I am a fan of Tripit I use it on a personal level to track and manage my travel itineraries. I simply email my travel information i.e. flights, accommodation and other bookings to tripit and it will build my itinerary. Via a web browser I can review and keep my travel information organised. On a smartphone I can view my itinerary. Via email I can get a download of my travel plans.
I have just downloaded Tripit to my new Android Tablet. I can see my whole itinerary with full details. I love it. In my less than humble opinion this has to be one of the best online services available for free for travellers.
The Bludger loves travelling.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Acer Iconia A500 Tab - first impressions
For the uninitiated this is a tablet style PC with a touch screen running Android Honeycomb operating system. The same form factor as an iPod.
I only picked this up a day ago so this is not a review just my thoughts. I wanted the tab for blogging while traveling so what is important to me is how easy it is to add pictures and text to my blog. Access to email also important well Facebook also.
When I opened the box I was a bit disappointed to find only the US power adapters. The power supply is one of those with provision for multiple snap on pins to cater for different countries. However Acer sells an international pack as an accessory. Upon reflection that is probably fair.
Initial setup very straight forward. I initially had concerns about WiFi connectivity but that turned out to be my tight security not any problems with the Tab. With only a little personal configuration I was up and running.
I connected to my laptop via the supplied USB cable and my personal contacts were automatically downloaded from Outlook. Well some did, I am still a bit confused. Typing an email address and autofill will suggest names from my address book, but I can't find where it has saved them. Not in Contacts. More learning to do.
The Tab stored my gmail account details and I quickly had access to all that I do via Google. Picasa, blogger, gmail, google docs etcetera. A quick trip to Market and I had downloaded and installed K9 Mail, my preferred email client and Jota Text editor which I am using to type this out. So far it is all so easy.
The onsceen keyboard works well. I am almost typing at normal speed. Mistakes are made but some of them are my poor spelling or missing the correct key. Major complaint at the moment. I am making lots of typing errors and want to go back to correct them. I have not worked out how to precisely place the cursor, I need arrow keys. (and then he works out that you just need to tap near the edit point and you can get a slider control that puts the cursor exactly where you want it. sigh).
I am sitting on my balcony, the Tab display is like a mirror, you could shave in the reflection, the keyboard and text contents can be hard to see.
Things that I have discovered that were hard to work out online.
The Acer slip cover is flimsy and props the Tab too upright to type on. I have rested it on something else.The cover does not provide much protection to the LCD display. Scratches yes, impact no.
The USB port works well and I can access images on it from a thumb drive (I don't care about video and music).
You need to take the Tab out of the slip cover to insert a microUSB card. Also I could not see the contents until I had turned the Tab off and back on. This is important to me as I wish to move photos from my camera onto the Tab. Can I move photos across? Let me check. So far not looking good. Uploads to Picasa seem to be not working. Plan B. email. I will check later.
Later: Uploads to Picasa are so easy from the Gallery when you work out how. Part of the Learning curve.
First impressions. I like it
The Bludger
I only picked this up a day ago so this is not a review just my thoughts. I wanted the tab for blogging while traveling so what is important to me is how easy it is to add pictures and text to my blog. Access to email also important well Facebook also.
When I opened the box I was a bit disappointed to find only the US power adapters. The power supply is one of those with provision for multiple snap on pins to cater for different countries. However Acer sells an international pack as an accessory. Upon reflection that is probably fair.
Initial setup very straight forward. I initially had concerns about WiFi connectivity but that turned out to be my tight security not any problems with the Tab. With only a little personal configuration I was up and running.
I connected to my laptop via the supplied USB cable and my personal contacts were automatically downloaded from Outlook. Well some did, I am still a bit confused. Typing an email address and autofill will suggest names from my address book, but I can't find where it has saved them. Not in Contacts. More learning to do.
The Tab stored my gmail account details and I quickly had access to all that I do via Google. Picasa, blogger, gmail, google docs etcetera. A quick trip to Market and I had downloaded and installed K9 Mail, my preferred email client and Jota Text editor which I am using to type this out. So far it is all so easy.
The onsceen keyboard works well. I am almost typing at normal speed. Mistakes are made but some of them are my poor spelling or missing the correct key. Major complaint at the moment. I am making lots of typing errors and want to go back to correct them. I have not worked out how to precisely place the cursor, I need arrow keys. (and then he works out that you just need to tap near the edit point and you can get a slider control that puts the cursor exactly where you want it. sigh).
I am sitting on my balcony, the Tab display is like a mirror, you could shave in the reflection, the keyboard and text contents can be hard to see.
Things that I have discovered that were hard to work out online.
The Acer slip cover is flimsy and props the Tab too upright to type on. I have rested it on something else.The cover does not provide much protection to the LCD display. Scratches yes, impact no.
The USB port works well and I can access images on it from a thumb drive (I don't care about video and music).
You need to take the Tab out of the slip cover to insert a microUSB card. Also I could not see the contents until I had turned the Tab off and back on. This is important to me as I wish to move photos from my camera onto the Tab. Can I move photos across? Let me check. So far not looking good. Uploads to Picasa seem to be not working. Plan B. email. I will check later.
Later: Uploads to Picasa are so easy from the Gallery when you work out how. Part of the Learning curve.
First impressions. I like it
The Bludger
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Cambodian Travel Planning - Flights
For several months now The Bludger has been planning a trip to Cambodia. I booked flights several months ago and I and a group of friends have worked the holiday around those dates.
I booked through Webjet and managed a good deal from Brisbane to Phnom Penh via Singapore and return. My flight plans have been thrown out recently due to a planned relocation to Darwin prior to the holiday. Rearranging flights has not been so much a difficulty as an exercise in frustration.
As I believed that my flights were non refundable (the documentation was very clear on that point) I didn't pursue this aspect. My initial investigations showed that I could either fly from Darwin to Brisbane to pick up my original flights or fly to Singapore and pick up just the Singapore - Phnom Penh sectors. I would simply forgo the Brisbane - Singapore sectors. As the cost difference was negligible I would book new flights from Darwin to Singapore to coincide with the flights to Phnom Penh. So well and good, it cost a bit more but I took that risk on when I booked non refundable flights.
As a courtesy I informed Webjet that I was cancelling the Brisbane - Singapore sectors and wanted to retain the rest. This is where the frustration started. Webjet takes simply takes ages to respond to cancellations. It was 10 days before they responded. In the meantime I had given up on hearing from them and booked the flights from Darwin to Singapore and back as a nice deal was available.
Eventually Webjet sent a nice email saying that I could get a refund (which I hadn't expected) and I could cancel the flights and there would be a processing fee. This would take 6-8 weeks to process and they needed a confirmation. I responded yes please cancel and process the refund. As a double check I stressed that it was only some of the flights that I wanted to cancel.
After several days I got another response. No I had to cancel the lot and I would get a full refund minus a processing fee. Apparently I had misinterpreted the earlier email saying that I had to cancel the entire booking. I have looked at that e-mail a dozen times and I still cannot see how I misinterpreted it. No matter, I confirmed that I wanted to cancel the lot. I figured that I could pick up the same flights out of Singapore and with the refund I would end up paying about the same in total as the original booking.
Question. How is it I can book, pay and confirm flights on Webjet in a few minutes, but it takes weeks to cancel?
After several more days I had a response saying that all flights would be cancelled and money refunded to my Credit Card. I am fine with that except for one thing. That credit card has been stolen and cancelled. My new credit card has totally different numbers. I wonder where the money will go and if I will ever see it and if Webjet will acknowledge the change in Credit Card details?
Back to flying it is not so easy picking up new flights out of Singers. Well I can pick up the same flights but not at a cost that I want to pay. I can get alternate non direct flights, via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Ho Chi Minh City, at reasonable cost, but not direct flights. So I have a choice, pay a lot extra for direct flights or put up with a longer indirect flight at a reasonable cost. About this stage I also worked out that if I was going via any of those cities I could probably leave Cambodia a week early and do a stopover and add another travel experience onto the holiday.
The Bludger has not booked yet and is wondering where to go, Thailand beaches? Malaysian beaches? Vietnam beaches or an extension of time in Singapore? Decisions decisions decisions.
I should also add that despite the lengthy communication delays with Webjet I continue to be a fan and will continue to use their online booking service.
I booked through Webjet and managed a good deal from Brisbane to Phnom Penh via Singapore and return. My flight plans have been thrown out recently due to a planned relocation to Darwin prior to the holiday. Rearranging flights has not been so much a difficulty as an exercise in frustration.
As I believed that my flights were non refundable (the documentation was very clear on that point) I didn't pursue this aspect. My initial investigations showed that I could either fly from Darwin to Brisbane to pick up my original flights or fly to Singapore and pick up just the Singapore - Phnom Penh sectors. I would simply forgo the Brisbane - Singapore sectors. As the cost difference was negligible I would book new flights from Darwin to Singapore to coincide with the flights to Phnom Penh. So well and good, it cost a bit more but I took that risk on when I booked non refundable flights.
As a courtesy I informed Webjet that I was cancelling the Brisbane - Singapore sectors and wanted to retain the rest. This is where the frustration started. Webjet takes simply takes ages to respond to cancellations. It was 10 days before they responded. In the meantime I had given up on hearing from them and booked the flights from Darwin to Singapore and back as a nice deal was available.
Eventually Webjet sent a nice email saying that I could get a refund (which I hadn't expected) and I could cancel the flights and there would be a processing fee. This would take 6-8 weeks to process and they needed a confirmation. I responded yes please cancel and process the refund. As a double check I stressed that it was only some of the flights that I wanted to cancel.
After several days I got another response. No I had to cancel the lot and I would get a full refund minus a processing fee. Apparently I had misinterpreted the earlier email saying that I had to cancel the entire booking. I have looked at that e-mail a dozen times and I still cannot see how I misinterpreted it. No matter, I confirmed that I wanted to cancel the lot. I figured that I could pick up the same flights out of Singapore and with the refund I would end up paying about the same in total as the original booking.
Question. How is it I can book, pay and confirm flights on Webjet in a few minutes, but it takes weeks to cancel?
After several more days I had a response saying that all flights would be cancelled and money refunded to my Credit Card. I am fine with that except for one thing. That credit card has been stolen and cancelled. My new credit card has totally different numbers. I wonder where the money will go and if I will ever see it and if Webjet will acknowledge the change in Credit Card details?
Back to flying it is not so easy picking up new flights out of Singers. Well I can pick up the same flights but not at a cost that I want to pay. I can get alternate non direct flights, via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Ho Chi Minh City, at reasonable cost, but not direct flights. So I have a choice, pay a lot extra for direct flights or put up with a longer indirect flight at a reasonable cost. About this stage I also worked out that if I was going via any of those cities I could probably leave Cambodia a week early and do a stopover and add another travel experience onto the holiday.
The Bludger has not booked yet and is wondering where to go, Thailand beaches? Malaysian beaches? Vietnam beaches or an extension of time in Singapore? Decisions decisions decisions.
I should also add that despite the lengthy communication delays with Webjet I continue to be a fan and will continue to use their online booking service.
Monday, 13 June 2011
The Queensland Experience is (almost) Over
History
The Bludger must have been born under a wandering star. Born in Britain and dragged crying to Australia at an early age. Adelaide became home after a stint in mid north South Australia.
Since gaining independence the Bludger has lived in London, Adelaide, Melbourne (briefly), Zanzibar (also briefly, until the authorities stamped his passport "no more entries"), Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane. Which only leaves the cities of Perth, Hobart and Darwin to be considered home for a complete set of Australian capitals.
The Bludger for a long time has considered that Perth may be his next home. Perth has many characteristics about it that remind him of Adelaide and make it a favored destination. It has a Mediterranean style climate, the ocean is to the west which makes for awesome sunsets over the ocean, it is also west of the Great Dividing Range so it is almost totally ignored by the rest of Australia, it has a laid back culture, a beach orientated culture. WA also has great wine regions and a culture of fresh food in lovely Cafe's and restaurants. In short a home from home.
So it has come as a great surprise to the Bludger to find that he is about to leave Brisbane and head to Darwin to make that his new home.
What's happening?
Technically I shouldn't be surprised. I have been in discussion with my new business partner (David) for many months. Darwin has been on the agenda. It's just been such hard work and a long time to get there.
To that end I decided to sell my house in Brisbane and rent for a while. This would give me some flexibility if the Darwin venture came up. To that end the house has been on the market for months with no real interest shown by anyone.
Eventually a contract was signed, with so many escape clauses for the Buyer that I didn't expect it to reach settlement. In fact they used the clauses to beat me down in price and then stuffed around for weeks unable to get finance approved. I had reached the stage where I had given up and was about to tell the buyer, quite impolitely, where to put the contract.
It so happened that David then called me and said that he had a 12 month contract for some work in Darwin and that I should get packing. At this stage I was expecting another delay on the sale contract but in a rare case of coincidence the buyer's solicitor called me the next day and told me that the Buyer had Financial approval and that the contract was now unconditional. My house was sold, although settlement is not until mid July.
So I resigned from work at the first opportunity.
What is my new job?
Initially the work in hand is to provide proactive support to a GP Super Clinic for it's IT hardware and software. It's only a few hours per week.
That will provide a small income to keep me going. Meanwhile I need to build an IT Consultancy practice. A lot of cold calling a lot of building contacts a lot of marketing and no doubt a lot of disappointment. But hopefully one day I will be able to look back at a thriving business and say I did that.
Worst case scenario! I go back to being a PAYG earner, having had an opportunity to explore parts of the Northern Territory and nearby Asia.
It's exciting times, I am going out on a limb financially, career wise and no doubt emotionally also.
Next Steps
I am currently packing my goods and chattels disposing of those that I don't want, selling that which I can and generally trying to reduce the amount of "stuff" to relocate. I still have 4 weeks of work ahead of me and that is going to be manic. I still have to get to Darwin and then find some accommodation. Oh and as soon as I am there I basically head off to Cambodia for 4 weeks.
The Bludger is definitely not bludging at the moment.
The Bludger must have been born under a wandering star. Born in Britain and dragged crying to Australia at an early age. Adelaide became home after a stint in mid north South Australia.
Since gaining independence the Bludger has lived in London, Adelaide, Melbourne (briefly), Zanzibar (also briefly, until the authorities stamped his passport "no more entries"), Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane. Which only leaves the cities of Perth, Hobart and Darwin to be considered home for a complete set of Australian capitals.
The Bludger for a long time has considered that Perth may be his next home. Perth has many characteristics about it that remind him of Adelaide and make it a favored destination. It has a Mediterranean style climate, the ocean is to the west which makes for awesome sunsets over the ocean, it is also west of the Great Dividing Range so it is almost totally ignored by the rest of Australia, it has a laid back culture, a beach orientated culture. WA also has great wine regions and a culture of fresh food in lovely Cafe's and restaurants. In short a home from home.
So it has come as a great surprise to the Bludger to find that he is about to leave Brisbane and head to Darwin to make that his new home.
What's happening?
Technically I shouldn't be surprised. I have been in discussion with my new business partner (David) for many months. Darwin has been on the agenda. It's just been such hard work and a long time to get there.
To that end I decided to sell my house in Brisbane and rent for a while. This would give me some flexibility if the Darwin venture came up. To that end the house has been on the market for months with no real interest shown by anyone.
Eventually a contract was signed, with so many escape clauses for the Buyer that I didn't expect it to reach settlement. In fact they used the clauses to beat me down in price and then stuffed around for weeks unable to get finance approved. I had reached the stage where I had given up and was about to tell the buyer, quite impolitely, where to put the contract.
It so happened that David then called me and said that he had a 12 month contract for some work in Darwin and that I should get packing. At this stage I was expecting another delay on the sale contract but in a rare case of coincidence the buyer's solicitor called me the next day and told me that the Buyer had Financial approval and that the contract was now unconditional. My house was sold, although settlement is not until mid July.
So I resigned from work at the first opportunity.
What is my new job?
Initially the work in hand is to provide proactive support to a GP Super Clinic for it's IT hardware and software. It's only a few hours per week.
That will provide a small income to keep me going. Meanwhile I need to build an IT Consultancy practice. A lot of cold calling a lot of building contacts a lot of marketing and no doubt a lot of disappointment. But hopefully one day I will be able to look back at a thriving business and say I did that.
Worst case scenario! I go back to being a PAYG earner, having had an opportunity to explore parts of the Northern Territory and nearby Asia.
It's exciting times, I am going out on a limb financially, career wise and no doubt emotionally also.
Next Steps
I am currently packing my goods and chattels disposing of those that I don't want, selling that which I can and generally trying to reduce the amount of "stuff" to relocate. I still have 4 weeks of work ahead of me and that is going to be manic. I still have to get to Darwin and then find some accommodation. Oh and as soon as I am there I basically head off to Cambodia for 4 weeks.
The Bludger is definitely not bludging at the moment.
Monday, 2 May 2011
Significant Birthday #2 2011 - Georgina
As I mentioned in an earlier post, this is a year in which I encounter a number of significant birthdays for family and friends. The trouble with starting this line of postings is that you could justify almost any birthday as significant and worthy of writing about. The other trouble is that next year a cycle of birthdays starts all over again, maybe it is a lifetime occupation writing about them all. But I have restricted myself to a small number.
The most recent was celebrated over Easter. Long time friend Georgina celebrated her 50th Birthday. It's open knowledge, I am allowed to say 50.
I first met George when we were both 16. I had joined a senior scouting group, Venturers. This was a progressive, some would say radical, group as it had abandoned the wearing of traditional scout uniforms and merely had a club t shirt to identify it's members. It was also one of the first groups to have an openly gay assistant leader, much to the consternation of many parents. But that is another story.
George was a strong minded person and showed great leadership even in those days. Over the course of the next 2 years when we were able to progress to the next level of scouting we went on hikes, camping, canoeing, mudsliding, gliding, wine tasting, car rallys, music events, water skiing and a multitude of different activities. In all of those activities George was almost invariably leading the charge.
After (failing) Matriculation (aka year 12) George joined the Police Force and developed a stronger interest in flying. This eventually led her to bush flying in the NT, Tourist flights around Wilpena Pound, RFDS and ultimately into QANTAS as one of the first female recruits into pilot training. The seventh from memory.
Meanwhile I had been pursuing my own career and travel goals. This meant that there are great chunks of our lives when contact was minimal. But still there was contact, I remember meeting her in London while I was working there and she had stopovers. At that time George was a second officer on the 747 and regularly flying the "Kangaroo" route between UK and Australia.
By chance we both ended up living in Sydney at similar times and by great coincidence ended up living a mere 150 metres apart. This naturally gave us plenty of opportunity for catch ups. I have lifetime memories of after closing time "lock ins" at the Belgium Beer Cafe which was disastrously close to where we lived. Also raiding the cellar of Stuyvesants House Restaurant in Crows Nest. This place has the most extensive wine cellar that I have ever been in. On the day that the world ends I am going to break into it and armed with only a cork screw attempt to empty it.
George was married a couple of years ago, it doesn't seem to have slowed her down, rather she has found a like minded partner.
All of the above was meant to just highlight that I have known George a long time.
As to the recent celebrations. I was invited to join the festivities several months ago and apart from making a note in my diary hadn't really thought much more about it. The details were Easter Monday to be held on the banks of the River Murray at the family river shack. This was going to be easy for me to attend as I had planned to spend Easter with family at Callington, which is a short drive away. In the back of my mind I was expecting a few drinks and a BBQ with a small group of friends. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was to be a fully catered function with 40 expected guests.
After a cool week the day turned out to be a cracker. A cloudless blue sky, the day a predicted 25 degrees but with the sun beating down it felt much warmer. Arriving about on time, I was directed by John to where I was staying for the night and into a carpark where I could make an early getaway in the morning.
Pre lunch drinks commenced with French Champagne and a selection of Beers, Wines, soft drinks and water. Being a warm day the water was soon finished. Canapes were served and the mood became relaxed and jovial.
Lunch consisted of roasted meats, potatoes and vegetables. The setting, quantities and atmosphere was excellent.
It then became speech time and the lady of honour was first introduced by John, her husband, and then took stage herself. The sun beat down and health toasted, cheers raised, absent friends remembered, including the ANZACS (it was indeed ANZAC day).
Now what do you think a 50 year old would do on her birthday other than eat drink and talk? Actually that would be enough for many people. However not our Georgina. No George though that a water ski would be most appropriate. But that was not going to be enough either. No George would need a couple of companions on her ski. So friends Bruce and David joined her on a threesome ski.
I won't embarrass anyone with details of who fell off, but needless to say it took a couple of starts before all three were up and skiing.
The afternoon was spent very pleasantly on the river side. Some people skied, some watched, everyone socialised and the festivities never stopped and went on into the night. Later there was dancing, more food and a very agile Adelaide news presenter showing great agility with feats of athleticism and flexibility putting many younger people to shame.
I left the party about that stage as I had an early start. I snuck out quietly after a quick very public dance on one of the tables.
Happy Birthday George.
The most recent was celebrated over Easter. Long time friend Georgina celebrated her 50th Birthday. It's open knowledge, I am allowed to say 50.
I first met George when we were both 16. I had joined a senior scouting group, Venturers. This was a progressive, some would say radical, group as it had abandoned the wearing of traditional scout uniforms and merely had a club t shirt to identify it's members. It was also one of the first groups to have an openly gay assistant leader, much to the consternation of many parents. But that is another story.
George was a strong minded person and showed great leadership even in those days. Over the course of the next 2 years when we were able to progress to the next level of scouting we went on hikes, camping, canoeing, mudsliding, gliding, wine tasting, car rallys, music events, water skiing and a multitude of different activities. In all of those activities George was almost invariably leading the charge.
After (failing) Matriculation (aka year 12) George joined the Police Force and developed a stronger interest in flying. This eventually led her to bush flying in the NT, Tourist flights around Wilpena Pound, RFDS and ultimately into QANTAS as one of the first female recruits into pilot training. The seventh from memory.
Meanwhile I had been pursuing my own career and travel goals. This meant that there are great chunks of our lives when contact was minimal. But still there was contact, I remember meeting her in London while I was working there and she had stopovers. At that time George was a second officer on the 747 and regularly flying the "Kangaroo" route between UK and Australia.
By chance we both ended up living in Sydney at similar times and by great coincidence ended up living a mere 150 metres apart. This naturally gave us plenty of opportunity for catch ups. I have lifetime memories of after closing time "lock ins" at the Belgium Beer Cafe which was disastrously close to where we lived. Also raiding the cellar of Stuyvesants House Restaurant in Crows Nest. This place has the most extensive wine cellar that I have ever been in. On the day that the world ends I am going to break into it and armed with only a cork screw attempt to empty it.
George was married a couple of years ago, it doesn't seem to have slowed her down, rather she has found a like minded partner.
All of the above was meant to just highlight that I have known George a long time.
As to the recent celebrations. I was invited to join the festivities several months ago and apart from making a note in my diary hadn't really thought much more about it. The details were Easter Monday to be held on the banks of the River Murray at the family river shack. This was going to be easy for me to attend as I had planned to spend Easter with family at Callington, which is a short drive away. In the back of my mind I was expecting a few drinks and a BBQ with a small group of friends. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was to be a fully catered function with 40 expected guests.
After a cool week the day turned out to be a cracker. A cloudless blue sky, the day a predicted 25 degrees but with the sun beating down it felt much warmer. Arriving about on time, I was directed by John to where I was staying for the night and into a carpark where I could make an early getaway in the morning.
Pre lunch drinks commenced with French Champagne and a selection of Beers, Wines, soft drinks and water. Being a warm day the water was soon finished. Canapes were served and the mood became relaxed and jovial.
It then became speech time and the lady of honour was first introduced by John, her husband, and then took stage herself. The sun beat down and health toasted, cheers raised, absent friends remembered, including the ANZACS (it was indeed ANZAC day).
Now what do you think a 50 year old would do on her birthday other than eat drink and talk? Actually that would be enough for many people. However not our Georgina. No George though that a water ski would be most appropriate. But that was not going to be enough either. No George would need a couple of companions on her ski. So friends Bruce and David joined her on a threesome ski.
The afternoon was spent very pleasantly on the river side. Some people skied, some watched, everyone socialised and the festivities never stopped and went on into the night. Later there was dancing, more food and a very agile Adelaide news presenter showing great agility with feats of athleticism and flexibility putting many younger people to shame.
I left the party about that stage as I had an early start. I snuck out quietly after a quick very public dance on one of the tables.
Happy Birthday George.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Birthday #1 for 2011 (significant Birthday that is)
This year amongst my friends there will be four birthdays of significance. Naturally there will be many birthdays celebrated but even before the year started 4 stood out and had plans in advance.
Yesterday was the first one. My friend Carly. It is a milestone birthday, one with a number followed by a 0. In respect to her I won’t mention the number.
I met Carly in Brisbane shortly after arriving, we worked closely together both in a geographic sense and in the sense of our jobs interactions. We also ended up being neighbours having property less than 200 metres apart. We became workmates and friends and as that friendship grew we became confidantes and shared our private problems issues and concerns. We trusted each other. We spent many evenings with take way and a bottle or two of Sauvignon Blanc sitting on my balcony and sharing that friendship.
Eventually Carly moved to Melbourne “for a man”. She went with trepidation, but things seem to be panning out well.
For birthday celebrations we spent a lovely afternoon at New Farm Bowls Club playing bare foot bowls. There wasn’t much bowling played, but plenty of socialising and catching up. As with all of these events time spent with the guest of honour was all too brief.
Carly I am glad to share the day with your family and friends. Happy Birthday.
The Bludger
Sunday, 15 August 2010
A few days off to visit my sick mother in Adelaide.
Saturday August 14
An uneventful flight over I read the newspaper most of the flight. I think it is the first time in months that I have read a paper, I could almost convince myself that I am up to date on current affairs. Did you know that there is an election coming up? Well I do now, but there only seems to be two candidates worth talking about, both of whom want to be PM. Which seems a bit odd as surely we need more politicians than that to run a Government?
Anyway I digress. I landed in Adelaide in cold wet windy conditions. The skies were grey and overcast with low scudding cloud. It looked bleak, cold, wet, windy and wintry. It was bleak, cold, wet, windy and wintry in a way that only Adelaide seems to be able to produce. Despite it's low annual average rainfall on days like this Adelaide can really turn it on. Fortunately the airport at Adelaide has been vastly improved and boasts a modern Terminal with modern aero bridges and one no longer has to walk down stairs and across the windswept tarmac to the terminal.
As a matter of fact the terminal is very modern and well laid out. It has one unique feature that places it way above many other airport terminals that I have been in. It has a Coopers Brewery Bar. At that time of day however it was not appropriate to reacquaint myself with one of the worlds greatest beers. In fact I have blogged about Coopers before so I would be going over old ground, so I won't mention it further.
I picked up my hire care, a Toyota Yaris. A car before it's time. A car of the future. A car with an engine powerful enough to spin a cotton reel on a sewing machine. One day if we still have cars we will drive such low power economical beasts. In the meantime I am happy with a 2.5 Litre engine that will do 160 KM/H on a long straight (and no Constabulary to stop me).
Pointing the Yaris in the right direction I headed into Adelaide City. My destination was the Central Market. For many Adelaidians this place is an institution. It is a fresh produce Market located practically in the heart of the City. It is little changed in the almost 40 years that I have been going to it. I cleary remember, when I was a child, going there with my parents. It was a lively place with rows of stalls bearing fresh fruit and vegetables, shops selling nuts which always seem fresh as they are served warm ready to eat. The vendors would call out their prices and towards the end of the day the prices would go down and the bargains appear as they tried to clear their stock. On the edges of the market facing the main road were shops selling fresh seafood and meat. Cappo's was another institution one of the Seafood shops across the road from the markets. In my memory this was always very crowded and the aisle ways narrow and difficult to navigate. But it had a pulse and vibrancy.
Today was not too dissimilar. The Market still has a pulse and vibrancy. The crowds were down, one vendor explained that it was quiet as the crowds had stayed away due to the rain. The aisle ways seemed wider, maybe that was my memory, maybe more room has been created. There were still plenty of fruit and vegetable stalls. However I saw a difference in the make up. There were many stalls selling preserved meats, salamis, fritz, smoked sausage, prosciutto and variants. Many cheese stalls also. These featured many locally produced varieties from the nearby Adelaide Hills. And the cheeses were lovely based on the samples and the purchases that I made. Many of the remembered stalls were still there in the same position. However the Market now also features coffee shops and the ability to buy light meals, predominantly of the open or closed sandwich variety, I don't remember if that was so in the past.
Overall it is still a wonderful place to shop for the fresh produce including fruit, vegetables, cheese, meats, seafood and more. If i lived in Adelaide and was catering for a dinner party or cocktail party, this place would be essential to visit the morning of the event to pick up all of the ingredients beforehand.
The Bludger is a fan of the Adelaide Central Market
I continued on my way to Callington and my parents residence. Seeing my Mother was a shock. Skeletal was the first word that came to mind. She is wasted away. She is old, very old. Maybe I shouldn't describe this. Oddly enough she seems more mentally competent now than she was 9 months ago.
No that is enough, no more on this subject
An uneventful flight over I read the newspaper most of the flight. I think it is the first time in months that I have read a paper, I could almost convince myself that I am up to date on current affairs. Did you know that there is an election coming up? Well I do now, but there only seems to be two candidates worth talking about, both of whom want to be PM. Which seems a bit odd as surely we need more politicians than that to run a Government?
Anyway I digress. I landed in Adelaide in cold wet windy conditions. The skies were grey and overcast with low scudding cloud. It looked bleak, cold, wet, windy and wintry. It was bleak, cold, wet, windy and wintry in a way that only Adelaide seems to be able to produce. Despite it's low annual average rainfall on days like this Adelaide can really turn it on. Fortunately the airport at Adelaide has been vastly improved and boasts a modern Terminal with modern aero bridges and one no longer has to walk down stairs and across the windswept tarmac to the terminal.
As a matter of fact the terminal is very modern and well laid out. It has one unique feature that places it way above many other airport terminals that I have been in. It has a Coopers Brewery Bar. At that time of day however it was not appropriate to reacquaint myself with one of the worlds greatest beers. In fact I have blogged about Coopers before so I would be going over old ground, so I won't mention it further.
I picked up my hire care, a Toyota Yaris. A car before it's time. A car of the future. A car with an engine powerful enough to spin a cotton reel on a sewing machine. One day if we still have cars we will drive such low power economical beasts. In the meantime I am happy with a 2.5 Litre engine that will do 160 KM/H on a long straight (and no Constabulary to stop me).
Pointing the Yaris in the right direction I headed into Adelaide City. My destination was the Central Market. For many Adelaidians this place is an institution. It is a fresh produce Market located practically in the heart of the City. It is little changed in the almost 40 years that I have been going to it. I cleary remember, when I was a child, going there with my parents. It was a lively place with rows of stalls bearing fresh fruit and vegetables, shops selling nuts which always seem fresh as they are served warm ready to eat. The vendors would call out their prices and towards the end of the day the prices would go down and the bargains appear as they tried to clear their stock. On the edges of the market facing the main road were shops selling fresh seafood and meat. Cappo's was another institution one of the Seafood shops across the road from the markets. In my memory this was always very crowded and the aisle ways narrow and difficult to navigate. But it had a pulse and vibrancy.
Today was not too dissimilar. The Market still has a pulse and vibrancy. The crowds were down, one vendor explained that it was quiet as the crowds had stayed away due to the rain. The aisle ways seemed wider, maybe that was my memory, maybe more room has been created. There were still plenty of fruit and vegetable stalls. However I saw a difference in the make up. There were many stalls selling preserved meats, salamis, fritz, smoked sausage, prosciutto and variants. Many cheese stalls also. These featured many locally produced varieties from the nearby Adelaide Hills. And the cheeses were lovely based on the samples and the purchases that I made. Many of the remembered stalls were still there in the same position. However the Market now also features coffee shops and the ability to buy light meals, predominantly of the open or closed sandwich variety, I don't remember if that was so in the past.
I continued on my way to Callington and my parents residence. Seeing my Mother was a shock. Skeletal was the first word that came to mind. She is wasted away. She is old, very old. Maybe I shouldn't describe this. Oddly enough she seems more mentally competent now than she was 9 months ago.
No that is enough, no more on this subject
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)