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A week in AussiePosted on Monday 2 June 2008 at 08:42 - Post CommentLast week was pretty full on at work, as it was month end and the pressure was on to get results - which we did - so that was all good. Even better, I had a trip to Oz to look forwar to!
Friday night T and I had an evening together, splashed out on a take-out (which was rubbish - our favourite restaurant 'Himalaya' has recently changed hands and the food has suffered in the process so we won't be going back soon) and had a bit of 'us' time which was great as we wouldn't be seeing each other for a full week - the longest we've been apart for years.
The alarm woke me early doors on Saturday and I was up and about to get the taxi to the airport for 5am. A good flight only slightly marred by the lady sat next to me with the worst dog-poo-breath I have ever encountered! Once in Sydney I took the train and then the bus to Bondi beach, and spent 5 hours chilling, people watching and body surfing - it was ace! Then once back in the city I wandered down to Darling Harbour and had a beer before meeting up with my mate Gary.
A 3 hour drive passed pretty quickly and we were back at the ranch - quite literally! - stopping on route to have a bite to eat, have a few beers, and watch the Canterbury Crusaders kick the NSW Waratarhs arses (YAY! Go Crusaders!). Once home, we had a quick chat over a couple more beers and then it was bed time as I was bushed.
I woke up the following morning to the beautiful scenery at Gary's ranch, and we had a great day. Gary breeds Alpaca's, and we went on a trip to take his stud male - Serafino (which means 'superfine' in spanish) - to cover a female of another breeders herd. I tell you what - it was an eye opener! Alapacas don't piss around with foreplay - it's straight into the job at hand. They make a good go of it though, Serafino giving a great account of himself at 15 minutes, with Gary having to
Once done, we were out of there and on to a vineyard to pick up some lovely wine, and then back home to drink it. Terrible life I lead!
TOday was a bit slow as I was really hungover, but surfaced by 10 and went out and about the farm on Gary's quad which was great fun. By the time I was back Gary was too (he'd left early doors to pick up his new van) and so we had a hair of the dog whilst admiring the new vehicle.
We then had lunch and decided it would be a great idea to climb Gary's 'mountain' which is behind the alpaca paddocks. 30 minutes later we were part way up with a long way to go:
It was worth it though - check out the view:
What better? A great view and a few beers with a great mate:
It's now Monday night and tomorrow brings a reality check as I am off to this conference so a few nerves but I'm sure it'll go well.
As ever, being here with Gary is real soul food. A top notch bloke in a beautiful part of the world. And to think that 2 years ago I was slogging around the M25 every day?!
No regrets.
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