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!
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