Au Revior...for now

No I havent thrown in the towel as I've been quiet of late. I'm still blogging but no posts in August as we are off tomorrow around the world. We are packed & ready so having quiet nesting time before departure early tomorrow to Sydney then the globe.

See you all in September. Take care.

X b

We've only got for 4 weeks (until) to see the world

OK so world stars Madonna and Justin we ain’t. However, we may be world travellers in a few weeks.

We have been planning this holiday for...well months really. We started discussing it well over a year or so ago. Perhaps even longer. I have 2 months of long service waiting and we hadn’t had an overseas trip since Andy’s 40Th birthday. I always wanted to use one month for travelling and one month for house stuff [assumption was that we would have bought a house by then, however with the spiralling cost of real estate in this country has been obscene to say the least that has not yet come to fruition]. However the plan is going to be seen through anyhow. I have so many odds and ends to do around the home...let alone some time just to put my feet up for a bit and do...well sweet fuck all really. But before all that lovely slothy house DVD marathon gets cracking the world is waiting to be seen.

So deciding on taking a holiday wasn’t the issue. Where to go was. We always said we wanted to see USA – and agreed upon San Francisco, Las Vegas and NYC. Lovely. Gay town, party town then the capital of the world. Lovely. Then we decided to say fuck it and continue to Europe. Now this meant some planning and negotiation. Which country? Which city? Which tour? I had already travelled to London, Paris and Italy. Now I liked Italy but want to see another part of the continent.

UK was clearly number one on the list. Catching up with old friends in London, and going off to Wales to see [meet for the first time] Andy’s family. There is just something about that island nation I actually feel at home there. It must have been all the expats and BBC shows I have known all my life in OZ. Oh and the shopping is quite good.

Andy wanted to see Paris again [his description of it in when her visited in the 1980’s was it stank of piss and everyone was rude] as it has changed so much since. Although I loved it when I visited in 2005 but I did have a reservation seeing it again this trip [only as I wanted to see go there for my 40Th birthday in a few years time] but the thought of seeing the beautiful boulevards, buildings and Boulangeries again was of course too much to refuse. And this time I would see it in summer not autumn. Je suis heureux !

But where to next. I had to convince Andrew to visit Croatia to see my where my family is from. From Dubrovnik to Spilt and the islands that surround. I have no expectation as I have never been but everyone says it’s amazing...Andrew was pleasantly surprised when friends showed him pictures of a French Riviera style waterfront of Split [ he thought Croatia being a former eastern bloc country would be similar to the land of Borat, I have corrected him Dragie!].

Last stop was easily agreed upon. Bali for a week in a Villa and doing less than nothing. Well nothing will include cocktails, pool, tunes and food. And sun sun sun [ Especially after my very expensive visit to the Dermatologist who said I have good skin, no cancers and generally tan well – well some trade off for losing my hair!]

But this trip is not just about a sunny holiday. It’s about having a break from the mundane of everyday life, getting in touch with ourselves and each other, our family roots, our mates and seeing more of this great planet we inhabit. And now the winter seems to be getting colder, the days dragging and all I can think about is the trip. Why is it always like this the closer to a big trip. Now just to get through these last few and [painfully] long weeks. So will be worth the wait.

X b

Summertime

This is was my Sunday - City Beach (Perth Western Australia)

And this my monday ( same beach) ...back home on today. The beach was...awesome.

Another 10...

[thanks to FreeFoto.com for the snap]

Well its finally time for a holiday - which is well overdue. I'm looking forward to 2 weeks of sun, catching up with old friends & family. I have really struggled this year to get to this point however it was the end goal of a few months of stress. So I've made a short list of goodies to look forward to post holidays.

1 - Easter. I know its sounds lame but how many christian holidays you get to pig out on chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and get 4 days off. It would beat Christmas [If it wasn't for turkey, pudding & gifts really].

2. Autumn. Yes again another one sounding lame however after the summer that was like every oven, car engine, hair drier, electric heater and anything else warm was turned up to extreme. Let alone all the fires around Victoria - We need the rain [currently Melbourne damns are under 30% - we'll be on rations soon! It will be like the war...without the war]. And Melbourne is ever so pretty with the autumnal colours.

3. Judith Lucy. Melbourne Comedy festival is on next month and this year Miss Judith Lucy is back with " “Judith Lucy’s Not Getting Any Younger” This will be Judith’s ninth solo show and I can not wait. She is gold.

4. Eurovision.My crap-o-metre is already off the planet as Russia is hosting and yes one of my first entries when I'm back will be short listing the favourites...and the not so favourites. Especially like the new deal that Graham Norton will be taking the place of Terry Wogan as compare, a worthy replacement no less.

5. Home sweet home. We are in the market and have attended a few auctions - still going for higher than what we want to pay however hoping the 'credit crisis', 'Great Recession' or whatever you want to call it will help us buy...finally.

6. Cheque from the PM. I still can't believe this. The Commonwealth government is basically giving everyone in OZ about a grand to spend to stimulate the economy. Of course what happens is everyone saves it or pays off debit. Oh well finally some of that tax payer money coming to me instead of away. Hello new laptop.

7. My birthday. Yes another lame one for everyone who is not me.

8. Missing Melbourne Grand Prix. By a strange twist of fate [and excellent timing] we miss the Grand Prix this year. Boo Hoo. And in the process miss the yobbo's, rev heads, noise [ don't even get me started on the MASSIVE carbon footprint it leaves]. Boo Hoo.

9. More Miss Lily Allen. I. Just. Love. Her.

[Maybe a bit too much at the moment - see last post].

10. Planning more trips - All worktime and No playtime is just wrong.

See you in April

X b.

Holiday Ste(wart) Crazy

Well its been a busy holiday season...one that Martha herself would be most proud...just not in that orange outfit [uh isn't bad enough to send people to jail LET alone choose the colour orange - ironically it is a majestic colour...the Royal house of Holland is known as the House of orange...but I digress.] We have been entertaining quite a bit - like everyone else [of course] over the holiday period...Christmas day lunch, then supper, Boxing Day lunch, then off to a Birthday drinks, a quick trip to the country, a house guest, a NYE party then another luncheon & a movie before heading back to work. All in ten days no less. Martha & Tina Brown would be proud.

Unlike previous years where we have gone from one party to another then another party - this year we were VERY sensible and had one day on one day off...to rest the body & mind...let alone a break from all the rich food and booze [we kept the makers of Rennie in Christmas booty over the break]. Of course now I would love some turkey in my sandwich but alas all gone...There is [thankfully] a Christmas pudding still here so not all bad news.
So on top of the entertaining...I managed to make Pea & Ham soup (from left over Christmas Ham) and jam and liqueur from a friends bumper crop of Cherry Plums (both pictured above, and yes still waiting on Ms Stewart to call for the recipe)...waiting on the apricots for more jam and lemons for preserving...so in between the hostess [with definitely the most'est] gig I'm doing my best impersonation of a 50's housewife - which I don't mind however I don't think I would have the same pinny as her below....but I do like her mixer.
Got me thinking that Housewife's role hasn't really disappeared rather really just merged with ourselves [Yes I know some more than others- moi for example] - and unlike the Fabulous 50's housewife of yesteryear we have just taken some of the traditional tasks and chosen the ones we like and discarded the ones we do not like/use or made redundant. Or employ others to action [like house cleaner, child carer etc]. This, of course, isn't a bad thing.

But give me the option I'd much rather kissing Andy goodbye every morning before I start polishing the silver, dusting my knick knacks, getting a pot roast on for dinner and planning the next luncheon rather than working until retirement [another 35 -40 years in the future - urgh!] - and for those saying I would get bored...well chance will be a fine thing...

Best plan the next holiday and get the next tram to work so I can pay for it.

10 things to make and do

Well Andy and I are off to Thailand tomorrow - soaking up the sun, enjoying the pool bar and all the wonders that the Golden Kingdom offers...Meanwhile I have made a list of 10 things that I will and some I won't (actually) miss when we are away from OZ...

1. The Logies - OZ TV Night of nights...a wannabe Golden Globes Award TV show for all of OZ TV...actually its always a let down and the girls (minus Kate Ritchie and Sonya Kruger) always dress like slappers....speaking of which...

2. Ladette to Lady ( Season 3) - what isn't wrong about this show ? Sluttish alcoholic's Brit girls try to get it 'poshed' up at a finishing school and just get it so wrong - too good - this new season they have managed to finds even bigger slappers than before...a bit like the current season of...

3. Big Brother - Now I have always been a fan - HOWEVER with it's new hosts who have managed to turn it to what is basically a sanitised version of the Kyle & Jackie O Radio Show - let alone the trashy contestants - ugh - enough already! The other TV Brother I like is...

4. Brothers & Sisters - I just can't fault this TV show - drama with a family you would want to be a part of ...In fact I think I am another missing gay relative of the Walker Family - OK so enough of TV...lets move on to

5. Melbourne's Weather & the Cold Snap - Its only April and it's been cold. Sorry not cold - Freezing. And the forecast in 2008 is that we are about to enter one of the coldest winters on record. Goody. Best enjoy the tropical heat then and being away from

6. All work and no holiday - I haven't been overseas since Hong Kong in 2006 and I , Andrew and all of our friends are in dire need of a holiday...like yesterday. And I also need a break from...

7. Facebook/Yahoo/email etc - This is mostly what I need a detox from - I actually don't need to know what my friends (actually mostly acquaintances) are doing/saying/singin' etc every fucking moment! And enough of the poke! OK so I'll calm down now and move to more relaxing things like...

8. Sudoku - This is my latest obsession - I do them on the train home, in the Sunday paper or even at lunch break. This is one geeky obsession that is coming along the trip - I bought a big book of Sudoku for those moments by the pool of not being drunk yet and bored of the latest Bill Bryson or the constant OZ discussion of the...

9. The great OZ dream - After the previous year of trying to buy a house, then giving up when houses continued to rise (not just through the roof but the stratosphere)- I was most happy to hear that house prices last quarter have stopped increasing, stabilized and starting to fall - a few more interest rate rises, a few more people defaulting and we may be able to afford a home in Melbourne...(greater Melbourne that is). Another rising figure is...

10. 50,000 - Hits made to my Blog (well almost there) - In manner of Kath & Kim I will crack open the Tia maria and the footy franks...rather as I will be in Thailand maybe a Pad Thai with yet another Mai Tai ( Might I?).

See you in 3 weeks.
X b

And now it's time for a break...

Well after a year of no holiday - we are off to Perth again for a week of much needed R & R - I will be having a short break from the blog and be back in early March....

In the meantime I found yet another helpful site for the traveller...especially like its name

http://blog.whathappensnow.com/category/travel/

V.good site - especially about the packing and travelling light ( I'm still yet to learn that feat so I am trying this trip in preparation for Thailand in May).


X b

Site to check out - World Travel Guide

This is a new site I found thanks to Eddy from (http://tummyguts.blogspot.com/) - its all about travel...where you have been, where you want to go, your travel profile and information - the LOT.

You can make up maps of where you have been - ( I have added these on the blog at the bottom of the page) - given my love of maps I adore this feature.

The shaded RED area is where I have been ( only 4% of the world I have visted apparantly - or 9 countries).The GREY area is places I would like to go...

You can plan holidays, or even write up articles for it - and free to join.

Definately worth a look - check it out at http://www.world66.com/

Perth Trip Highlights...(however a bit late)

Okay so after the drama that was Mardi Gras in Sydney and starting a new job then the illness then bloody Easter etc this is the first chance I have had to upload highlights from the Perth trip...The city from Kings Park - the postcard (or money) shotThe beach at the end of Andrew's parents street - yes the sand is that white and the ocean is that aquamarine colour - for real!

The best bit is...no one is bloody there so you can have a beach this beautiful to yourself!

...or share it with mates - Bek & Damo last two days of their holiday was our first two.Needless to say after a long day at the beach...drinks on the patio was well deserved.

My parents had us over for dinner so Andrew could meet my clan...and my favourite nephews and niece...Richard (or Rich)

Elizabeth (or Lizzie...or apparently Witchy-poo)

And Jonathon ( or Jon-Jon).

Although we spent most of the time at the beach (the tan is already faded) mum took us out to lunch in the now very posh redeveloped East Perth (originally an industrial neighbourhood - now hot spot and the 'it' place to be).

Needless to say it was 30 degrees and sunny pretty much the entire time we were there...

Oh Mum's cat - Tabitha.And Andy's Parents - Carol & Tony - who not only were wonderful hosts but made me feel like I was part of the family - that was probably the best highlight of all.

Big Trip from 2005 - Thailand forever...Part 8

So Thailand eh..its still one of the best holidays we all had in years...

It's amazing what cheap booze...hot weather and lady boys would do to a simple holiday maker like myself...here I am with Alby summoning the spirit of Judy...

Alby & Allan with one of the prettiest trannies I have ever met...she's number one in Phuket doll...

Me still playing Judy to Jez's Liza...or at least Barbra...

Bless...Andy, Alby and our (straight) mate Damo in left over costumes from Victor/Victoria...either that or Cambodian headdresses are going to be the talk of the season at Spring Racing Carnival...

Again at Tuk's bar....a compilation so to speak...Jesus it was a drunken night ...
This is possibly the best pic ever....Andy looking lovely ...a nice shot of Tonza...and Jez so incredibly drunk...I love this pic so much...as Jez is one of the most urbane, witty, intelligent people I know...and he's so drunk here... and it still makes me laugh as he is totally the opposite of this pic...

Big Trip from 2005 - Thailand forever...Part 7

So the holiday was drawing to a close...the final leg was Phuket for 10 days...after running around Museums, tourist sights, churches, ancient ruins for 3 weeks...it was all going to be about taking it easy and slow














...The view from the hotel room balcony to the hills to the left...














And to the right...the beach...













...the pool is fantastic...like about the size of a hockey field...
So too the cocktail bar...a nice pic of Damo, Odie and Andy, and Montree behind the bar, after 2 days he pretty much knew all our drinks orders

Andy & I....yes and the infamous bruise on my pasty white 'just arrived in the tropics' skin

Andrew,Tony, Bek & Jez...all looking brown (bastards)

Everyone at dinner - we found this place a few doors down from the hotel - not only dirt cheap but some of the best Thai food I have ever eaten!

So one night after many drinks we decide to create 'Karaoke Idol' - Tony began with a rather wonderful rendition of 'Jambalaya' by the carpenters...a toe tappin' thigh slappin' experience loved by all ...Onya Tonza

Damo preferred a crooners number whilst seated with a beer...

Can't remember what Odie was singing but I love this pic of her anyway...

Ok so here's an idea that should have never happened...Allan, Tony Andy & myself sing Spice girls 'Wanna Be' which at the time seemed to the the greatest idea since track lighting...what it turned out to be was...to quote Jeremy..The worst thing he ever saw...in his life...but couldn't stop watching due to it's total utter dreadfulness...

Our new mates Stephanie & Tuk from 'Gramma Bar'

One night at Gramma Bar - A Hawaiian theme bar in the middle of a carpark in Phuket...Go there to sign your names with the rest of the gang on the roof of the hut - get a pink drink laden with enough booze to fire a rocket into space in a tittie glass (no less) and Tuk will do a show at the bar with a straw in her ear aka the Thai Madonna...beats the shit out of working.

Big Trip from 2005 - Viva Italy! Part 5- Venice, Murano & Bologna

The Rialto Bridge..another landmark you don't realise you are on until you see the view of the Grand Canal...

A short ride over the lagoon from Venice is the Glass Mecca - Murano...

A spent most of a day there being an avid collector of glass, especially Murano glass...













As I took disposal cameras as well as the digital I have only these...which knowing me is probably a good thing...otherwise there would be glass for days


Bless the Italians...they certainly know how to do a chandelier...

After a few Days in Venice, Ronni and I said 'Ciao' - she was off to Sicily and I was off to visit the city of Bologna...known for three things..the 'learning'(of the University), the red (of its walls) and the fat(the fantastic food)...

Noel and Alberto met up with me from London and it was fun weekend...in a nut shell

- Get to Bologna...raining...Hotel room flooded so they put me in a serviced apartment...we wander around the city and visit some it's great cafe's and bars...We meet up with Mirko, a friend of the guys, he takes us to a Friends house for dinner...car breaks down as battery flat...Mirko's brother comes to our rescue then an hour drive to Modena for dinner... Dinner was ace and got very drunk...we drive back to a Bar in Bologna at 1am in the morning...Noel and I fall asleep in the back of the car...Wake up and go to Bar...drinking continues as the most odd gay bar ever I have been to in my life...leave bar at 4am and crash...wake up very hungover...go shopping and eat a fantastic lunch...then need to go to the toilet for over an hour...Say ciao to Noel & ALberto and catch train to Florence...Sun is shining...

Noel and I before the drunkiness...

A nice shot of Alberto and me trying to impersonate a lamp...I have a whole collection of me doing this...lamps, vases, flower arrangements and furniture...but that's not for here...