AWOL

Long time no post. Well Dec 6 rolled around and I returned to Adelaide for Xmas. Left Auckland in the rain and about 14 degrees and 4 and a half hours later arrived at Adelaide airport in 37 degree heat. Air NZ occasionally uses Freedom Air planes (Air NZ's version of Jetstar) and the one to Adelaide this time included Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck and Sylyester the cat on the outside.
The only problem with the flight to Adelaide is when it leaves as asking for a bourbon at 6.30am Adelaide time seems a bit strange. As usual the flight was uneventful with only water to look out at for most of the time although by the time I'm fed watched the movie and listened to a CD it's almost time to land.

Headed off to Port Elliot the next day as I was off to my ex-partners wedding at Goolwa on the Saturday and stayed down the south coast for a couple of days. I lived down there for several years in the 90's and have a soft spot for Port Elliot. I always have a pale ale and a few games of 8 ball in the Family Hotel whenever I'm down that way.

I headed back to Adelaide and then took the Overland to Melbourne. I'd normally fly but now that it's a day train it's much more pleasant especially in Premium class. It is however more expensive than flying! I also wanted to experience how big Australia is as I've lost the concept of distance with all my flying AKL-ADL-AKL since 2005. Melbourne is such a great city and I love the laneways and just drinking coffee and people watching.

Went back to Adelaide for Xmas day and then flew back to Melbourne as it was his 40th and I wasn't going to miss out on a party with lots of women from Qantas. It turned out a good night from what I remember. For those who know me I even got up and danced (only because I was asked and alcohol was involved). Unfortunately i couldn't remember her name and had to ask my cuz. No wonder I'm single!

Anyway I'm back in NZ away from the temptations of Adelaide working to help save the lives of crazy NZ drivers!

My first post - be gentle

Well after having read posts from my fellow South Australians through the Adelaide Index I though it only fair that I should start a blog. I felt a bit like a voyeur looking in on other blogger's posts without revealing something of myself. As to how much I reveal time will tell.

I came over here in a relationship which went pear shaped, went back to Oz came back to try and resurrect it, went pear shaped again and decided to stay for a while.

With all my comings and going between here and Oz over the last 3 years I think I own a good share of a 737 or Airbus. I will return to Oz probably sometime next year. The NZ government department I work for is merging with another one next July and I'm not too keen on working in a mega department. Probably go back to local govt from where I came.

New Zealand is such a scenic place and it has the advantage of only having to go short distances (relative to Australia) to see different landscapes. These images are of the Coromandel Peninsula which is one of my favourite part of the North Island.



The Coromandel Ranges




West coast of the Coromandel Ranges

I live about 50km from here to the south in an area where hobbits are known to frequent as the setting for Hobbition in Lord of Rings was filmed nearby.

I miss my hometown of Adelaide at times and have only been back once this year for just over a week and that was to support someone who is quite ill. However I have wrangled all of December off and am so looking forward to coming back for Xmas - my first in Australia for 3 years. Can't wait to get back to the warmer weather and a Cooper's Pale Ale not to mention catching up with friends.

Roll on December 6th!