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Published: August 30th 2007
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Flodz i bPerth
The view of the city from Kings Park Well we had to settle down and earn some money somewhere eventually and we definitely chose the right place to do it in Western Australia's booming capital Perth. There are so many jobs available here its crazy, a lot of the local workforce are away on fly in/fly out contracts with the mines and that leaves many positions to be filled. Even with all this opportunity we still got very lucky in that we were working in good jobs within 9 days of setting foot in Australia!! Edel got back into insurance again (she just loves it so much!) and I got back into a similar job to home also, fixing cash registers!! Got a classy Daewoo station wagon and company phone too which were much appreciated and helped us see more of huge WA. So thanks to 21st Century Business-'for all your epos requirements'. Had to get that plug in.
We spent our weekends as wisely as possible, taking trips away down south to wine country Margaret River (just like that film Sideways) up north to Kalbarri, Denham, Monkey Mia (to see the dolphins!) and a very eventful sandboarding trip to Lancelin
Freo Dockers
Another Dockers victory at Subiaco Oval (but alas not enough!) with Edels sister Niamh and her boyfriend Gaven. We even squeezed in a trip to Kalgoorlie which is 600km east of Perth pretty much in the middle of the outback. Its a mining town and was great to see how one industry can support a whole town of 25,000 people. Plus there were lots of bars with 'Skimpies' in them to keep everyone entertained. 'Skimpies' in case anyone is unaware are ladies who serve behind the bar in just panties and bras (often bra-less) As a local described to me and Gaven one night rather awkwardly and embarrassed, they have 'flip over' hour where punters pay a few bucks to get the girls to flip over their panties/bra revealing all, and other such 'happy hours'. Now I'm sure many of you are disgusted by the thought of such behaviour but let me tell you from first hand experience that it is not all bad. I'm sure this concept could take off in Navan if introduced, can just imagine a skimpie working behind Foleys bar. I'm sure he would be offering to do all the shifts for free then!!
Anyway we had lots of visitors to us
Me with Dara and godmother Jean!
Me with Dara and godmother Jean! while we were here and that was great. Mum and Dad came over for a few weeks and we travelled way up north as far as Monkey Mia dodging kangaroos, drinking little creatures, 'swimming' with dolphins, being mauled by flies and gathering speeding tickets. Some craic. Niamh and Gaven accompanied us to Lancelin for the sandboarding experience (mentioned above) where we nearly broke our arms, legs and necks attempting it, but was all worth it in the end! We will see them both in Melbourne in a few days for another few sessions before they head home again. And of course our asian travelling buddies 'the leds' Tony and Dan joined us for a few weeks guest appearance along with Dans siblings Michael and Amy. We had another great weekend when we 'buzzed' down to Fremantle or 'Freo' with them too.
Its hard to summarise 4 months of living, touring and working in a few paragraphs but it was a great experience and truly worth it! We have to give special thanks to my godparents, Colum and Jean Byrne who took such great care of us while we were here showing us around the city and
Nightshot
Perth city by night helping us meet people and settle in in every way possible. It wouldn't have been the same without them or their family!! Even got to house-sit a lovely beach apartment for 6 weeks free of charge thanks to Colum and Jean who introduced us to Dylan and Sarah who in turn trusted us with their home while holidaying back home to Ireland and Wales. Through Dylan I joined up with a local soccer club and cemented my place in the centre of midfield. An absolutely vital cog in the Hammersley Rovers team... pity the cogs often didn't move too freely after some late Saturday night sessions!
We also became big fans of Australian footie, and even bigger fans of the Freo Dockers thanks to Colums influence and much to Jeans dismay. I'd say Edel could now name more Dockers players than Meath players at home, got to 6 matches overall and have more planned for Melbourne, unfortunately the Dockers season did not live up to expectations in a Steve Staunton style collapse and we will not be watching them play in the play-offs this year!
So its time to leave Perth but
The gang
Tony, me, Amy, Michael and Dan the led also time to start some new adventures backpacking round the worlds largest island!! Lots of sessions lined up in Sydney and Melbourne with my Galway cousins and other friends plus concerts, footie games and the rugby world cup. Should be a good few months!! Keep the emails coming everyone, we always love to hear from ye all Tobins, Dolan, Kellys, McAuleys or whoever the shag ye are!! Also leave a comment here if ye have time, its nice to see who's checking out the blog!
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Dad Kelly
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Good Blog
Good Blog and great photos, especially the three eejits being kangaroos