Badge

We're here!!!

Have written a long message on my laptop only to discover I haven't got a floppy drive on it...so here is the truncated version..

got here the day before New Year's Eve via San Francisco..BA miserable buggers - QUANTAS not much nicer - all the staff had those leather faces associated with older Aussies..Mrs B is REALLY in to the SLIP SLAP SLOP I'm so proud of her.

Got a smile at immigration but no brass band or red carpet, not even a 'Welcome to Straya', even though I was fishing for one like mad. Some people just don't take a hint, eh.

1) Security at SF is IMMENSE. I did my Inspector Gadget routine and wore 4 jackets - Driza-a-bone stuffed with gear - got selected for special screening so had to take it all off...the bloke asked to see what was down my trousers so I dropped them and gave him the lot.. ;-)

2) Went shopping. As you lot always compare, I had a look at the fruit. it is bigger, and more colorful, and is cleaner BY A YARD, even the carrots look like they have been scrubbed by a brillo pad and polished by metal cleaner...

and what's this? A CHEESE counter???!!!!!!! With more than 2 types of cheese - well bugger me..

I was looking at new rugby league shorts (they've only got QLD and Bears, bummer), Mrs B came back with a trendy top with South Sydney on it WITHOUT me even having to help her choose!!! She's a natural and befriended the sales girl who loves the Bunnies..my mates in Aussie will love her. ;-)

3) Saw a ute on Parramatta Road for 8900 AUSSIE. Utes this spec normally 12-17K. Mouth drops open. It's 1997 - mouth drops open even more. Could this be my day? After 20 mins of buggering around:

"can we test drive it?"
"sure mate, its a free country" (ambles off somewhere)
"can we see the paper work?'
"yeah no worries" (disappears to the sales office , does not emerge) yadda yadda

it turned out to be a ploy designed to get us in the yard...later took a Falcon for a test drive and it lost power and ran out of fuel and myself and the dealer had to walk back on foot.."how to sell a car, eh?" said the dealer..

4) Xmas Eve on 22nd floor of hotel overlooking Circular Quay with friends and family..what a view

What we like:

1) Housing, wide spaces - none of this 1930s jerry built higgle-piggly excuse for architecture in pommyland

2) Beer tastes great - I love getting a quick midi or schooner without having to feel like a poof.

What we don't like:

1) its a tad humid for this time of year even in Sydney - cue mass forum argument and debate...;-)

2) Mrs B sent me to buy Shampoo AND conditioner - there were only 2 types in the small store...I'm sure I'l get over it

3) Roll on footie season!!

Copulater

Have a Happy New Year yadda yadda

BM & Mrs B2B

More to follow from your Sydney based correspondent..

ABCDiamond

Sounds like you are pretty Happy in general

Welcome & Happy New Year

dotty

Welcome to OZ badge. Big carrots here for sure I noticed that def much bigger than those english runts Glad you like the Sydney houses, just dont ask the price tho and the admiration will go on. Seriously welcome to OZ, keep us posted

Nibbs

Hi ya badge,

I heard the Sydney fireworks were pretty spectacular. I could swear I heard the buggers here!!

Nice to hear you got there. I presume your reputation preceded you in SF.

Cheers

bondipom

Welcome to Sydney Badge.

bondipom

You will soon acclimatise to the weather. It has been a muggy few days.

Have you asked for the prices of those spacious houses?

I have a case of cold Boags and it is going down nicely in the heat.

Enjoy Sydney

Carol in Oz

Welcome Down Under! Can almost feel the excitement in your posting! Enjoy and be happy!

Bondi, loved the photos of the fireworks, did you take them? I thought the bridge looked awesome.

bondipom

I tried taking some but without a tripod it is impossible. Those photos are from the Sydney Morning Herald.

Jirrupin

G'Day Mr. B & Mrs B2B,

I am so glad you are now in Oz Badgers and Livin' your Dream

MrsDagboy

Hey Badge, welcome to Straya .

Wondered when you were going to get here, see you when you get to Brissy .

Pollyana

Welcome To Straya, Badgers and Mrs Badgers-to-be!!

Look forward to seeing you whenever you can get up here.
Like the story from SF - the Bloke is still sniggering!

Are you having fun, or have you had to resort to the rose-tinted specs yet? Life here is looking up all the time - had exotic cheese for breakfast (!!!) and spent the afternoon on the beach! Hooray!!!

Nibbs

Nice pics BP.

We had some fireworks for the kids at Whiteman Park. Three bangs and it was all over. Missus said it reminded her of something

bondipom

LOL

I watched them from Page Reserve on Dover Heights. It was a good view but a long way away. Much easier than the city crowds and there was parking.

tinaj

Great to hear from you Badge. It sounds like you are already a true Aussie- it wont be long before your accent develops again!!


I just hope the security guy in LA doesn't ask me to drop my trousers...
on second thoughts, it depends what he looks like


Keep posting with any updates.

XX and XX for Mrs Badge as well.

wengerboy

congratulations badge we hope srtaya finds you well