Mildura 4 Jan saw me take a bus from Swan Hill to Mildura (approx 2hrs 40 mins). The main reason for visiting Mildura was to take in the Leigh Adams Testimonial dinner and race meeting. I arrived mid afternoon and met up with a mate (Dave or to give him his Sunday name Big Fat Dave (Dave is the Aussie equivalent of John Horne)). Dave had kindly organised my tickets for the dinner and race meeting. A couple of his mates had also joined Donna and Amy. The dinner took place in the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club Auditorium which is actually in Dareton (a small town 17km outside Mildura). Most of Australia speedway's great a good were there from Leigh Adams (himself naturally), Chris Holder (sporting a bad hair choice - ponytail not a good look ... read more

Bendigo 29th Dec, I took the train from Melbourne up to the old Gold Mining town of Bendigo, 2 hour journey. Many of the original miners were Irish, Cornish, Scottish and Chinese, most of whom influenced the town in some way shape or form, as you'll see from the photos. Temperatures were 30, 32, 39, 24 that's centigrade!!. The day I took the video clip was 39 deg with quite a strong wind (especially up the tower) - I know what a roast chicken feels like now. Bendigo itself is pretty small (approx 78,000 people) with about 60 pubs (sampled a few) and 3 psychiatrists!! There may be a story in there somewhere. My place of residence was the Shamrock Hotel (had hoped that New Year was going to be good here - but wedding reception ... read more

Undera Speedway - Victoria Solo Championships Those of a non speedway disposition please look away now. My mate Howard Williams the track announcer at Undera speedway kindly transported me up to Undera speedway (near Shepparton), some 150 km from Melbourne for an evening's methanol fix. We travelled up via Nagambie (stopped off for a fish supper at a Greek chipper!!) and Murchison (Murchy has a town of his own in Oz I never realised that). The entertainment on offer was : Victoria Junior Solo Championship, the field included Declyn Adams (yup Leigh's son) who was ok but rode well within himself, Lindsay Phillips, Cooper Rirodan, Jack Halls, Jack Fallon and last but no means least Max Fricke. These guys are all potential speedway stars of the future in my opinion. The junior solos were on bikes ... read more

Wandering around Melbourne 23-25 Dec Were spent wandering around the Central Business District (CBD), taking in the main touristy sites, Flinders Street Railway Station, Federation Square, Cook's Cottage (Chris I thought you hadn't been here!), Melbourne Museum (has more bugs and creepy crawlies in it than you can shake a stick at). I also viewed the MCG from afar, prior to my visit on the 26th... Met up with a mate and chewed the fat in Pugg Mahone's (Irish Pub). Most of the 25th was taken up with walking from my apartment to Beacon Cove and walking along the beach front (some 4km of beach) to St Kilda. I was informed that there was some 200 different nationalities in Melbourne, well I heard most of them down on the beach front on Christmas Day. Then up ... read more