The New Blog

You'll have guessed that I'm no longer in Australia and therefore this blog is kinda defunct. I have started a new one and you can read about my Scottish chat by clicking...

HERE

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page" - St Augustine

Well well my faithful readers. All good things eh?

Yes our time abroard has finally come to and end and we are in frantic preparation to depart the shores of Australia - which happens in 32 hours if you're interested. We fly into Bangkok tomorrow where I'll have 3 days to tour the city before heading back to the sunny UK. Isla however still has a 3 month voyage ahead of here with trips to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and India. Me? Jealous? Surley not!

So how has this year been? Well to tell the truth it's totally rocked. There have been times where I've stared out the flat window into the torrential rain for days on end and nights where the temperature was 7C and we didn't have enough covers to keep warm (and certainly no central heating) and in those situations I've felt like the trip was a waste and not the experience I was hoping for. Work also didn't help. I've learnt a great deal over the year and the people were great but work after all is... work and not exactly akin to the travel mentality.

But as I said, generally, it's rocked. I've had the most incredible experiences here and they've given me a different outlook on life and real insights into what's important and what's not. I hope to bring that attitude back to the UK with me and use my future spare time more fully that I have done in the past. No more endless weekend doing the same old rubbish i.e. in the same pubs drinking the same crappy lager, having the same debilitating hangovers, writing off the whole of the weekend and spending too much cash with could be used to send us on trips around the continent etc. I think that there is a lot to offer us in our spare time. We just need to know where to look for it.

So what were the best experiences of the year? Well I'll give you a list of ten in no particular order but they are things that I'll never forget. Incidently, these pictures are from the Bridge Climb that we did last night. It was our last "event" in Sydney and we'd kept it till last so that we could obtain and unforgetable view of the city which has treated us so well for the last year (although it's not in the top 10!!!)

1. Skydiving
For me this was far and away the most exhilarating, exciting and unexpectedly pleasurable experience that I've ever had. So much so I did it twice. If you have been reading the 365 then you'll have noticed that it's my single largest entry and, personally, I think it's the best piece I've ever written - such was the inspiration of the dive.

2. Whale Watching
I'll never forget those massive creaturesin Hervey Bay mugging the boat as we shouted with glee and waved out hands furiously for almost an hour. They just looked at us like we were morons. We were certainly acting like that. An incredibly humbling morning.

3. Diving with turtles
In the vein of "Finding Nemo" I literally got to "Grab Shell" and hang on to the last of my breath at the giant Green Sea Turtle sped through the water trying to shake me off. Awesome fun!

4. Sydney Observatory
I think it was our guide that made this such a memorable experience. Although there was plenty of looking through telescopes and the stars and planets it was the chat he gave us outside the observatory on the hill, high above the city lights that made this tour. Waving his green laser pointer around like a 6km long light sabre he pointed out solar systems, constellations and suns with the unbridled enthusiasm of someone who not only enjoys his job but does it as a hobby in his spare time also.

5. Great Ocean Road
OK, so the scenery was pretty repetetive and the weather was shockingly bad but this was one of my favorites because we were in a rubbishy little camper van that faithfully got us from one sodden camp site to the next. We sat cramped in the back playing cards and drinking wine out of plastic cups with only citronella candles for light. And with no fixed plans for the week we could go anywhere and see anything making it feel like a proper adventure.

6. Singapore Zoo Night Safari
This was eerie and slightly spine tingling as we trammed round the dark zoo with the nocturnal animals roaring and screetching outside of our vision. A definite must for anyone who visits Singapore.

7. Balanese Food
I have never, and will never eat a meal as good as this one as long as I live. A gastronomic experience if ever there was one, enjoyed with Laura in Geelong. Phenomenal.

8. Hunter Valley
Wine country. Need I say more?

9. The Rach 3 at the Sydney Opera House
My favorite piece of classical music in the most famous opera house in the world. It doesn't get much better than that. And also my folks - who are big classical music fans - were there enjoying that bit of creative musical genius with us.

10. Getting Engaged
Not really anything to do with Australia or travelling but something pretty life changing none the less. For those of you who don't know I asked Isla after her first skydive (my second one) where she overcame her petrification and threw herself out of a plane at 13,000ft because I got down on my knees and begged her to and landed in a field where I got down on one knee and begged her to marry me! She said yes (phew).

So there you have it. A whistle-stop tour of some of my favorite, memory-etched events of the last 12 months. There is still plenty to add to the 365 and I'll get there eventually but we're leaving tomorrow and realistically I'll be completing the blogs in Scotland which just isn't the same. Anyway, thanks for reading and I look forward to seeing you all soon for some of that crappy lager I was mentioning earlier!

Z

365 Update

Hey everyone. Just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone who has been reading the 365 Challenge. There's been over 1000 hits in the last 11 months and I hope it's provided a few laughs for you all. To date I'm at 74,000 words (or 302 pages on Word) and it should provide a reasonable framework for some sort of book/novel/toilet paper.

Anyway plan is to have the first draft done by June and then see what happens after that. As I said... toilet paper!

Happy New Year

Just another wee note to say have a great New Year and I hope 2008 brings you all a ton of goodness. We spent the bells at a random persons flat in Milson's Point with the most incredible view of Sydney Harbour and it's world famous fire works. Hope you had as good a time as us (although it was 25C so you might be hard pushed to match that!)

Kris Kross will make ya Jump, Jump!

Howdy folks. I write from the comfort of my living room having survived a second jump from a plane. This time Isla came and despite all the odds she flung herself with wanton abandon out of the back of what can only be described as a bus with wings aptly named the "Sky Van".

The jump was totally different from the last in that there was 13 of us diving out of this flying monstrosity at the same time. Despite a few last minute doubts Isla braced herself and went out the door with minimal fuss. I was the last to go and went straight after her. Unlike my previous jump though I had almost no chat with the instructor and about the only words he said were "Go go go!". No pussy footing around with this chap. There was no "1, 2, 3, Jump!" like my previous tandem just a massive muscular brute called Steve running behind me until we half fell, half tripped out the door.

The effect was incredible though as we did about 3 flips backwards until we got into the flat spin and the sensation was unlike anything I experienced in the last jump. The other major difference is that I could see the ground this time... the whole way down and that put a bit more adrenalin into the mix. Once we were stable we did some cool spins and left-and-right tacks, then I could see Isla just below us. She seemed to be doing fine.

All to soon the shoot opened and then I saw Isla's open as well. As ours was supporting too rather rotund blokes we soared past them and I whistled over to them and we shared some waves.

The landing was less bumpy this time and seconds later Isla landed beside me. Total glee! Do I have a third one in me? Well if I do I think that I'll do the whole course and do a solo jump.

Awesome

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I'm going to be heading up to Queensland on the morning of the 24th Dec after doing 2 back to back shifts so I'm not going to have a chance to say Merry Xmas again. So with that...

Merry Christmas everyone. Will be thinking of you all as we shove a few extra shrimp on the barbie.

"I love the dark. I love the dark... but I hate nature!" Chunk from The Goonies

Just like Chunk running through the night time under growth trying to get help for the rest of The Goonies who are hiding in the Fratelli's basement, I just can't get away from the damn creatures here.

Isla phoned me from Queensland and said she'd almost trodden on a Taipan the other day when out walking in the Bush with her Dad. I was a bit jealous but soon changed my mind on the way to work last night.

As I've said before there are no street light in Australia (practically) and as I left the station and headed to the hospital I wandered down a long dark street that I always walk down. However, the change of seasons seems to have brought out all the nasty little beasties that have been hiding under rocks for the last few months.

In the darkness I plowed my way through about 6 big spider webs and had to flick a 3 inch golden orb spider off my sleeve, almost trod on about 4 foot long centipedes, danced around the pavement with a incredibly rapid entourage of huge cockroaches that came swarming out of gutter at me and finally almost walked into another fruit bat (that amusingly was hanging from the canopy of the Paradise Fruit Market which unfortunately for the bat was closed).

I walked into the A&E department liked I'd just spend a few too many hours on the set of an Indiana Jones movie but was quite relieved to be bite free although I wasn't enjoying the new silk trim on my hoodie.

In the cold light of day most of the creepy crawlies had decided to vampyrically hide themselves from the sun so I had a clear walk back to the train. However, my brush with the various forms of nature was not over yet because when I got into the flat I found Malcolm sitting on the couch. He's a Indian Myna (that's not an Asian dude with a pick-axe it's a bird a bit like a colourful thrush) that always appears on our window ledge about 11am for no reason that either of us can figure out. I'd alway suspected that he'd been in the flat before when we were out and the window was open a bit to far and sure enough here was the proof.

Not happy with using our sofa for a nice place to rest he decided to take off and fly round the room a few times with a crazy display of speed before streaking out the window. I guess I'd startled him a bit but that didn't stop him crapping not once, not twice but three times during that mad indoor flight - once on the couch, once on the window and a final thoughfully placed shite on the fitness ball.

The bugger.

Ode To Hornsby Hospital

This is just a wee poem that I knocked together this morning for the folks at Hornsby Hospital. Enjoy.

There is a little hospital
A bit up the North Shore
A few stops after Pymble
Will take you to its door

As you walk across Palmerston
You see it shining bright
The Hornsby Emergency Department
With its patient-attracting red light

It’s occurred to me on night shift
That I might have crossed the line
When I suggest to my colleagues
“Let’s go turn off that sign!”

The new department is a wonder
However, it makes me laugh
Ten times the number of patients
And still the same number of staff

The staff I mention all work hard
They really do us proud
Nose up against the grindstone
Despite that sign drawing in a crowd

Morning, noon and night
Their commitment never tires
Even though Charles is down at Westfield
Handing out emergency flyers!

So we struggle on and on
While trying not to end up madder
Reduce the leg, get the BiPAP on
It’s me that needs a tube in my bladder

I haven’t yet mentioned ARTs
The Aggression Response Team
Jump on patients, inject the drugs
They really are quite a scene

And moving onto PEC
What exactly do they do?
Drinking coffee and gossiping
But that’s between me and you

Frequent fliers are also fun
But one really gets me annoyed
With all her overdosing antics
Let’s hear it for Joanne….

…But moving on swiftly
Some thoughts put a smile on my face
Night time nibbles, the nurses chat
And the occasional wheel chair race

So all in all I have to say
It’s a good year that I’ve had
To turn around and head back home
Actually makes me quite sad

Australia has been without a doubt
A great place to spend some time
But I’ve eaten far too many pies
And drunk way, WAY too much wine

And what about the weather
And to the sun I’ve never seen
When you all talk about the drought
I’ve not idea what you mean

Everyday is over cast
The hail makes quite a sound
The lightning streaks across the sky
And the thunder shakes the ground

So next time water is a problem
And the heat becomes a pain
Get me a first class ticket
And sure as hell I’ll bring the rain

Finally I extend an invite
You’ll all be welcome at mine
Thanks to everyone at Hornsby
The wee hospital up the North Shore Line.

Into the Void

Well, I did it.

I jumped out a plane at 12000ft and lived to tell the tale. That tale is on the 365 and I suggest reading it although it doesn't even come close to explaining what the feeling was like. The guys I went with have done close to 500 jumps and now I know why.

Singularly the best thing I've ever done in my life.

You must try it.

Climactic Catch-up

Sorry for not posting anything for a while but things here are reaching a climax - or should I say anti-climax - and with that we've had no time to sit, chill and blog.

I have to say that I'm not looking forward to leaving Oz as it really will signify a return to the real world and that's never a good thing. Although I've been working here it's never really felt like work and on my days off the 365 has forced me to stay a tourist and not slump into routine and localism.

In fact I'm now finding a great deal of apathy about being here which is a bad thing as I no longer have the Thailand trip to look forward to and should be using my last days here to their fullest. The 6 months after I get home will involve nothing but interviews, exams, locuming and, worst of all, living with my parents (which I've not done since I was 17) until my flat is no longer rented. All of those things should be inspiring me to new heights of Australian adventure while I still have the chance but alas it's not.

On the topic of new heights, I am doing my skydive today at noon and I'm sure that'll be a kick up my proverbial. Hopefully my next post will be all "gnarly" and "dude" and "totally rad man!"

Perhaps an unfortunate omen for the jump is that I was almost struck by lightning yesterday. Missed by a few metres. Click HERE to see it.