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Published: March 6th 2010
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Brisbane
Night view from Mt Coo-tha July saw the arrival of Andy's parents, Alan & Sheila, who we picked up in the early hours from Brisbane Airport, apologising for the strange poo smell that seems to linger at the airport as a special treat for new arrivals. Over the next few weeks Alan and Sheila successfully completed their mission of trying out every coffee house in Brisbane, even managing to cuddle a koala and feed some lorikeets between flat whites and caramel lattes.
Just in case the poo smell put them off coming back down under ever again, we thought we'd better take them to see the sights of Sydney. A whirlwind weekend ensued, making sure that all major tourist attractions were ticked off, no matter how briefly.
Next, thinking that we should demonstrate some of Australia's other, more rugged, qualities we headed for a weekend on Fraser Island. Andy admirably contained his excitement as we ventured over the sand island in our own truck, even managing to make it round the head of the island where other, much lesser, vehicles were giving up and turning round after getting stuck in the very soft sand. We were even flagged down to help a tour guide
Sydney
Obligatory pose by the harbour. (tut tut) who had wedged her truck full of tourists in a sandbank perilously close to the waters edge of the incoming tide. Noting the fast-approaching water Andy dubiously agreed to help, digging out the sand around the wheels and connecting our spangly new snatch-strap. Sadly, the whiplash that resulted from trying to use the snatch-strap was in vain as the mighty Troop Carrier was just too much for our wee Challenger. We apologised, packed up and legged it....we're fairly sure that they got out ok.
Our last mini-trip was to Cairns and was designed to demonstrate some 'proper' aussie temperatures and of course the Great Barrier Reef. First, we headed up to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, stopping to sample the strange delights of the local ice-creamery on the way, mmmmm jackfruit and wattle seed. The Cape was stunning, so stunning in fact that we decided to show just how aussie we had become by ignoring all the warning signs for jellyfish and crocodiles and having a paddle. Alan and Sheila stayed at least 5 metres from the water's edge at all times. Back in Cairns, and after much deliberation, we decided on a trip to the
Sydney
Opera House at sunset. Reef, heading to nearby Green Island so that we could snorkel and Alan and Sheila could enjoy a drier experience aboard a glass-bottomed boat. Our disappointment at the lack of coral soon disappeared when we realised that the sea-grass covering the ocean floor was like nectar to any turtles in the area.
So, after 5 weeks of drinking coffee, and getting lost in the maze of roadworks around Brisbane, including a nice detour over the Gateway Bridge twice, Alan and Sheila headed home.
Over the winter we succombed to peer pressure to get season tickets for the Brisbane Roar. This brought a season of hapless perfomances and much shouting of abuse. This despite appearances from three former Leeds players in the form of Robbie Fowler, Michael Bridges and Hayden Foxe, and even a guest coaching stint from Patrick Kluivert. We lost our two best players, an overweight Scot called Charlie Miller who's biggest claim to fame is that David Beckham was wearing his boots when he scored that goal from the half way line, (they had been specially made for him by Addidas during his Rangers days) and our only socceroo, Craig Moore.
September saw Riverfest in
Sydney
Some grey nomads that followed us round Sydney. Brisbane which culminated in a massiver fireworks display and two F-11 fighter jets flying overhead while dumping and igniting their spare fuel.
In December, we enjoyed another great weekend with friends Neil & Lauren who had come up from Sydney. We had what was probably the best ever game of 4 person volleyball in the pool, with all agreeing that we must have got at least one million consecutive passes. That was until Neil passed the ball over the fence, which required Andy to go fishing in next door's garden with our pool net. The boys celebrated the retrieval by having a Golden Gaytime (seriously it is an ice lolly) in the pool togther.
In the middle of December we commenced the mammoth journey back to blighty for christmas, a wedding, and, of course, a holiday. A stopover at a surprisingly Christmassy and very pleasant Singapore airport was followed by a not-so-Christmassy and rather less pleasant stopover at Heathrow airport, before we finally arrived at our first destination, to visit Laura's newly relocated parents in Spain. The new Brett property is located in the hills of Las Cuevas, near the picturesque village of Riogordo, about 40km to the
Fraser Island
Dingo on the beach. north of Malaga in southern Spain, and sits proudly on top of a very steep driveway, surrounded by olive trees, almond trees, and, of course, cacti. Thinking that a spanish winter would cushion the blow of a full english winter following a steamy 35 degrees in Brisbane, we were a little shocked to find ourselves wearing multiple jumpers, and standing in front of the log fire whilst simultaneously being blasted by a heater. We enjoyed several trips to the neighbouring villages and towns before saying goodbye and heading back to the UK.
Our excitement grew as we flew back to Newcastle when, peering out of the window, we realised that everything north of Spain was covered in snow. We were met by Andy's parents with our ski jackets in tow. Our initial bravery waned as soon as we left the terminal, and we hastily put on and fastened up the jackets. After taking in the familiar English countryside which looked awesome covered its thick white snow blanket we arrived back in Saltburn, and were very relieved to discover that Indie hadn't forgotten us when she nearly knocked us over and covered us in licks. A weekend of dog walking,
Fraser Island
Shipwreck portal. being laid on by a dog, and even being muscled off the sofa by a dog followed before we headed off on a frantic trip down south to visit as many people as possible. A big thanks to all of you who came out to see us and a big sorry to those we didn't manage to see. Then it was back up to Saltburn for a Willis family Christmas and Andy's sister's wedding.
Finally, a top tip for all you travellers out there....don't go for a curry the night before you are due to fly half way round the world. A dodgy shared starter resulted in one of the worst night of our lives, the realisation that we had food poisoning, and the postponing of our flights. On the up side it was, and probably always will be, the only Christmas period where we have ever lost weight!
Stuff we've learnt:
We are definitely becoming more aussie, as we are no longer scared of our garden, even daring to venture out barefoot and do gardening in flip-flops.
Motor racing over here involves supporting either Ford or Holden and hating the other passionately.
Aussies
Fraser Island
Our truck on the sandy road...grrr. definitely do not have a drinking problem. At Bathurst (motor race), they changed the rules this year so that each person was only allowed to take in 24 cans or 4 litres of wine....per day!
If you turn a light on in a room at night when there happens to be a snake travelling along the top of the fence outside the window, it will rear up and look in the window at you.
If you do not get hilarious Seinfeld quotes, you are considered a bit of a freak.
Fast food is never fast. Ever.
Don't ask for a hazlenut latte when on a site visit to the rural areas of Queensland.
Bank holidays do not need to be on a monday or friday. Oh no, they can in fact be on any day of the week, including the weekend when you don't actually get a day off but the shops are all closed. Genius.
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