Friday, 21 August 2009
Just a quick one....
Next door to our apartment block lies " Barlow Park". It seems to be a government/council sports facility.ie rugby/cricket etc etc.
Every night ( and day ) this week the floodlights have been cranked up and some form of competitive sports have been staged; all at youth level.
If the noise generated by spectators is anything to go by there must be on average roughly 2000 people turning up for the likes of schools cricket on a friday afternoon and local rugby league on a friday night.
Scarily, the ground could probably seat 12-15,000 sports mad aussie parents.
Now, this is a seriously professional set up for a game of cricket amongst 16 year olds. Each new batsman gracing the field is announced, to raptourous applause, courtesy of a microphone / pa system. There's an electronic scoreboard and everything!
It is obviously the intention that aussie youngsters get accustomed to the atmosphere of the
big sporting occasion from an early age.
Could this be part of the formula which explains Aussie sporting success over the years?
( At the time of posting, after a promising start, England had just been bowled out for 332 early on the second day )
Every night ( and day ) this week the floodlights have been cranked up and some form of competitive sports have been staged; all at youth level.
If the noise generated by spectators is anything to go by there must be on average roughly 2000 people turning up for the likes of schools cricket on a friday afternoon and local rugby league on a friday night.
Scarily, the ground could probably seat 12-15,000 sports mad aussie parents.
Now, this is a seriously professional set up for a game of cricket amongst 16 year olds. Each new batsman gracing the field is announced, to raptourous applause, courtesy of a microphone / pa system. There's an electronic scoreboard and everything!
It is obviously the intention that aussie youngsters get accustomed to the atmosphere of the
big sporting occasion from an early age.
Could this be part of the formula which explains Aussie sporting success over the years?
( At the time of posting, after a promising start, England had just been bowled out for 332 early on the second day )
Monday, 17 August 2009
Fellow Man
Something which has struck me in the past day or two, is how friendly some people can be. On the plane from Hong Kong I got chatting to an older Aussie guy called Rod. He was travelling with his wife back to Oz after holidaying in the UK.
Having forgiven him for asking me what part of "England" I was from, I explained that we we're moving to Cairns. After giving me some advice on their preferred brand of insect repellent ( Bushman 80% DEET ) Rod's wife then warned me about a supposed Dengue Fever epidemic affecting Far North Queensland, for which no vaccine or post infection treatment could be offered?
On hearing this my "turtle" began to get curious, Rod however had retired to his seat, pencilling determinedly onto sheets of notepaper.
Midway through the flight he then presented me with said notes, which contained suggestions on things to do and places to visit in Cairns and the surrounding hinterlands. Top Bloke! He also hinted that his wife might have "overcooked" the whole Dengue Fever thing....
Yesterday we took a trip to Port Douglas about 65kms North of Cairns. Given the 30c heat J insisted that the air con was on in "Colin" our borrowed Honda CRV 4x4. ( thanks Willy).
When we arrived I did notice "steam" coming from the bonnet and that the engine temp dial was maxed but assumed that it was due to overzealous use of the a/c. When we pulled up at a parking space however, we were intercepted by " Dave" another guardian angel who said he could smell the jeep from the nearby bar he'd been drinking in as we passed! With his Winfield still in mouth Dave insisted I open the bonnet as he was sure the radiator pipe had blown. Fortunately this wasn't the case but I was duly instructed as to how to correct the situation and ensure our safe passage back to Cairns. Without his intervention Colin would have more than likely enkindled somewhere outside of Port Doug...
Prior to our "Grand Depart" various legal documents required duplication and certification. Fortunately we have uncharacteristically generous friends in the legal profession ( Derek, Ben ) who for the occasional exam,scale and polish were happy to do me a good turn and sign these documents. (Coincidentally Derek's stamp/seal is superior to Ben's; I'll need to mention this to Ben as I feel he could negotiate a better "stamp deal" with his employer.)
Anyway, much to my chagrin I was handed more paperwork today which required more docs to be stamped and signed. Now given that ordinarily this can cost £25-£150 per signature in the UK, that everything in Oz seems to have doubled in price since January and that my legal contacts are no longer in close proximity; I was braced for a "hit". After making several enquiries however, we were informed that rather than visiting a solicitor or notary we could pop along to the courthouse where the local Justice of the Peace would be happy to sign these docs free of charge! 15 mins later all done and dusted. Seems you might get something for your taxes in this country...
Having forgiven him for asking me what part of "England" I was from, I explained that we we're moving to Cairns. After giving me some advice on their preferred brand of insect repellent ( Bushman 80% DEET ) Rod's wife then warned me about a supposed Dengue Fever epidemic affecting Far North Queensland, for which no vaccine or post infection treatment could be offered?
On hearing this my "turtle" began to get curious, Rod however had retired to his seat, pencilling determinedly onto sheets of notepaper.
Midway through the flight he then presented me with said notes, which contained suggestions on things to do and places to visit in Cairns and the surrounding hinterlands. Top Bloke! He also hinted that his wife might have "overcooked" the whole Dengue Fever thing....
Yesterday we took a trip to Port Douglas about 65kms North of Cairns. Given the 30c heat J insisted that the air con was on in "Colin" our borrowed Honda CRV 4x4. ( thanks Willy).
When we arrived I did notice "steam" coming from the bonnet and that the engine temp dial was maxed but assumed that it was due to overzealous use of the a/c. When we pulled up at a parking space however, we were intercepted by " Dave" another guardian angel who said he could smell the jeep from the nearby bar he'd been drinking in as we passed! With his Winfield still in mouth Dave insisted I open the bonnet as he was sure the radiator pipe had blown. Fortunately this wasn't the case but I was duly instructed as to how to correct the situation and ensure our safe passage back to Cairns. Without his intervention Colin would have more than likely enkindled somewhere outside of Port Doug...
Prior to our "Grand Depart" various legal documents required duplication and certification. Fortunately we have uncharacteristically generous friends in the legal profession ( Derek, Ben ) who for the occasional exam,scale and polish were happy to do me a good turn and sign these documents. (Coincidentally Derek's stamp/seal is superior to Ben's; I'll need to mention this to Ben as I feel he could negotiate a better "stamp deal" with his employer.)
Anyway, much to my chagrin I was handed more paperwork today which required more docs to be stamped and signed. Now given that ordinarily this can cost £25-£150 per signature in the UK, that everything in Oz seems to have doubled in price since January and that my legal contacts are no longer in close proximity; I was braced for a "hit". After making several enquiries however, we were informed that rather than visiting a solicitor or notary we could pop along to the courthouse where the local Justice of the Peace would be happy to sign these docs free of charge! 15 mins later all done and dusted. Seems you might get something for your taxes in this country...
Saturday, 15 August 2009
The Beginning
This is my first Blog. It is also the first "post"in my first Blog. Having now said the word twice I already hate it....perhaps I'll call it a diary.
With the rapid onset of post 30 memory loss, I decided a couple of weeks ago that I should keep a note of things every now and then, so that in years to come I can look back with embarrassment, ridicule, and maybe even some fondness on the ins and outs of everyday life.
Now, the title. It's a bit pretentious I realise. How does one come up with a title or theme which doesnt sound boring but doesnt make you sound like a tosser? It's a very fine balance. One which I havent seen anyone master as yet.
Geographically, we are not in "unknown lands". Mentally however this is a whole new experience for me and J. Within two days we are no longer in holiday mode. Speaking to sponsors, potential employers and opening bank accounts makes you realise that we are going to be"living"somewhere.
It is an experience I am keen to embrace.
With the rapid onset of post 30 memory loss, I decided a couple of weeks ago that I should keep a note of things every now and then, so that in years to come I can look back with embarrassment, ridicule, and maybe even some fondness on the ins and outs of everyday life.
Now, the title. It's a bit pretentious I realise. How does one come up with a title or theme which doesnt sound boring but doesnt make you sound like a tosser? It's a very fine balance. One which I havent seen anyone master as yet.
Geographically, we are not in "unknown lands". Mentally however this is a whole new experience for me and J. Within two days we are no longer in holiday mode. Speaking to sponsors, potential employers and opening bank accounts makes you realise that we are going to be"living"somewhere.
It is an experience I am keen to embrace.
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