Jim Down Under...

... Jim's Oz Blog

2003

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Thursday, July 31, 2003
 
Home tomorrow. That means an end to incessant blog updates soon, don't worry.


Monday, July 28, 2003
 
Almost the end of our pre-coming home holiday. We fly back to Brisbane (via Sydney, where we'll try and recapture all those key sights during our 2 hour stopover) and then only a couple of days tidying before coming home to our cash strapped trust. Hopefully Rutter will stop following us round like a bad puppy and go to rainy Melbourne at some point in the morning.


Sunday, July 27, 2003
 
Now in "Alice Springs Fastest Internet Cafe".

Since our last Global Gossip session, we've flown to Alice and not looked round it yet. For a town of only 35,000 has a very fast internet cafe, however.

From there, into a camper van to Ayres "Uluru" rock, which in keeping with the wishes of the local indiginous folk and prevailing gradient we didn't climb, instead navigating the base using Tom Rutter and his handy waterproof GPS toy. Nice. Also looked at it, at both sunset and sunrise, so as not to offend the rainbow serpent. It was quite popular.

Then on to the Olgas, also known as Kata Tjuta or Bastard Big Red Rocks, and looked at them during sunset too.

Now back in Alice, stocked up with meat and ready to barbie.

Home in 6 days, apparently.


Saturday, July 26, 2003
 
Climbed Ayres Rock. It was rubbish.

I'm enjoying the camper van thing more than I thought possible, though. It's like a car, only with a fridge. And a bed.

Oh, and Rutter is here.


Wednesday, July 23, 2003
 
Back to Darwin, after yet another day of Kakadu action. This time we went up in a little plane with a couple of 84 year olds, who seemed genuinely pleased to discover we're doctors. They're currently driving round Australia (Lismore - Townsville - Mount Isa - Darwin - Alice) to piss their children / grandchildren off. They insisted on taking a photo of us but claim not to have a website.

Also saw more rock art, crocs, etc.

Off to Alice and all the camper vans that entails tomorrow.


Tuesday, July 22, 2003
 
Brilliant day in Arnhem National Park, of which you can read a full account in Natalie's Blog. Went to some fantastic sites with our professional Dig player / artist / author / photographer guide, and saw some unbelievable old drawings. The other members of the group (maverick inventor, shrink) topped the whole experience off nicely.

 
It turns out we have another fansite - you can still find the original here


Monday, July 21, 2003
 
We're now in the famous Crocodile Hotel in the heart of Kakadu National Park, having seen more crocs and plenty of cave paintings, indiginous culture and stuff. Although the hotel itself is lovely, the internet kiosk won't let me just cut and paste Google searches at will, so less links than of late. Sorry.


Saturday, July 19, 2003
 
Suncream sucessfully stopped me burning, but wasn't enough to stop me becoming anuric.

Despite this, have achieved the following;

- Attended an open air cinema

- Went to the NT cultural museum thing

- Saw day 2 of the first ever test match at Darwin

- Saw Steve Waugh become the second man to complete centuries against the other nine test playing countries

- Bumped into Big Merv Hughes, who was drinking a beer


Wednesday, July 16, 2003
 
Finished work.

Now have time on my hands.

Which leads neatly into story of the week


Sunday, July 13, 2003
 
I have discovered the finest website in the history of the universe here.

We get shot of Rutter tomorrow.

Still three days work to go.


Saturday, July 12, 2003
 
Only three days of work left.

Lisa from Flight Centre was once again extremely helpful in sorting us out with a holiday - this time to Darwin (for the cricket, mostly) and the famous Ayres "Uluru" Rock, where eco warrior Tom Rutter will be joining us.


Sunday, July 06, 2003
 
No posting for a week while we frantically prepare the house for the arrival of Tom "I Can't Believe It's Not" Rutter, who will be gutted to arrive the day after the Gold Coast Marathon.


Tuesday, July 01, 2003
 
Jim And Natalie Down Under Site Stats Update

I am privileged to announce that June first knocked May into a cocked hat, then poked it in the eye and stole its dinner money, with a spellbinding 882 hits.

One month to go - can this ever be beaten?

 
As always, couldn't sleep properly after doing nights, and wound up watching the tennis until about, ooooh, 6am or so. Don't even like tennis, and especially not La Henman. Come on Greg!