Racing bikes and titchy penguins

Nearly midnight and an opportunity to look back at the day.

Didn't start off paricularly interesting with a visit to a Botanical Garden and a little chocolate factory/visitor attraction - but did it improve from there. We went to have a look at the race track on Philip Island. No these places can be pretty boring when not in use - huge areas of nothingness, empty rooms, pits, hospi areas etc. But not today - today was qualifying for the World Super Bikes Championship - so we was treated to watching from the pit lane roof bikes steaming down the home straight at over 200mph. Noisy and impressive - then after a quick trip to a smaller winery, a visitor attraction overlooking what is in effect the Southern Ocean (next stop the South Pole, and a early dinner we went to see something call the the Penguin parade.

Basically what happens is that each night 100's if not 1000's of penguins leave the sea for the day, cross the beach and disappear into the undegrowth and their nests. These penguins are really small, maybe 12-18 inches high and the cross several 100m of beach and dunes. What is really interesting is that this spectacle has been turned into a tourist attraction with a timed countdown as to when the birds will appear. I can only guess the pop up from the water at the turn of a tide to get the timing so precise. These guys are really cute as the waddled within a few feet of where I was standing.

So the day is finally beginning to catch up on me so time for bed. Due to do a helicopter flight tomorrow, learn to cook tapas and then back to Melbourne.

Night night fair world

P

There's trouble in the distance

I am sat in the window of my hotel room at Melbourne airport, it is 0645 and I have been up an hour after a good nights sleep.

Dawn has broken and the light beginning to break through. In front of me are some huge and mostly empty multi story car parks advertising 'shaded parking'. Fortunately I am on the 9th floor so I can see beyond and across the flat plain to see the city skyscrapers clustered on the horizon in one direction and some far off hills in another.

So having sorted my walking around bag to put suntan lotion in which I forgot to yesterday, re-packed and put away my jacket what am I being entertained with? A huge storm hanging over the city with enormous bursts of fork lightning which look like they could split a building in two. Oh well a quick adjustment is needed in my preparation for the day.

See you soon



Peter
Peter Jackson
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Plastic knife and metal fork

So I am sat on a commuter train on my way back to central Melbourne pondering the logic of Qantas serving meals with a plastic knife and a metal fork, and spoon for that matter.

I would have loved to be in the meeting to see how that piece of nonsensical logic was arrived at. Seems a bit mad to me.

First day in Australia, got off to a positive start getting off the plane and out of the airport was straightforward enough, not being able to access a bedroom was a bit of a pain. A quick shower in the gym, change of clothes was all I needed to get going again (oh yes 2 coffees).

Into town with a couple of people for a look around, bright day not too warm looking around. The city looks quite pleasant, an interesting mix of old and new buildings. The older ones older than I imagined for some reason don't know why. Came across a couple of tailoring shops called 'Peter Jackson', thought about trying the 'what discount do I get for having the same name routine' however my shopping priorities are elsewhere so I left it.

Why am I on a commuter train? Well a family from the village came out to live here a couple of years ago and the lady of the household is on my facebook, so when she facebooked me this morning to say she was around today it made total sense to jump on a local train to go and say hello....so after having a quick drive around a stunningly beautiful peninsula and a quick cup of tea and sandwich with Lisa and her daughter Kim who grew up together, went to pre-school, primary and secondary school with my son Tom I am now on my way back.

It's now somewhat warmer-probably around 30 but I think I will still have a little more of a wander around to see if I can realise some of the shopping priorities.......

So back to plastic knives etc. Long haul flights are very solitary affairs, get on the plane, settle into seat, position ipod, e book, passport etc, have first glass of champagne, watch safety instruction, choose which film you are going to watch, nod off for a few minutes - miss take off, start film, have another drink, eat dinner, watch end of film, try and go to sleep.

If you stare intently at your screen and only provide single word answers ('beer', 'chicken', 'white', 'French' 'thank you' (ok technically that's two) you can probably do a complete 12 hour flight and speak less than dozen words to anyone the whole flight.

There is a sense of being disconnected from anything and everything when on such a flight. When I got to Singapore I must have sent 10/12 emails and 1/2 dozen texts in very short order just to get in touch with my own world.

Still can't get my head around plastic knives and metal forks - time to go however so will think on a little further. Bye for now.

P
Peter Jackson
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Three more sleeps

It's Sunday morning and like most Sunday mornings I am on the field walking the dog. Well the dog is of course walking himself.

At some point in the next 20 mins Bailey Baloo will spot something of huge interest and he and I will have a difference of opinion over what constitutes 'master' and 'mans best friend'.

This picture of normality is going to change after 3 more sleeps as on Wednesday I venture on my longest journey yet to place known as 'Down Under'.

Unlike some of my friends who work away for several months at a time my trips tend to be measured in hours and days. Not this time however as I am away for two weeks. It will be strange being away for so long.

Anyway after 3 more sleeps I am on my way.

P
Peter Jackson
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