Book Twenty Six

It's actually a good thing that I tried to identify the difference between a good 'story' and a good 'book' here (see the Comments section). Because if Book Twenty Five is the best story I've read since being here, then Book Twenty Six has to be the best book I've read. Ok, I know I always seem to rave about the latest book that I've read, but bear with me on this.

Book Twenty Six is the first book that I've read here that I couldn't get out my head. I found myself thinking about it at the most random times. I found myself staring at it in a bookshop, even though I had my own copy. I found myself talking about it to my work colleagues about it (who does that, except English teachers?). In fact one guy even called up his missus and asked her to buy him a copy that day because she was out shopping. He hasn't read for years and he is loving Book Twenty Six. And I found myself talking to H about it in a really passionate way. Weird eh! When people asked what it's about I told them it was about a boy growing up in Afghanistan before Russia invaded, and America after. It doesn't sound very exciting but this book will knock you for six if you haven't read it.

It's disturbing. It's harrowing. It's beautiful. It's brilliant. It's a work of bleedin' genius, that's what it is. It paints a picture and you are there, every step of the way.

And it is the only book I have read which actually made me feel sick. Not even 'American Psycho' could do that!

It has definitely left a lasting impression – my only concern now is where do I possibly go from here?

I've noticed that Housseni has released a new book but I think I should leave it well alone for the moment. What if it is not as good? I don’t want it to risk ruining the brilliance of 'The Kite Runner'. Has anyone out there read both of them? I've read reviews of the new book and it does sound very, very good, but maybe it's just too soon!

Thanks to Mike and Ella for mentioning this book when you were over here.

This reading thing is great!

Australia 29 Wales 23

I'd bought H and I tickets for this match ages ago and had hoped to keep it a surprise for her as I know how much she loves Welsh rubgy and the Valleys and all things taff, boyo! Unfortunately she found out in advance.

Anyway, it was our third time going back to Telstra Stadium together. The first was when the Wallabies beat England. The second time was when U2 played. I'd also been to see the Swannies beat the Dockers on my todd.

Wales arrived here with a seriously under-strength side. Now I don't know anything about Welsh rugby but it didn't sound good when the news reported that they'd left 18 players behind. I was hoping to bump into my mate Jonathan Davies at the game. Well, he was my mate for about 2 seconds when I threw myself at him at a LTSB Christmas Party a few years ago. You see, I thought he'd be impressed that we had the same name. He wasn't. Nor was Lawrence Dallagio at the same party - I threw myself at him and my name isn't even Lawrence.

Moving on. One of the taffs we were sat next to on the train to the station said that the Welsh were fielding more players with international caps than the Aussies. I didn't believe this to be true but he blatantly loved his ruby and clearly knew more about it than I did. Who was I to argue? If it was true, this was good news as I was fearing a massacre and I wanted to see a close game.

I'd bought us some excellent seats, up nice and high and pretty much on the half way line so we were all set for a good game. It's nice being able to drink a beer and watch the game, it's just a shame the Toohey's New tasted like it was lined with tequilla. I normally love tequilla but not like this. Shite!

Before the game I'd told H I'd be backing the Aussies. But as the teams came out I found myself thinking that I should probably get behind Wales. I don't know why I thought this. I'm more Australian than Welsh! Maybe it's because I lived in Bristol for five years so am nearly Welsh. Plus I spent a couple of wicked camping trips in The Gower. Oh, and I was at the Millennium Stadium to see Danny Coles send Brighton into League One. Or maybe it's because I still thought of Wales as the underdog, even though they were supposed to have more capped players on the field (if the taff on the train was right).

I was, however, somewhat surprised to find myself jumping out of my seat as Wales scored a breakaway try in the first few minutes. Wierd.

The game itself was great to watch. Wales so nearly won it. A great drop goal with a few minutes to spare put them 23-22 in front but Australia won the game with a converted try after the hooter had gone to signal time.

It was a shame the stadium was only half full (~40k). For a rugby made nation, the Aussies go about supporting their national team in a half-arsed way. Like the England game last year, the stadium was pretty quiet for most of the game and any atmosphere was created by the visiting supporters. I don't know why so many Aussies decided to stay away. Maybe it's because the games are shown on TV, and the games aren't as important as World Cups but that shouldn't really matter. It doesn't to England and their rugby or football fans who always pack stadiums and sing their hearts out.

Anyway, rant over.....it was a really good night out. We were both disappointed Wales lost but I got over it a lot quicker than H.

Mum and Dad Down Under (3)

Again, apologies for the late post and the "we did this" and "they did that" format but this is the last one covering Mum and Dad's trip to Australia.

Mum and Dad arrived back in Sydney on Friday night (4th). H and I met them back in Manly after we’d been out in the city for a few post-work beers. The weather over the weekend was stunning with temperatures again in the high twenties. May in Australia is the equivalent of November in the UK and I think they were both impressed.

We spent Saturday (5th) afternoon in the city. I went to the Fish Markets with Dad, H went to Paddington Markets with Mum. On the way home a lady began frantically running round the ferry shouting "I've lost my son. Has anyone seen my son? Help me please, Help me". Losing a kid on a ferry has to be a nightmare but I was sure I hadn't heard a splash although I was primed to jump out of the top window. Seconds later he was found hiding under his seat. He was 4 years old and looked like a real handful He even tried to hit Dad. We met back up with H and Mum in Manly. H and I went out for some beers with Katie and family Ward whilst Mum and Dad cooked dinner – prawns, snapper and barramundi! Result!







































On Sunday (6th) we decided to do the Manly to Spit Bridge walk. We had done this walk with Mike and Ella back in December (starting at the Spit). Back then we got nailed by a storm and had to bail three quarters of the way round. However the sun was still shining on Sunday and we decided to start the 10k walk in Manly. I thought we would go half-way before heading back but one step led to another and before we knew it we were past the point of no return. Just over three hours after starting we arrived at The Spit. Once again I had chosen to walk in thongs, which aren't the most suitable footwear for that type walk and my feet were ruined for most of the week. We got the bus back to Manly, H and I jumped in the ocean and we all promptly collapsed in front of rubbish TV.













































































































































The folks spent Monday sight-seeing. They went up the Sydney Tower and took a walk around the Botanic Gardens. H went to see Dylan Moran in the evening. Mum and Dad took be out to Jellyfish.

They spent Tuesday in Manly and in the evening we all went out for the mighty $10 steak at The Ivanhoe. The even mightier Coopers Green is now on tap in there. What a result.....

The folks met quite a few of our friends on Wednesday night when we all went out to The Malaya on King Street Wharf. We'd all met beforehand in Pier 26 where Katie had her handbag nicked from the table we were sat at. Quite unbelievably she got a call from the police an hour later saying someone had found it on a rubbish bin nearby and they drove it round to her (when does that ever happen?), minus $20 and a lottery ticket she had bought after finding a 4-leafed clover stuck to her ankle whilst playing netball (she never checked the numbers to see if she had won!. She thought she had lost everything, including her mobile and flat keys!

























Ok, moving onto Thursday and Mum and Dad spent the day on the Sydney Explorer and Bondi Explorer buses – a great way to see the city.

And Friday, well that was their last full day here and they spent it in Manly. It was also Kirby's 31st birthday so after a couple of beers with him on our way back to Manly, we met the folks off the ferry, went for a drink in the Wharf Bar and then ate at Rib and Rumps again. Pure gluttony and I love it!

Mum and Dad left on Saturday (12th). We saw them off at Manly wharf – they didn't want us to come to the airport. Whilst the 'Arrivals' gate is a happy place the 'Departures' is a sad place. Apart from those people going to New Zealand, everyone who leaves Sydney at the International Airport is going far, far away and it means people won't see each other for a while. It was easier saying goodbye in Manly and a whole lot easier than the goodbyes at Heathrow when we left last year. It's also easier for my parents as well as they can now see why we want to live in such an amazing place, they can visualise everything and they can put faces to the names we mention.

Book Twenty Five

At 573 pages long, this book was a monster, and the longest one I have read since starting this voyage of page-turning discovery.

I managed to keep the reading alive while the parents were here as I still had to go to work and commute to and from my desk.

Anyway, of all the books I have read since being here I think this has to be the best story by far. It's great.

But why did I choose this one I hear you all thinking? Well I work for a Marketing company here in Sydney and I work on the Virgin Blue/Velocity account. And one day were were all given a copy of the book – as well as a rather fetching Virgin Blue 'reversible' beanie hat, a Virgin Blue polo shirt and some Virgin Blue fridge magnets.

I love freebies!

Mum and Dad Down Under (2)

So Mum and Dad spent their second week in Australia in the Red Centre and Cairns. After a wet week in Sydney I expect they were looking forward to some sunshine, especially as the weather had been toasty in both places. It should therefore come as not great surprise that their full day at Ayers Rock was a wash-out because of rain! Yes – it really does rain in the desert. Unfortunately this meant that their Sounds of Silence meal had to be cancelled. Still, the rain did mean that they were able to take some incredible pictures of Uluru. In almost every picture you would've seen it looks orange or red. Well they managed to capture it looking blue! They also saw that it had it's own cloud! Even though it rained they still had a great time.

From Ayers Rock they travelled to Cairns where they were book on a day-tip to Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest. The weather was much better up there and the trip was a winner. In fact they said that the beach at Cape Trib was the nicest they had ever seen. They also saw some salt-water crocodiles which was nice!

Whilst they were away Sydney had some great weather for this time of year. In fact we hit 29 degrees which is some kind of record for this time of year. Unfortunately I was back to work so I only got to see the nice weather out of my office window.

To save themselves a massive amount of time when they get back to Blighty, the folks have decided to allow me to go to all the blogging effort, rather like Mike did when he was here. So enjoy the pictures. There's loads of them - especially Ayers Rock which really does change colour in the sunlight!