The Travel List..

An easy way for me to remember what i need to buy and take on the Europe Trip is to make the list on the blog that way i can look at it from anywhere and people can suggest things that i have missed.  I want to pack as light as possible but not to forget anything.

Clothing:

1. T-Shirts (easiest thing to pack and can always buy more overseas)
2. Cargo Shorts (maybe some quick-dry in case it is hot)
3. Jeans (again not sure about the heat but for going to the many pubs)
4. Everyday shoes (do these double as dress shoes for those 2 times required on the contiki tour?
5. Jacket (it will be Autumn but optional to someone like me who didn't take a jacket to New Zealand)
6. Hat (could probably buy a hat as a souvenir)
7. Sunglasses
8. Thongs
9. Board shorts (yes i will be getting in the ocean at some point)

Technology:

1. Ipod Nano (filled with all things such as music, comedy shows and e-books)
2. Digital Still Camera (with charger, spare battery and spare 4gig xd card)
3. Power board (to charge multiple devices at once from only 2 available plugs in the hotel rooms)

Miscellaneous:

1. Ear Plugs ( you never know which one of your room mates is going to snore)
2. Playing Cards
3. Headphone Splitter
4. Disposable Ponchos

Contiki Forum...

Finally another hit on the Contiki Forum.  At least one more person is going.

How did we do it?

I said i would limit the amount of rugby posts but this just needs to be heard...

At 9am saturday morning (about 6 hours before kick off) we had 6 confirmed players by the coach of which i knew 2 of them couldn't make it.  We called people all morning from home and then again from the side line with 30min to go.  By 3:05pm we had 12 people (a full team is 15 people) which is enough to have a game.

Long story short we were down to 11 people for 10 minutes and we won the game 50 odd to 30 odd.

Go the buccaneers...

Some piece and quiet...

Well the weekend has come and gone.  The brisbane guys had an introduction to the Bundaberg lifestyle and a good time was had by all.  The verdict was "we definitely have to do this again ... lets make sure it is in summer! :)"...

It has begun...

Well I'm 28 today.

That's about it.  

The Final Countdown...

Right Ok Lets go.  The Europe Counter is up and running.  Not completely accurate but it looks pretty cool.  :-)

Lazy Weekend...

Well not much happening.  Place to myself all weekend and a few drinks last night.  Still recovering from Rugby friday night and cleaning up the house for the mass amount of people staying over next weekend. 

And for all of you that don't know it's my birthday on Thursday and Paul's on Tuesday so we are having a little bash on Saturday at Bargara Lakes tavern.  The bledsloe will be on as well so it should be a good night.

There are 8 guys from Brisbane coming up for it including my brother and his girlfriend and a few cousins.  Just have to find a place for everyone to sleep ...

And a breakthrough in technology ... Who'd a thought that i could just burn the NZ movies directly to dvd and they would just play in my dvd player ...

European Highlights...

Another step closer to the europe tour that i have been putting off for the last 3 years...

I am now registered on the forum and have introduced myself to the other people in the tour.  There are only 3 other people on the forum at this point in time (and no one has written on it since March) but i hold strong that there will be some interest in the next few weeks...

The Beer is Here...

I think the preferred name is "Driveway Bitter" as most of the bottling was done in the driveway at 9:30 tonight but it's heritage comes from a long line of dark ales.  Not sure if it will mature but only time will tell.  24 tallies in total in various recycled XXXX bitter, Gold and VB glass 700ml of various age and quality.  I'm pretty sure that there will be none exploding as we don't believe that the capper was working correctly.  But hey ... it's only beer...

That is all.

Allrighty then...

You will have to be patient with me until i get the hang of this blogging buisness.  My aim is to put up everything i have done in the last 6 months and then work from there.  So you should see some photos from the big day out, Australia Day celebrations at the cove Easter and everyone who visits me in Bundy.  I will try to limit the rugby presence to a minimum but i won't promise anything...

2800 kms, a Boeing 747 and a Suzuki Vitari...

Well we made made it.  With very little damage the Vitari is back in one piece.  The journey to Longreach via Emerald with 

a return through Mackay to just under 7 days to complete.  2 nights in Longreach and Sarina broke up the trip but next time I think we are going to Fly. 

Conversation was a bit thin by the 4th day.  What could 2 people possible talk about for 7 days in a car.  Politics, Weather, Real Estate, Job opportunities overseas.  All had been drained and there is only so many times you can listen to the best of Billy Joel CD.

With some inspiration from Bede about home brew i have a new love of beer.  As soon as i get home i have to bottle my first brew of Dark Ale.  I don't have the best hopes for this one but it can only get better.

The Tropic of Capricorn runs through a few towns in the west.  It passes through Longreach in front of the City Council building and even more clever through a bottle shop in Rubyvale.  Nice work.

Mackay was beautiful as always and the new Grand Mecure has been finished.  It was a great day for the Marina and Hay Point terminals.  Even Sarina beach was looking good this trip and it doesn't compare to many of Bundaberg's beaches.