Day 53

Friday 24^th December 2010: CHRISTMAS EVE

We’re final getting acclimatised – only 7am when we woke up today! Woo hoo! By the time we leave Australia I reckon we’ll have it sorted!!!

We had planned to head back to Bondi beach today but the weather wasn’t looking too great – in that it was cloudy… and windy… and cold. We had stuff to sort out for Xmas Day so decided to spend the day pottering around Darlo instead. As soon as that decision was made the sun came out in full force – typical!

I managed to get my hair chopped which was cool.

On returning to the hotel we discovered that the Franks had been in touch with Santa about leaving us an early present before he starts the deliveries tonight…. There was a bottle of champers in our fridge and a note… so we tucked into that as I got the business of present wrapping underway. THANK YOU!!!

Tomorrow afternoon we’ve been lucky enough to be invited to Sheridan’s brother’s at the beach for a BBQ with her folks and the rest of the family. Not wanting to turn up empty handed we’ve bought them all a gift – I say all, we have no idea how many people will be there so we’ve bought gifts for 12 – 6 boys and 6 girls – any more than that and people will have to go without! We racked our brains about what to buy these mythical 12 people that we’ve never met…. And decided you can’t go wrong with socks. Everyone gets socks at Xmas right?! So I spent the afternoon wrapping 12 pairs of socks. We also decided that when in Australia everyone should get a lollipop and a tacky Koala bear…. OK so that’s what we could find in the ‘dollar shop!’

We had booked a Christmas Eve cruise on Sydney harbour with food and unlimited alcohol. It was fancy

dress so this is what we’d cobbled together….

....feeling pretty self conscious we passed through reception onto the streets of Sydney. We were running a little late and didn’t really fancy public transport in our chosen outfits so we grabbed a taxi down to Darling harbour.

Once we arrived we were pleased to see that most of backpackers had gone for the fancy dress theme.

We didn’t feel so out of place as we joined the masses of revellers in cargo bar for a pre cruise drinky. I discovered that Franky’s outfit wasn’t the best thought out as I returned from the loo…. and couldn’t find him. Not something I would usually think would be a problem looking for a bloke who is 6’1’’ and wearing a santa outfit…. But today they were everywhere!!!

At just gone 7.00pm we boarded the huge party boat.

There were stacks of drinks laid out on tables for you to take your pick… and wheelie bins full of ice and refills – mint! We grabbed a bite to eat and then headed up to the top deck to take in the sights of Sydney.

It’s a bit surreal… It’s Christmas Eve, it’s hot, the back drop is amazing, you can grab any drink you want from the bar at any time without putting your hand in your pocket and you’re on a boat with 600 other party people who just wanna get drunk and have a good time – what’s not to like?

After passing under the harbour bridge and past the opera house we headed down stairs to the dancefloor for a bit of a boogie!

Santa danced so much he split his pants!

No more mince pies for you!

The boat docked back at Darling Harbour at about 10.30pm and the alcohol fuelled passengers were all directed to a club called The Gaff to continue the party. We headed on up there in a taxi and were fortunate enough to beat the queues.

We did a bit more drinking and a bit more dancing to see in Christmas Day 2010 and then we stumbled home to the hotel and fell into bed.

MERRY XMAS EVERYONE!!

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Day 52

Thursday 23^rd December 2010

We got up to a cloudy day but determined not to be put off we headed back to Manly beach on the ferry. We had a spot of Xmas shopping to do and then headed down to the beach.

Despite the cloud it was hot and the beach was packed – with Aussie school kids. We found a space the size of a postage stamp and lay down for a peaceful hour of cloudbathing – or so we thought! Surrounded by the boiling pot of hormones of the Aussie youth the beach was anything but peaceful. Franky assumed the role of grumpy old man and after an hour or so of general observational grumbling he declared, ‘Well I can’t stay here all day, I can’t relax!’….. so we had to move.

The teens were also scattered all the way down the Corso (main street) to Hungry Jack’s (Aussie Burger King) so we grabbed a take away salad for lunch and went down the promenade for a picnic.

Where we appeared to have happened upon a group of holidaying monks! They were happily posing for picture with their digital cameras whilst listening to their iPods but still wearing only the traditional orange robes – how random? Then they were all packed away on a coach and whisked away!

After lunch we headed down the beach to a more peaceful spot where grumpy old man Frank was able to concentrate on his novel.

He even contemplated venturing into the sea as there were big waves today …. But, on spotting a couple of jellyfish on the way in, he chickened out and came back to the towel! We’ve since been informed that these jellyfish are completely harmless!!!

We made our way back to the ferry via the ice cream joint in the ferry terminal (they do the BEST strawberry icecream ever). Franky is now ambivalent about the amazing vistas of Sydney harbour. Despite having prime spot at the front of the boat he was too engrossed in his Lee Child novel to give them a second glance.

We got back to the hotel with just enough time to shower and change before heading back out to the Ship Inn at Circular Quay for our dinner date with Sheridan and her fella, Nick. We put away a few schooners of beer as the sun went down and then headed up into the rocks, the oldest area of Sydney, which is full of pubs and restaurants. Sheridan’s recommendation was to do the gormet pizzas at The Australian Hotel and this was a good one. We had a duck pizza, a tandoori chicken and a surf and turf they were so gooooooooood! Throw in a huge bowl of wedges, salad and a great bottle of (New Zealand?) red wine and we made a happy foursome. The company was great. Nick is a good laugh… and takes banter well. He almost spat his beer all over us when Franky called him ‘Sailor Boy’ – that’s what you get when a well built 6 foot odd Aussie bloke comes out for dinner in white jeans and a blue and white stripey shirt!!!!

The pub eventually closed up around us and as Sheridan and Nick had work the next day we thought we’d better called it a night so we headed home to bed.

Day 51

Wednesday 22^nd December 2010

Having still not managed to adjust to Sydney time we were awake early again today, although a quarter to four is probably beyond early! I nodded in and out of sleep for a few hours knowing that the hotel breakfast didn’t start until 08:30.

We went for breakfast, I’m quite getting into Rice Krispies! SNAP CRACKLE POP!! I was sat enjoying a brew and reading the local paper when the phone in reception rang. The guy behind the desk said  “there’s a phone call for you”. I looked over my shoulder to find out who he was talking to and realised due to lack of any people behind me that he was in fact talking to me!

“For me” I said

“we’ll she said she wants to speak to her son, so I’m guessing its you”

I picked up the phone “hello”

“who’s that” said the voice at the other end

“Michael”

“bloody hell were you sat with him” said Mum.

“sort of yeah, I’m just having my breakfast, what’s up?”

“I just wanted to know when you’re going to be updating the blog!”

WHAT!! A phone call to the other side of the world to enquire as to why the blog isn’t up to date? Honestly Mother your one on your own!

So I told my Mum that I could Skype her now if she liked and we spoke for 45 mins which was lovely.

We readied ourselves for a day in the city, the weather was a bit overcast so we decided to see that cites and meet some friends. We met Jacquie at her building in the centre of the city and went up to her office on the 37^th floor. She enjoys some of the best views of the harbour from there; we wondered how she got any work done!!

We left and went around the corner for some lunch at The Ship Inn, it was lovely, Jacquie is great company and the hour or so it took to “do lunch” flew by. We said our goodbyes and headed over to the Opera House for a nosey about, the sun had decided to break through the clouds and it had turned into a bit of a scorcher. As you can imagine the streets of Sydney were packed with Christmas shoppers and there was lots going on, street performers on 12ft unicycles and aboriginal people playing the didgeridoo to a dance beat. We stopped to take in some “street theatre” and then had a walk around the harbour. All very nice indeed!

We were due to meet Sheridan for drinks at 16:00 but she wasn’t on time for tea in Bolivia so we didn’t hold out too much hope that she would be there. She wasn’t.

At about 16:30 she came into the bar (The Ship Inn, again) from her Christmas lunch and apologised, no worries. The pub is actually one of many in the city owned by the same people and Sheridan works for the firm. They were all out on there Christmas do and we were soon introduced to them all. We sat outside drinking beer and shots called “wet pussies” (sorry Mum). They were all in there beautiful dresses and done up to the nines, we were in shorts and T-shirts and felt more than a little underdressed. Undeterred we drank into the late evening and laughed the night away with our temporary colleagues. At around 10:30, we were…..pissed. They had all been very generous with buying us drinks and the early start had taken its toll, we headed to McDonalds for sustenance and after being unable to decide what to eat, we bought one of everything, almost.

We got home and I undressed the way only a drunk man can, by letting all of the change in his pocket go racing across the room on some midnight escape mission. Suz stayed up and spoke to her parents, and then decided to comment on everyone’s status’ on Facebook, some of whom she doesn’t know that well (sorry Tony).

Day 50

Tuesday 21^st December 2010

Jet lag really has got the better of us so I was wide awake and raring to go at 5.00am this morning – grrrrr!

We waited until a more respectable time of 9am to grab breakfast and check out the weather…. glorious sunshine and no winds …… perfect for a day at the beach. So we set off into the city to catch the ferry to Manly on the northern shores of the harbour.

The ferry ride itself is recommended by all Sydney guidebooks as it takes you past the Opera House with the back drop of the Harbour Bridge and the views are amazing. We were very jealous of the Sydney residents who call this their commute every day – it beats the M60 in the rain hands down!

 

On arrival at Manly we joined the droves of people who had also decided today was a good day to spend at the beach and headed down the Corso. This is like their pedestrianised main street which Franky commented was ‘a bit like the Rock in Bury but with a beach at the end’!

We found a space and settled down on the sand with our books – now THIS was what we came to Australia for.

Franky was just debating taking his first dip in the sea when what can only be described as an air raid siren went off at one end of the beach…. I was half expecting a Luftwaffe to come swooping in so we were surprised when the life guards announced that everyone should get out of the water as there had been an unconfirmed SHARK SIGHTING! It was like a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster (you know the one – ner ner, ner ner) - everyone scrambling to get out of the water, shrieking and screaming to add effect. BRILLIANT!

And 20 minutes later the possible shark sighting was confirmed – so we decided to stay out of the water awhile!

Franky was hungry so headed off in search of food and retuned with some salads (fresh sea food and chicken cesaer and fruit) – beach picnic!

Franky had unwittingly burnt his head whilst out finding lunch so he had to take action.

Later on in the day we ventured into the water and discovered that the British girl on the beach was right. She came back after a dip to declare ‘It’s just like Southend!’ What she meant was bloody freezing as opposed to murky and full of sewage!

On the way back down the Corso we stopped off at Aldi for some essential supplies (shampoo etc) – see we told you it was just like Bury! And Dad you should be so proud – you’ve been trying to get me in Aldi for years! Then it was back to the Southern shore on the ferry and a train back to Darlo (we’re learning the lingo mate!).

We’d read that a local pub, the Sugarmill, had a comedy night on Tuesdays that started at 7pm if you wanted food included so we had NO FRANK NAP (audible gasp from Matt, Helen and Eric) and headed straight back out. Unfortunately we’d been misinformed and comedy nights weren’t on anymore but it was happy hour – only £2 a beer. Franky hadn’t realised the Aussie ponces can’t manage a full pint and drink their beers in Schooners until he commented – I think my hands have swollen – this beer feels a bit small!? No Darling – you’re hand are the same size – it’s the glass that’s smaller!!!!

I also introduced him to that other well know Aussie institution – the $10 steak. Yup just 10 bucks for a prime slab of rump steak served up with chips, veggies and your choice of sauce. The first of many I feel!

We moved on and sampled a couple more of the drinking establishments.

The local nutter advised us to head out toward Darlinghurst in search of merriment on a Tuesday night and for some unknown reason we listened to her…. and ended up in a gay bar. Now it was fairly quiet when we arrived but soon filled up… with a guy dressed as Freddie Mercury and a bloke in a dress who I was convinced was a lesbian in fancy dress but turned out to be a boy. Franky put his foot in it by turning to the guy at the bar…

Franky:            I didn’t know this was a gay place… did you? It wasn’t really what I was looking for!

Bloke:              Yes, I’m gay, are you not?

Franky:            No! I’m married (shows wedding ring)… I think it’s a bit late to change now!

Bloke:              It’s never too late (smile and wink)

Franky:            Er Suz, drink up!

…. and so we left. By this time the lack of Frank nap was catching up with us and we discovered this wasn’t the neighbourhood for heterosexual drinking so we headed home to bed.

Day 49

Monday 20^th December 2010

Franky woke up early at 7.30am and headed out to find breakfast. He returned with bacon butties, orange juice and coffee so I got breakfast in bed for my first day in Sydney.

We got ourselves organised and decided to head to that iconic beach – Bondi. We caught a train, then a bus and finally stepped out onto Campbell Parade at about 11am – as the clouds gathered and the rain began to fall…. This wasn’t exactly what we’d had in mind for a day at the beach!

We walked the length of the beach and as the weather didn’t seem to be improving decided we’d have a beer – at the busiest and yet most expensive bar on the street - £7.50 a pint!!!! Feeling slightly stung and wondering whether Sydney would have to  be a dry week at these prices we moved swiftly off the main drag and into a café for lunch, where fortunately the beer was a much more reasonable 4 QUID A BOTTLE!?!

The weather seemed to be improving and the sun was out so we decided to hit the beach. Unfortunately the 24mph winds had not abated so we lay on the beach being whipped with sand. When our ears were completely full of sand we conceded that this was actually not much fun and retired to the grassy bank behind the beach to catch the rays.

At the end of the afternoon we picked ourselves up and headed back to the hotel for a well deserved Frank nap – that turned into a sleep of epic proportions…. Some 3 hours later we woke up – still absolutely knackered and decided that we’d stay in with pizza and beer. Fortunately we’d stocked the mini fridge earlier with a trip to the bottle shop and Dominos was right across the road. I’m also ashamed to say we watched Aussie ‘Dating in the Dark’ – a show I have always scorned in the UK – in our defence we only have 8 channels! This only went to prove what we all know… looks do matter as despite getting along famously in the dark the 2 munters were shunned after the light reveal – so it seems the Aussies are as superficial as the rest of the world! And after that enthralling show – we went back off to sleep… jet lag is bobbins!