Summer Holidays are here - Aussie style

The kids broke up from school last week, the end of the school year here, but of more significance the last day at Blackwood Primary. They have 7 weeks off now and in late January will start at their new Westminster School. Once we had visited the school, had a show round and talked to some of the teachers, it was an easy decision to move them. The opportunities at this new private school are endless. When I saw the playing fields, indoor pool, stage and theatre, art facilities etc , it was a no brainer. I enjoyed my school days immensely, I'm sure they will love it here too. They had a 2 day trial 2 weeks ago and were looked after by "buddies" whose job it was to show them round and introduce them to friends and school ways.

We can now look forward to at least 5 months of great weather, of swimming in our new pool, of long summer nights. It all sounds so glorious doesn't it? However I personally have been quite unsettled recently. A combination of visits from the UK of Debi's Sister Wendy, my old mate from college, Chris Tipton and stories from home of my Mum going into a care home recently in order to give my Dad some well needed rest. He went over on Eurostar to Lille for a few days to chill out by himself. I would love him to come and visit us, but I fear my Mum will not be able to make the journey. I am planning a trip back to the UK in March/April in order to see them.

As you guys are I guess, we are planning the Xmas / New Year break. We'll be on the beach Xmas day, and have a number of friends coming round for new years eve. The Police here are even stricter than in UK, they put up roadblocks and breathalyze everyone regardless. They do not have to warn motorists where they will be, so a very neat means of controlling things. Guess who'll be driving Xmas day? Can't see it being Debi can you? One for the road indeed.....

What's going on - new house and more

No blog for 2 months, just not sat at the PC and got to it really. A load has happened of course, I'll try and limit this to the meaty bits.

We're in the new home
On 21 October we finally moved in the new home. I took a couple of days off, but already Debi had done a magnificent job in pre-packing, planning and sorting things out for the move. On the day of the move and the day after we had a procession of contractors in - Curtains went up, paving went down, plants were planted, appliances were connected, the pool was filled. Within days Debi had made her mark and it felt like home. Nigh on 2 years since we sold up in Brookmans Park in Nov 07, hard to comprehend really. A major milestone in our new life down under, to be proud house owners again. I will post pics of the new house on our picasa site for anyone remotely interested. Of course we have a few items for the sang list, but really minor things, the builders have done a really good job, and through them we have made a couple of good friends in Hazel (the sales person) and her hubby Hayden (a professor at Flinders Uni, and a great character).

Family visit
13 Nov and Debi's sister Wendy, hubby Jamie and 7 month old Harvey arrived for 10 days with us before moving on to Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts in Queensland. Their arrival coincided with an amazing burst of warm weather. I took the week off work, we had a couple of days chilling out by the pool in great weather and we went on a houseboat on the Murray River for 3 days. Loads of wine, revelry, camaraderie and a bit of mothering - Auntie Debi and baby Harvey. We managed to run aground 3 times on the Murray, much to the amusement of the ladies. Charlie at one time insisted on chomping on a half eaten rabbit on the banks, just as a storm broke, the winds went to hurricane levels and as it was a 47c day the wind became like a furnace. Actually quite dangerous. The boat broke the temporary moorings and started off down the river, with me battling with Charlie to drop the rabbit, Debi doing the same, Wendy holding on to one of the ropes and the kids - and thankfully Jamie (Senior) on board with the kids screaming at us to get on before they disappeared down river. Comical really. Had to down a few bottles to get over it. Saw an amazing electrical Storm that night as the heatwave came to an end.

We all got very emotional when they had to go, with of course each of us trying our best to hold it all back. Brought back home with a bang how much we all miss our families and friends.

We had a fantastic drive back home, from the Riverland via a cross country route through the Adelaide Hills. We stopped in the Barossa Valley at Chateau Tanunda for a spot of winetasting (bought a few too). There was a magnificent Cricket Oval in the grounds where they hold an annual Cricket Charity Match. International Stars take part, I saw a photo of Sir Ian Botham and David Gower to name but a few.

Chris Tipton visit
Many of you will know my old college mate. He arrived here on the 3rd December for a quick 5 days. (He had already been in Hong Kong and was to have several days in Sydney after us) He took the chance, due to changes at his work place, to do a bit of long distance travelling. We had a lovely time, with my old ginger chum (well Ginge has shaved it off up top, but reliably informs me he's still got it downstairs - Mercifully I didn't need to verify).

Played Golf at Blackwood Friday (Debi too). Saturday we enjoyed an all dayer at the Adelaide Oval during the Australia / West Indies test match. After this I took him up to Rundle Street for a few more drinks to experience a bit of Adelaide's night life.

Sunday, we were back at the golf Club for a pre-arranged Mixed Ambrose at the golf Club, followed by a very sociable Xmas dinner. Our Scottish mate Gerald doing a fabulous Santa (Billy Connelly style). Very funny guy. Chris enjoyed meeting some of our new friends and having a brief insight to our new life.

Again sad to see him go after such a short stay, but it was as usual just like I last saw him last week. Good friends will always be... good friends. Great to hang out with. You can't beat history.

Trailblazer Challenge

Held last Saturday, I'm glad to say we all completed it in one piece. Over 800 took part, with many walking or running 50k or 100k. We did the 34k course and were well glad when we had completed that. If we are to attempt the 50K next year we will need to seriously need to up our training.

We started in the City at 7am and the first 18k was along the banks of the River Torrens gradually making our way out to the foothills surrounding the city. It took us though many suburbs, even one called Highbury, which even over here had a weird smell about it. Sadly it was a nice area unlike the hovel that surrounds the red half of North London. We reached checkpoint 1 about 10.15.

Then started the first of the 2 hill climbs up the aptly named Black Hill. As we got higher so too did the scenery over the City start to spread out beside us. Good spirits, camaraderie and a few sugary sweets got us to the 2nd watering point. From here a further steep uphill climb to the Morialta Conservation Park. On this section the aches really started, but I think it was the mental side of getting near the finish. There were others who were doing the 100 k walk about us and they actually looked in a worse state than we were. God knows if they competed their target.

Anyhow Peter Williams my boss and Andrew Tatlock my Geordie Chum, completed our 34k challenge in 6 hrs 47mins well ahead of our expected time. We have raised in excess of $1500 between us, for "troubled children" so we're happy with our efforts. Needless to say we spent the rest of the afternoon at the well named Edinburgh Hotel supping several well earned Coopers pale ale, with our other halves and kids. Roll on next year and the 50k challenge.....

Move in to the new house on Weds 21 Oct at last....

City to Bay 12k and bloody nipples

Well I'm glad to say, I managed to run the whole way, but not in much of a time. Well by the time I got through the start line 1000's had already started. Hence the 7500 who finished ahead of me. Also have to admit to some surprise when I read in the paper that 75 people had actually walked it quicker than I had run it...

At the end I was asking a lady where to pick up the kit bags. She looked me up and down in amazement. It was only when she'd gone I noticed I had 2 great bloody patches around both of my nipples. Not very cool I can tell you. I did say I was not built for running, this proves it...

It hasn't stopped my enthusiasm for the charity raising Trailblazer challenge which is actually next weekend. A 34k hike, starting in the city and ending in the Adelaide Hills. Next year I'll attempt the 50k, and the year after the 100k (not). Some people actually run the whole 100k, amazing. Sadly no-one from the UK has sponsored me yet, other than my Dad. Ah well, out of sight...

Oh yeah news on the new house. We should be moving in on the 21st Oct - can't wait.

One year on - The Good the Bad and the Ugly

Hard to believe it is now over a year since we left England. Even writing those words seems strange. There is so much here to make us comfortable and happy, but there has also been many moments to make us feel sad and miss our previous life back in Brookmans Park. I will try here to list a few of the highs and lows and the most memorable moments in this new chapter in our lives.

Moments of sadness
It's been tough to be so far away and hear about really tragic events amongst our friends in the UK. The deaths of very good friends Penny Akam and Beverley Nash taken so early from us by cancer. Dave Styles to a sudden heart attack after a game of tennis with his son and in the last few weeks the serious illness of Dave Curley and serious injuries to Sam Boothby just 16 and fighting to save his eyesight after being thrown from a jeep in Africa after a tyre blowout.

It's been very tough to see my brothers, Dad and close family rallying round to support my Dad, as Mum's Alzheimer's becomes ever more evident. Every time we finish a Skype call home there are tears as the call ends. We are unable to offer any physical help or support from here, but I hope my family know how much I admire and am proud of everything they are doing and how they are all pulling together. It's been amazing to watch from here.

The not so good
Linking up on the phone, and seeing the pictures on Picasa of my best mates on golf Tour in Portugal. I was always on this trip in previous years and it was really hard not being with these special guys this time round. I hope its not the last time we'll be able to holiday together as there is nothing that can beat being on tour with your very best mates. I miss the belly laughs and the camaraderie that only your best mates can deliver.

Australian TV is not in the same class as UKTV. Don't knock the BBC or ITV guys, they are quality believe me.

The Indian Restaurants here are absolutely rubbish, boy how we miss the Methi and the Raj. In fact any British curry house knocks the spots off them here. The best we've had here was in the Gold Coast. Too far to order a takeaway!

In October/November last year I remember the flies in the hills (where we live) being an absolute nuisance. When going for a walk in any reserve, or park, or going to our new property it was like one fly picking on you just to wind you up and never flying off. On the golf course too, you'd have a swarm following you round. I remember thinking they were not around during our reccy in 2007 and what a mistake we'd made coming to this area. Then just as quickly they disappeared. 2 months is bearable, and they aren't about in the city.

About the same time the millipedes are everywhere. How they make their way into the house, through locked doors and bolted windows I'll never know. David Copperfield just has to have taught these things a trick or too. Then as if by Magic they've gone too - maybe 3 months for them.

The evening winds and gully breezes have been a surprise too. Many was the time, I'd rush home from work, on a beautiful sunny, warm (even hot) day looking to sit out with Debi on our terrace and share some wine and a balmy evening. These cool winds put paid to that. Probably 3 months of these in the late spring early summer (Nov-Jan). ate Summer and Autumn (February - May) were absolutely superb weather wise.

I've definitely missed going to Spurs and watching live Football on the UKTV. I can get clips of Match of the Day via the internet, and getting up in the middle of the night to watch a Spurs game streamed through the internet will try anyone's patience.

Two last downers have been not being in our own home, and going back to a 5 day working week. We have been renting since Nov 07, nearly 2 years now, and we desperately want and need to get in our new home. Maybe just 4-6 weeks away now... In England in running Driveline with Nicole, we had more or less managed to wrangle a 4 day working week, plus a few other perks. Of course in selling up, we gave up such privileges. It's now a question of head down, work hard and prove yourself all over again.

The Good Stuff
When I started making some notes, I thought jeez, there's a load of cons and I thought they were going to outweigh the pros. I'll let you weigh up the arguments for and against

A quick list of the good, new, novel and most memorable experiences:
Blackwood Golf Club - Great Course, clubhouse, made some good friends, Debi playing too, summer twilight golf socials.
Jamie really getting into Football at last, he's really got the bug. Scored a few goals and thrown a few tantrums when asked to go Sub or play in goal. Really enjoyed coaching his under 9's.
Phil Hoffmann Travel - Really lucky to have been offered work with these guys, just as the GFC hit over here. Have been rewarded with a recent promotion to Head up Marketing, Groups, Wholesale and Special Projects. Go ahead company, 120 great people and loads of potential.
Charlie our labradoodle - An important addition to the family, a source of much fun and good company (not when he legs it and rounds up a herd of local Cows).
The 6 days last summer all over 40C (The time of the Victorian Bush Fire)
Glorious Blue Skies for days on end
The KI Cup day trip on Kangaroo Island, what corporate hospitality and a day on the pop is all about.
Coopers pale ale - best beer here by far, but not a patch on England's Real Ales.
Vilies and Balfours Pies - for the boy who continually ate all the pies in the UK
The Adelaide Oval - a magnificent venue for many outings; 20/20 cricket, A test match v NZ, the Rugby Sevens and venue for my Rotary Club of Adelaide lunch meetings each week.
Our holiday in the Gold Coast in August - well any holiday anywhere would get a mention.
A few business trips to Sydney - which actually have served to re-assure me we have made the right choice, by being here in Adelaide.
Aussie Rules Footy - Have got quite into it actually, supporting Glenelg in the local SAFL and the Adelaide Crows in the AFL National Competition.
My appearance on the Internet TV show KG & The General.

Debi has added a few more:

The cinemas are more relaxed and comfortable

Masterchef Australia and Rush TV shows.

Driving down from the hills where we live, towards the City and seeing the magnificent views as they expand out before you.

Our new ultra comfortable bed and mattress

Buying new furniture for the new house (Not in my list I can assure you)

Golf with the Girls

Working out with the Step into life fitness group - "They do it outdoors".

The Football Season is apon us and that glorious Ashes win

As we come to the end of the school under 9 season I have 2 momentous occasions to harp on about. We had a superb festival of football under lights last Monday night after school. As coach of the Blackwood Under 9's, we had a great evening of fast and furious football, on a glistening wet pitch, football the way it was always meant to be played. I haven't been so excited since Gascoigne's screamer against the Arse at Wembley in '91, when my boy Jamie stepped up in the final minute of the last game and slotted the winner. The coach was to be seen doing a David Pleat and Barry Fry jig all down the far side of the ground....Happy days indeed.

Then in the final league game of the season, we only went and tonked the opposition 4-0 with Jamie again on the score sheet. Having lost the previous few games 6-2, 5-0 and 4-0. The Coach through misty eyes milking it all...

As I write this the cockerel is definitely crowing. We sit top of the league with 3 straight wins. I even missed 2 hours of the famous Ashes win as Spurs were on at the same time. messages rained in from all over the globe (well England and Indonesia anyway - thanks Jonny Elliott). Boothers I even got to say hi to his new girlfriend Ravi.

Of course I had a terrible time going to work the next day with a big grin on my face. I had to say absolutely nothing. The Aussies just know when they have been beaten by a better side (not).

Gold Coast holiday and the return "home"

We stayed in a place called Broadbeach, which is the next resort down to Surfers Paradise, supposedly a bit more upmarket (well I do have a wife who would like to be kept in the manner to which she has become accustomed!!) On our first night which was a Saturday, we were sitting in a nice Italian restaurant and I have to say I saw more sights in the 3 hours we were there than in 11 months in Adelaide.

Imagine a night in Blackpool, crew after crew of scantily clad girls on Hen parties, with all sorts of dodgy themed clothing (or lack of it) It just so happened there was a night club 20 yards down the street form our table. What a great spot we had...of course I was engaged in the conversation on our table - why wouldn't I be!

We took in visits to the theme parks; White Water World, DreamWorld and Sea World - Think Disneyland, Universal Studios crossed with Thorpe Park and Legoland... Also some animal parks a day on the beach and for the final day and night we stayed at Debi's Uncle George's house in Tweed Heads to the South of the Gold Coast just over the border in NSW. Uncle George wasn't actually there, but his partner Mo and her daughter Nicky looked after us admirably. We went on a walk with them round the resort and saw 2 majestic whales basking in the surf just 200m off the coast.

Have to say the coastline, the surf and the beaches were more impressive than those in Adelaide, which are still beautiful but a little tame in comparison. Debi and I particularly enjoyed sundowners in a couple of their Surf Clubs, with moody music and a great views of the coastlline and surfers. Adelaide beaches maybe win, as they are safer, not such massive rips and undercurrents and we can let dogs free on the beach in the winter months. They're not allowed on the beaches at all on the Gold Coast. Visually though has to be 10/10 for the Gold Coast.

So back to life in Adelaide all very dramatic, picking up Charlie from the kennels as it was the first time we have actually used kennels as back in the UK we normally could rely on my Mum and Dad or friends to help out. Jamie was beside himself and crying with emotion at the thought of seeing Charlie again. All well, he did not seem to suffer much apart from now (2 weeks later actually), when it appears he may have caught kennel cough.

Debi has not had much work with Clarins, much to her delight. I must say I don't see her picking up the phone asking why there is no work. When she has been it seems there is more action with people nicking stuff than buying it...

She has now had a good meeting with our friend Lesley, to discuss yet another business venture.(at least she tries). Still in its infancy, but basically catering for the starving masses on the golf course on their busiest days Wednesdays and Saturdays. They just have to get it past the committee for approval - watch this space. I'm sure she will be keeping the Clarins samples whatever happens!!!

The house is getting on, We're still trying to get in for the end of September, but not sure if that will happen. Debi has had a full time job keeping on top of many issues, even though we have an official site manager appointed. Painting and tiling has now started and the wardrobes are all getting fitted today, so we can now see more visual progress. It's actually quite exciting to think we may have a home again in less the 5 weeks, fingers crossed.

Weather wise we have had the coldest week yet, still about 10c but whipping winds and storms which make it all the colder. Last night we had a big power cut for 4 hours with many trees down all over the city and surrounding hills. It's quite nice really as, you hear big howling winds outside and of course the storm brings heavy rains so Adelaide is now getting on track to having the water they need for the summer. They actually phrased it as being close to average winter rains for the first time in over 5 years (hence the drought). Very funny to watch the news with people getting so excited about the wet weekend coming. We know we will have plenty of sun ahead so its good to know we have enough water as well. Just one big example of the very different mentality compared to that back in England.

Annoying internet access and networking of a different kind

'kin hell - just spent an hour typing up my thoughts and the freakin' internet wouldn't let me save the post. Most annoying. Debi had even written up a couple of notes too talking about my drunken stature after a business networking lunch last Friday. This was at Glenelg footy club, who PHT sponsor and I have to do my duty and hold up the companies end. Arrived at 12.30 and left after 8 - obviously not making it back to work. Still someone has to do this work!! The speaker was a Paul Gascoigne character a local aussie footy star who has come across bad times and recently turned to alcohol, drugs and women.

The cruise site at work is now launched - http://www.cruiseworldwide.travel/ check it out. Just now need to promote it and get the bookings coming in. Been to Sydney for a days business trip this week and am going to the Adelaide City Rotary Club now every possible Wednesday lunchtime. A good networking event, a spot of lunch at a great venue - the Adelaide Oval, combined with some charity work, can't be bad.

Kids have just finished the school holidays - I imagine Debi is quite happy about that! We all went to see Harry Potter the day after its launch here, we are all big fans. Debi and I were even to be found on the Wii last night - Debi was Hermione (all attitude and opinions) and I was Harry (lasered 4 eyes, scarred forehead (old football wound), baggy trousers and a battered old wand (my credit card - which Debi now shares!))

Won't mention my golf handicap. Oh alright - I came here with a decent 7.5 and have already slipped to 9.5 so back in double figures, a nightmare. Really playing badly and in danger of not having enjoyed a round for many weeks now.

Enjoyed watching the Ashes over here. Starts at 7pm and if you see all the days play its on til 2.30 am. Flintoff last night was superb. My boss was at Lords, but I'm not sure he'll need me to wind him up any more. I have a contract to be renewed !! I do know however that he has been badly let down by the UK ticket agent and ground arranger.

Not sure I've mentioned it before, but we have an excellent range of walks and countryside around us. The pictures in this post are all from where we now live. One is the moody winter sky from out the back of our current rental. One is the Sturt River Dam just 1 mile walk from the new house. The bike and horse trails are also on the doorstep and Debi is there every day walking/ running with Charlie. If I can get my lazy arse out of bed before work its a real buzz running in there with Charlie. Easier said than done as I am a night person not a morning person.

The beach shot is at Seacliff, just 15 mins drive away, where we took Charlie for a treat (off lead) last Saturday. Actually we were picking my car up from work following the drink up at Glenelg footy club as mentioned last Friday.

Mid winter ain't so bad

Not doing well at this blogging lark am I?. It's been nearly a month since my last post. I promised myself I would write at least a little snippet every week, but I'm sadly miles away from that. Combination of things I guess. At work I'm constantly on a PC right now, and when I get home Jamie and Georgia are hogging ours. I settle with a nice glass of wine and bingo its midnight, I might have dozed off a little in the chair or we're catching up with a little light entertainment. Read into that what you will.

Tuesday nights, I help out with the Cub Scouts. Not sure If I've mentioned this before, but both Georgia and Jamie go to the same pack, and are both loving it. Georgia finds it so much more fun than girl guides was over here (very religious and girly). Last Tuesday we went to the local shopping centre and the Cubs enjoyed free reign in an amusement type arcade. You know the Video games stuff - previously I guess it was all Sega, but all sorts now. They all had fun. We've had Camp fires, indoor bowling, sight, sound and touch and other games nights.

Wednesday nights I take the School under 9's for Soccer training. 'Scuse the Aussie slang there but the kids pick me up on it. Every time I tick them off for misbehaving and say come on we're here to play football, they say no - soccer... Drawn 3 lost 3 to date, may get the sack before the seasons end!!!

I mentioned Debi's new job last time round and that it was part time work. Let me tell you how part time. She has a load of samples to try out and learn with, but not one client has yet benefited from her new found skills..... This Saturday after several training days, is her first real day of work. Typical its come now the kids are off school for end of term, going back end of July. (They have 4 terms here, this being the end of term 2).

We are deep in winter now, and have passed the shortest day, just as you have hit big summer. The piccy on the right here was taken in late May, just before going into winter. the Weather looked great at Wimbledon, but as I write today, our winter day, has been much like your summer day. Check this out.. Highs and lows, Rain coming here Sat & Sun oh great

Luton
17°CCurrent: CloudyWind: W at 13 km/hHumidity: 72%
Wed18° 11°
Thu19° 10°
Fri21° 11°
Sat22° 14°
Adelaide
10°CCurrent: Partly CloudyWind: NE at 14 km/hHumidity: 66%
Wed16° 7°
Thu18° 11°
Fri12° 11°
Sat14° 11°

The Locals here are finding it freezing here which is remarkable really. I just put a light sweater on to go to work, that comes off at the office and at home we have rarely had to have the heating on. It does certainly have a chill in the evenings, but not a patch on the good old British winter nights.

Just typing this as the First Day of the Ashes Test match is on. My boss Peter is there in Cardiff, with a small group of Aussies, lucky blighters. 3 wickets down at lunch - not good.

Debi's playing golf with a group of ladies tomorrow which is good news. She is enjoying the game and we have both met a nice crowd at the club. As its school holiday I'm having to work from home tomorrow afty to let her out. Thankfully the facility does exist. My golf of late has been absolutely shocking. I'm going backwards at a rate of knots. 2 more weeks and I'll be back to 10 handicap. Still only played to handicap twice in all my time here. It is a real tough course, but this workman cannot blame his tools, it's all down to me. Touch and feel has all gone, missing greens, fairways and short putts. Now I'm 50 I guess I'd better take up Bowls... The piccy above was taken during my 50th birthday. A quiet romantic evening out with the Mrs at a restaurant called windy point. Well it was a Monday!

The EBOZ (my old Football team East Barnet Old Grammarians - EBOG, so those that have gravitated over here are EBOZ - East Barnet in Oz - geddit?) boys are coming to Adelaide in November which should be great fun, most certainly booze filled. Waza, Linton, Patel, Thorny, Jules, Winger, Haycock et al - take note.

The Cruise site I've been working on is still not launched, which is a mare really, but it has enabled more thorough testing and bug fixing. It will go live imminently, and fingers crossed it will pile in with the bookings. It has to... More projects to follow this one. Have had a few good work functions to attend recently, a fund raising dinner for the Adelaide Crows (Aussie Pro football team), a South Australian Hotels Association (awards night) Dinner and dancing; and a long business networking luncheon at local (to work) Glenelg footy club, with the guest speaker being ex OZ cricketer Merv Hughes who was hilarious. Some great stories.

Getting home from one of the dinners in the City was a test. The train line is closed for a few months for improvements. So caught the Rail replacement bus. Within seconds I'd nodded off, luckily waking up in Belair 5 mins from my stop at Blackwood. Got out and now faced a 30 min walk home (No way Debi was coming for me at that time, and no doubt after a few swallies at home!). Within 10 mins the skies opened and I had to take Shelter under a big gum tree. Eventually making it home at 2am or so drenched. When it does rain here - it certainly hammers it, but never for too long, and generally at sociable times - nightime...

Better sign off now as Georgia and Jamie's bed time. Georgia is here now and says Hi to you all.

Debi's a working girl now !

Just been speaking via Skype with my Brother Gary, who was telling me all about my younger brother Mark's wedding in Devon last week. Gutted I couldn't be there, but I hope to catch up and live the scene by looking at pics and hopefully some video of the proceedings.

Then just spoke with Jugsy, also via Skype. Curious you are talking away as if they are in the room with you. To all my other mates out there, please get Skype and a web cam I would love to speak (and see) you all from time to time. Jugsy bought my beloved CLK from me when we left last year. Good to hear its in good hands and still running well.

This weeks big news - Debi has found some work!!!

Indeed, as much a surprise to me as it is to you. It's for Clarins, and she has just completed an initial 3 days training course. Kind of promotional sales, on a part time basis. I guess no more than 3 days a week, but can be less depending on if they have promotions to run. The cynics might say she is in it for the products - I can't move in our bathroom for samples, so maybe there is some truth in that rumour. My complexion has even improved as she has been dabbing my ageing visage with all kinds of boy products. I am getting in touch with my feminine side sweetie.

About to launch my new website at work. It's dedicated to Cruising, so its been real fun to work on and exciting its about to go live. Lets hope it does bring in the bookings its meant to for the firm. Still enjoying the Work and in particular the people. Really nice, caring crowd. In fact Phil Hoffmann Travel is growing as we are just opening 2 new offices, one in the City itself and another in Victor Harbour an hour and a half drive South of Adelaide. Bit of a retirement area, so hopefully a good level of clientele.

The new house is nearly watertight so they should now start on the Giprock inside, i.e. all the interior walls and ceilings. Hopefully still looking at moving in in September, fingers crossed.

I am also delighted to mention that we actually do have a sea view! OK you have to be on the upstairs balcony, its between 2 trees in the distance and its only an inch to view between the Sky and the horizon (Fawlty Towers) but its there !!

Also, talking of things being watertight, its winter here and its amazing the amount of rain that has fallen recently. All good for the water stocks. Its certainly made the countryside more resemble England's. All rolling hills and green fields. Gone are the barren dry, dusty fields of just 2 months ago.

I'm 50 now
Have to say it passed with a whimper, not a bang. The bangs were reserved for every other of my ageing milestones. I had big parties at 18, 21, 30 and 40. This time my 50th was on a Monday. I took the day off, ran with the dog Charlie across country, and then played Debi at Golf. Her first ever 18 holes completed and she beat me - a fair old 21 points to my 20. In the evening we left G&J with a sitter and went off to Windy point - a great restaurant on the hillside overlooking the whole city far below us. Our own bit of Hollywood here in SA. Roll on the 60th.

Found a local bar at last to rival the Brookmans
The night time here in Blackwood (a suburb to the South of the Main City) is pretty shocking. If you are out after 9pm, they pack up all the chairs on the tables around you, in a subtle means of telling you its time to leave. Anyway the Belair Hotel as had a big facelift these past few months and its now open. Debi, Georgia and I snuck in there to investigate and were pleasantly surprised to find its actually quite good. (Jamie was playing at a mate's house). Very modern, good music pumped throughout, good wine list and bistro style cuisine, open hearth gas fire and loads of beers on draft. Heaven I can tell you. At last a bit of class arrives in Blackwood / Belair. Just a touch too far to walk to however, it's do-able, but not for Debi in her high heels. There are also far too many bushes and gardens to fall into on the way home, I'd never got her home without incident. It is 2 stops on the train from our new house, so loads of potential for a good few nights out. Any visitors who do make it to see us, this bar will be on the agenda for sure.

Must go - bottle of Sauvignan Blanc just opened and the night has drawn in.

Give me a moment to reflect

Forgot to mention in the last blog another reason for me in particular feeling a little down amongst the other things mentioned was the annual Golf Trip by the boys back home to a European venue. This year they ended up in Cascais in Portugal on the Lisbon Coast. I would in normal circumstances have been the first named on the list, paid up and desperate for the first day to arrive.

This year I had to make do with a quick phone call to the boys in the sun in Portugal, as they sat around a sun drenched bar after a good lunch and a full mornings round of golf. Boy did I miss not being there with them. It was great to catch up, but also made me very sad afterward knowing how much I miss them all, and how much I would have loved to have been there with them. Supposedly in this picture, my old mate John Turner 2nd in from the right is on the phone to me in Oz. Skype is great....

Today I got the EBOG newsletter talking about the Golf Season in full swing talking about the day out at Trent Park, not massive I know, but I miss the banter and 'iss taking. Also today have been struck off the list at Brookmans Park GC after some 36 years of membership as I don't see the point keeping up the membership from afar. Another sad moment, at least I got my name on the board in my last year before leaving. The Brazier name forever indented on the winners board at my old club.

Apologies but allow me a little melancholy once in awhile. I was told the first 2 years was always going to be the toughest part.

Can't shake the routine, wherever you are

Have found it quite difficult of late to know quite what to put in the Blog. After 9 months here now, we seem to have settled into what you might call a routine. Of course we have been out and doing things and have had some fun, but I think in this last month, both Debi and I have had some moments of sadness, bordering on regret, but even twangs of loneliness.

My last blog kind of brought it home about the distance we are from our old home and our good friends and family. Next weekend my Brother Mark gets married in Devon and I'm not going to be there to support him. Debi's sister Wendy gave birth to a little boy called Harvey a few weeks ago, and I know she would love a cuddle and to hold both him and her sister. All we can see are photos of the wee man.

What have we done this last month? My work has been full on as deadlines arrive to deliver the Cruise Website. I'm coaching Jamie's school under 9 football team and we have lost one, drawn two to date. Jamie being particularly upset one week when I subbed him for the 2nd time to rotate the players, the next week it was 'cause I asked him to go in goal. This week it was because I didn't allow him to take a penalty...

Last weekend both Georgia and Jamie went off to a Cub camp 40 mins south of Adelaide in a place called Douglas Scrub. Gilwell Park in Oz... They had a ball and were cream crackered on their return. Debi and I nipped out for a meal during their overnight, with Hazel and Hayden in the City. Watched the FA Cup final last night at a friends house round the Corner (Everton Fans). Thought of Clarky, Gordon, Graeme Goodwin and Phil Beard wondering which, if not all of them would have been there.

As your Sunshine returns for your summer in Blighty, our winter is settling in. The fields have turned green, from the brown dusty bowls they were before. We have had quite a lot of rain which is encouraging, (not the Storms of Queensland and NSW though). The winds have died, down, there are little if not any flies about and when the Sun shines it really is a nice time of the year. We have not experienced their Autumn before, so its a novel experience.

We're off for a curry at the Golf Club tonight as part of a themed night. Not expecting it to be a patch on the Raj or Methi, but hey ho, when in Adelaide... It's my big 50th tomorrow. I'm taking the day off, will play golf with Debi and we are off for a romantic meal overlooking the City at a restaurant called Windy Point, with the bright lights of the city spreading out and glimmering below us. Must go, curry calls.

Beverley Nash

I am so sad to report the loss last week of a very special lady, Beverley, wife to my best mate Robin (AKA Nobby), and mother to my god daughter Heather. Bev died after a long battle with cancer. I write these notes tonight as my own way of passing my respects to a dear friend, as the funeral service is today back in England. It really brings home the distance we are away as normally I would have been at the service in person. I know my Dad will be there on my behalf.

I have many great memories of Bev and Nobby. From our days as neighbours living in South Tottenham, indeed I think Nobby was lodging with me when he started going out with Bev after they met as work mates at Barclays in Wood Green. We also became close neighbours in Barnet for several years after that. We went on several Ski holidays together, and I particularly picture Bev in a pristine white ski suit in Avoriaz, until a pearler rendered her a muddy wreck. Bev also
on this trip astounded us with her body dexterity as she bent in half at the waist, legs dead straight and picked up an object lying flat on the floor with her mouth (you had to be there).

Bev was also an avid supporter of Nobby and Brookmans Park FC in its heyday. Rain or shine, she was always there supporting Nobby and the rest of us in the team. How she could manage to wash and clean Nobby's sports kit (Bill Grundies in particular) is still a source of amazement to this day...

I know my mate Nobby, their family and all their close friends will be hurting today. I know Debi and I are, here in Oz. We will miss you Bev, but will never forget you.

May you rest in peace.

The Drought has Broken

It's raining

Typical that the kids should be off on their holidays when the rains finally came to Adelaide. We have had loads of rain, high winds and stormy weather over the last few days. It has been a very welcome occurrence and personally its been great to see such a downpour as farmers, rivers reservoirs, crops and gardens (not to mention the vineyards) have all been desperate for a dousing for many a day.

We can do wind and rain here too. Glenelg 4pm Sat >

The only real shame is that the government here have not done more to harness this natural element to ease the burden on the drought ridden land. They do not harvest the water anything like they should. All new houses (including ours) all come with big water tanks to catch the rain water and use it throughout the house as grey water in showers, toilets, sinks and the like. Crazy to think only a few weeks ago were record temperatures and fatal fires, now we have flood and storm warnings...

Kids Easter Hols
Debi took the kids along to Adelaide Zoo, were they had a fine time with friends, Ashley, Hannah and Lewis. They also did a kids try golf at Blackwood (Jamie loving it, Georgia putting up with it)

and went along to an afternoon in the Adelaide Hills at Stirling with Annette (the HR Manager at Phil Hoffmann Travel) and several other Mum's and kids. All about getting to know each other a bit better.

Glenelg Footy Club fund raising corporate lunch

Friday lunchtime through to 4.30 pm (beats working). We are a sponsor of this club and it was a good event. The main speaker was an old footy player (Aussie Rules - Hawthorn) and Coach. Supposedly voted player of the century, a bloke whose won everything there is to win as a player and a coach. Suffice to say I'd never heard of him, but he was a good speaker and can see why they hold him is such high regard. He gave a pretty good motivational speech - without any F or B words.

Adelaide Power v St Kilda - Adelaide Now Corporate Box

Tore myself away from the lunch above to go to AMII stadium to see Adelaide Port Power get summarily dumped on by St Kilda. We were in a box hosted by Adelaide Now (the Online version of the Advertiser newspaper - equivalent to the Times or Telegraph online over here). Had a nice dinner, a few wines and took the Micky out of the Power Fans (who's the home team? Aren't you meant to kick the ball between the sticks? Why do they keep dropping the ball? Why are they running round in circles? Why do they keep passing to the opposition? Etc Etc. ) Can't understand why my boss Peter as a Power fan mentioned my trial period was still not up.....

House & Home show

As it was peeing down so heavily on Sat, found ourselves at the above. Less said the better. Only upside was a food and wine exhibition at the same place so we did try some food and wine as well. Always look for the upside I say.

Seen any Kangaroos lately while walking the dog?

I'll let Debi describe what happened to her today, from an email she sent me earlier;

"Just walked Charlie down the bottom of road. A few little boys were playing at the cubby house tree and Charlie started running through the bushes. He disturbed this Kanga, must of been about 8 feet tall, which went jumping past the boys practically touching them much to their delight. Charlie was bouncing after it, but it just as quickly disappeared, what a sight. I was worried that Charlie was going to get boxed, but obviously he never caught it. How cool is that?"

Aussie Rules

Nah, not really. Just that I got an invite to see the Adelaide Crows play Geelong in an Aussie Rules Footy Game here in Adelaide. My first Experience of a National Game found me in a Corporate Suite, with dinner and all drinks thrown in, sitting in leather seats viewing the game from behind the goal. Pretty spoilt I know, but I guess as good as any way to start my new relationship with their national game. There are 2 teams in the AFL here the Adelaide Crows and Adelaide Port Power. Most of my new office follow the Power, so when I chose the Crows and turned up at work this week, with a Crows scarf it wound them up something rotten....Jamie has also decided to support the Power, but I guess its more about their cooler name than 'owt else.

Went with my old EBOG chum Derek Finch, and surprisingly really enjoyed the game. 40,000 were watching so more than turns up at White Hart Lane, but the atmosphere, noise excitement and tension was not a patch on the beautiful game (English Football). Also noticed no trouble at all between the rival fans. Geelong (From Victoria state) slaughtered the Crows - yeah who cares I hear you all say...

Must mention the Pies at half time, another Aussie tradition, probably as good as pukka pies, but I reckon they would taste better out in the cold of the Stadium, rather than from the corporate ambience. Good, but not as tasty as some I've had at Underhill (Barnet FC) in the bleak mid winter, or from Simmonds the Bakers in Hatfield.

My handicap at Blackwood GC has dropped to 9 last week, but actually played to handicap this morning for only the 2nd time in over 6 months. Heard Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup so a good weekend all round.

Gigs, Sevens and Socials

Snow Patrol

Debi and I went to see Snow Patrol on April Fools day. As good as they are, they only managed to half fill the venue here, which to me was quite a surprise. There did seem to be a heavy British bias in the audience, so I guess their popularity has not filtered over here yet. It was our first concert in a very long time, so was a nice change. Bumped into a Scottish bloke I've met at the golf club, with his wife, so we shared a couple of drinks with them. (Doesn't take long to start the old networking does it!)

Adelaide Rugby Sevens

Two days later I undertook a big business lunch along with Phil Hoffmann, to mark the start of the Rugby Sevens. Phil went back to the office, and after a few swallies at the corporate lunch, I moved on down to the Adelaide Oval to see the competition start at 5.30. Fast and Furious, 7 mins each way, but enough time for a beer between games. Sadly saw England loose their first game to Australia with the last try in overtime. Being a sensible chappie, I took the train home, but as Debi had already uncorked the wine at home I had to walk the 35 mins back from the station. Thankfully mostly downhill, so rolled home.

Phil Hoffmann Travel Social

Held in one of the tree lined parks in the eastern suburbs, and a very nice area it was too. Some lovely homes certainly caught Debi's eye. This Sunday afty was all about staff members and their families getting to know each other. Tennis, Cricket, kids games and of course the proverbial Sausage sizzle and Barby. Oddly enough caught a bit of rain today, the first in a while, but much needed.

Jamie making a jump for the line !! >

Jersey Boys (Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons) preview

Monday night and went to this function after work. This show has now hit Melbourne and we got a sneak preview of a few songs sung live by the performers in a room full of 6o odd travel agents.

Sadly didn't win one of the 3 top prizes of flights to Melbourne, Sofitel Hotel and tickets to the show. Bah humbug, I'll have to pay to take Debi now!!

Weds night swimming at Westminster School

Took Georgia and Jamie after school to this Swimming club. They are getting along great, Georgia is a great swimmer, really good to see her excel at something. Jamie is also about to be moved up a class, also giving his all. Interesting we have no problems getting them here, they must genuinely like it. (Nothing to do with the Chocolates from the vending machine afterwards..) I'm doing OK too, this week doing 1250m in the hour. My target is to hit 1500m in the hour before long.

Debi - she takes Charlie Dog Classes Weds nights. Charlie is doing OK, also about to be moved up a class. Debi however needs a muzzle to keep her quiet and under control!!!

Easter Friday.

Remember the song - "Didn't we have a love-r-ly time, the day we went to.........

Victor Harbour".
1 hour south of Adelaide, very quaint and surely a throwback to the English seaside resorts of the 50's. Donuts, Big Wheels, dodgems, ice cream milk shakes. Charlie went mental on the beach where he got his first look at Camels giving kids rides. They also warned us about the Bank holiday traffic. I remember leaving home in England to go to Bournemouth, or anywhere on a Bank holiday weekend and getting caught up in miles of log jammed traffic on any road or route. We must have seen 50 cars on the way there and 10 on the way home. Amazing.

Holding Charlie back from the camels! >

Ladies golf at Blackwood

Debi has now joined the golf club and had a few games. She went out with the ladies on Thursday playing twilight which starts at 2pm as the clocks have changed. She and her friends want to put in cards to get their handicap (3 required), so a member with a handicap comes out with them to mark their cards.

Seemingly all went well for the gruesome foursome, until a few too many balls were banged against the trees. Liz another lovely quietly spoken Scottish lady (who does know her on course etiquette) went from Shxx to Fxxxxxx to fxxxxxx hxxx. Lots of belly laughs were had, until the 7th at 4.50pm where they were informed the bar was shutting at 5.30pm, as it is autumn and dark at 6pm so no one is around. They all played some wonderful fast golf, (that's what they told me) called ahead to Lesley's husband Paul to get a bottle of Sauvignon on ice, rushed up the ninth, toilet lipstick and hair done and in the bar for 5.25pm. Surely it's not too rude of me to remark that by my reckoning that makes over 3 hours for nine holes...... Chaps, please don't choke on your coffee/beer....

I asked Debi if she enjoyed the golf she said it was good, but enjoyed the banter and the wine after more. Fair comment!!!!

Aussie footy, Internet TV and no Camping!

I left a few of you swithering over the last post. No prizes for guessing, we never made the Cub camp and Debi never had to face her demons in the shape of juicy bugs, creepy crawlies and blouse eating moths, by the River Murray. A shame but we will make it there one day.

In its place was a weekend of activity nonetheless. Friday of course was the end of week Aussie wine sampling undertaken under duress by both Debi and I. It's a trial and a tribulation but we force ourselves through the pain barrier each week.

Saturday morning was Jamie's Kanga Cricket, with yours truly coaching. Our new tactic of bowling wides, meant the young opposition had no chance to hit the ball and we ran out comfortable winners by 1 wicket !!! Ashes combatants take note.

< The "wide boys"

On the subject of the Ashes series, some of you may well have viewed by now, my appearance last week on the Internet TV Sports Show KG & The General. I was promoting my company - Phil Hoffmann Travel's escorted tour to take in the Ashes in London. It's a fun clip. Watch if you can be bothered or have a spare 10 mins. You can't beat a bit of Aussie bashing....My 15 minutes of fame.. Can't believe the number of comments I've received on this clip that I've picked up an Aussie twang. No way Cobbers - it's a real ripper, no worries there mate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Y-4naiXq0

In the afty on Saturday, I went along with a colleague from Phil Hoffmann Travel to attend a sponsors lunch at Glenelg Football Club (Aussie Rules). PHT are sponsors so we enjoyed a good lunch, with wine and beer included and some controversial speakers (They pull no punches here mate - telling it how it is) including accusations of transfers via full brown paper bags full of loot. It was an SANFL game - 9 teams in the South Australian league - these are semi pros akin to our div 1 and 2 football league. The best of these get picked for the national league teams like the Adelaide Crows and Port Power here and other bigger names like Carlton, Essenden, Geelong, Hawthorn and Collingwood from Victoria. Had a good afternoon, got quite tanked and by the time Debi G,J & Charlie picked me up, was not good for a lot else. We nipped down the beach to let Charlie loose in the Twilight. By the time we got home and I sank in my chair I was a goner. Well It was a Sat night, what else do us old gits do after a few hours at football (even if it was Aussie Rules).

Got out for Golf Sun Morning and by the time I'd played 18 holes (30 points) and got home, Debi G & J were only just surfacing.... If you don't get out - you don't get up! remember that one boys... Sunday afty was a very sociable and enjoyable time spent at local Geordie friends Ashley and Andrew, along with Vanessa & Steve from the 'Boro. I did mention two of the teams represented were in the bottom three, and it wasn't Spurs (thankfully - have I mentioned our resurgence??)

On the new house, the Pool was dug last week, we await the steelworks and pipework and then the concreting later this week. The Roof frame and brickwork is nearly complete, so we expect them to start the roof tiles any day now. Getting exciting. My problem is the serious stage payments have started. The bank balance, is not so attractive anymore!!

OOps we hit rock in digging the pool - more cost! >

Finally - for those who know Debi well. This weeks venture has been baking Mum's favorite recipe Chocolate Cake. No ordinary cake I can tell you - it's Gluten free, no eggs or sugar. Yum really tasty. Well the First 5 have been, my waistline has gone from not so slim to not at all slim. Supposedly there is a hole in the market and these cakes are gonna fill it. They filled the Dams in Holland with just one finger. These cakes would go down well in an Amsterdam cafe too. Just need to find a local supplier of the necessary ingredients......

On the Fringe, Cub Scouts and Camping

I've been wondering for a few days now what next to write about on this blog. I was thinking that perhaps we have now started to get into some kind of normal routines. For me, get up, go to work, come home, see family, have dinner glass (bottles) of wine then bed. Sound familiar?

For the Kids, school, homework, telly or computer or play station, tantrums, bed.

For Debi, lie in, walk Charlie in the warm sunshine, coffee with the ladies, or box or step class in the local Oval, or recently the ladies try golf at Blackwood Golf Club, pick up kids, crate of wine, dinner, another crate of wine, read a novel or two, get on the Poms in Adelaide Forum. (Only joking ....she of course does soooo much more.....and keeps us all sane and amused)

Anyhow, along comes a few days that change the outlook somewhat. The house build is really coming along now, with the walls and roof going up so we can now feel the new house, and can't wait to be the proud owners of property again. Sadly, both Debi and I turn up at the site every day to see how it's progressing. Being only 2 mins up the road it's an irresistible draw.

Last Wednesday while Debi took Charlie to his dog training class, I took both Georgia and Jamie to Westminster School (they will start there next January) where they have a great indoor pool. As part of the Seacliff Surf Live Saving Club we attend, they hold training nights here for members. It's the first evening we've attended and normally its a real effort to get G&J out to anything new. They dived straight in and I was amazed to watch them both do about 30 - 40 lengths of the pool. Up and down, they went, really strong strokes and with no fuss or attitude. They loved it and what a great sight it was to see them going at it big time. I also jumped in and did over 25 lengths myself, along with a few other dads. Both G&J say they want to go next week. I hope so, it would be great for all of us.

At the weekend we went to the "gardens of unearthly delights" a part of the Adelaide Fringe. We took in an animal freak show, a few side stalls a few dodgems and a big wheel (freaked me out more than them. I hate man made heights). Whilst feasting on a few doughnuts and Red Wine (great combo) we noticed a possum in the tree above us. This is a central City Park, great stuff.

As you will see from the piccy above, we have also had some long awaited rain. Can you also believe this is a major crowd event and they serve you with proper wine glasses. Can you imagine that at a UK event? To cap the outing we even found a new curry house on the way home - still not a patch on the Brookmans Park Methi or the Raj. We should still set up the Methi franchise over here! Next Week the Clipsal 500 starts for a long Weekend - basically road racing, a massive event souped up cars and big crowds and live bands.

I have been aching to get Jamie into the Cub Scouts over here as I firmly believe its great fun and character building stuff. After many weeks// months of careful suggestion, he agreed to go for a try out tonight (Some boys he plays cricket with are Cubs). Georgia was with us too. (She has been going to Girl Guides, but its pretty tame even by young girl (guide) standards. So We were delighted to see other girls attending the Cubs and they talked Georgia into giving it a go too. Debi and I walked Charlie round the woods, had time for 2 glasses of wine at the local before picking them both up. Great news, they BOTH loved it and want to go again. Jamie was pleading with me to buy the uniform and book us on a Camp in 2 weeks time.

Here's the real fun part. The Family are invited, so please if you will, picture Debi, on the banks of the River Murray, camping with the bugs and insects, the stars for a roof and no warm water or hair dryer for a weekend.... I love it. I offered 'em double for the privilege. Seriously Debi is already making enquiries as to Mobile Camper Vans.... watch this space....will she go for it?

Adelaide Fringe

Second only in World standing to the Edinburgh Fringe. Loads of comedy, music and acts of all sorts of quality, colour and creed. Its on for about a month, in pubs, clubs, theatres and open air parks and Carnivals. Debi and I have already visited the "Garden of Unearthly Delights" a couple of weeks back, loads of tents with acts playing. either rock up or pre buy tickets to the various shows. There are free acts as well, but of course will always end up with the hat upturned for donations of well received.

With this weekend just passed being a Bank holiday weekend (Adelaide Cup Race Day on Monday) we decided we ought to introduce Jamie and Georgia to the Fringe. We'd seen ads promoting a free kids festival in one of the parks surrounding central Adelaide. Didn't go Sat as Jamie had his Kanga Cricket in the morning (I'm the coach) and Debi had volunteered to help sell cakes on the Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club stall at the Surf Championship held at Seacliff Beach (G&J didn't compete sadly). It was a good event with all Adelaide Surf Clubs competing against each other. Kids of all ages from under 8's to under 18's.

Sunday morning I played Golf and by the time we'd walked Charlie in the afty most of the day had gone. So it was that on Monday (again after another Charlie Walk) we drove to the City in the afternoon. We'd blown it of course. The Family Event was only on the Sat and Sun. What was on was an Adult only "Future's Music" event. Think Ibiza clubbing, DJ's, Dance, House, and you have it. Mobbed, all sectioned off, plenty of drink and no doubt drugs of some variety. We settled on a restaurant nearby and sat outside to soak up some of the atmosphere. We all moved inside after just a few minutes. None of us Georgia included could handle the incessant bass beat and sounds from over 3 tents and sections of the event. Made us realise we are getting old...

In our defense, we have booked tickets to see Snow Patrol in a couple of months. Not so Hip is the tickets we also hold for Phantom of the Opera. We are about to try for French & Saunders and maybe to the Clipsal 500 motor Race meeting in a couple of weeks. The whole city and streets get turned into a massive race track for this weekend over 3 long days. Sounds fun, sadly the amount we have spent on electrics in our new house with the main sponsors Clipsal, has so far fallen on deaf ears. You gotta try and ponce when you can !

The first Interstate business trip

Might not mean much to many of you out there, but just passed another milestone in our Aus adventure. Last Thursday and Friday I was in Sydney for meetings on behalf of my new firm Phil Hoffman Travel. It was great not the least because I got to spend quality time with both Phil Hoffmann and Pete Williams my 2 bosses. Great to get to know them a little better and for them to see me in action in business meetings with key suppliers in Sydney. Of course I've only spent any previous time in Sydney as a tourist, so good to see another side of life in the big smoke.

It actually re-inforced our decision to settle in Adelaide. It took ages to get anywhere by car and you can see how much life would cost to live in decent areas here. Everybody was very welcoming, and it was lovely to have dinner with Phil down in the Rocks overlooking the harbour bridge and and the Opera House. We stayed in a central 3 bedded apartment hotel and had several good meetings with Cruise suppliers, Group Tour Operators and our own in-house wholesale operation which runs out of a Sydney suburb.

Rotary Club, KG and the General

Last Wednesday I was invited along to the Rotary Club of Adelaide. My first ever Rotary club meeting anywhere. Just never had the opportunity to get involved. This club meets weekly, every Wednesday and the lunch is just a prompt 1 hour. Being held right in the city centre means they get a lot of business people attending. The fact the venue is also quite prestigious is an added bonus. In the picture here are my new boss the Phil Hoffmann Travel CEO Peter Williams and Marketing Manager Joanne McLaren.

It was held in a hospitality suite on the 5th Floor of the Sir Donald Bradman stand of the Adelaide Oval. The view out the windows is quite spectacular. Guess it beats a sandwich at the desk, and always for a good charitable cause.

Just before this we had attended a quick meeting with a revolutionary new Internet TV sports show, on live Mon - Fri 3-6pm. We are just confirmed as one of the main sponsors and it will be very exciting to see this launch next week, and be a part of a new medium in sports broadcasting in Oz let alone South Australia. KG is a bit of a sporting icon here a bit like our own David Coleman or John Motson. We are of course looking at all sorts of ways to help their show, but also bring a new audience and clientele to our website. Check it out - www.KGandthegeneral.com.au

The Coopers KI Cup

The title of this blog will mean nothing to most of you. For me it was my first real taste of corporate hospitality down under. Let me start with the title. Coopers is THE best South Australian family owned Brewery. I have found their Coopers Pale Ale to be my favorite beer over here.

KI stands for Kangaroo Island - famous for its beaches, unspoilt scenery and abundant animal life. Put the two together and you have a festival of horse racing and excellent entertainment. We were picked up in the city by coach and then caught a ferry over to KI. There were 6 races in all and we were hosted by Sealink in their own hospitality tent, with beer, wine or fizzy on tap all day. Needless to say I was down on the betting front, but way ahead in the beer stakes. Met many new trade contacts and had a great day all round. My thanks to great hosts Sealink. Must be an offshoot of the old English Sealink ferry company I used to work with years ago

I travelled with the Directors PA Dee who knew the format and had arranged for us to fly home in a 30 seater plane, just 20 mins rather than the coach, ferry, coach return of circa 3 hours. We just took in one day but the whole racing festival was over 4 days with street parties and live bands. Maybe next year eh!

Bush Fires in Victoria

I got a few Skype messages today asking if we were OK, or anywhere near the terrible Bush Fires in Victoria. Mercifully we are over 10 hours drive from the afflicted area, but it rams home the seriousness of the combination of drought conditions, extreme heat and hot winds, all of which we have experienced here in recent weeks. The hottest spell in many years.

The pictures we've seen on telly are devastating, I can't imagine what those poor people are going through. At work today, my company Phil Hoffmann Travel announced they would divert $1,600 meant for an office party into funds for the afflicted. All staff have also volunteered to give blood, with the burns victims in mind. I wanted to give blood too, but am unable as I am a Brit in Oz, and only Nationals, can donate. It's like I'm quaranteened, or a mudblood like Hermione Granger in Harry Potter. On Friday, we'll have a casual day, when staff have to contribute a few dollars to the relief funds in return for a sausage sizzle at lunch time. (A controlled BBQ!)

Strict bans are in place here too. The Grass, bush and trees are all tinder dry and the Fire Brigade and CFS are regularly patrolling areas, as the risk of arson in particular is so great. We are living in a "semi risk" area so have to be aware of a 10 point plan to protect the home and people. Sirens do sound in this area whenever a fire brigade is called out locally. We are then meant to seek more information on local radio, telly or at info centres.

Summer Holiday is over!

Might sound weird to any of you reading this from the UK, but yes the kids only returned to school last Monday after 6 weeks off for the summer holidays. If you ask Debi, I think she would say it's not a minute too soon. I think Debi has really been feeling the heat, over 40 for several days, it being too hot to do anything outdoors and having them and Charlie traipsing about her feet all day.

<<<<< Charlie meets the locals...

The heat here is of course the absolute reverse of the UK right now. As it happened every day this week, Georgia and Jamie have been taken off to a local swimming pool by the school in a coach. Surprisingly enough, Both Georgia and Jamie are in their respective top swimming groups. Who said these Aussies are born in the pool and are Olympic Champions in the making!! Debi is very proud of all those hours spent sweltering at Potters Bar Pool, whilst G&J did their widths/lengths and got hammered by the instructors.

Not sure when the Aussie Summer is actually over, but I guess we'll soon be moving into Autumn. All the fields are burnt brown, not much greenery around other than the hardy Gum Trees and other Perennial trees I know not the names of. I hear reports of forest and bush fires in Victoria (Melbourne) and massive floods in Queensland (Cairns). Boy we could do with some of that excess water here in South Australia. Oh for a very long pipeline, any investors out there?

Debi's try Golf
With the kids being back at school, Debi has started her "try Golf" at Blackwood Golf Club. They only did introductory putting and a few swings and hits at the end of the session, but it was over 40c so I guess it was just "a warm up" session. Four of these sessions and all the ladies will get let loose on the rest of us poor souls...Debi says she did enjoy it, but most of the ladies were a lot older than her (she still thinks she is a young chick). She did comment on the water running down the back of her legs while trying to learn golf, or shall we say sweat. But she will get out there next week regardless and give it her best. Will she take it up? Not sure, maybe if it was 6 holes, a lot of banter and a glass of wine or few?

Remember getting told off by a teacher at primary school?
Jamie admitted he had to report to the head teachers office this week. Supposedly he and his mate Lewis, had picked up a stick each (supposedly to build a cubby house ....) and before they could drop them were sent to the heads office for a show down Stick gathering is not allowed, and Jamie got a "row" in his words. The following day the punishment was no outdoors playtime. The Twig gathering is not allowed, as pre-christmas a girl got struck by a twig (sorry branch) and some blood was drawn.

First milestone at work
We launched the new Phil Hoffmann Travel Website at work. I was drafted in to help get this delivered, so many late nights recently, a bit of push and shove, a whole lot of tweaking and voila last Wednesday the new site is launched, featuring 6 various online booking engines - Flights (Domestic Oz & International), Holiday Packages from Oz, a Dynamic Holiday Package engine, 2 Hotel booking engines, (Oz Domestic & International) and a Cruise link. Soon to come will be Insurance, Car Hire and online contributions to the PHT (Phil Hoffmann Travel) Honeymoon and Special Occasion Gift Registry. (Now anyone out there wanting to contribute to my special occasion later this year (50th) - don't you go trying to make a donation to my holiday fund.....)
If you work in the trade and have any interest in seeing the site and what PHT do, here are the site details http://www.pht.com.au/ . Not the finished article by a long shot, but then Rome wasn't built in a day.

First Aussie Travel Trade Show
Well my first anyway. It is on this weekend, at the Adelaide Convention Centre. I have to say I was mightily impressed with all the work that has gone in recently to this big public Holiday show. To then see it all come together on the day was very impressive. All staff have to attend this weekend, but as I'm not front line sales staff, nor had the opportunity yet to show what I can do in presenting skills, I was lucky to have a free "roaming" role. As incognito I was able to get around various other competitor stands to see and experience what they are all up to. I was also able to put in practice my networking skills, honed to perfection over many years at various salubrious and many up market UK Travel Trade Events. Indeed it was great to be back in this field, as it is definitely one of the perks of any job. One just has to stay as long as possible in the bar, and talk to as many people as possible. Someone's got to do the job.... Indeed at the after show drinks, our Cruise Manager Christa, noticing I'd been to the bar more than a few times, mentioned that I surely wasn't driving home. No indeed I said. Luckily enough, or by remarkable foresight from an experienced networker, the Adelaide train station was just 5 mins walk away with a direct train home every hour. Some things never change....

Of Mice and Men
Some of you will remember the epic story of Debi at our Brookmans Park rental before we came here. Basically, I was out for the night, and late on Debi was in bed and heard a lot of crashing an banging from downstairs. It didn't stop and she feared an intruder was in the house. To cut the long story short, she called the Police, who turned up at 2am, 5 squad cars lights flashing. Circled the house, broke their way in and found nothing. Debi came down sheepishly. They heard the noise again - coming from the hall cupboard, bang, bang . A brave officer opened the hall cupboard door slowly...... there was the culprit. A little mouse, trapped in mouse trap by his ear, trying to shake it off and wrapping trap against a pipe!!!

Well we have mice again, they've been keeping us company these last few days. If it was possums, they have to stay as they are now protected, although they can do as much damage to the wiring as mice and rats. The pest control officer came out and we have now got his card as I'm sure we will need to call him back out - for either of ; Snakes, Mice, Rats, Redback Spiders and all sorts of other creepy crawlies they get about here. Every night Debi and Georgia check in their beds and outside, I have to say I'm starting to too, just checking the pillows or cushions before settling down for a read, relax or bevvy.

Snippets
Charlie has now swam in the pool. Debi felt he should get in and be shown how to swim around and find his way to the steps, in case he feel in anytime and we weren't around. He did great and I'm sure we now have not seen the last of him in the pool....
Talking of which the pool is absolutely steaming. It is seriously like a hot bath, as the solar panels have been full on, with weather continually over 35 and mostly over 40c these past couple of weeks. It's a strange feeling swimming in a bath, almost being warmer in than out.

Workout Aussie style, sauvignan blanc in one hand and a weight in the other >>>>>>>>

Broadband ADSL at last.
Just got this running today with Telstra (Big Pond). The wireless router I got from Optus has been useless, only 50% uptime and painfully slow when you have a connection. Here is an example of Adelaide being a little bit of a backwater. Now I have to work my way out of the Optus contract as they clearly have not delivered a service. It's great to be surfing and flying around again. Don't take some things in the UK for granted my friends. They are about 18 months behind here in online matters.

Australia Day 27 Jan 09

Wow, this is what all the hype about Summers in Oz has all been about. We get a Bank Holiday Monday, and the temperature racks up to a 38c belter. As I write this it's now Thursday and following on from Monday we've had 3 days well over 40c hitting 45c yesterday. It looks like we are going to get more than a week with temperatures over 40c. This is a record for Australia, since records began. Reports of Rail tracks buckling and power blackouts as aircon and other systems fail to cope in the searing heat. At school, (they went back on Tuesday) the kids are not allowed out to play at lunch as health & safety says its too hot for them to be outdoors. I'm reliably informed that manual workers in particular in factories or on production lines, have to down tools and go home when it gets over 38c. I guess that's mixed feelings for them. They get time off, paid, but actually what else can you do. Well I guess there's the beach!!

I drove down the beach front after work on the way home tonight, and it was mobbed. Well, mobbed by Oz standards. All parking was taken on the front, but if you looked on the beach there was loads of space. Cooler in the sea for sure than out of it. However reports of Shark sightings in the shallows here recently make you think twice about going too far out... Of course I did stop in the Seacliff Hotel for a swift pint of Coopers Pale Ale....

Back to Australia Day, many Brits including some new friends of ours Lorraine and Ray, were sworn in as new Australian citizens, in ceremonies all over the country. Didn't realise it was quite as formal as that. Mayors all over Oz led services and presentations. Numerous parties were formed after that, we ourselves went up to Belair National Park for picnics, beers, wine, tennis and ice creams amongst the Gum Trees. It was sweltering and we couldn't wait to get home and dive in our pool. Must have spent 2 hours at least, my incredible bulk submerged, beer in hand.

On the same day, Lance Armstrong was featuring in the Tour Down Under held here in Adelaide (not a big cycling fan so didn't take it in), The Aussies lost at the Adelaide Oval in a 1 dayer to S Africa, and Andy Murray went out of the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne.

On the Friday night, prior to the Australia day, Debi and I hosted, (well Debi as ever did all the work, I just poured and drank the wine) a lovely couple Paul and Lesley for dinner. We met these two originally at Blackwood Golf Club and we had a great evening, drinking until about 4.30 am, the time (and wine) just flew (or is that Flowed??). They are Brits, but have been here well over 10 years and absolutely love it, which is most encouraging for the challenges that still await us.

Took me over 30 years in the UK

To some who have had the opportunity to take the mickey out of my attempts in the UK to get my name on the board at Brookmans Park. Just let me mention I scooped a pot at a Blackwood Park Golf Club, competition last Sunday. It was a club event, followed by a themed dinner. We had organised babysitters so Debi could come along for the evening activities and meet a few of the people I'd met at the club. They had been asking after her for ages. They couldn't understand why we left the ladies at home. This is a very (mixed) social Golf Club and Debi is starting a group course of lessons in February, to get herself back in the swing - so to speak.

Anyhow, back to more important matters. I ended up scooping the top prize for the male competitors. (Sam Patel - eat your heart out). Not only did I win a mini bottle of champagne (well, fizzy Jacobs Creek - nearest you get) and a few chocolate eggs (the theme was champagne and Chicken - chocolate eggs get it? thankfully other prizes were actual chickens to be won, so I reckon I got off lightly with my 1/4 bottle of fizzy), but also won a really nice silver salver which will get engraved and keep for a year. The first time I've beaten my handicap playing here in 3 months. Things are looking up. Supposedly one of the (senior ladies) on seeing me for the first time 3 months ago remarked to one of my new mates - wow is he single.... You can now see why I need Debi to join, otherwise I might not be safe at the club..... The things I do to keep up the British end.