next stop was at Brunei. Not an airport to write home about. They're currently refurbishing it, but according to a couple of my fellow travellers they have been for at least two years now - no secure wifi available there either. Talking of the people around me, a couple are worthy of a mention. A youngish Kiwi lady who assumed the 'crash' brace position whenever we were due to land, which was a bit disconcerting. At least she didn't start to write her name all over her torso and limbs, but I still think she could have shown a bit more confidence in our pilots.
There was also a nice Aussie chick who had spent the last six months enjoying England. She was looking forward to seeing family and friends but not looking forward to the Melbourne heat, strange girl. As I said to her, it's always nice to hear an Aussie accent ........ as it means you're next to get served at the bar. That cut short the conversation!
Top character though has be a cockney who excelled herself while watching one of the films which had Arabic subtitles on the screen. "I didn't know Tom Hanks could speak Arabic." Cue her husband trying to explain that Forrest was obviously speaking English as she could hear and see it and that Arabic subtitles didn't actually mean he was speaking another language. He's in for a long holiday and not in a good way.
Had some reasonable grub on the three flights and thankfully very down to earth choices, unusually for an airline. Good enough even to capture on film for the blog. I was a bit worried that the large lumps of lamb in the first meal may prove hard work to consume. But I'd forgotten that halal meat gets tendorised pretty effectively in the abattoir prior to slaughter these days, if last week's news is anything to go by. (Sorry animal lovers!)
Well, that's an update and a quick breakfast finished. Time to take on Melbourne and find my digs for the next five nights. Looks fairly central and reasonably close to the MCG. Just the six hours to kill until I can check in.
The Aussies never miss an opportunity to throw a spanner into the works of even the best laid plans. Despite all my reseach to locate the Baden Powell Hotel at 61-65 Victoria Parade, when I got there the place was nowhere to be seen. There was number 59 and right next door was number 71. Brilliant. Even worse, no-one I asked was able to help either. Having walked up and down both sides of the road several times, I was just about to concede defeat and call the hotel when I spotted a delivery driver. He explained that I was looking in the wrong suberb. Despite being on the same road, Fitzroy at some point turns into Collingwood and the numbers start from 0 again. Stupid me for not carrying on as the building numbers went above and beyond 100. Still, the guy took pity and gave me a lift up the road and I had the distinction of being the first ever guest to be delivered there by FedEx.
The hotel is ok, but nothing special. It's very clean and it has a decent bar and it's also just a nice walk across Fitzroy Park to the MCG. My room is pretty small but has a comfy double bed and good air con. Only real problem is a couple of noisy generators, one big, one smaller, right outside my window which come on intermittently throughout the day and night. I've christened them Pottsy and Styx, my beloved roomies from a few years back, for reasons which will be obvious to anyone lucky enough to have roomed with either.
Have spent most of today checking out the MCG and the Australian Museum of Sport. Both are well worth a visit. As always the Australian investment in sport is plain to see and it's no wonder that youngsters here are inspired from an early age. They're expecting up to 90,000 to be at the England game tomorrow and the place is already buzzing. Interestingly the record crowd at the MCG wasn't for cricket or an Aussie Rules Grand Final, it was Billy Graham that drew in 130,000 to take that crown. The Museum was also excellent with a hologram of Shane Warne being one of the highlights along with a great section based on the Olympics. Our guide for the MCG tour was a lovely old boy called Mark who had a great sense of humour and was more than happy to have a pop at the Kiwis in our group whenever the opportunity arose. He must be one of the oldest tour guides about and almost certainly the oldest bloke you'll ever meet called Mark.
Another thing Melbourne takes a lot of pride in is it's network of trams. I've got to be honest, I don't think they're all they're cracked up to be. They are frequent, and they do provide a free ride around the central part of the city, but they are pretty inaccessible for many due to their high steps. They also generally run down the centre of the roads. In England we like to have a traffic island to help you get half way across a busy road. Here, your reward for getting to the middle is the potential to get cleaned out by a tram! Just another thing to mess us Poms about if you ask me.
It's been a very humid day here and we're now in the middle of an almighty thunder storm so I'm going to take in some A League football on telly. Unfortunately both Melbourne teams are playing away this weekend and I won't be able to see a live game on this trip. Most worrying though is that the forecast is for another humid day tomorrow, again with the possibility of a storm. Seeing a cricket pitch with covers on is a pain when it's just at your local club. You really don't need it when you've travelled for 24+ hours and 10,408 miles to get there.
Fingers crossed......
Hardly an original headline, but there's no other way to describe it really. I feared the worst when we won the toss and bottled the decision to bat. Is there any clearer way to broadcast to your opponents that you don't fancy it? That's the Aussies team talk sorted. Very disappointing.
Even given the nature of the defeat, the end of the game was absolute farce. Aleem Dar's LBW call was bad enough, but what followed was unbelievable. James Taylor knew the rules (To be fair, Jimmy Anderson probably didn't), I knew the rules and even Ian Botham commentating knew the rules. So how can two top on-field umpires, Billy Bowden as third umpire and Geoff Crowe as referee not know them? It's irrelevant that England were not going to win, there would have been the same decision given if the game had been on a knife edge and it's just not good enough. If the umpiring team have got a table booked for a curry they should just do the decent thing and call to cancel it and not end the game early and cost Taylor his century and England the chance to improve their net run rate. Rant over.
Got to say that the atmosphere at the MCG was amazing with over 84,000 watching. The Barmy Army were loud and right behind the team throughout albeit more like a football crowd than cricket spectators. The taunting about Tony Abbot was superb and well appreciated by the locals, but as the evening went on and the beer kicked in, it became a little over the top at times. Some of the language and abuse directed at Aussie players and supporters wasn't clever, which was a shame. I'm not sure if even England's football following still sing the '10 German bombers in the air' song anymore and it got a bit boring after the fifth time. It was a little harsh as well, that any Aussie responding to the stick was promptly carted out by the stewards and Police.
Still, just seeing any cricket was a bonus as a very wet previous night and morning turned into a glorious summer day. (There's no way the game would have been completed 24 hours earlier.) The MCG 'Patron Welfare' guys were kept busy supplying water and sunscreen to the crowd until the sun went down. Good skills.
A real bonus before the game was randomly seeing an old mate from Norwich Union from nearly 20 years ago in a pub near the ground. Some of you may remember Chris Dobson, who used to play for Norwich Union B and was in our drinking gang with Gav Staff, Adrian Hones and Andy 'Elvis' Smith. He moved out to Melbourne through work in 2013 and sends his regards to anyone who remembers him. Small World as they say.
It's a scorcher here today so time to get out and do the tourist thing. Aussie TV is repeating the cricket on a loop, so I'll leave them to it. I can forget about cricket until I get to Wellington next week.
Aussie TV is still repeating the dismantling of our cricket team ad nauseum so I've been happy to get out and about to see what else Melbourne has to offer for the last couple of days.
Took on the Melbourne Museum yesterday and it has to be one of the best I've seen yet. Has an outstanding exhibition on the World wars and also the history of Melbourne through its formation and the gold rush to the immigration from the UK and elsewhere into the mid 70s. There's also a good section on Phar Lap, the Melbourne Cup winner of 1930 and apparently only behind Don Bradman in hero status to the Aussies.
This morning I checked out the Old Gaol House where the notorious Ned Kelly was executed, along with many, many others over the years up to the mid 60s. In the afternoon it was on to the Shrine of Remembrance. It's a stunning building in memory of Australians who have died in conflicts around the World and in particular those from Victoria. It also has a really comprehensive museum commemorating the wars from the Boer war to Afghanistan and is a fitting tribute. The walks took me through Federation Square and the Royal Botanic Gardens and I've definitely seen a lot of the best of Melbourne today.
It's an early night for me tonight as I have to be up early for a flight to Wellington in the morning. Just seen a bit of the Australian version of l'm a celebrity and Freddie Flintoff has just turned up as an intruder! Funny, in the UK I believe he's on tv driving around the country selling chips from a van. A programme which makes you wonder how close we are getting to the making of Alan Partridge's dreams of Inner City Sumo, Youth Hostelling with Chris Eubank or Monkey Tennis! Whatever happens you can guarantee that Australia will follow with a version soon after, though not always under the same name. There's a Chinese version of Take me out, which seems popular and is called 'If you are the one'. Dragons Den over here is apparently 'Shark Tank', but my favourite has to be their version of Countdown, which is called, wait for it......'Letters and Numbers'. Quality!
Oh joy, after watching the Irish beat the Windies, they are about to show the Australia v England game again! Definitely time to move on.......
Now settled in comfortably at my new home in Wellington. It's called the 'Setup on Dixon' and is a decent little hostel. It's a bit of a tardis inside actually as there's just a small entrance into the street, but after getting out of the lift on the third floor the place turns into a warren of corridors and rooms. If you were looking to take on a maze, this is the place to come. No need to find a large estate out in the country, just try to locate the kitchen or reception in this place.
My room is pretty decent and with another comfy bed. The only downside is, where as the bathroom in my Melbourne digs was next door to my room, here it seems to be in another postcode. That's probably more due to the several circuits of the floor trying to find it than the real distance, but either way wearing shorts is required to pay a visit.
Had a wander down to the Basin Reserve this morning to watch some England batting practice. By practice, I mean watching the top order batsmen launching gently lobbed balls as far as they possibly could. While there was some impressive hitting on show it does seem to be somewhat reliant on the ICC outlawing overarm bowling before Friday.
The Black Caps rolled into town today amid a fair bit of stick after their erratic batting against the Sweaties. They're obviously not too concerned though, as they cancelled their own planned practice this afternoon, much to the delight of one of the stewards at the ground I was talking to, who was able to knock off work earlier than expected.
I spent the afternoon down at the Waterfront, which is a cracking place to have some lunch and a beer or two. Plenty of sightseers about enjoying the sun. Can't help noticing the number of these selfie stick things around. Not a trend I'll be joining. Selfies weren't invented for someone as un-photogenic as me and besides, l don't think my arms are long enough to reach the button.
Will have to visit the Botanic Gardens again tomorrow and see what else I didn't get to last time I was here. I'd expect to see more England cricket fans about tomorrow as well as they still seem to be thin on the ground so far.
Well, I hope you didn't set your alarms to get up and watch the second innings of the game last night!
I thought I'd seen us hit the depths in the last Ashes series, and the defeat was almost record breakingly bad in Melbourne last week. Only one way to top that, have your worst ever ODI defeat in the next game. If we had put up half the fight the Sweaties did a few nights ago it wouldn't have been quite so bad. As it was, the game was done before the floodlights even came on. On the plus side, that's got to be good for the environment, but it's not the way I wanted to see the England players reduce their carbon footprints.
PS. Note to England coaches - I did say that lobbing underarm balls for our batsmen to smash around the Basin Reserve ground probably wasn't the best preparation for the game. Damn cheating Southee with his overarm bowling!
It's not all bad though. Met up with a good bunch of expats who checked into the hotel the previous evening. Two brothers from Blackburn, a chap from Leicester and a token Kiwi. The English guys had all emigrated out here in the last 10 to 15 years, and all work as chippies, or tradies, as they're called out here. They had come down from Tauranga, where I head to in a few days. When they invited me to join them for a beer or two I made a decision to leave anything I didn't want to lose back at the hotel, which was a good call. These chaps were on their yearly 'let off the leash' trip and my second headache of the holiday was definitely on the horizon.
Most of the evening is a blur, but I do remember us meeting up with some more of their mates, who had flown down from Auckland, at the Barmy Army pub. I also made my New Zealand tv debut there singing Jerusalem with the crowd for two different tv stations and somehow then got into a drinking competition with a bloke who drinks pints quicker than an England batsman's innings.
They had also arranged a free bar at a pub near our hotel before the England game the next day. Not really what I needed, but would have been rude not to. They were all good blokes and they're all off up to Auckland next for the Foo Fighters gig. I bet they're really kicking themselves for not getting tickets for the next England game instead, but they did a good job of not showing it.
It's time to pack now for the flight to Christchurch. Ironic that I've only just mastered the maze and managed to find the quickest route to my room here, but I am looking forward to seeing somewhere new. The weather forecast is showing 26°c, so a big hat is needed. It's only a 45 minute flight, which is just about as long as it took the Black Caps to finish us off last night.....
Just had time for another good breakfast and a very in depth post mortem on the previous night's game with a couple of knowledgeable Kiwis before leaving Wellington. The locals are quite incredulous about how poor England were, but despite the Black Caps having a really impressive World cup record against England, they still seem to think England are a threat. Not sure what they're basing that on.
By the time I'd packed and checked out it was tipping it down outside so it seemed to be the perfect time to head down to Christchurch on the South Island. Getting internal flights in New Zealand is as easy as catching a bus and after checking in online, the boarding pass and even the luggage labels can be printed DIY style at the airport avoiding queues for the baggage drop.
Now settled into the YHA Christchurch which is a decent place. Really good, helpful people on reception who have not only provided a map, but highlighted pretty much everything you may need. Decent pubs, cheaper places to eat, local points of interest etc. The hostel is pretty much on the edge of the earthquake damage zone, although the building opposite was badly damaged, as was the police headquarters just up the road which is still out of action.
Have got a nice room, but the only downside is that the place is like Piccadilly Circus and with so many people going in and out of rooms it sounds like the opening credits of Porridge on a continuous loop!
A quick wander towards the city centre and it's quickly obvious just how devastating the earthquake was. Despite it being a Saturday afternoon there was virtually no-one about other than tourists trying to take in the magnitude of it all. Building after building fenced off and boarded up, awaiting demolition. Most striking of the buildings left is probably the cathedral which lost it's tower and was badly damaged at one end and sadly it seems will not be saved.
Today was the 4th anniversary of the disaster so after a trip to 'Quake City', an exhibition centre, I took a walk down to the Botanical gardens where they were holding a remembrance service. It was really nicely done and the mayor of Christchurch and minister responsible for the regeneration both spoke well about the future plans. There was a minute's silence at 12:51, the time the earthquake struck and the names of all 185 who lost their lives were read out. There were many from overseas as an English language school was based in a building which totally collapsed.
After the wreaths were laid people were invited to drop flowers into the river from a bridge in the gardens and in all it seemed a very fitting memorial to the people who were lost and for those who are still affected. It's hard to imagine how difficult things have been for so many people here and even four years on it's easy to see that there is a long way to go before they have their city back. The people here aren't the type to wallow in self pity though and having taken time out to pay their respects it's then all about cracking on to carry out their plans for the new Christchurch.
In the afternoon I visited the Fanzone in Victoria Square where they've got a big screen and a bar and food outlets. In the last couple of days I've seen both Pakistan and Sri Lanka try to look as bad as England, with varying degrees of success. It's our turn again tomorrow and I think it's fair to say that they owe us a decent performance. We shall soon see if they're up to it.
Yesterday was game day and time to get the party started against the Sweaties. Despite the fact that 44.7% of them voted that they don't want to play with us anymore, I don't go with the England football mentality of disliking all things Scottish, from Andy Murray, through haggis, and Iron Bru...... to Judy Murray. That said, the sight of bagpipes at the ground was about as welcome as a Queensland Fruit Fly in Auckland.
You won't remember this but my first ever full football kit was a Scotland replica kit for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. It was probably more due to the fact that it was my first World Cup and the fact that three of my favourite Derby County players, Bruce Rioch, Don Masson and Archie Gemill were in the side, but I was behind Scotland all the way and even had the Ally's Tartan Army record. England had failed to qualify and if nothing else it taught me at an early age that football and sport in general invariably leaves you disappointed. Besides all this, I can honestly say that I have never met anyone from Scotland that I don't like. (I've never met Alex Salmond).
A real bonus was to see Aaron Watson at the ground who, without realising it had parked up right beside me on the grass bank. He'd flown down from Auckland to meet up with Matt and Dan Ede, who were old Norwich CC team mates who emigrated out to Christchurch and were the guys Robbo stayed with while he was out here in 2013. Small World and all that.
England finally found some form and gave the Barmy Army something to cheer about at last. Moeen Ali was excellent and with Ian Bell broke the record for the opening wicket partnership which was set in the first World Cup in 1975. Good skills. That partnership turned out to be almost enough on it's own, although Scotland's opener Coetzer also batted well. A nice touch was a lap of honour for the volunteers between the innings as this was the last game hosted by Christchurch. These guys have been great in helping people find the cricket grounds, beer tents, sunscreen and generally just for banter.
We had a couple of beers and games of pool in the Running Bull down the road after the game and no great surprise that 99% of people in there were Scottish who were still enjoying their day.
It's a shame to be leaving Christchurch as it's another great place with very friendly locals. Hagley Oval was a great venue for the game and the three games they hosted were a great success and a real boost for a city that needed a lift. There's no doubt the people there will get their city back on it's feet before too long.
Just time for brekkie in town, omelette will be today's choice and will complete the full range of egg options available, bar raw and necked down in one.
Now looking forward to meeting up with Clanger and Colina in Tauranga, after a couple of hours' flight. Got to check out soon, so better shake a leg....
Arrived safely yesterday in Tauranga up in the Bay of Plenty to spend the next three days with Clanger and Colina. Good to see them again and enjoy their hospitality.
The flight was just under two hours, but was in one those little planes that have the old school propellers and seem to be powered by a lawnmower engine and elastic bands, not my favourite. It was the sixth of eleven flights I've got to get through and to be honest I feel like I'm up and down like a whore's draws at present.
Steve picked me up from the airport and we took on a couple of the local pubs and some craft beers to help me get acclimatised. Just in case that wasn't enough, Colina cooked a cracking Spag bol for tea, which we tucked into while watching Chris Gayle break all kinds of records against Zimbabwe on tv. It was then off out to a couple more locals just to check that the beer there was ok as well.
I'd been unable to get any clothes washing done on the trip so far so it was also good to get my laundry done at Steve's and despite being over half way through my trip I've now been able to avoid having to wear my pants inside out on a second rotation. Good news for everyone concerned.
Today Steve took me on a road trip to Cathedral Cove up in the Coromandel. It's just over two hours drive up North. We stopped briefly on the way to check out a working gold mine, which is now a vast open cast mine and the biggest hole in the ground you will ever see. Just a quick pit stop. That's Clanger's gag, not mine.
Unfortunately, the car park was full when we arrived at the Coromandel so it put another 20 minutes or so on our hike to get to the cove, mostly uphill, before the steps leading down to the beach. Has to be said, it is totally worth it. An amazing unspoilt beach and gigantic stone arch, very popular with sunbathers so amongst the amazing scenery was even more very viewable scenery!
The sea here is so clean and an amazing blue green colour. Much the same as the North Sea at Great Yarmouth at times, particularly due to the Bloo Loo used by the good people of Gorleston if enough of them flush at the same time.
After the uphill hiking practice today, my plan tomorrow morning is to take on Mt Maunganui. It's a 232m hill, with stunning views over Tauranga from the top. The idea is to take it on early morning before it gets hot. However, with the way my poor plates are currently aching, I feel more inclined to take on a mountain of scrambled eggs before they get cold. We shall see......
Got up early yesterday to get a lift from Steve to base camp at Mount Maunganui. Steve went off to work at the Kwik e Mart and I got a quick breakfast in to prepare for the ascent.
All started ok, with a relatively easy path and a few steps. Despite the fact it was still early morning, it seemed like half of Tauranga had already been up to the peak and were either jogging or power walking back down. One word for that. Crazy fools!
Things started to go downhill, ironically, when I got to the point where you take the easy route or the hard route. Of course the easy route was closed and Steve had stitched me up like a kipper. Too late to turn back now, especially as I was a good 20 years younger than many others on their way up. Obviously took any available opportunity to stop and take photos and had a chat with a couple taking a break who turned out to be from Toronto. Of course, on hearing their accents I asked if they were from the States and immediately had to apologise. "That's ok", said my new mate Gord, "You Scots are always making that mistake. " Touche! Not as slow as the Yanks make out, these Canucks.
Eventually got to the summit, and boy it was hard work. Happy to rest my poor legs which were by now burning on the inside and outside, but all the effort was well worth it as there were great views in every direction. Also found out there that there was another gentle path on the other side of the hill that I could have used. Brilliant! 'Well at least you get some different views if you take that route on the way down .' Fair point from a grinning Kiwi I was talking to.
The easy route down did indeed give great views of the harbour and of a cruise liner which had just docked that morning. I was walking down with Canadian Gord and his wife Sandy and meeting people from the cruise who were on the way up. The first three couples were all from Toronto as well and one of them was a couple who Gord and Sandy had competed against when curling back home. Funny!
I took the path around the bottom of the hill and was unfortunate enough to be caught taking a picture of the back end of a sheep by a couple from Napier. "Oh, you can do better than that!" Turned around to see a smiling woman and a bloke shaking his head. To be honest I took it as a complement.
Walked the rest of the way around the hill with them before meeting up with Steve again after his half day. We had a quick snack and drink and headed across the road to the beach where there was a surfing competition with kiddies from far and wide. Then back towards town for a beer or two at a couple of bars we hadn't yet tried.
Had a nice steak meal back home with Colina while watching Scotland get beaten in the game of the World cup so far. Decided not to go out in the evening, which was a good call as a storm was just hitting Tauranga.
Not one to hang around when it starts raining, so it's time to move on again, back down to Wellington. Sad to leave as Tauranga is a great place to visit and Steve and Colina have again been fantastic hosts. Had a really good time here, but now looking forward to England's next game against an in form Sri Lanka.
Well, at least we've remembered how to bat again!
I thought 309 was a decent total, but I've just heard Bumble on the tv re-run saying we would need around 340. Looks like he was right. At least we were treated to a masterclass from Sangakkara, surely one of the best batsmen of a generation. An average of over 40 after more than 400 matches isn't too shabby.
On the down side it doesn't look like our bowlers are good enough for us to beat the stronger sides so I think quarter finals will be our limit. On the plus side the amount of salt on my fish and chips at the ground should prevent any chance of me suffering cramp for the next month.
Sat next to a funny couple as well. Travellers over from England at their first ever cricket match. I was happy to help them decipher a few rules and explain the scoreboard. The guy roared his approval every time bat made contact with ball during England's innings regardless of where the ball went. I wasn't sure about their lunch though. Plums, dates, hard boiled eggs and crisps smothered in that couscous stuff. I think theyre a bit posh. By the interval the novelty of cricket had worn off and they spent the second innings immersed in the Guardian cryptic crossword. Needless to say they didn't ask me for any help with that.
Getting ready to sadly leave Wellington. Seems like I'd only just arrived. Spent yesterday firstly at the Zealandia reserve which has a lot of endangered birds and is a quality place to get away from the traffic and noise of the city. Also visited the Museum of Wellington City and Sea, which is just what it says and was well worth seeing. Have spent some quality time in the bar here at the Cambridge Hotel, where the locals love nothing more than to rub in a win against the Poms. That is until they beat the Aussies in a thriller so I got a brief respite when a couple of gold and green shirts were spotted yesterday.
A fact I learned on my way back is that the green man for pedestrians on the traffic lights in New Zealand is actually a woman. It's in honour of the bird that campaigned to get women the vote. Interesting eh?
Another thing to be aware of is that a two piece meal at KFC comes with a very small drink, but you do get a bread roll and a tub of gravy with a scoop of mashed potato in it. Unfortunately they don't think to mention that it already comes with gravy when you order a gravy to go with your meal. Cheers then! That's something for Toddy and his top knot to be aware of as he'll be arriving in Auckland soon. Have fun there mate.
Got to get up early tomorrow morning for a flight to Melbourne, my final destination before heading home. Sadly the end of the holiday is in sight.
Quick update from the airport while waiting for the long ride home.
Just had a great last couple of days in Melbourne. Shane Warne was on our plane up here from Wellington. He sits in cattle class as there's no other option, but he did appear to have his own stewardess and when we landed I didn't see him at baggage collection waiting to pick up his hair products.
Had a decent little hotel, again next to a Subway. In fact you'd do well to find anywhere here that isn't next to a Subway, they're the Aussie equivalent of Tesco. Word from the wise, don't use Subway as a landmark when telling your taxi where to take you, it will cost you big bucks.
Took in some typical Aussie tv last night. Not saying they're behind the times, but Taggart, followed by Mork and Mindy should give you an idea. Not surprising then to see the breakfast show hosts this morning getting excited about upcoming Australian tours by Village People and Rod Stewart. Looks like Village People are one of those bands like Trigger's broom though, not much of the original left.
Interesting story on the news last night about the huge number of accidents between trams and pedestrians in Melbourne. I've already pointed out that traffic islands in the middle of a busy street rather than trams is clearly a safer option, so it didn't surprise me. What was a surprise was that I didn't appear in their montage of near misses. They also had a feature on Melbourne having it's own version of Monopoly. As always the novelty will soon wear off and they will again realise that it is the dullest, most pointless game ever invented. The only excitement is landing on 'Free Parking' to collect the fines from the middle of the board and that's not even in the official rules!
I did have a tram ride yesterday for a trip to Melbourne zoo. It's the oldest in Australia and third oldest in the World. Another excellent place. Highlight was after taking five minutes to finally get a little chap to acknowledge the 'turtle' he was looking at was actually a giant tortoise, his mum comes over saying "Ooh Oliver, look at the big turtle. " Ho hum!
Well, looks like nearly time to board. Hoping for a trouble free flight and another City win while I'm up in the air......
Just about back into routine after vitually sleep walking through the last two days and it's time to get back to reality. The holiday washing is all done and may even get ironed.....eventually.
The flights with Royal Brunei were again all good and it's an airline I'd definitely recommend as long as you can go 24 hours without alcohol. The food is decent and if you don't mind the ups and downs I reckon doing the Melbourne trip in three stages is the way to go. Just don't choose an option with a long stay in Brunei as there is literally nothing to do there. At least on the way back they had newly opened what was their version of KFC, but they called it the Golden Egg and it didn't look good. It would take a braver man than me to take it on with some 13 hours of flying still to get through. Fortunately my fellow travellers had the same thoughts and the toilets for the last two flights were usually available when needed. I managed to get three seats to myself again for the last flight and have definitely got the knack for seat selection when checking in online.
Despite having to wait a while for an available slot to land in both Dubai and then London the flights all came in reasonably on time. That's 11 flights with no problems for me and my luggage. Even had a bit of time to see a few London sights before the onward trip to Norwich. I could recall some Kiwis bemoaning the fact that their country had no real history compared to England and this was brought home to me when I saw more people taking photos of 'phone boxes in London than I had of any buildings in New Zealand or Australia. We really are lucky to have the history and these sights in the UK and we should definitely appreciate it more.
Even the last rail trip left London and arrived in Norwich on time, although I was grateful to a chap for giving me a shove to wake me up as he walked past when the rattler got in. Would have been a blow to wake up and find I was on my way back to the smoke. Interesting, having travelled through Paddington station, that they've now made a film about Paddington Bear from kiddies tv. Just waiting for a movie about Bagpuss now, or even Bod. A role for Karl Pilkington that, if ever I've seen one.
So that's another trip over and it was good to see another couple of great cities in Melbourne and Christchurch and a real bonus to see Dobbo and Aaron Watson at two of the matches. Also great to see Clanger and Colina, who kindly put me up again and a bit more of Tauranga, even Mount Maunganui. If you ever go there, just don't take on the hard route up the hill in your flip flops. It might not be Everest, but it's not Ketts Hill either.
Can't help noticing that I'm getting a lot of the blame for England's performances out there and now also getting stick for City losing while I was on the way home, but I don't appear to be getting any credit for bringing some Melbourne sunshine back with me!!! You people.......
The big day has arrived and this year's winter trip is under way!
First objective achieved and I've got my co-travelers, complete with passports, onto the rattler, no mean feat for anyone who knows Rohan and Kingy.
Venturing well out of my comfort zone this time with a first trip ever to South Africa. New year, new continent, same old purpose though. Catching some winter sun, watching England play cricket and having a bit of a gloat via the medium of this blog. With Kingy and Ro in tow, there should be potential for some comedy as well.
The plans are all in place, rattler down to the smoke. First class no less, lovely cup of tea and a biscuit already done and dusted. Across to Paddington later and on to Heathrow for a flight overnight to Johannesburg courtesy of Virgin Atlantic and then a connection to Cape Town to be there in time for tea tomorrow afternoon.
Kingy has just confirmed his own objectives. To nick a rock from Robben Island and to get a Moeen Ali beard. Sights have been set high. I'll just be glad to get these clowns to Cape Town in one piece.
Good times....
Well, Gilo tours has done it again and we have all arrived safely at our destination. Not only that, but our train and both planes all left bang on time.
Would definitely recommend Virgin Atlantic. Looks a very slick operation and a good flight from Heathrow to Johannesburg. Only one small drama, when a woman on the plane appeared to throw herself to the floor as she passed by Kingy's seat. My initial suspicion of foul play was unfounded and the lady admitted that she had simply fainted. Got to say that the old boy clearly still has it if he can get a mature woman to react like a besotted teenybopper at a David Essex concert just by his very presence!
Rohan also had a difficult start to the journey when he came off second best to a salt beef sourdough sandwich at Heathrow. A particularly sharp piece of crust took it's toll and there was claret everywhere. First casualty of the trip and we hadn't even got airborne.
Arrived in Jo'burg with pleny of time to get a nice breakfast before catching the connection to Cape Town on a British Airways flight. Wasn't expecting food on this one and only Ro took it on. A South African lady next to me wasn't impressed with hers and warned me off the curries over here. Far too sweet she reckons and like eating your desert mixed into your main course. The flight was a good one, if a little bumpy, but ended with a 'spectacular' landing, even if the pilot said so himself. Alright Flinty!
I'd pre booked a taxi for the transfer to our digs and Kingy was more than a little excited about the possibility of a driver waiting to meet us with a card with our names on. Funny then, when I saw one with 'David King' on it and commented on the coincidence, only to find out that it was our driver. Got some good local advice from him about safety etc, but have unfortunately had to abort our plans to watch Ajax Cape Town take on Black Aces tomorrow night. Apparently it's on the wrong side of town at Cape Flats and not a place you'd find too many Academy Award nominees, if you catch my drift. We were pretty much told that we would stick out like three albinos at the MOBOs and we don't carry off the gangland drug dealer look too convincingly, so no footy for us. Our black driver said he'd been to a match there once.....never again. That was good enough for us.
Now all settled in our new home for the next six nights, the Sunflower Stop hostel. Cheap and cheerful. Friendly locals, although all moaning about the heat. Wonder if they'd be happy if it was 20°c cooler? I think not!
Enjoyed a few beers while watching the cricket. Needless to say, I haven't even been here long enough to change my pants and England have lost their first game of the ODI series!
Another hot day forecast tomorrow so the wide brimmed hat will be out while we get to know Cape Town a little better.
Had an excellent day out yesterday, finding our way around Cape Town and getting to know some of the other guests here at the Sunflower Stop. We've got an English guy on the case who will hopefully help us get to Paarl for the T20 warm up next week. We also spoke for a good while to a very articulate German called Max who has a very interesting history and who comes here now to avoid European winters. I can see the merit in that.
Had a really good breakfast just up the road and to be honest with the cheap price of food here there's no reason to hold back. The strong pound against the South African Rand is making me feel genuinely affluent. By definition that makes Rohan 'very well off' and Kingy is literally the Acle Abramovich!
Every time you pay the bill for a meal here you feel like you're robbing the restaurant and it's taking some getting used to. But we're making the most of it and also making ourselves feel a bit better by tipping very generously. So far the tips have been well deserved though as the grub and the service everywhere we've been has been different class. Another thing which has impressed me is that the waiters and waitresses here don't need to write down the orders and rely on memory alone. The guy who took our order for a meal last night reckons his record was taking an order for 42 people without a notepad. No idea what those guys got served up mind you,
We checked out the Sea Point area and said hi to the manager of the hotel we're moving over to next week. Looks another nice place, again with friendly staff. Kingy had gone off to find a Post Office as he wanted to post a letter for some reason. However a lady we met reckons we will be back in Blighty long before Kingy's letter, based on the fact she has only just received her Christmas cards coming the other way.
We had an early start today as we had a full day excursion to see a township and then Robben Island in the afternoon. We had an excellent guide called Titus who took us first to the District 6 museum which commemorates the forced eviction of over 60,000 non whites from this district to townships on the edge of the city, dependant on their race, back in the sixties. Ironically it was the 50 year anniversary to the day and although there was significant newspaper coverage, it was very low key at the museum. Titus then took us into Langa township, the oldest in South Africa and there we even went into some homes. One was so bad even the flies were staying away and although there is massive progress with improving the quality of housing, including a lot of free housing being built, it was still humbling to see the conditions some people were enduring, albeit usually with a smile. There is a downside however and I think Titus was fairly typical in his scepticism of the government's failure to do more for the poorest people while doing very nicely themselves. No consolation to him and the others in his township that it's the same story the World over.
Titus left us at the V&A waterfront to catch the ferry to Robben Island. Another trip well worth while and another very good and passionate guide to show us around there. Certainly looked a grim place for Mandela and the other political prisoners to have endured for so long, however South Africa is a very different place now because of it. The Robben Island museum at the prison and at the Waterfront are worthy tributes. It was also good to have a look in the cells and finally see David 'The Fugitive' King feeling at home!
No plans yet for tomorrow, but it's looking like another hot one of 25°c. I think we'll manage to find a constructive way to spend the day.
Another great couple of days spent around and about Cape Town, taking in the fine weather and spectacular sights.
Yesterday morning we had to rearrange our plans somewhat as the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain had been closed due to high winds. I took on Mt Maunganui last year in my flip flops, but this thing is a different proposition and there were no arguements from Ro or Kingy suggesting taking on the hike, not surprisingly.
We therefore set of on a leisurely walk towards the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, starting after breakfast at Sea Point, carrying on through Green Point and then around Mouille Point. So that's already two more points than City have accrued so far in February. Just past the lighthouse at Mouille Point is the crazy golf course and so the Cape Town Invitational matchplay was soon underway. Modesty prevents me from going into who took the honours, courtesy of a stunning hole in one on the 17th.
The waterfront is a lovely, lively area full of bars and restaurants and it was a bit of a bonus to find that they also had a large screen showing the latest ODI. At least it was until England started losing wickets quicker than Kingy could demolish a carrot cake and cappuccino. There appeared to be some sympathy shown for us Brits though, as after one advert break the cricket never came back and the assembled crowd were instead treated to a live feed from Two Oceans Aquarium.
We decided to have a wander around the harbour and by the time we'd checked on the status of the cable car at the Tourist Info centre we'd lost yet another wicket. Massive smiles from a South African guy behind the desk who was watching on a telly, only matched by a security guy at the cable car station at the other end of our taxi trip, not that they liked to rub it in.
Although there was quite a queue for the cable cars, a trip up to the top of the mountain is an absolute must. The views are amazing and I can only hope some of the pictures do it justice. There's a pretty decent restaurant up there as well as testified by a chap I met who was tucking into an ostrich pie and a group of Indians roaring into a curry. By the time we got back down, our security guy looked like his World was about to end as England were turning the match around. But he was at least good enough to read us the latest scorecard and dirsct us to the taxis.
It was an intriguing night in the hotel bar as a massive strip Jenga/drinking game was taking place. Fair to say it was more than a bit of a distraction from the cricket, which incidentally England managed to lose not surprisingly. At least it's now game on for tomorrow. We nipped out down the road to have supper, which turned out to be literally the best steak dinner I've ever had. We got back around an hour later to find that everyone in the bar was still parked up exactly as we'd left them and still going strong, but that shots and a dirty pint were now also involved. Respect has to be paid to three young German girls who not only stayed fully clothed, but saw off the English, Irish, a couple of Yanks, a Dutchman, a Spaniard and the South Africans and then still got in a taxi to go out disco dancing! Deutschland Uber Alles as they say...
A planned day of rest by the lido didn't really materialise today as the weather took a bit of a turn. By that I mean it wasn't scorching as it has mainly been. We had a walk into the City centre and ended up at a Farmers Market where there was a bit of music and a good few stalls selling food and drinks. Kingy was very disappointed that there wasn't a cake stall, but consoled himself by binge eating the wares of a young lady called Grace that he'd taken quite a shine to. Luckily he'd finished his omelette and his pancake before a quick rainshower arrived, as the whole market literally packed up and disappeared within minutes.
Just got back to the hotel to find that a massive stag party of around 20 South African blokes has just arrived. Brilliant! One has already been dumped in the pool complete with his mobile phone and all his money and he's not happy. It's not going to be a quiet night I feel.
Bring on the deciding ODI tomorrow. It's probably not a good sign that whenever I type ODI my predictive text brings up 'defeat' as the next word! It's about time to break the curse....
Ok, so the first thing to mention is that I have seen England win cricket matches......it just doesn't seem to happen very often. I'm not taking the blame for some of the dismissals we saw yesterday, Eoin Morgan's especially. However, it has to be said that England at times looked a lot like the team I was watching getting thumped this time last year in Australia and New Zealand in the ODI World Cup. Anyway, a 2-0 lead can be hard to defend, just ask Alex Neil.
There was a little period in the game when we wondered if England were going to surprise us and get an improbable win, but AB de Villiers put paid to that. It was all set for him to score a century in his 200th ODI to win the game and he did. He is just one of those sickening characters who is good at whatever he does. I've even heard that he was the first kid in his class at school to learn to spell his first name.
The day had started well as the potential chaos at our hostel didn't materialise and it was a quiet night. I found out in the morning that the stag party were only here for a few beers and a brai and didn't stay the night. It was just a relief to find out I hadn't gone deaf during the night.
Straight after breakfast we got picked up by our new best mate taxi driver, John from Rwanda, for the trip across to Newlands. It's got to be said that the reputation of being the most iconic cricket ground in the World is totally justified, it is stunning. It would actually be right up there on it's own merit, but with the backdrop of Table Mountain it is surely the best venue by far.
Funny thing when I put the Norwich flag up on the railings in front of a young couple. It turned out that the girl was from Brighton, but had studied at the UEA. I told here that I'd only worked there for 10 years so she had probably graduated before I arrived. She didn't appreciate that, but her boyfriend did. He was less impressed though when we got chatting and she reeled off all of her facts about the UEA. Got the feeling he'd heard them before, more than once. There were another three Norwich fans who came over throughout the day, including a season ticket holder from Windsor and a guy who now lives in Hampshire.
Another highlight was catching up with the Larners, who are also here for a couple of weeks, as they walked around the ground. Had a good chat about our respective travel plans and was very impressed that Richard, Sarah, their son Josh and his mate Jack had hiked up the mountain yesterday.
We also arranged to meet up in the evening and have a meal at the V and A Waterfront. Ro had a restaurant recommended to him by his brother so we thought we'd give it a go. Has to be said the food was superb, but there was a twist. We have had a pretty trouble free holiday so far, without grief from anyone or anything, so we can only assume that the Larners are a magnet for trouble. Firstly one of the many vagrants about, who usually leave you alone if politely asked to, became very waspy and came right over to the table arms swingjng and issuing death threats. Fortunately he eventually moved on, but the respite was only brief.
We started to notice things moving around behind our table and before long we realised there were rats running up and down the beer garden and around the tables. Pretty much the whole of the second course and coffees were spent with everyone's feet off the floor. Obviously it's pretty difficult to tuck your shorts into your socks for protection. The waiter thought it was all hilarious and reassuringly mentioned that there are stacks of them around later on when it gets quiet and that one of them is the size of a rabbit! So that explained why we were the only people eating outside. Anyway, it was still a cracking night spent with very good company. Ro says he's got another recommendation from his brother, so that's something to look forward to....
We moved over to our new digs today, which is the Spring Tide Inn at Sea Point. Another nice place with a friendly host called Earl. He runs it with a lady called Jean, who unbelievably moved here 30 years ago.....from Norwich! On top of that, she had some German guests, who arrived this morning and stay here every couple of years, who had recently been to Norwich and brought here some photos from their time there. I think she was feeling quite nostalgic.
So, according to the Rough Guide to Cape Town, Main Rd in Green Point, the location of our hostel, was 'frequented by drunks, hookers and middle class shoppers creating an edgy mix of sleaze and respectability'. Certainly was something there for the three of us, but can you guess who was into what?
Exciting day planned for tomorrow with a mini safari. Only downside is a very early start and getting up at 5:30am. Where does that leave my seven o'clock plop??
We're well settled in to the Spring Tide Inn now and it's a decent little place. Far quieter than the hostel and we also get a breakfast here. I don't know how South Africa rates it's holiday accommodation, but I feel it may be by coat hangers as we've moved up from three hangers in our room at Sunflower Stop to four hangers here.
We were due up at an unearthly hour yesterday for our mini safari trip to the Aquila Game Reserve, but we managed it. Just as well as our minibus was bang on time. It was pretty much full already and all from one family. They were from Wealdstone, but were not as trappy as you normally get from that neck of the woods and were a decent bunch to be travelling with. They also knew Norwich well as one of them was a UEA graduate (second one I've met this week) and they also regularly holiday at Wells and love Norfolk.
The trip was about two and a half hours, but was a good one and there was a glass of bubbly waiting for us on arrival. There was also a very welcome and much needed 'pit' stop half way. That's basically rhyming slang in case you're wondering. There was then an excellent buffet breakfast before getting into the trucks for the safari.
First thing we saw were the three hippos, or more accurately, a very small part of each of them. They're not known for showing themselves off and there's a good reason you don't see them winning any medals for synchronised swimming.
The elephants were much more accommodating and a pair of males walked right across in front of us. Our excellent guide Tyler told us that these were two males who were waiting to have some female company for mating and were currently so frustrated that they had pushed over more than 50 trees in the last few weeks to get rid of some testosterone. They were also being kept apart from the rhinos as they are currently right up for a scrap. We were therefore pleased when Tyler stopped talking and moved our truck out of the path of one who had made a beeline for us. Happy to say that they will soon be filling their boots as four females are due to arrive from Kruger in the next week or so apparently.
There were sightings of some of the rhinos, springboks and wildebeests before entering a segregated section with the lions in. Although it's not the full safari experience, it was still good to be able to see lions so close and in a natural environment and worth the trip on it's own. A buffet lunch was also provided before the trip back to Cape Town.
It was a good day of leisure today after a fine breakfast cooked by Jean at the hotel. This morning she was reminiscing about the Sampson and Hercules ballroom between cooking eggs and pretty much ordering us to eat the fruit and the onion bread.
We had long planned to go to the T20 warm up game at Paarl, which was due to start at 2:30pm against a SA Presidents XI and we were hoping to get a train there and back. However the game was changed to a 6:00pm start against South Africa 'A' therfore taking the option of the train out of the equation as it's not safe. Boy were we glad of the change. We had arranged for one of our excellent taxi drivers from earlier in the week, Steven, to take us and the outside temperature gauge on his dashboard rose and rose as we got further inland, topping at 104°F. Heaven only knows how hot it would have been earlier. We made a stop at a prison just outside Paarl where Nelson Mandela was transferred to after Robben Island at Kingy's request and Steven was also pleased to see the statue there for the first time.
At the ground we bought Steven a ticket for the game so he could join us. Also not a bad thing to know that your driver will still be about at the end of the game, not that he would leave us stranded as he's a top man. Paarl is another fine setting and has a very decent little ground. England cruised to victory with Alex Hales continuing his fine form and Morgan also impressing. The fielding was also top class with some excellent catches.
The champagne moment of the day however did not come from a cricketer. That honour belongs to Kingy from our visit to the outdoor pool earlier. I'm still not sure what he was actually trying to do on his sunbed, but it was definitely defying all laws of physics and as gravity took effect a massive cracking sound echoed around the pool area. Kingy was face down in the dirt and the end of hs sunbed was as limp as a lettuce. It was a genuine 'Terry and June' moment, but was actually funny. Kingy then received the third degree and a replacement bed, together with a lesson in operating the equipment from the hirer. It initially looked like some expensive compensation would be required, but Kingy eventually smoothed things over with an out of court settlement. I think he's seen enough of the inside of a court! Can't help thinking that Kingy may have difficulty in hiring a deckchair when next on Yarmouth beach as word will surely get around the beach equipment hiring community.
Another good day out is planned for tomorrow, down to Cape Point and some nice places on the way. Looks like some penguins may be starring here soon.....
Another excellent day out yesterday with a trip down to the Cape of Good Hope.
It's a trip we could have booked with the firm who sorted out our Robben Island and Aquila Safari tours, but we decided to chance it with our best mate John, the taxi driver. Definitely turned out to be the right decision as we had his services from 9:00am until around 7:00pm and he was happy to stop wherever and whenever we wanted. He also had a bit of an itinerary planned which covered everything we were looking to see so everyone was happy. He even turned out in a tour guide uniform and name badge and despite his first language being French, being from Rwanda, he was right up for the tour and he loves the chance to speak and improve his English.
We had good opportunities for photos down at Cape Point, where you can see the Atlantic and Indian oceans, having been through Camps Bay, Hout Bay seeing seals, an ostrich farm and baboons on the road.
The journey back took us to Boulder Beach where there were African Penguins. Who doesn't like a penguin, especially with a cuppa?! We also went through Simon's Town, then through Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay and on to the vineyards at Constantia, which are the oldest in Cape Town and which are set close to some lovely old buildings with thatched roofs. The wine tasting was just shutting down, but as it all tastes like vinegar to me that was no great loss. Incidentally, you'll do well to find any vinegar for your chips in the restaurants over here, but at least they don't smother them in salt like in New Zealand.
We didn't see anything of Kingy at breakfast this morning, so me and Ro took the scenic route along the seafront all the way to the V and A Waterfront. After a quick drink and snack we discovered that there was an exhibition of South African rugby nearby so took that in. Some interesting stuff there, in particular the story regarding their exile from international rugby and obviously their spectacular winning of the World Cup in 1995 following their return. As a bonus there was a free beer available at the Quay 4 bar on the waterfront with your entry ticket. Lovely stuff.
The one downer of the day was the grotty weather forecast, particularly with the first T20 scheduled for 6:00pm this evening. The heavens literally opened as our best mate John picked us up in his taxi. Our plan had been to get there early enough to catch the second innings of the ladies match first, but the rain and the heavy traffic put paid to that.
Fortunately the rain soon stopped and we were treated to a thriller of a game, albeit low scoring. Needless to say, England again came up short, finding yet another way to lose, having got into a position to win. With South Africa needing 15 to win in the last over, England contrived to bowl two full tosses and then miss two run out opportunities. Although disappointed, I have to say that the wins seem to mean so much more to the South African people than they do to us. There is also joy in the crowd on a different level to that I saw in Australia and New Zealand when I saw them beat us a year ago and every good result here seems to have a positive effect on everyone around and is another boost for a country still recovering from a very dark and divisive past. Maybe that's just me looking for positives.
The close game and overall decent bowling performance still can't really hide the fact that England give their wickets away far too easily. I'm all for the positive approach and this side are World Cup contenders, but surely not with batting as reckless as this. One thing in their favour is that I won't be in India to watch it!
We had an amusing ride home in the taxi with John, talking about the earlier heavy rain and trying to explain the saying 'raining cats and dogs' to him. John came back with a Rwandan saying for when there is rain and sun at the same time. So 'The hyena is getting married' is what you should be saying in the case of rain and sun and disappointingly England didn't even win the daftest expression to describe weather competition tonight. John was also treated to Kingy's stories of his trip to Rwanda some time ago, when he was helping to protect the gorillas from poachers. John says he's now going to be on the lookout for babies looking like Kingy when he next returns home. Funny!
Last full day here tomorrow and no firm plans, but there is the possibility of some horse racing at Kenilworth. We shall see....
Had a very relaxed day yesterday. Kingy was out early, off to the internet cafe to answer all the spam emails he receives, thus generating increasingly more spam for him to answer the following day, probably.
Me and Ro took a walk down to the waterfront, Ro has developed an unhealthy addiction to iced Frappe Lattes. In truth we're all hooked, but some of us have yet to develop a dependency. Ro got his fix at a very nice place near the clock tower, where I had a chance to watch Brendan McCullum's record test century. Awesome! We then pondered a game of crazy golf in a cave, but I decided to retire unbeaten thus denying Ro the chance for revenge.
We met up with Kingy and settled for lunch at Quay Four, a decent bar, which was also showing the early FA cup game and that was pretty much us parked up for the day. Kingy very kindly picked up the tab for our lunch and early drinks as a thanks for arranging the flights, accommodation and trips, which was a lovely touch and much appreciated. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Kingy, a prince amongst men. He still doesn't realise that there's an invoice coming his way for services rendered.
We had a great spot overlooking the harbour and as the place had the best wifi we'd come across, it made sense to take in the sights, listen to the band, drink beers and watch the footy until I could check in for our flight online and make sure our seats were not next to the kiddy seats or the toilets.
Kingy left us for a while to get some shopping, but before we knew it, the band had stopped, the Spanish footy was over and the night was done.
Killing time now before waiting for John the taxi driver to pick us up for the airport run. Kingy has spent the morning at the outdoor pool on seafront. He's very happy as they let him in for free thinking he's a pensioner. He didn't account for the karma which resulted in him having to fork out after destroying a sunbed earlier in the week. Time for the journey home, the absolute worst part of any holiday! A two hour flight and then another 11 hours, just to arrive in time for the London rush hour and 20°c colder.
It has to be said though that Cape Town has exceeded all expectations. It's a fantastic place, with very friendly people. If it's not on your bucket list, then it should be.
After watching the waiters and waitresses dancing and singing with the punters and the band last night it really seems unthinkable that just 30 years ago many of them would have been banished back to their townships with their ID cards after work. How on earth was that happening in the 20th century?
Well, it's a place very much on the up again now and well worth the long trip.
After a few long haul trips to the southern hemisphere in recent years, I thought it was about time I had a closer look at continental Europe, rather than just fly over it and deliberately use the toilet over France as is the norm.
The first Speedway GP of the season at Krsko looked like a decent opportunity to take on a new country, so Slovenia it is. A couple of nights in the very picturesque capital Ljubljana were included to make it a worthwhile trip.
I've been lucky again in that the travel plans have have so far gone well, with just a very short delay on the train to Stansted and although the flight left 15 minutes late, our driver was able to put his foot down and land bang on time. Good skills captain! Having said that, he doesn't have to put up with the chaos caused by a swan on the road like in Hazard County this week.
A few interesting characters on board, including a woman who had a full blown panic attack half way through the flight and needed oxygen! There's also a whole rugby team on a stag weekend, all dressed fetchingly in pink, and an organised party of people from all over the UK, all also heading to the Speedway on Saturday. Has to be said, they are a rum old bunch, but fortunately they do at least appear to have a better understanding of personal hygiene than your average punter at a meeting at Kings Lynn. Last but not least we were joined by Wolves' Swedish rider Freddie Lindgren, who is back as a full time GP competitor this year. Seems like a good bloke.
Ljubljana looks like a nice place, even in the downpour that no doubt followed us from England. I've got a guest house that overlooks the river and is just 100 yards from the iconic dragon bridge, which is turning out to be a massive bonus when trying to locate it after going out. Although the Slovenians generally speak very good English, their Slavic road names don't exactly slip off the tongue, so asking directions wouldn't have been straight forward.
Trying to decide now what to do tomorrow. Could be a trip to Lake Bled, or to the caves at Postojna. They are Slovenia's most famous tourist attractions, but a tour of Ljubljana is also an option. Could all be dependent on the weather.
A quick fact about Ljubljana to finish with - You'll all no doubt already know that the World's oldest musical instrument, a flute made from cave bear bones some 55,000 years ago, was found in Slovenia, but you probably didn't know that the oldest wooden wheel in the World was also found right here in Ljubljana marshes. It's estimated to be around 5,200 years old. I'm just puzzled as to why they didn't find the other three!
Ljubljana is a stunning city, but I can't help thinking today that it could seriously benefit from having a roof!
It was raining when we landed at ten past four yesterday and it just carried on relentlessly throughout the night and well into this morning. A look at today's forecast didn't inspire much hope either, with heavy showers all day and just a window of 'lighter rain' due between one and two in the afternoon. That put paid to my plans of visiting Lake Bled and a trip to the caves didn't work out either as the recommendation was to book well in advance. The walking tour of Ljubljana at 11am didn't appeal either as with only a carry-on case my wellies didn't make the cut when I was packing.
So, a trip to the Ljubljana City museum was the first stop. A decent place and welcome respite from the weather and also the massive bonus of actually seeing the oldest wooden wheel in the World! Unfortunately no-one was able to tell me what happened to the other wheels.
Next up was a trip up to Ljubljana Castle which overlooks the City and offers spectacular views, particularly from the tower. It also has a good virtual tour detailing the history of the castle as told by a dragon! Just as importantly it was another good source of shelter from the elements.
At about 1pm the rain finally abated, but not before I had to give in and buy a brolly, much to the amusement of the market trader who sold it to me. He had brought a shed load of them out today having seen the forecast, but says he didn't reckon on selling one to anyone from England!
It's been a shame that the weather has been so poor as Ljubljana clearly has a nice outdoor cafe culture. I took on a panini type lunch and there's a couple of observations to make about Slovenian lunch. Firstly, no-one will ever burn the roof of their mouth eating here. They don't appear to do hot. Secondly, I very much doubt any pigs are harmed in the process of producing Slovenian bacon. It's a bit lacking.....in meat!
I took a walk up to the rail station this evening to check the train times for getting to Brezice tomorrow. The staff there are incredibly helpful and are there until! 9:30 in the evening. I thought the €10 each way from my research was already reasonable for a journey of nearly two hours, but the lady on the desk found me a deal of a return ticket for just 12 bucks! Good skills!
I popped into the English pub on the way back for a quick pint. It's run buy a Slovenian guy who is in and about everything British and by as all sorts of memorabilia plastered all over the walls. A little awkward then when six German guys came in to the bar to be faced with pictures of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Winston Churchill wherever they looked! As usual though, all they were interested in was the football stuff. Always surprises me why there is still a foreign obsession with the English Premiership when the top sides in continental Europe are clearly superior.
It's off to Brezice tomorrow for the Speedway GP just a few miles away at Krsko. Here's hoping we've seen the last of the rain. Once it stopped at lunch time it was t-shirt and shorts weather for the rest of the day. More of that is needed tomorrow....
Glad to say that the good weather was still with us yesterday morning, so a good opportunity to have another wander and get a nice breakfast. A cracking omelette, luke warm naturally, as was the coffee, but nice all the same.
Checked out of my hotel, which has Bed and Breakfast in its name, but doesn't serve breakfast! Was a good place, very basic, but in a brilliant location.
Had another walk around the old town, which was absolutely heaving as it was a nice day. It was all going on, but Ljubljana could definitely do with a greater variety of street entertainment. Every one of them played an accordion and tried to make it not sound like the theme tune to Allo Allo.....unsuccessfully!
It was soon time to get a train towards Krsko for the speedway, although I was actually staying in the next town along the track at Brezice. I was fortunate to get talking to a chap called Metgod, who lived en route and was a bit of a guide, pointing out significant landmarks along the way. I had already read that Slovenia boasts Europe's tallest chimney, at Trbovlje Power Station and my new mate was not only able to point this out, but also Europe's oldest iron bridge, just a few miles further down the line. Does it get any better than that? It even 'Trumped' going through the current First Lady's former home town at Svenica. That's before she became a top model, moved to the USA and decided the future's orange! Almost puts the World's oldest wooden wheel in the shade!
Brezice is right out in bandit country and the station there makes Acle look like Clapham Junction, so a taxi was needed to find my next accommodation. A little disturbing to see no-one at reception, but at least there was a outside door and room key for me. The taxi driver had an idea of the crack and hung around and gave me a lift back to the station to get a train back to Krsko, thankfully.
On the train was a chap called Nick, a volunteer fireman, who was an absolute diamond. He was also going to the speedway and was good enough to show me the way. He was happy that I had arranged for a taxi back to Brezice as well, so we could share the cost. A whole 12 bucks!
One of the first people I saw after taking my seat was an old boy in a Kings Lynn Stars coat, who was about as happy.........as you'd expect someone from Kings Lynn to be. The rest of the organised tour were also very nearby, including a couple I sat next to on the flight out and who I have seen at the castle and Tivoli Gardens on consecutive days. Not surprisingly they refer to me as their stalker.
As for the speedway, it was good to see Tai Woffinden outside posing for selfies and good to see him win the first race of the night. He'll consider this an opportunity missed though, after failing to reach the semi finals despite two heat wins. Our man from the Stansted flight, Freddie Lindgren, was runner up, but deserved winner was Vaculik from Slovakia, who's national anthem is refreshingly very short.
Had a beer and probably the World's biggest burger with Nick afterwards, where out on the concourse a party had started. So unlike a British sporting event, where the stadium could not get rid of you quick enough, the bars get busier, a whole new load of food is prepared and the music is turned up to full volume. A girl dancing on a platform completes the party nicely! We left at 11pm with no sign of it winding down and fortunately all the taxi arrangements paid off well.
Very surprised that there was still no-one on reception for check out this morning, so I just left the keys where I found them. Managed to find the station about 20 minutes walk away, which was just as well as you do well to find English speakers out in the sticks. Even my attempts at the phonetic translations for hello, goodbye and thank you are met with a shrug out there. One guys did ask if I was Scottish and instead of walking off in a huff I should have probably given him the benefit. He was the last English speaker I saw until getting back to Ljubljana!
Just waiting now for a bus to the airport. Fingers crossed there will be no dramas and I'll be back in Blighty by mid afternoon.
So, after a bit of a job, I finally arrived in Munich. Just found out it's known as Minga to Bavarians from out of town! For a fairly serious bunch the Germans really do just keep on giving when it comes to amusing words, especially for us more immature Brits. Could be plenty more of that on the way with Norwich’s new manager. Hoping he's a lucky Farke etc etc.
First time I've been back here since that famous night in 1993 when City turned the mighty Bayern over at the Olympic Stadium (starring a Jeremy we could all like!) Probably a night that will never be surpassed, unless our new manager's a lucky Farke....
Still looks like another fine City, although the area around the Central Station is a bit like all major cities, a bit of a magnet for the poorest, almost inevitably here, that's the asylum seekers and economic migrants. Unfortunately now that the television cameras have gone there are no longer crowds of locals holding welcoming banners and applauding them. Merkel's idiotic phase of wanting to be seen as the next Mother Theresa has also long since faded as well, so these poor guys are now just left to beg and fend for themselves. That's the view of the locals I've spoken to, anyway. Not clever.
Always been lucky with my travel plans, but had an early spanner was thrown into the works this time. Someone had unfortunately been hit by a train near Chelmsford, so after some good advice from the staff at Thorpe Station, I took the Cambridge route to London. Really didn't need any more delays as you never know the situation with getting through security at Gatwick and I knew I'd now be pushing it. Got lucky with getting on two consecutive tube trains and then my train from London Bridge to Gatwick just as they were all leaving. Unbelievably also no delays getting through customs, despite the old hip setting off more bleeps and flashing lights than the amusements on Yarco seafront. The flight was then delayed about half an hour anyway, it seemed for no other reason than complete gridlock on the runway! We literally sat in a queue of planes waiting to take off and others to land. Does our driver not know that in London you have to poke your nose out if you want to get going?
Fair play to him though as we landed pretty much on time, so I was at my hotel pretty much at the time I'd expected. Decent little place and served up a good breakfast this morning, to follow a nice sausage based meal in town last night.
Sat opposite a chap on the train into town who showed an unnatural interest in my Aldi carrier bag when I got my sarnies out. He went on to then explain the history of Aldi, run by two German brothers who split the company between North and South Germany. All very interesting. He assumed I was a Yank, based on my blue Aldi logo as apparently that's what they use in the States. I hate to disappoint, so I went along with it. Was gonna call myself Chuck, but he never asked for a name.
Just had a bit of time to see what's about locally before getting the rattler on to Prague. Visited where they have Oktoberfest, in September obviously and saw the Bavaria statue. Hoping there's no dramas like on the way to London, as I don't know where the Czech equivalent of Cambridge is if I needed to do a detour.
Now on the 12::44 Karel Capec to Prague and it's a lovely ride. Table service from a lovely lady called Katarina with food and beers a plenty here in first class, very reasonably priced too. Lovely job.
Not sure the German football team in the next carriage really needed to bring three crates of beer on board with them and most of them broke the seal far too early, based on the procession through the carriage to the pan. All very funny though when they left the train all singing the theme tune for the darts. Catchy tune so I had to join in. The Brits in my carriage nearby looked dismayed, the Chinese looked baffled and the Russian guy, built like the proverbial brick sh*thouse looked like he wanted to kill me. That shut me up!
Just arrived in Schwandorf, where we ditch the German half of the train and on we go....three mores hours and another new city to see. Good times!
Arrived in Prague about five minutes late, not too shabby for a six hour journey. The train is definitely the way to go over here if you can make time for it. Seems very efficient and is very clean and comfortable and the journey flew by. Also, a first class ticket only cost £31, which was not a lot more than my return from London Bridge to Gatwick airport.
Passed through Pilzen on the way through, where Pilsner beer was first created apparently. Not surprisingly the Czechs are the heaviest beer drinking nation in the World. Definitely more than a few unnecessary ones consumed at the end of every night here then.
Found my hostel with a bit of help from some locals. It's literally around the corner from the iconic Wenceslas Square!. Thought they might have mentioned that in the Booking.com info, with it being the best possible landmark to locate the place. The manager here Peter, is a top man and very good for information on where best to start to get your bearings etc. The place is a converted old building with no frills or much for facilities, but it's clean and comfortable. My nice Brazilian neighbours are getting into the English tea drinking culture with me now and have already got through half my stash of Tetley teabags.
Had a good tourist day yesterday, checking out a monastery/brewery with fine views of the city. May have to go that way again today, as although Prague Castle is in the Guinness Book of Records as being the biggest in the World, I managed to miss it as I walked past on my way down to the old town. Doh!
The old town here is stunning, with historic buildings wherever you look. Need to make a better plan and pick some places out to see today, as it's a bit of a maze and easy to miss things.
Quite a sight in Wenceslas Square yesterday morning as literally thousands of mopeds and motorcycles beeping horns and with a police escort paraded down from the top end and back up towards where I'm staying. Bearing in mind this is where the Czechs like to come to demonstrate in great numbers, I assumed it was some kind of protest against the pedestrianisation of the City centre or similar. A policeman told me it was just a promotion for Mr Brown coffee!
Prague has obviously taken off as one of the stag/hen party must do venues. All kinds of fancy dress going on from groups from all nations here, although the Germans seem to unimaginatively stick to either the national costume or football shirts. Did see a cracking group of Russian zombies in the local Irish bar when I checked in on the cricket though. Ever tried to explain cricket to a Russian zombie? Was never gonna happen, even in the time it takes me to drink a pint! We established that the game is never going to take off there until fielders can rugby tackle batsmen, who can use the bat in their defence and left it at that.
The city is another place with my old nemesis, the tram. Can't get used to looking out for them and always getting hauled away from the tracks by a helpful local after I think I've crossed the road safely.
An easy trip on the very good Prague Metro system to get to the Speedway. The line was extended fairly recently and now goes to within just a few minutes walk of the Marketa Speedway Stadium. Saw some Slovenes from Krsko who I'd seen at their GP back in April on the way there, so had a beer with them before the start. Also met a chap from Norwich when buying the programme. He's happy with the new regime and got his own Farke gag in as is now the way when discussing City.
It was s a step up in atmosphere here compared to Krsko, probably due to the hoards of Polish fans. Not sure if they are just crazy about their speedway, or just literally mental full stop. A trip to see a GP over there would be an experience.
Another frustrating night for Woffinden, who looked good with 5 points from his first two races, but an exclusion, followed by a fourth left him too much to do and he missed out on the semi finals. No consolation to him that back home there doesn't seem to be any distinguishing between winners and losers these days. Apparently you just interpret results to suit your opinion.
It was good that the Czech rider Vaclav Milik made the final and also the Pole Dudek, making a great atmosphere, although it was Aussie Jason Doyle who took the honours ahead of Greg Hancock.
No stopping the Poles though, who were singing all the way back to the Metro. Just glad they're not staying at my place!
May take in the zoo today if I can find it, then a day trip to Dresden tomorrow to come.....
An early start this morning as taking a trip back into sausage country to visit Dresden on the 08:20 train.
Not the best start to the day when I tried to order my breakfast in the native language. My expected full English transpired to just be four rolls! Although two were long and the other two had seeds on. I still have no idea if there was some kind of wind up going on as at least three of the restaurant staff came over to ask if everything was good. Didn't have much time so just cracked on through them as if it was all planned. That showed them!
It's a great trip to Dresden, just over two hours and the train follows the Elbe river all the way there. A real scenic journey.
I'd read a little about Dresden, which is famous mainly for being heavily bombed by Britain and the US in the second world war and was aware that they had completed the restoration of the cathedral. I wasn't expecting to see such a spectacular number of amazing old buildings however, it's a real surprise.
Another surprise was the police presence around the place. I reckon I saw more police in one day here than in every other place I've travelled to. They were literally everywhere, heavily armed too. Wonder what that would cost, Diane Abbott?
I took a trip a little further out on a couple of trams to check out the Schweberbahn, a suspension railway and the oldest in the World. It's not as big as the one at Wuppertal in the west of Germany, but it was the original.
There was a bit of quality entertainment going on in one of the main squares as well. If you've been on Norwich market you'll have seen the stall that basically consists of a pile of vacuum cleaner parts and accessories. A guy here had a similar pile and was picking up and playing each in turn...and getting a pretty decent tune out of most of them. He also played a crutch like a flute. The highlight though was when he switched on a hoover and somehow made a tune with the sucking end in his mouth! Definitely one to file in the 'don't try this at home' pile. It looked incredibly painful....but it did attract a large crowd and a heavy police presence.
Another good trip back on the rattler, although my passport came under massive scrutiny from yet another policeman just as we were setting off. Not sure what warranted that as it's never had a second glance from customs anywhere else I've been.
Just the trip home to get through now, which does have potential to not be as straight forward as it should be. When booking flights etc I was taken in by a flight price of £27 from Prague to Gatwick. I hadn't heard of Smartwings, but just assumed they were the budget arm of one of the usual carriers. It seems they are the Czech equivalent of Easyjet, but without the reliability, customer service, quality and everything else they get slated for. Most of the reviews mainly have gripes about why they aren't able to give a zero rating and some wanted to give minus marks!! They say you get what you pay for....probably not a great criteria for flights now I think about it. We shall see......
Had a final early morning cuppa in the garden of my hostel and it was nice to have a chance to say cheerio to the nice Brazilian couple I'd often see there in the mornings and evenings. Me with a nice cup of tea and biscuits and them chain smoking. We were joined by an amusing Argentinian guy and a lady from somewhere in the Czech Republic, but who unfortunately didn't speak much English, so I have no idea where.
One of the genuine highlights of hostels like this is meeting people from all over the World and realising just how much you have in common with them when it comes to humour and values etc, particularly people prepared to get off their behinds and see new places. They all seemed especially pleased that I fitted their stereotype of an Englishman, drinking tea and talking about the weather!
Visited the usual place for breakfast and was greeted like a long lost friend and asked if I wanted another four rolls. Hilarious! They did bring me a nice breakfast and added a few extras with huge apologies for their wind up yesterday. They hadn't bargained on me just tucking into the rolls and not questioning it. For the record, it seems the closest thing they could equate to my breakfast order in Czech was a car wash!
On getting back from Dresden yesterday I had nipped in to see the lovely ladies in the Tourist Information shop in Prague Station to get confirmation of the bus details for the airport and as usual the advice was spot on. Always worth a little trip to see the ladies there whether you need any travel advice or not to be honest.
It's a pretty straight forward bus ride from right outside Prague Station, which has an amazing decorative interior in the oldest part of the building, which is sadly hardly used now. Unfortunately our bus driver wouldn't leave until there was literally no space left on the bus. No requirements for holding onto handrails etc as we were wedged in. A bit unnecessary when buses leave every half hour.
Found myself at the airport in plenty of time and able to check in with SmartWings very quickly. The guy at the counter weighed my luggage, told me it was over the limit, but said I could take it on anyway. Top man. Hadn't even noticed a weight limit for hand luggage when I booked the flight.
I got talking to a nice young American lady who had been on her first trip away from the USA and had loved her trip to England, Scotland and Dublin especislly. She had hired a car and driven from London to Edinburgh and had also encountered roundabouts for the first time. I had no idea that they were not common in the States. She looked horrified at the thought of taking on the infamous magic roundabout in Swindon.
She had also enjoyed Prague, but had a very different experience of Paris, where she was mugged within 30 minutes of landing in Paris. Not one person on the busy street had stepped in to help her and the kindest thing anyone did was to step over her rather than on her while she was on the ground. How sad! I can't imagine that would have been the case in the UK and she certainly had the same opinion as she was raving about the kindness she was shown here.
All my doubts about SmartWings following the reviews were unfounded as the plane was decent and the stewardesses were even better looking than on their website! Free water was provided as well, unlike on the Easyjet flight out to Munich. Just goes to show that people are more likely to write reviews after bad experiences I guess. The flight arrived on time and I was able to get on the off peak rattler back to Norwich before rush hour.
So that's another couple of new cities visited and Prague and Dresden are two places I'd certainly recommend. I'll be looking to travel to more European cities again next summer and will be looking to take on more train travel. It's definitely the best way to get around without the hassle and stress of airport security checks.
Next trip for the blog is another big one down under to Australia in January. No avoiding airport security for that one, but well worth all the hassle and a first trip to Perth to look forward too.......
https://getairhelp.agilecrm.com/click?u=https://u.to/VsJfFQ&sY98820701765632 Patrick Giles
ICAgIGh0dHA6Ly90aW55LmNjL3JydndheiAgICAgUGF0cmljaw==
http://tiny.cc/km4ibz Patrick Giles
http://inx.lv/nT8Y Patrick
http://inx.lv/nXNn
Patrick Giles
http://inx.lv/zZNa Patrick Giles
http://inx.lv/zmEC
Patrick Giles
From: Patrick Giles
Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2020 07:55:21 AM
To: thutato807232@getjealous.com
Subject:
https://search.yahoo.com/search?p=&fr=8q4fu334v77fu7w5
https://u.to/NLSOFw Patrick
http://tiny.cc/g52lqz Patrick
https://bit.ly/2ZokeZ3?/vx/busy/
Patrick
http://bit.do/fHaEc
Patrick Giles
https://bit.ly/2KwHl04
Patrick Giles
https://j.mp/3rUygPy
Patrick
https://j.mp/3al7bgy
Patrick