My first Saturday

Day 6 – Saturday 23rd January

I was up reasonably early after a pretty restless night when I woke at 4am, 5am, 6am and 7am! Don’t know what that’s all about. I switched on the laptop to do some skyping and within seconds AJ had appeared. I had a good chat to her and she seems pretty settled which is reassuring. She hasn’t booked her flights yet though because Jo is checking with her dad. When we’d finished I called Jemma who was overrun with teenagers. Harry had the 2 Jacks staying over and Ele and Hanuka were also there. It is so good to be able to talk and especially see the video. It’s also a bit strange thinking that she is on the other side of the world but right there in front of me on the screen. I’m writing this on Sunday watching the tennis and Andy Murray has just won again. Could get quite exciting. While I was having breakfast Mark rang to make it a full house. He had been at the Big Day Out on Friday and seen Muse and Kasabian. Unfortunately they don’t come to Brisbane as I’d like to see both.

Jemma gave me a challenge of finding somewhere to go on Australia Day so I headed off into the sunshine. I’d realised on Thursday I hadn’t had a drop of alcohol since arriving in Oz so when I walked past 1st Choice, a huge beer warehouse, I thought I’d better have a look. Apart from anything it was pretty cool in there. I walked on to Toowong Village and had a good look round. I bought my Go Card from the train station which is for travel anywhere in Brisbane on all the buses, trains and ferries. I did a bit of food shopping at Coles though only a couple of bags worth after my mistake at Woolies. Anyway I wanted to be able to carry some beer home as well. On the way back to 1st Choice I called in at Regatta which is the local pub and they are advertising the Bundy Backyard Barby for Tuesday. Free entry all day from 2pm with loads of DJ’s and stuff. Looks pretty good so unless anything better comes up I reckon I’ll head down there.

I gave Mark a call from 1st Choice to get his recommendation on beer. Mind you I wasn’t too surprised to hear “whatever” and so I went for Tooheys Extra Dry. Don’t really know why but don’t suppose it’ll make much difference. Macca was at cricket and sounded pretty pleased they’d won the toss and batted. I’ll have to check out how they got on. The walk home was OK despite the 2 bags and a 24 pack of beer!

After unloading and enjoying a freezer cooled TED which went down very well, I decided to head into town. Richard at work had recommended the City Cat but I fancied a walk. It turned into a mammoth one as well, all the way along the river and then right along Queen Street through the shopping area and down to the river on the other side. There was a cool looking bar right next to the Ferry station so I grabbed another beer while I was waiting. This time a Hahn but I was that hot it could have been anything.

The Cat ride was good and I got to see new parts of the City including the office from the river. My damn camera battery died on me just as we got level with the Oasis so I couldn’t get a picture of that. Another time. It’s a short walk back from the Regatta ferry station and time to get settled in for a relaxing night. I got a text from Jemma who had just woken up at 10am. Not too bad for a Saturday morning though. We chatted on skype again and she showed Jack Santos his photo on facebook. She is supposed to be going for a run with AJ today and I’m really pleased they are getting on well.

I changed my mind on the food front and went for some beef schnitzel instead of spag bol, mostly because the cling film had ripped! I grabbed a few beers as well and watched Back to the Future 3. Classic. I went to bed with the fan on in the bedroom and fell asleep.