Firstly thanks to my good friend Jonny who suggested a blog as the solution for the poor correspondent. If you want to see how these things should be done, visit http://heathweek.blogspot.com/
My resolution is to make a new post every week.
To set the scene, Mandy & I landed in Adelaide on November 24th and it seems like yesterday. Since then we've both been lucky and found some work, Mandy at the hospital, me at the city council. We have paid some tax, moved house, had the hottest Xmas day ever, been bitten by the biggest ant I've ever seen and got a new housemate, (above left). She's harmless, apparently.
While Adelaide is not the most exciting city in the world, or Australia, or arguably in the state of South Australia, it is hard to be bored here.
The city is squeezed between hills full of vineyards and a sea full of great white sharks. Most of the space inbetween is made up of coffee shops, Chinese restaurants and sporting venues. This is a place with priorities.
The city is very simple, it has been the same since 1836 or so. There is a grid of streets heading north-south and east-west. No bends. It is a mile by a mile and surrounded by one huge park. Outside that anything goes. The park is full of cricket pitches, archery targets, gum trees, kookaburras, BMX parks and students getting off with eachother.
Nothing is very far from anything else and you can stand in the middle of one the east-west streets and see the mountains at one end, turn round and see the sea. Then walk 20 yards for a latte.
I have heard Australia described as an outdoor nation and this is beyond dispute. This largely because the TV is so awful. Midsommer Murders tops the rankings along with The Bill, but DI Burnside is still in it. Add that to Aussie Wheel of Fortune and even the old and infirm throw down their zimmers and reach for a tennis racquet.
Which brings me nicely on to sport. There cannot be a better time for an Englishman to be here, holding the Ashes, with that drop goal still fresh in the memory and on the cusp of showing them what a proper foot team looks like at a world cup. (Well 2 out of 3 ain’t bad). There was a noticeable hush in the office the morning after Andy Murray beat Hewitt recently too.
Always one to share my good fortune, I have offered to lend my Ashes 2005 DVD around the office more than once.
Parish notices.
Water appears to be going anti clockwise down the plughole. Can anyone confirm it goes the other way in your half?
Finally, welcome to Lucy Jane Shaftoe, born 28th February, sister of Ella, daughter of Paul and the eternally patient Helen. Nice one.
Looking forward to episode 2…..any questions or feedback, please drop us a line on will5062@hotmail.com.
Cheers, keep well.
2 comments:
Sounds like your enjoying life there. No the usaul grumpy Pashley that we are used to back in the cold and wet :-)The place must agree with you.
Was passing by a misty, foggy Ramsbottom last week. No Pashley to lead me off the straight and narrow. You must be missing the traffic jams, weather and all that goes with it.
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