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Published: October 30th 2008
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Hi All, I suppose it's time for an update. We've been quite busy since we got back from the Blue Mountains which must be nearly 4 weeks ago now. Tommorrow we're off again this time to Melbourne for the International Rules match on Friday and the start of the horse races on Saturday. It promises to be really good craic.
Since the Blue mountains Maeve has been off to Tasmania and Canberra. She and Emer had lunch with the Irish Ambassador. At the Des Bishop show Maeve, Emer and Laura were snapped by the Irish Echo and their picture was published. The ambassadors assistant recognised Maeve and Emer from the paper, so there could have been a few big egos around the Canberra region. Anyway Maeve has since come back down to earth.
We went to the Australian Motorshow with Aidan. I went to look at the curvatious beauties and Aidan was looking at the women. The highlights of the show for me were the brand new Ferrari California, the Conniseg CCX, and the Mazda Furai. The highlights of the show for Maeve were the Ferrari F430 Spyder, the VW EOS and free VW Ice-cream. Aidan's highlights were the VW Ice-cream
Getting to know 'Miss Indy 2007'
How can you match-make for a lad when you don't know what type of girl he likes. and Miss Indy who took a particular shine to Aidan. She even personally signed a picture for Aidan and requested that he "Stay Gorgeous". It's true to say that Aidan was like a little school kid with his new prized possession. It takes pride of place on his apartment wall.
After the show we went to King St Wharf for a few beers, some food and to enjoy the sunset. As we sat down we noticed a wedding crowd assembling and waiting to board a craft. The caterers were just loading up the last of the supplies when one very much overladen lady was left carring the cake onto the boat. She was tooing and froing and it looked like it would end up in disaster. I started to provide a running commentary on events and predicting how and where she might drop the cake. I may have started encouraging a bit of a trip or slip when a lady beside us asked if I 'really wanted to see her ruin the cake and possibly the wedding?' I had to admit it would be amusing but didn't want to be enthusiastic. She then started telling us about how her boyfriend,
who was now scarlet and trying to hide behind her, had dropped the cake at her friends wedding and that it actually wasn't that funny. Still they did manage to have a laugh about it. In the end the cake arrived safely on board.
The next weekend we had a BBQ at Aidans apartment. It was a grand affair with Maeve showing off her BBQing talents, Me showing off my Beer drinking and BBQ consumption talents and Aidan showing off his Miss Indy picture. In all there were about 10 - 12 peole there including Frances and Tom who have just arrived after travelling from home to Thailand then Bali and then down the east coast of Australia, so I'm sure we'll get plenty of good travelling tips for our east coast adventure.
A good time was had by all. The highlight of the night, well apart from some Karaoke from the girls, was when Tom produced 2 ping pong balls and introduced a few drinking games. Stuart and Laura (Team Banks) reigned supreme against Kevin and Emer and Maeve and myself. Maeve and Kev both made wild lunges which resulted in broken glasses and wet carpets and elimination for
our 2 teams. In the final Team Banks (along with their fierce Haka-esque war pose) put the fear into Tom and Aidan. It was a close run thing with Tom and especially Aidan's hand-eye coordination that won out in the end.
Before the night was out it was discovered that Hugh Heffeners fabled 'Grotto" was now firmly established in Aidan's bathroom. (we have photo evidence)
Last friday night we went to our local pub 'the Porter House' to watch the first International Rules match. Ireland won 45 - 44 against Australia. Australians are really bad losers and there'll be big pressure on them to win in Melbourne. Australians have this mechanism that helps them feel superior in the world of sport. They win in the sports that other countries don't really give a crap about. Swimming, Cycling, Rugby League, Australian Rules. They play down their participation in more worldly sports like Soccer, Motorsports, Tennis, Athletics. In fairness they're good in Rugby Union but they're really sore losers.
Anyway we had a good night out on friday, Beer, Food and a bit of craic whilst watching the match. It was really nice to only have a 2 minute walk back to
the apartment. We also met up with Ailbhe and Barry who are from Meath and travelling around the world for a year. Also after arriving was Alan and Jennifer who'd just gotten off the plane that morning.
On Saturday night we went to Belmain for Aoife's birthday. We drove all the way out for about 3 drinks then taxi all the way back in to Kings Cross which was heaving. We had great craic, Maeve was dancing all night and I was acting as a matchmaker for a certain somebody. Unfortunately my attempts met a few obstacles such as 39 year old women with 13 year old sons and the like. This match making business is not easy. Better luck next time.
We stumbled home at about 4.30am. Maeve reckoned she'd danced any and every oxidant out of her system in her riverdance-esque 3 hr session on the dancefloor the night before, so no hangover. On Sunday we went off to Taronga zoo. It was really nice too see our first live kangaroos, up to this the only roos we'd seen were either roadkill or on the dinner plate. Typically we only got 3 pictures taken when the battery died
Go 'Team Banks'
Be afraid, be very afraid. so apologies.
There was lots of excitement yesterday as our first post from home arrived, a big package of magazines and a nice letter from my sister Fiona. Top Gear and a cow magazine are much appreciated and Maeve was busy catching up with the latest celeb gossip from home, bliss. Thanks again Fiona.
Anyway that's my brief roundup. Have to go and pack for Melbourne. Till the next time.
Oh and Aidan - Stay Gorgeous!!!!
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Kev McP
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I hope you enjoyed your trip to the car-show
It might ease your pain when Gav and I are sipping champagne with the presenters in the VIP paddock after the gala opening night of Top Gear Live in Dublin next week. ;-)