Hi All
Hi all
Not much to report since the last message. I bought myself a surf helmet after the incident at Congo. Whilst looking slightly geeky it did inspire self confidence that I was not going to brain myself again.
However before I got back in the water I had to let the wound heal and headed off to Canberra for a few days R&R. Unfortunately I got the date of the music festival incorrect and had to console myself with the myriad of museums and galleries that Canberra has to offer.
I met up with Anett in Canberra on the weekend and we went to the National Science and Technology museum or Questacon, essentially a tech museum for kids but fun for engineers of all ages. On the Sunday it was Anzac day and for the first time in my life I attended an Anzac day service. To those who don't know ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Core and the day was originally founded to commemorate the disastrous 1st World War invasion of Turkey at Gallipoli when under the command of the British, Australians and New Zealanders stormed the beaches under massive machine gun fire and made little headway in 9 months of trench warfare losing many thousands of men. Today the day is used as a day of respect to all those who have fought in all conflicts Australia has been involved in.
From Canberra I headed up to Nowra to visit my Aunt and Uncle and spent some time surfing at a place called Gerringong. The surf shop in Gerringong has a vegetarian cafe which serves up the most amazing food. Mmmm yummy and I thoroughly recommend the burgers with "the lot" at the bakery.
I headed out of Nowra and stopped for a surf at Bombo beach just north of Kiama but after surfing left it too late to look for a campsite and found myself on a major road in the pitch black in bumper to bumper traffic all heading up towards Wollongong at great speed. No problem I phoned up the people I had met in Congo, the David family who had patched my head up and I asked if it was OK to crash with them for a few days. "No worries" was key Aussie reply. I arrived late in the northern suburb of Wollongong called Thiroul and had 4 days of brilliant hospitality on the part of the David's. By the way the David's have a great little quirk. For the last 7 generations every first born son has been named David, so the the oldest son is David David, dad is David David and so is Grandpa. How cool :)
A few days surfing the local beaches around Thiroul and I had my confidence fully back after my little accident in Congo. I was even taking waves that were too big for me and getting wiped out quite regularly to the point that one surfer smilingly suggested I take the smaller ones till I get the hang of it.
I headed out of Wollongong and up to Sydney to visit Corrinne who like me moved back from England/Cambridge to Australia early this year. Also Anett had found herself an apartment the North side of the harbour ( unbelievable view ) so I planned a week or so In Sydney checking out the beaches. Unfortunately I have been laid low by the common cold this last 4 days and have spent most of it in bed. However I can say one of the highlights of Sydney and a must try for every visitor is changing lanes in the dark at peak hour on the Sydney harbour bridge. A satisfaction guaranteed near death experience for every first timer.
Signing off.
B
Not much to report since the last message. I bought myself a surf helmet after the incident at Congo. Whilst looking slightly geeky it did inspire self confidence that I was not going to brain myself again.
However before I got back in the water I had to let the wound heal and headed off to Canberra for a few days R&R. Unfortunately I got the date of the music festival incorrect and had to console myself with the myriad of museums and galleries that Canberra has to offer.
I met up with Anett in Canberra on the weekend and we went to the National Science and Technology museum or Questacon, essentially a tech museum for kids but fun for engineers of all ages. On the Sunday it was Anzac day and for the first time in my life I attended an Anzac day service. To those who don't know ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Core and the day was originally founded to commemorate the disastrous 1st World War invasion of Turkey at Gallipoli when under the command of the British, Australians and New Zealanders stormed the beaches under massive machine gun fire and made little headway in 9 months of trench warfare losing many thousands of men. Today the day is used as a day of respect to all those who have fought in all conflicts Australia has been involved in.
From Canberra I headed up to Nowra to visit my Aunt and Uncle and spent some time surfing at a place called Gerringong. The surf shop in Gerringong has a vegetarian cafe which serves up the most amazing food. Mmmm yummy and I thoroughly recommend the burgers with "the lot" at the bakery.
I headed out of Nowra and stopped for a surf at Bombo beach just north of Kiama but after surfing left it too late to look for a campsite and found myself on a major road in the pitch black in bumper to bumper traffic all heading up towards Wollongong at great speed. No problem I phoned up the people I had met in Congo, the David family who had patched my head up and I asked if it was OK to crash with them for a few days. "No worries" was key Aussie reply. I arrived late in the northern suburb of Wollongong called Thiroul and had 4 days of brilliant hospitality on the part of the David's. By the way the David's have a great little quirk. For the last 7 generations every first born son has been named David, so the the oldest son is David David, dad is David David and so is Grandpa. How cool :)
A few days surfing the local beaches around Thiroul and I had my confidence fully back after my little accident in Congo. I was even taking waves that were too big for me and getting wiped out quite regularly to the point that one surfer smilingly suggested I take the smaller ones till I get the hang of it.
I headed out of Wollongong and up to Sydney to visit Corrinne who like me moved back from England/Cambridge to Australia early this year. Also Anett had found herself an apartment the North side of the harbour ( unbelievable view ) so I planned a week or so In Sydney checking out the beaches. Unfortunately I have been laid low by the common cold this last 4 days and have spent most of it in bed. However I can say one of the highlights of Sydney and a must try for every visitor is changing lanes in the dark at peak hour on the Sydney harbour bridge. A satisfaction guaranteed near death experience for every first timer.
Signing off.
B
posted by Brad Phelan at Saturday, May 15, 2004
2 comments
