It was hot so we decided to have a few refreshing drinks before getting stuck into the last booze of the year.
Eventually got impatient and started on the ciders at about 4pm.
Had dinner and then walked into town to have a few in the Australian Hotel before heading up the hill to the Observatory to watch the fireworks.
Spoke to the bouncer for ages at the pub and then went to watch the 9pm fireworks which were damn good for a warm up. After returning to the pub, midnight came round quick so back up the hill we went. Got a good view of the excellent fireworks. Claire got given a fibre optic punk hat by a girl who looked like Lady Gaga. It's pretty cool.
After the fireworks we walked home through the big swarms of people and fell asleep.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Christmas Day - Bondi Beach
Woke up pretty early, had massive fry up and opened presents.
Waiting until 11am before having a beer in the sunshine and then headed for the beach.
Bondi was busy due to the great weather - 25 degrees in the shade. Sat on the grass near the beach and had a picnic and a few beers before cooling off in the sea. There were big waves and the sea was nice and warm. Everyone was wearing santa hats or reindeer antlers and the vibe was a good one.
Managed to smuggle the Jagermeister onto the beach and had a few jagerbombs. I went for the third dip of the day and the waves were really good fun so I stayed out but Claire got worried because she didn't know where I had gone (probably thought I had drowned or become a shark biscuit) but I found her eventually and made her jump by creeping up on her.
Had a few more shots then headed home on the bus. Got back home and had phone calls with our families and a few more drinks. Then watched TV and chilled out at home.
Lots of fun.
Waiting until 11am before having a beer in the sunshine and then headed for the beach.
Bondi was busy due to the great weather - 25 degrees in the shade. Sat on the grass near the beach and had a picnic and a few beers before cooling off in the sea. There were big waves and the sea was nice and warm. Everyone was wearing santa hats or reindeer antlers and the vibe was a good one.
Managed to smuggle the Jagermeister onto the beach and had a few jagerbombs. I went for the third dip of the day and the waves were really good fun so I stayed out but Claire got worried because she didn't know where I had gone (probably thought I had drowned or become a shark biscuit) but I found her eventually and made her jump by creeping up on her.
Had a few more shots then headed home on the bus. Got back home and had phone calls with our families and a few more drinks. Then watched TV and chilled out at home.
Lots of fun.
Monday, 12 December 2011
Howling Bells @ The Standard, Surry Hills
The Standard was a pretty cool venue but bloody expensive!
Support bands were entertaining, Steve Smyth (a mental soloist, think Jack White with a big beard) did a duet with Juanita which was good.
Step Panther were two minute comedy songsters (we met them after the gig and they seemed alright).
Howling Bells were great. Did lots of new songs, loads of first album songs and only one from the dodgy second album.
After the gig we went to the Beresford for a pint of cider. After a bit of a boogie we went and watched the lunar eclipse. Spoke to two tramps and then we got into a house party where we stood awkwardly for five minutes before running off! It was a bit quiet for our liking. Think soiree for the dead.
Support bands were entertaining, Steve Smyth (a mental soloist, think Jack White with a big beard) did a duet with Juanita which was good.
Step Panther were two minute comedy songsters (we met them after the gig and they seemed alright).
Howling Bells were great. Did lots of new songs, loads of first album songs and only one from the dodgy second album.
After the gig we went to the Beresford for a pint of cider. After a bit of a boogie we went and watched the lunar eclipse. Spoke to two tramps and then we got into a house party where we stood awkwardly for five minutes before running off! It was a bit quiet for our liking. Think soiree for the dead.
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Homebake: Our first Aussie festival
Despite the lineup being all Aussie or New Zealand bands we decided to go to Homebake any way. The festival was on at The Domain which is about a ten minute walk from our house so very convienient.
Weather was excellent - not too hot. They have people dishing out free sunscreen so you get the idea.
The booze isn't cheap - $9 a bottle! Ah well, it's a festival. Also, they have a recycling initiative where for every bottle you return you get a dollar back (in the evening we literally 'found' free drinks very easily).
Bands wise, we see the Vines (big mosh pit), Ladyhawke (new material), Pnau (very good!) and headliners, Grinderman who were great - really impressed. They finish at about 11pm and we just walk home - slightly easier than the 8 hour trip back from Glastonbury!
Met some fun people, had a laugh and saw some decent music. Going to a festival in December takes a bit of getting your head around. We have another gig next week - Howling Bells at The Standard - Surry Hills. Should be fun also.
Weather was excellent - not too hot. They have people dishing out free sunscreen so you get the idea.
The booze isn't cheap - $9 a bottle! Ah well, it's a festival. Also, they have a recycling initiative where for every bottle you return you get a dollar back (in the evening we literally 'found' free drinks very easily).
Bands wise, we see the Vines (big mosh pit), Ladyhawke (new material), Pnau (very good!) and headliners, Grinderman who were great - really impressed. They finish at about 11pm and we just walk home - slightly easier than the 8 hour trip back from Glastonbury!
Met some fun people, had a laugh and saw some decent music. Going to a festival in December takes a bit of getting your head around. We have another gig next week - Howling Bells at The Standard - Surry Hills. Should be fun also.
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Melbourne to Sydney
Got up and packed our stuff then went to get our plane back to Sydney.
Flight was good, only took 50 minutes. Funny because it took me a week to drive the same route!
Got back to Sydney and had to find somewhere to stay. We picked MAZE hostel and it was a dump but never mind. It had bunk beds.
All in all I drove about 1750 kilometres. A long trip but an amazing one full of spectacular scenery and loads of wildlife. We saw animals that we didn't even know existed and some that we did (like spiders!).
Flight was good, only took 50 minutes. Funny because it took me a week to drive the same route!
Got back to Sydney and had to find somewhere to stay. We picked MAZE hostel and it was a dump but never mind. It had bunk beds.
All in all I drove about 1750 kilometres. A long trip but an amazing one full of spectacular scenery and loads of wildlife. We saw animals that we didn't even know existed and some that we did (like spiders!).
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Melbourne, Day Two
Had a lie in and then went into Melbourne. Walked along the river and saw some weird art and went past the MCG.
Walked around the shops for a while but didn't buy anything. Had a pizza and a coffee at a quaint little cafe and then took the free circular tram for a tour of the city.
Met Joel at a roof top cider bar so had a couple there in the sunshine before going to a higher roof top bar to meet Debs. Great view from up there and as the night fell it got more impressive as all the building lit up.
Went to another bar called Section 8 - cool and weird. There was a model of a goat drinking at one table and other odd stuff. After that we went to Hardware Lane and got some dinner. Good value on week nights as all the restaurants want your business so offer free starters and/or drinks. We got both free.
Headed home and did some packing before bed.
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Melbourne, Day One
After the long road trip it was nice to not have to wake up and drive so we just went wandering around Port Melbourne. I got some shoes for work :-( and also bought the best book ever (i.e. The Bad-Tempered Ladybird) from a charity shop. Claire got some tops and a key ring.
Went to the beach for a look at the sea and had coffee and big slice of cake at The Velvet Bar. Very nice.
Saw the Spirit of Tasmania ship in the dock.
In the evening we headed to St Kilda with Joel and Debs and saw more little penguins. Then we went to a pub for some food at somewhere called Espy (I think). Steak and chips, nice!
Watched a couple of weird bands and then went back to Joel and Debs and to bed.
Went to the beach for a look at the sea and had coffee and big slice of cake at The Velvet Bar. Very nice.
Saw the Spirit of Tasmania ship in the dock.
In the evening we headed to St Kilda with Joel and Debs and saw more little penguins. Then we went to a pub for some food at somewhere called Espy (I think). Steak and chips, nice!
Watched a couple of weird bands and then went back to Joel and Debs and to bed.
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