The Melbourne Grand Prix

This weekend it was the start of the 2008 Formula 1 Season. Rachel and myself headed down to meet up with Stu and catch some of the action.

We flew into Avalon airport which is basically in Geelong not Melbourne, but Stu came to pick us up in his mean machine and we were soon having a guided tour of the streets of Melbourne in the dark. Then it was off out to grab a few beers and plan our day at Albert Park.

Melbourne was hot. Very hot. The mercury had been pushing 40 degrees C for a few days down here and today was fairly similar. We had tickets for the qualifying day. It also had V8 super car racing, and some other racing and shows including stunt motorbikes, classic car racing and aerial displays. We found a suitable spot and kicked back to watch the action. The noise of racing cars zooming round the track is pretty loud. The noise of an F1 car gunning round at full pelt is something else. High pitched, ear shattering noise. Ear plugs were definitely required.

There was actually very little drama. I thought the lack of traction control would throw in a few fun and games. Kimi suffered a fuel problem which put him down the grid and Lewis was pressured by the BMW's but all went to plan and Lewis got his pole.

Mark Webber being chased by some crappy driver called Lewis...

The F1 cars were very very cool. But i have to say, perhaps the coolest thing was the display put on by the F18 Hornets of the RAAF. Truly, truly phenomenal machines. Saying that though, seeing the F1 cars heading into the corners at breakneck speed is awesome. It really is lost on TV. To fully appreciate it, and I guess to see why the drivers earn the big bucks, you have to see it live and in the flesh. It's just incredible.

Anyway, after a day in the sun it was off to find a bar and to sip some cold beers. They actually serve pints in Melbourne which is nice. Schooners are the order of the day in Sydney, grrrr. The bar we went to was on the river opposite Flinders Street Station (the old orange building you see lots of photos of). They had a pretty cool folky acoustic band playing so it was nice to chill out and relax. Then it was back to Stu's house, grab a shower and head out for some food.

Rachel wasn't feeling to good (too much beer in the sun I think) so she headed home early and me and Stu headed into town to meet up with his housemates for a few more beers. We ended up in a very random bar on a roof top. It was decked out like a quaint little cottage garden with AstroTurf grass throughout and garden chairs. Very odd. But cool. Then it was back towards Stu's house, stopping at a bar or two en route.

Sunday we headed into town and got the free tourist tram round the CBD. A quick stop at the markets, which were dead, and we headed to St Kilda for a beer and to watch the race. It was hot. Very hot. The most noticeable thing was the fact that the wind was also hot. Pretty gross. But it was at least a dry heat, not the mugginess you get in Sydney.

Weeeeeeeeeell Done!!! Rach and Stu looking, errrr, hot???

It was a fab weekend. Melbourne is an amazing city. And although we were only there briefly, it was a brilliant time. Definitely having a return trip sometime and DEFINITELY going back to see the F1. Awesome. Truly awesome.

The House

So we have moved into the new house last Monday. Its a 2 bedroom, second floor flat in Edgecliff. Wooden floors throughout, a tasteful (???) bathroom and a bling kitchen with stainless steel gas appliances. Heaven. It also has a super sunny balcony out the front with glimpses of the city skyline.

After a couple of trips to Ikea and other furniture outlets, as well as begging and scrounging furniture of friends and work mates we are well on the way to getting back to something of a normal life.

There have been a couple of dramas though. Being locked out TWICE, and the electrics being a little dodgy. Oh and there is also the ongoing battle with the former landlord. Hopefully this will all be resolved soon enough and the idiot will get his just deserves I am sure.

New House

A new house has been found. A funky little two bed flat in Edgecliff!!! Such a relief the hunt is over. Now the drama is to furnish it!!!

Move in Monday....Photos to follow!!!

Eviction

Rachel and I have been asked ot move out of our current house. We live in Bondi, on Ocean Street in a shared property. One chap holds the lease and we sub-let off him. It is a nice place. Situated halfway between the beach and the main transport hub. Ideal.

Trouble is the guy we rent from, Nick, is a complete and utter dickhead!!! Racist, aggressive, untrustworthy to name but a few of his outstanding qualities. He has given us 2 weeks notice. We were looking to move anyway, but now the pressure is on. There is a rental crisis in Sydney, well the desirable eastern suburbs anyway. We are struggling to find a place. Its a bit of a bugger. But at least we will be away from the most idiotic man i have ever met.

Wheteher we get out bond back will be a totally different matter. We shall see. So, if anyone knows of a room to rent or a house to rent in Sydney let me know. Oh and also, if anyone knows what a 'life coach' is i would be interested to hear. Thats what said dickhead does for a 'living'. Hmmmmm.....

New Year - Sydney 07/08!!!

After the Christmas shenanigans Kate joined the party from over in Auckland. Grand plans were afoot to see all kinds of wonderful things in and around Sydney. However it seemed that the drinking got in the way a little and most of the time was spent in a hungover haze.

We did however manage to go to the beach, swim in the surf (me and Stu anyway as Rach and Kate were too scared) and get stung by jellyfish (Rach and Kate did but me and Stu escaped - probably because we were swimming, not fannying around in the shallows), and visit the city centre for views of the opera house and the bridge. Both still absolutely amaze me. I don't think I would ever get bored of seeing them. The bridge is huge and the opera house is just stunning.

The plans for new year were to go to Mrs Macquaries Park and watch the fireworks over the harbour. Lots of people had recommended it. And we were advised to go early. Also there was a minor draw back in that no alcohol was allowed to be taken into the park site. However after an ingenious suggestion from Stu, we managed to sneak a couple of bottles of 'water' into the site with our picnic along with a vodka fuelled water melon.

All the best laid plans go to waste, and true to form the early start somehow evaded us once again. Nothing to do with the night before of course!!!! Anyway, we reached the park and were dismayed by the ENORMOUS queue of people that were waiting to go in. Hundreds of them. And thoughts of missing out completely were running through our minds. However there was no need to panic. We joined the back of the line and set about entertaining ourselves as we waited. An hour later and after several lame eye spy games we successfully negotiated the bag searches for booze and we were in. We just had to find a spot in the park now. There were about 9,000 people in the park when we got in, with a total reported capacity of 22,000. Not sure where they would all go as it was already pretty busy with the best viewing spots gone.

We set up camp (on the third attempt having changed our minds previous - grrrr) beneath a big tree to give us some shade. Much needed shade. It was a blazing sunny day.

We unpacked the food, ate a little, played a few games and drank. The bars opened at 3pm and wine and beer was the order of the day, along with our 'water' we smuggled in that tasted remarkably like gin. Hmmmmm, weird. Anyway, we ate, drank and became merry.

There was a 9pm family firework show. Then the main event at midnight. We needed to find a good spot so we could see the bridge which was to be the focal point of the fireworks display. We loaded up with rations (wine) and set out to commandeer a position much to the disgust of a few other people who had apparently come to Australia just for the fireworks and were not going to have us ruin it for them. Claiming complete ignorance and ignoring them seemed to do the trick and as the count down to midnight began all seemed forgotten. A big illuminated egg timer on the bridge let the masses know 2008 was upon us.

And WOW!!! What a show!!! I have never seen fireworks quite like it. This is how to spend 1 million dollars in 12 minutes in perhaps the most spectacular way possible. It was truly, truly amazing. And the white water fall from the bridge was just incredible.

It was then back to our picnic spot to attempt to drunkenly text everyone in my phone book happy new year from Sydney. Most apparently didn't work, thankfully for the sake of my phone bill, but i did end up ringing a few folk. Well done me!!!!

Then it was time to pack up and make our way back home to bed. What a fab new year it was.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!