Sunday, 18 November 2007
Saturday, 17 November 2007
Back in Blighty - 181107
So, it is 3.30am on Sunday. I am awake, obviously, my body still on Sydney time. I'll do a little uploading of photographs and then go back to sleep.
The flight back was ok - there was quite a bit more turbulence coming back than going. To be honest, I rather like it: it is quite exhilirating! Once again I was very impressed with the crew of Singapore Airlines - very efficient and this time more sincerely friendly than they were on the flight from London to Singapore. The crew from Sydney to Singapore included the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life (excluding you, if you are female). She was absolutely stunning - almost doll-like in her perfection.
I got back to the flat at 7am, pottered about for a couple of hours then had a few hours sleep. I went out late afternoon. There were a couple of things I had to purchase including a few CDs (the soundtrack to 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age', latest from Messrs John Barrowman and Michael Ball and a greatest hits package of Miss Julia Fordham). These were to take my mind off the fact I am back! I was staggered by the crowds and how packed town was! How could I have forgotten?!?! I knew I was home when I saw a young man (in his early twenties), holding the hand of his sobbing daughter whilst shouting down his mobile: 'F***ING TALK TO ME.'
Welcome back!
The flight back was ok - there was quite a bit more turbulence coming back than going. To be honest, I rather like it: it is quite exhilirating! Once again I was very impressed with the crew of Singapore Airlines - very efficient and this time more sincerely friendly than they were on the flight from London to Singapore. The crew from Sydney to Singapore included the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life (excluding you, if you are female). She was absolutely stunning - almost doll-like in her perfection.
I got back to the flat at 7am, pottered about for a couple of hours then had a few hours sleep. I went out late afternoon. There were a couple of things I had to purchase including a few CDs (the soundtrack to 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age', latest from Messrs John Barrowman and Michael Ball and a greatest hits package of Miss Julia Fordham). These were to take my mind off the fact I am back! I was staggered by the crowds and how packed town was! How could I have forgotten?!?! I knew I was home when I saw a young man (in his early twenties), holding the hand of his sobbing daughter whilst shouting down his mobile: 'F***ING TALK TO ME.'
Welcome back!
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Thursday - 151107
The theatre was great; the cinema was great. Everything's great - especially the weather. Gloriously sunny and v v warm. But here I am stuck in the internet cafe. I am, in the words of Tina Cousins, killing time waiting for my washing to do before I head into town for some last minute purchases.
I thought I would take the opportunity to upload some pictures from Melbourne.
Enjoy!
I thought I would take the opportunity to upload some pictures from Melbourne.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Wednesday - 141107
Arrived back from Melbourne safely. It was very foggy there this morning so I've taken a couple of pictures of obscured buildings etc. I arrived at the airport to discover that my flight back to Sydney had been cancelled. Luckily, I was there early enough to catch an earlier flight than the one I had been booked on.
I have just had a swim, have checked in for my flight back to Blighty on Friday (boo, hoo x 1,000,000) and will soon be getting ready to go to the theatre - this time to see Brenda Blethyn in an Alan Bennett play. Tomorrow morning, Colin and I are hoping to see 'The Golden Age' - the new Cate Blanchett film.
Anyway, I can scarcely believe I have got to the third paragraph without saying how FANTASTIC 'Priscilla' was. I cannot recall seeing a better spectacle in my life - well not one on the stage anyway! It is a wonderful show and I cannot wait for it to open in London. I imagine it will be very popular in certain quarters.
Aside from the breathtaking spectacle - as Lady T might have said 'the costumes were divine' and as someone else might have said 'the dancing was funky' - the writing was great: very witty and contemporary. For those who have seen the film, they are no longer going through an ABBA phase - they are now in their Kylie phase. Also, the ping pong ball routine has transferred well to stage which I know some of you will be keen to know and so has the mullet line!! Actually, the whole mullet scene was too funny!
What was especially fantastic was the way the songs told the story and also how the interpretations of the numbers made you look at and listen to them in a completely different way to how you do usually. I thought this was particulary the case with 'I say a little prayer', 'Finally', 'We belong' and 'You are always on my mind'.
Best of all, when members of the audience were dragged on stage to dance, I was not one of them!
After the show, I walked back over the river to see the Queen Victoria Memorial floodlit - very beautiful. I refrained from going to see if the George V Memorial was similary lit as it is much deeper into the park and you never know in foreign parts.
Anyway, this might be my last post until I start uploading pictures when I get back to London. Be warned - I took almost 300 in Melbourne alone and there are many more from the week before!
Hope this thing has been of some interest.
I have just had a swim, have checked in for my flight back to Blighty on Friday (boo, hoo x 1,000,000) and will soon be getting ready to go to the theatre - this time to see Brenda Blethyn in an Alan Bennett play. Tomorrow morning, Colin and I are hoping to see 'The Golden Age' - the new Cate Blanchett film.
Anyway, I can scarcely believe I have got to the third paragraph without saying how FANTASTIC 'Priscilla' was. I cannot recall seeing a better spectacle in my life - well not one on the stage anyway! It is a wonderful show and I cannot wait for it to open in London. I imagine it will be very popular in certain quarters.
Aside from the breathtaking spectacle - as Lady T might have said 'the costumes were divine' and as someone else might have said 'the dancing was funky' - the writing was great: very witty and contemporary. For those who have seen the film, they are no longer going through an ABBA phase - they are now in their Kylie phase. Also, the ping pong ball routine has transferred well to stage which I know some of you will be keen to know and so has the mullet line!! Actually, the whole mullet scene was too funny!
What was especially fantastic was the way the songs told the story and also how the interpretations of the numbers made you look at and listen to them in a completely different way to how you do usually. I thought this was particulary the case with 'I say a little prayer', 'Finally', 'We belong' and 'You are always on my mind'.
Best of all, when members of the audience were dragged on stage to dance, I was not one of them!
After the show, I walked back over the river to see the Queen Victoria Memorial floodlit - very beautiful. I refrained from going to see if the George V Memorial was similary lit as it is much deeper into the park and you never know in foreign parts.
Anyway, this might be my last post until I start uploading pictures when I get back to London. Be warned - I took almost 300 in Melbourne alone and there are many more from the week before!
Hope this thing has been of some interest.
Monday, 12 November 2007
Tuesday - 131107
It is almost 4.30pm in Melbourne. I have been out and about since 10.30am. Given the weather has got hotter and hotter as the day has progressed, I am now officially exhausted! I've just been to collect my ticket for tonight's show and once I have typed this I am going to have a lie down.
As I suspected, my camera has been doing overtime. Indeed, there are now less than 10 minutes battery life left on it so I'll need to charge it for tomorrow.
Melbourne is nothing like Sydney. It feels a lot less British than Sydney does and the weather is different - the ozone must be thicker here than in Sydney because although it has been very warm the heat is not as burning as it is in Sydders and last night got quite chilly when I went out for a walk.
I happened on an arts centre during that walk. There is a big Jewish Film Festival here for the next few weeks. Sadly, I shalln't be able to see any of the films but I did get the listing so I shall be able to try and get them on Amazon Rental.
I'm not going to give a running commentary on what I have seen because, not only is my internet account due to terminate in 14 minutes, I shall be uploading the photographs in due course. That said, I would say that the most impressive things I have seen so far are the Shrine of Remembrance, the Queen Victoria Memorial and above these, and indeed above all others, to quote Dame Shirley, the George V Memorial. It is stunning!
As I suspected, my camera has been doing overtime. Indeed, there are now less than 10 minutes battery life left on it so I'll need to charge it for tomorrow.
Melbourne is nothing like Sydney. It feels a lot less British than Sydney does and the weather is different - the ozone must be thicker here than in Sydney because although it has been very warm the heat is not as burning as it is in Sydders and last night got quite chilly when I went out for a walk.
I happened on an arts centre during that walk. There is a big Jewish Film Festival here for the next few weeks. Sadly, I shalln't be able to see any of the films but I did get the listing so I shall be able to try and get them on Amazon Rental.
I'm not going to give a running commentary on what I have seen because, not only is my internet account due to terminate in 14 minutes, I shall be uploading the photographs in due course. That said, I would say that the most impressive things I have seen so far are the Shrine of Remembrance, the Queen Victoria Memorial and above these, and indeed above all others, to quote Dame Shirley, the George V Memorial. It is stunning!
Sunday, 11 November 2007
If it's Monday, it must be Melbourne! - 121107
I have just arrived in a gloriously sunny and very warm Melbourne having left a gloriously sunny and very warm Sydney. I knew this would happen if I came here: it be sunny in Sydney and ideal weather for beach visits whilst I am stuck in a city! Still, as 'Priscilla' boasts 5oo costumes, it will be worth the trip. Apparently, there is audience participation so I shall have to look sharp as I am on the front row and don't want to be collared.
I flew with 'Virginblue' and as is my style got to the airport with far too much time to spare. The flight here was ok apart from the take off and landing which were not as pleasant as they were on Singapore Airlines let me just say. From the airport, I took the 'sky bus' shuttle service to Spencer Street station.
No facilities here for uploading photographs so there will be quite a delay before I get them up - the photos that is. Just walking to the hotel (http://www.victoriahotel.com.au/) from the bus station I started to feel the onset of clickitus so I shall have to ensure my camera is fully charged tomorrow and Wednesday morning.
Right, off now for something to eat and a wander round.
I flew with 'Virginblue' and as is my style got to the airport with far too much time to spare. The flight here was ok apart from the take off and landing which were not as pleasant as they were on Singapore Airlines let me just say. From the airport, I took the 'sky bus' shuttle service to Spencer Street station.
No facilities here for uploading photographs so there will be quite a delay before I get them up - the photos that is. Just walking to the hotel (http://www.victoriahotel.com.au/) from the bus station I started to feel the onset of clickitus so I shall have to ensure my camera is fully charged tomorrow and Wednesday morning.
Right, off now for something to eat and a wander round.
Sunday - 111107
Opposite to what was forecast, it has been another glorious day so it was to the Blue Mountains. Colin's friend, James, was driving us. We met him at 9am and did not return until 6pm so we are exhausted!
I've uploaded some pictures of the day featuring yours truly and the Sun. There are more pictures to be uploaded in due course. No photographs, however, can do the Blue Mountains justice. They are too, too stunning. I wonder how the first Europeans who saw them reacted to such spectacular views.
We took lunch at the Blue Mountains town of Katoomba. I sat down, looked up and there on the wall was a cover of a Dame Shirley album! There was also a Cilla Black album sleeve!
Before departing I confirmed my flight to Melbourne with VirginBlue. I shall be there this time tomorrow. The hotel I am staying in is just round the corner from the theatre where 'Priscilla' is on and is very central.
The picture below those of today was taken on Saturday night after our meal out. We went to the local French restaurant. The food was magnificent and the atmosphere of the place was very European. I did not take my camera so there aren't any pictures of the event.
I don't know when next I shall be able to blog but there's plenty on already for you to be going on with!
I've uploaded some pictures of the day featuring yours truly and the Sun. There are more pictures to be uploaded in due course. No photographs, however, can do the Blue Mountains justice. They are too, too stunning. I wonder how the first Europeans who saw them reacted to such spectacular views.
We took lunch at the Blue Mountains town of Katoomba. I sat down, looked up and there on the wall was a cover of a Dame Shirley album! There was also a Cilla Black album sleeve!
Before departing I confirmed my flight to Melbourne with VirginBlue. I shall be there this time tomorrow. The hotel I am staying in is just round the corner from the theatre where 'Priscilla' is on and is very central.
The picture below those of today was taken on Saturday night after our meal out. We went to the local French restaurant. The food was magnificent and the atmosphere of the place was very European. I did not take my camera so there aren't any pictures of the event.
I don't know when next I shall be able to blog but there's plenty on already for you to be going on with!
Friday, 9 November 2007
Later on Saturday - 101107
You see: I should make notes of what I want to write because with my memory I forget.
Anyway, there I am working my way through an hour in the 50 metre pool (no mean feat, I'll tell you) when it came to me all of a sudden: the thing I overheard in the club last night.
A man goes up to the bar and of the barman asks: 'What's cheap?'
Without batting an eyelid, the barman responds: 'You, obviously.'
Ouch!
Anyway, there I am working my way through an hour in the 50 metre pool (no mean feat, I'll tell you) when it came to me all of a sudden: the thing I overheard in the club last night.
A man goes up to the bar and of the barman asks: 'What's cheap?'
Without batting an eyelid, the barman responds: 'You, obviously.'
Ouch!
Saturday - 101107
How's it going?
I can't be long: the pool beckons. We are all due to go out for a meal tonight and I need to do a lot of swimming to rejuvenate myself. I am exhausted from all the dancing (and drinking) of 'Kylie Night'. Actually, 'Kylie Night' turned out to be one Kylie song mimed to by a drag queen and there were no free giveaways (as advertised) so we all feel a bit cheated! I can't remember what time I got in but I do recall waking up on the bed at 4.45am thinking it would probably be a good idea to get undressed and into bed. So I did.
The weather is gorgeous today which is the opposite of what was forecast. Hopefully, it will be as good tomorrow for we are planning a trip to the Blue Mountains. I have been told I CANNOT and am NOT ALLOWED to leave Australia without seeing them. So I had better go - or perhaps I had better not!
Yesterday, the weather was so so but I went to Manly anyway. Manly is a suburb on the other side of the harbour and was given its name by one of the Governor's after he saw the masculine aspect of the Aborigines there. It bills itself as 'seven miles from Sydney, a thousand miles from cares'. Yes.
I walked down to the bay and then along the beach. The weather was not good enough to go swimming and as the billboards broadcast after all the rain this week it would not have been wise to swim anyway given the 'pollution' situation. As I overheard an Englishman say as he read the notice: 'the sea will be full of poo and floating nappies.' Indeed.
Nevertheless, I did go paddling and dodged all the washed up blue jellyfish. There were lots of surfers, quite far out and it was great to see them doing their thang as the surf got higher and higher. I can understand why Australians are so obsessed with surfing - the thrill of the waves must be addictive.
Getting back to Circular Quay just before 5pm I walked back to the flat and photographed the rest of the things in the Domain I want you to see. I'll get the pics uploaded when I can.
I spoke to Mummy. She said: 'I like the story about the old woman.'
Her saying that reminded me of something of the exchange which I failed to put in the blog entry so here it is as a form of encore. When I posed for the photograph she took of me, she came out with:
'Now don't stand there all stiff. Relax - put your leg up or something.'
Indeed.
I sent some more postcards yesterday. Quite difficult really to think what to put when I have done this blog but I did manage to mention on some - only in passing of course - that when we went to the Opera House we had champagne in the Opera House Bar beforehand. This is the life!
Hope you all have a good weekend and regretting that this time next week I shall be back in Blighty.
I can't be long: the pool beckons. We are all due to go out for a meal tonight and I need to do a lot of swimming to rejuvenate myself. I am exhausted from all the dancing (and drinking) of 'Kylie Night'. Actually, 'Kylie Night' turned out to be one Kylie song mimed to by a drag queen and there were no free giveaways (as advertised) so we all feel a bit cheated! I can't remember what time I got in but I do recall waking up on the bed at 4.45am thinking it would probably be a good idea to get undressed and into bed. So I did.
The weather is gorgeous today which is the opposite of what was forecast. Hopefully, it will be as good tomorrow for we are planning a trip to the Blue Mountains. I have been told I CANNOT and am NOT ALLOWED to leave Australia without seeing them. So I had better go - or perhaps I had better not!
Yesterday, the weather was so so but I went to Manly anyway. Manly is a suburb on the other side of the harbour and was given its name by one of the Governor's after he saw the masculine aspect of the Aborigines there. It bills itself as 'seven miles from Sydney, a thousand miles from cares'. Yes.
I walked down to the bay and then along the beach. The weather was not good enough to go swimming and as the billboards broadcast after all the rain this week it would not have been wise to swim anyway given the 'pollution' situation. As I overheard an Englishman say as he read the notice: 'the sea will be full of poo and floating nappies.' Indeed.
Nevertheless, I did go paddling and dodged all the washed up blue jellyfish. There were lots of surfers, quite far out and it was great to see them doing their thang as the surf got higher and higher. I can understand why Australians are so obsessed with surfing - the thrill of the waves must be addictive.
Getting back to Circular Quay just before 5pm I walked back to the flat and photographed the rest of the things in the Domain I want you to see. I'll get the pics uploaded when I can.
I spoke to Mummy. She said: 'I like the story about the old woman.'
Her saying that reminded me of something of the exchange which I failed to put in the blog entry so here it is as a form of encore. When I posed for the photograph she took of me, she came out with:
'Now don't stand there all stiff. Relax - put your leg up or something.'
Indeed.
I sent some more postcards yesterday. Quite difficult really to think what to put when I have done this blog but I did manage to mention on some - only in passing of course - that when we went to the Opera House we had champagne in the Opera House Bar beforehand. This is the life!
Hope you all have a good weekend and regretting that this time next week I shall be back in Blighty.
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Friday - 091107
Gud Mourning!
First things first, I don't know if I am going to have much time now to upload pictures, so, if not, I shall do so when I get back to England.
Thursday the weather continued uncertain but I decided to go to the North Sydney Olympic Pool anyway just to see it, if not swim in it. I took the ferry from Circular Quay to Milson's Point. By the time I reached the other side of the Harbour, the Sun had come out so I did go swimming. I feared the water would be freezing but it was surprisingly warm so it had to be heated. The pool was opened in 1936 and is art deco in style. It looks a bit tired now but must have been wonderful in its heyday. It is just under the Sydney Harbour Bridge so the views are marvellous! Apparently, more records have been broken in this pool than any other pool in the world.
Yet again, it is 50 metres in length. About half way down the length of the pool, the depth begins to drop dramatically until at the deep end the depth reaches just short of 4 metres. It was a bit much being outswam by a female pensioner and two young kids but there we are.
Anyway, I am minding my own business at the end of the one of the lanes when a man gets into the next lane and starts talking to me.
Man: 'Is it heated?'
Me: 'It must be.'
Man: 'Where are you from?'
Me: 'I grew up in Yorkshire but I live in London.'
Man: 'I grew up in Tunbridge Wells. I came out here 36 years ago when I was 20. I was a ten pound Pom and I now live in Balmain [a suburb overlooking the Harbour]. And I'm a bricklayer.'
Me: 'This is an amazing place.'
Man: 'It is paradise. I go back to England and can't wait to get back here. There is an undercurrent of thuggery in London. And there are too many blacks. There are too many of everything in London.'
I guess that told me.
Back on the south side of the Harbour, I walked back to the flat. I decided that Thursday night was the night I would walk round Sydney when it was dark to see the buildings lit up. Sadly, the pictures I have taken with my camera are not very good. This is especially sad as it was the naming ceremony of the 'Pacific Dawn' - a huge P&O cruise liner which is berthed at Circular Quay. There was an amazing light show on one side of the boat and fireworks! Yes, I have seen fireworks in Sydney Harbour - and it is not even New Year's Eve!
Today (Friday), I am catching the ferry to Manly. Hopefully, the weather will improve enough for me to go in the sea. This evening, there is a Kylie night at a local hostelry to celebrate the imminent release of her new single. Tomorrow will probably be spent recovering from that. I had better be fully recovered for the evening as we are going for a meal.
It is most seriously displeasing to think that this time next week, I shall be preparing to return to the United Kingdom.
First things first, I don't know if I am going to have much time now to upload pictures, so, if not, I shall do so when I get back to England.
Thursday the weather continued uncertain but I decided to go to the North Sydney Olympic Pool anyway just to see it, if not swim in it. I took the ferry from Circular Quay to Milson's Point. By the time I reached the other side of the Harbour, the Sun had come out so I did go swimming. I feared the water would be freezing but it was surprisingly warm so it had to be heated. The pool was opened in 1936 and is art deco in style. It looks a bit tired now but must have been wonderful in its heyday. It is just under the Sydney Harbour Bridge so the views are marvellous! Apparently, more records have been broken in this pool than any other pool in the world.
Yet again, it is 50 metres in length. About half way down the length of the pool, the depth begins to drop dramatically until at the deep end the depth reaches just short of 4 metres. It was a bit much being outswam by a female pensioner and two young kids but there we are.
Anyway, I am minding my own business at the end of the one of the lanes when a man gets into the next lane and starts talking to me.
Man: 'Is it heated?'
Me: 'It must be.'
Man: 'Where are you from?'
Me: 'I grew up in Yorkshire but I live in London.'
Man: 'I grew up in Tunbridge Wells. I came out here 36 years ago when I was 20. I was a ten pound Pom and I now live in Balmain [a suburb overlooking the Harbour]. And I'm a bricklayer.'
Me: 'This is an amazing place.'
Man: 'It is paradise. I go back to England and can't wait to get back here. There is an undercurrent of thuggery in London. And there are too many blacks. There are too many of everything in London.'
I guess that told me.
Back on the south side of the Harbour, I walked back to the flat. I decided that Thursday night was the night I would walk round Sydney when it was dark to see the buildings lit up. Sadly, the pictures I have taken with my camera are not very good. This is especially sad as it was the naming ceremony of the 'Pacific Dawn' - a huge P&O cruise liner which is berthed at Circular Quay. There was an amazing light show on one side of the boat and fireworks! Yes, I have seen fireworks in Sydney Harbour - and it is not even New Year's Eve!
Today (Friday), I am catching the ferry to Manly. Hopefully, the weather will improve enough for me to go in the sea. This evening, there is a Kylie night at a local hostelry to celebrate the imminent release of her new single. Tomorrow will probably be spent recovering from that. I had better be fully recovered for the evening as we are going for a meal.
It is most seriously displeasing to think that this time next week, I shall be preparing to return to the United Kingdom.
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Buildings and features - 071107
Anzac War Memorial.
Australian Museum.
A feature.
Sydney Grammar School.
The Conservatorium of Music.
This building was originally intended to be stables.
The Colonial Secretary's Office.
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