After the best part of a year with each other, Louisa and I prepared to bid each other farewell… but not without a romantic getaway to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Eating and living like royalty was a highlight, as was our stay at the 5 -Star Novotel, made possible because of the supreme power of the English Pound. We spent our days lazing poolside under the warm Egyptian sun - in a quest of unearthing an Arabian tan. One of the highlights of Sharm would have been its world renowned snorkeling. The turquoise coloured waters of the Red Sea had to [View Full Entry]

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November had flown by. Much of it had been wasted teaching 'Football 101' to wannabe Arsenal Footballers. It dawned on me that my time on these lands were numbered, so I decided to exploit the beauty of being a supply teacher… so I took the day off… and spent it in Paris. Unfortunately all the boys I had set out with were no longer on British soils, and with Louisa’s head buried deep in the hard-covered laps of uni texts, I would - for the first time - be traveling solo. Pete was not there - so no itinerary existed. Jonesy [View Full Entry]

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As it stands my 12 month residence in Britain will be interspersed between two very large and very well known cities: Leeds and London. Currently London is where it’s at. I love it. And whilst, delving into the infinite history of this place, like tourists do, has been left in Azz’s capable hands - I have preferred to just experience what makes it tick. Midweek in London is just as turbulent as weekends, with dinner dates, theatre, sport, and late night shopping keeping me busy. The nightlife, quite simply, has to be experienced to be believed. It is incredible. It is [View Full Entry]

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Here's another account of my work in this, the London Education System. The Incident Report read something along the lines of: Period 4 Physical Education; Year 9 Boys Basketball; A relatively simple lesson plan: a game. A nearby gymnastic mat had not been put away - so some of the students awaiting their game thought rather than sitting as requested, class time could be better spent using the mat in a slip-and-slide type of fashion. Alert to the imminent dangers, but more so to the distraction, this would cause to the players on court I asked them quite sternly to sit [View Full Entry]

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Strangely enough, after 7 weeks off, I welcomed September’s start to the 2006/2007 school year. The travel I had done had managed to burn a rather large whole in my wallet; and if my liver was worth salvaging, it was going to take time. Finding day-to-day supply teaching in London was easy, and thankfully ensured a return of steady cash flow - essential in this stupidly expensive city. Ive opted against permanent work since the fulltime position I held in Leeds drew all the longterm responsibilty that came with it. And report writing would only get in the way of weekend [View Full Entry]

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... No, I'm not back in Melbourne. Although after what happened this weekend, I really wish I was. All the destinations I've travelled; all the memories I've collected; and all the life experiences I've gathered over the past nine months almost pale into insignificance when learning what I missed. At 5:22am London time, I learnt that the boys at Pantherland had knocked off a team that hadn't been beaten in two seasons. And whats more, done so in a Grand Final... to win a Flag. In 2004 and 2005 I played in two gallant, but at the same time unsuccessful grand [View Full Entry]

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Sipping Sangria by day, and sculling it by night meant my planned detox and liver cleanse would have to be put on ice until I was out of the fast paced, but ultra cool, Barcelona. A city that would spell the perfect end to five weeks on the road. Since parting company with Jonesy and the cash strapped other, both Azz and I had shared many of our travelling responsibilities. But, as a general rule - Azz was in charge of movements by day, and (more importantly) I was held responsible for our actions come nightfall. However, on one particular night [View Full Entry]

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San Sebastion is a largely arrogant city that knows it is good. The beaches exude cool and the nightlife is rampant. We hadn´t had time to do our homework on this city - but San Sebastion offered more bars per square metre than anywhere else in Europe... and we thought it was only fair to put that to the test. I learnt two things from visiting this northern part of Spanish coastline. Firstly, that St.Bedes boys, are travel sluts. For the third time in as many countries we shared a hostel with boys that either knew us, our brothers, or one [View Full Entry]

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Our final leg of Summer travel saw us hit the capital of Spain for some famed culture, namely Tapas, Madridian night life, and of course a Bullfight. And with the recent strain of partying and travelling I have reverted to using dot points, or bullets for Wordian lovers, to illustrate the love that Madrid was able to provide. 1. Azz and I walked the magnificent city seeing historic fountains, statues and museums that did (but, mostly didn´t) interest me. 2. David B was sited at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, the home of Real Madrid. And in case your wondering I´m talking about [View Full Entry]

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It was our war torn livers that were most thankful of our escape from Ios to the scenic Santorini - an island somehow shaped by the biggest recorded volcanic eruption of all time. Santorini is said to be the most beautiful of the islands, a getaway from fast paced living with postcard perfect views; a romantic retreat where honeymooners hold hands, and sunsets are simply to die for : I ventured to Santorini with, Azz, and Alex the Frenchman. For the first time in 28 illustrious years, my Birthday was not celebrated with my family in Melbourne - and despite not [View Full Entry]

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