Sunday, September 29, 2002

What can I say.. Bit dissapointed by the loss, specially seeing as we could of had it won..... Still, best grand final in a long while.

Met up with Idsy at the Generator about midnight last night, headed to some pub called the Dean with the crew from the hostel for a few hours then proceeded to the Walkabout in Covent Garden at 5am. Was crowded and the atmoshpere great!!! Plenty of Collingwood supporters. Despite losing it was still a memorable time, downing the VB's and a breakfast included. Didn't feel like a normal Grand Final day, weird being here for this time of year but it was great. Left around 9:30am all intoxicated by the happiness of the event. Ended up playing a footy game on the cobble stone streets of Covent Garden with a Collingwood stubby holder. About 20 aussies making lots of noise and causing a scene in front of many onlookers just starting their day. Singing every theme song and Australian related tune on the tube, high fiving any aussie we ran into on the way to Shepherds bush for a kick of the footy on the green. Few more drinks in front of the Brownlow count at the Walakbout down that way. Didn't see in the 1pm replay as planned. Left just before this as Ihad hit a brick wall by this stage. Idsy stayed for a while longer. Great day and met some great people.

Friday, September 27, 2002

Decisions, decisions. Do i hold out and wait a few days to see if this job in Russel Sq is a definate or do i persue these offers at the Walkabout Inn outside of London. To live in London or get out is the question!!!

P.S. GO PIES!!!

Tuesday, September 24, 2002

Got an sms from Paul D yesterday evening "At Walkabout, Shepherds Bush. Get here now" After consuming my £3 dinner at the hostel I caught the central line down for another unexpected session. Again had planned to stay In but it never happens. Was good to see him again, first time since he left earlier in the year and since he fell Ill. Glad he's made a full recovery. Turned into a good night. The place was packed and we spent most time up front listening to the band, talking to people and consuming a few beverages. Wound up about midnight...

P.S. GO PIES!!

Saturday, September 21, 2002

HOT PIES!!
Collingwood are in the Grand Final. Three years ago who woulda thought we'd be back in the big one this soon! Gunna be tough to beat Brissie but I reckon we're a good shoe in. Kinda wish I was home now, for that one day in September.

Friday, September 20, 2002

Still at the Generator...... The last few days I've been trying to look for work... Still... To the best of my ability. Looking up things on the internet, making calls and even walked into a few pubs. Got a few application forms and all that but it's hard. Had some interveiw yesterday at a pub called The George, down Elephant and Castle way. The area itself seemed a bit dodgy and the pub very quiet. Not really my kinda scene.... With Collingwood in the finals im getting homesick. If they make the big one I sooo want to be there...... I'll keep trying for a while longer and see what happens..

Tuesday, September 17, 2002

Hanging around London at the Generator Hostel in Russel Square. Trying to sort my shit out and get some work lined up... It's getting a little monotonous and frustrating but still managing to enjoy myself and stay positive. The place I'm staying at is pretty cool, a massive hostel with some huge common areas and a great bar that stays open till 2am and gets packed out every night. Met alot of people staying there already, casual conversation with like minded travellers. Got chatting to a few Brissie girls at the bar Sunday night and proceeded to hang out with them the rest of the night... Met up with them again yesterday and went into Leicester Square then back to the Generator afterwards. They left this morning for a tour of Europe. People come and go so quickly when your travelling. One minute their there, the next everyone has to go their own way. It's easy to keep in touch these days but still, it isn't the same. There's things I miss already, but still the memory's also keep you smiling..

Sunday, September 15, 2002

Back in London, checked into a hotel last night 'cause I needed a good nights sleep. Sunday afternoon now and I need to get my arse into gear.
I´ve been surrounded by people my own age the last two weeks. Always something to do and always a conversation to be had. Stayed out late last night for our final night of tour. By the time I arose most people had already left for the airport to return home. Before I really got a chance to say goodbye. Anya and Samantha woke me up to say goodbye, Hans my roomie said farewell. Others I said goodbye to last night in the early hours of the morning amongst the noise of the club. Spent today hanging with Alistair, not awake and not alseep. Cab to the airport, ran into Francesca in the lounge and had a coffee. Now alone again, waiting for my flight. I miss them already. Received emails from people in and around London. "We must catch up for a drink" Vague plans. But not really sure what I´m doing when I arrive. Have to sort it all out and start something new. Things until now have been great and easy. I miss it already.

Saturday, September 14, 2002

Last day of tour in Madrid, big night tonight. I rested up last night so I´m all primed and ready for the Madrid night life now. Am kinda ready to wind up the tour now, but definately not ready to head back to London to look for work. A week on the beach in the Greek Islands or the French Riviera would be schweeeeeeet.... An actual holiday where I can stay up late, sleep in and then relax on a beach all day. Basically do my own thang. Doubt It´ll happen, but hey, it´s a good thought right.

Thursday, September 12, 2002

The weather´s good but the women even better. The architecture and history fantastic and from late evening it´s always beer o´clock. Actually, Tequila O´Clock is a common thing lately. Me and Al are developing a reputation as being the cool, calm and collected Aussie guys who love to drink amongst a tour mainly consisting of Yanks. Now in Salamanca, great little University town not to far from Madrid. Lisbon was pretty cool, Costa Dal Sole awesome. Had a relaxing day on the beach their after getting in at 6am from clubbing. Still drunk as we swum in the Mediterranean. Best party town though was Seville, totally nuts. Went to some club called Babalonia, 30 Euro (60 Aus) to get in but was the best club I´ve ever been to. Tour´s almost at an end now, don´t wanna leave.

Wednesday, September 04, 2002

In Spain now, flew to Madrid Monday, caught a cab to the hotel after the dodgy bastard ripped me off in the cab. Turned the meter off soon as he realized I no speak Espanol. Planned to have a quiet night but met a guy from Ballarat doing my tour so we proceeded to have a few beers which turned into a big night out. Started our tour that night with a welcome meeting etc. 3rd day in and having a good time. It´s a different type group to my last Contiki although poeple are starting to relax more now. Staying in Hotels is also a good luxury. Noticably there´s more Yanks and far less Aussies this time round. Only really have one other Aussie drinking partner. Went for drinks again last night and taught a few of the yanks how to speak Aussie, we tried chatting to the local sinoritas but by not knowing their language everyone just nodded and smiled.....

Now in Cordoba, left the rest of the tour to do my own thing for a few hours before meeting up to get the coach. Just heard the news from home. I feel kinda useless and wish i was there for Simon at the moment. His mum just passed away, kinda sudden. In shock and feel a bit ill....

Monday, September 02, 2002

Back in ye 'ol London town for a night before getting a flight to Madrid tomorrow to start my 12 day contiki tour..... Can I handle another one of those things? Won't be as full on as the 29 day one I did last year but shall be good to get some sun!!

Edinburgh was great, relaxing, more peacefull than London and great to catch up with Sticksy and Croughy...

Sunday, September 01, 2002

Had a great roast dinner last night, nice work Soph, then headed down to the Park for a few more pints. Myself, Croughy and Soph all came home rather sloshed. Leave for London tonight on the 10pm bus. Not really looking forward to the 9 hour trip but it was the cheapest option.

Hey Sinny, here's that mention you asked for mate. Btw, how's the hangover???, hope your phone bill doesn't send ya broke...