7 Weeks Waiting

That title sounds pretty dire and boring hey. All it is is the exciting wait for our first big trip travelling along the East Coast, never been to the East Coast so I'm looking forward to it (no sarcasm, honest!). In the mean time, what to do, what to do? With this being my year to explore and travel before life comes attacking with it's responsibilities again, and the having to be mature and all grown up, I have to make sure the real adults do the adulting whilst I enjoy this time. I think my immaturity shows in trying to play bukaroo with the cat; I was casually and gently placing hair bobbles and Phil's plectrums on the cat until he scratched me, serves me right. It did take a good few snotty looks from the cat before he told me to behave. Getting them off was a little trickier than getting them on as he was annoyed by this stage. 

One of my favourite pass times is a stroll along the beach to watch the sunset, sounds all romantic but it's generally pretty cold and we spend most of the time challenging the wind by seeing how far we can walk. Sometimes Phil makes me walk up rather big hills, he's so kind. But as in previous posts, have to be careful with the ol' knees what with pulling one of them back on Smith's beach and being unable to walk. Still, we persevere and manage to get a good walk in. 


With trying to get everything organised for our trip there was actually a hell of a lot to do, we had to get a suitable vehicle, since Phil's current vehicle is, well, to put it politely, a little old. We had to get things to cook with and something to sleep in. With the trips we have planned we'll be up the North part of Australia where all the crocodiles like to chill, so a roof top tent seemed like the best option, not only that, it would leave room for ride-sharers if any materialised. 


Not every evening was spent looking at pretty skies, obviously sometimes it was rainy, grey and miserable, ooh, just like being back home. Instead we would stay in and play games. This time it was Chess, I won the first game but then didn't play defensively and got served by Phil. I stopped playing after that since I'm a sore loser, I'm also a bit of a sore winner, but it's much more fun winning.

We did try and make it up to the top of Mt Lofty, but the vertigo was getting the better of me so we did our best to get as far as we could. There were two different waterfalls along the way that we saw and stopped at for a photo opportunity.
Stay classy Becca!


Finally we managed to go bowling as we intended to do on our third date but came across league night. This time, no league night so it was silly shoes and another opportunity to try and beat Phil at something. Unfortunately I lost, both games, I think we've figured that Phil will beat me at most physical games, we'll have to change that... somehow.

Moving on past the physical games we decided some video games would be better but the option for something new on the Xbox had us in hysterics. My horrified response was "Goat Stimulator?", Phil was doubled over laughing as was I when he explained it was a Simulator, not a Stimulator. I thought XBox was getting a bit R rated. Isn't that kind of thing illegal?

We also managed a game of Cards Against Humanity with Phil's Mum (Wendy) and Courtney, it explains a lot. It had to be one of the funniest games of it we've played. After playing video games and physical games and the lack of encouragement for more monolpoly we moved on to going to watch games, to be more specific, my first AFL game. Crows vs Hawthorn.

We got the bus to the ground and Phil decided to make me a proper fan by getting me a Crows shirt, especially after telling him I should technically be a Fremantle fan because my cousins' were the first to teach me about Aussie Rules and that's their team. Phil was having none of it. We were up the gods but that's better than not being there at all. The 25th Anniversary game was fun to watch, even though Crows didn't win. There was lots of screaming from me, which I'm sure Phil and Courtney's ears did not appreciate, luckily Rudi sat the other side of Courtney and managed to mildly protect her ears from my high pitched squealing. 

After the game we got the bus back and walked back up the hill. Unfortunately in the dark I managed to get tangled up with a branch and fall over. If I had been an inch forward I would have been fine however, I went straight down on to my knees right on the concrete kerb. The feeling made me nauseous, Phil wanted to stop and make sure I was ok but I knew if I didn't keep walking I wouldn't be able to. We finally got back to the house and I pulled up my trouser leg to see a gauge out of my knee and a bruise already coming in to appearance. After having sat down to check my knees, as I suspected, I couldn't walk. Both knees injured I had to hop to the bedroom, Phil brought me ice and the ice made me cry from the pain, but I knew it was for the best. The next few days were spent hopping along the house to try and get the places I needed to. After a few days I realised sticking my leg down correctly was actually better. Slowly but surely I managed to get walking again but up and down hills was a problem, and we live on a hill. Helpful. 

The following Saturday was his cousin's 21st birthday, well bugger. I took a can of man-up, also known as ibuprofen and stuck my heels on to go and party... I spent most of the time sat down. The worst was trying to leave as they closed the doors to where we came in and the entrance to leave wasn't obvious so we walked around in a circle with some funny looks from the police as I was holding on to Phil for dear life and hobbling like a drunked; you couldn't see my knees as I had put my leggings on to cover the brightly covered bruises. It was good to get off my knees once it was over. 

Not long now until our trip, time for all the final prep before we leave and hopefully a full knee recovery...

Mt Gambier Getaway

Our first outing for a few days took us to Mt Gambier, we arrived fairly late and it was quite cold, the heater went on and we wrapped ourselves up in bed to try and warm up. Only problem was that it was that sort of dry heat, so mid-way through the night it was dehydration and nightmares. Apart from log fires, Australian's really aren't sure on how to warm themselves up; I guess the same could be said about us Brit's and cooling ourselves down when it gets too hot. 

We first went to the middle of town where there is a massive sink hole, basically the ground disappears into a giant hole and they aren't certain as to the precise cause. 

After seeing a mighty big hole in the middle of town (there are still shops and a pub right next to it), we went for a walk to the blue lake. It is a crater lake in an extinct volcano (so they say!) and aptly named for it's extreme blue colouring. My picture doesn't make it very clear on the hue but it was very blue, apparently it is more discernible in the summer months.

We did a big walk right around the lake and at one point decided to pick up pine cones and see who could get them in, after a mighty hoof Phil's could not be seen or heard, so who knows where it went. Maybe he dropped it at his feet perhaps? Then it was my turn, with all my effort I threw it, only for it to rustle in the trees, I don't think mine hit the water for sure. Just to explain our failed attempts, it's actually a very long way down surrounded by a 'safety' fence that's a way back from the actual edge so it needed a mighty hoof. After a good walk around it did start to rain which was a little annoying as we directly half way in either direction. This meant we decided to just keep on truckin'.

When we got to the other side there was a park with exercise equipment in it that we decided to have a go on. Phil was showing off his skills whilst I was just behaving like a small child in a play ground, weeeeeeee, swinging side to side on one piece of equipment and then mimicking Phil on the 'leg press'. Although my old personal trainer did say using your own body weight is the best form of exercise... I doubt I would be able to save myself if I was hanging off a cliff... but who knows what adrenaline will do.

After we got back to the car we went and headed for lunch at a pub, it was very nice after the big walk, but feeling slightly on the full side we thought another walk around the other big hole in the ground (this one waterless) was a good idea. I say we went for a big walk, we actually came across some stairs which Phil ran up victoriously, whereas I gently sauntered to the top trying not to exert myself and throw up my dinner. Success. Once we were finished walking we went back to the room to read our books before we went for tea... instead we actually managed to fall fast asleep until it was dark. Best. Nap. Ever! After a good sleep we went out to have tea, schnitzel time, Australian's are obsessed with them. 


The next day it was time to leave, after not knowing the check-out time and having the receptionist come and ask us why we hadn't left yet, we packed up and headed on our way home. We went via a place that had caves, although it was all tour guided which was a shame as the times we're awkward compared to when we were there. We missed the first one by twenty minutes and the next one wasn't until about two hours later and we weren't going to just stand around waiting. We went for a wander and saw Batman's hide away. We also found a bronze statue of a giant wombat, Australian's like to pay homage to things by building oversized mementos. Phil took a picture, managed to get the arm of his sunglasses in it, he's no pro at the ol' picture snapping that's for sure. Nevertheless, he captured my fantastic impersonation, look closer. 

After my brilliant imitation I drove us back, on the way we stopped and ate some fried chicken in a road house, because why not. Then the anxiety started creeping in, it would be the first time after a very long time of dating that I was going to meet his parents. Holy mother of... what if they don't like me? What if they can't understand my accent? What if, what if, what if. Phil was very reassuring by laughing at my apprehension. Sure he finds it funny, he's known them his whole life. What if there are rules I am not privy to? He did try and tell me once his Dad got angry if you say any word with the letter 'E' in it, I didn't fall for it and Courtney missed her cue to go along with it too. Well, time to man up... I met his Dad first for a brief hello, then went inside where I was introduce to his Mum... phew, the initial part was over... now comes the really scary bit...

A Series of Mini Events

After a fantastic weekend of board games, pool tornaments and an easter egg hunt where I witnessed adults at a competitive level, it was time to get back to travelling reality. I had been in Adelaide for two months with no success in finding a job and with money starting to look thin I decided to spend the last of it travelling to Darwin to see the crocodiles; something I have always wanted to do, even though they terrify me. But what's that they say about fears and facing them? Maybe not in a literal fashion, you know, what with those deadly nashers and all.

I got in touch with a fellow traveller off up to Darwin and decided to spend my last week in some great company with Phil and Courtney before my final adventure. Little did I know it wasn't just the three of us in the house. Not counting the dog, or the cat. There was another presence lurking in the house that had already ambushed Phil over easter. Thinking the presence had left and having faith in my ability to not be infiltrated, Phil failed to warn me and I was attacked late one evening whilst sat quietly at the table, that devious little sneak, damn you, Cupid!

The next few days were spent in lengthy discussions on how to capture Cupid... ok, I'm kidding, but we did talk, a lot, and decided to adventure together.

We started with little adventures, first the chocolate factory where there were lots of tourists looking for free samples, yes, that definitely included me. We did of course also buy some chocolate. I still stand strong that no other white chocolate can match the fantasticness of milky bar (advertising royalties please?). 

We also had a delicious picnic at Victor Harbour with a lovely walk around Granite island, climbing rocks and coming up with an intuitive concept for a game, in some respects. I may have mentioned before about it being a small world, but on our way to Victor Harbour we drove behind a car that had LFC stickers in the back, a small slice of home. On the island there was the cutest small fat bird I had ever seen, I tried to convince Phil to let me take one as a pet but something about wild animals and captivity and the cat... spoil sport. 


Apparently Victor Harbour gets penguins but I think we missed the season for that. After a full 360 around the island we walked back over the wooden bridge without fear of being squashed by the small wooden bus being pulled along by one poor horse so the lazies don't have to walk.

One evening when Courtney was feeding Cherry (the horse), she came back in the house to tell us there was a koala outside in the tree, I had to go see it. It would by my first wild koala, they look so fluffy and cute... until you see those killer claws. STAY AWAY!

It was getting close to my beautiful niece's birthday and I had to figure out something cool that I could do, especially given that it was getting dark early and the temperature was dropping. I decided on glow sticks and sparklers to read out 'Happy 7th Birthday Bessie', the sparklers didn't quite go to plan but I only have two hands and preferably don't want to set myself on fire. After it was done we did dress up inappropriately in the glow sticks and it slowed traffic.


On St George's day we realised the fridge/freezer had stopped working, so there was an attempt to defrost, with all this meat there was only one thing we could do... have an extremely patriotic BBQ with two Australian's... Obviously. 

Now it was time to meet the friends, always a fun experience in a new relationship. There was booze, pool, booze, more booze and Cards Against Humanity. Oh, did I mention there was booze? After much laughter I sneaked off to Skype my nieces'. Drunken Skyping with the nieces' meant Bessie and I jumping on the bed on opposite sides of the world; who knew it could be so much fun... I need a trampoline in my life. 

When there was some severe winds that knocked down the trees along the road the council came and chopped them down, it was the job of Phil, Courtney and I to collect the bits of wood left for us at the side of the road for the fire. Winter is cold in Australia, nobody told me it got cold in Australia, why is it cold in Australia? SOMEBODY STOP THE COLD! Anyway... so Courtney got on the quad bike and Phil and I travelled in the trailer to collect the wood and then help empty the trailer at the woodshed once it was full of wood. I'm a city girl who is not scared of getting her hands dirty... I just like to wash them afterwards, or paint my nails a dark colour so you can't see the imbedded dirt... 

The Beginning of Change

Whilst out getting pain killers for my poor back pain, which was impeding my walking ability to that of a flat footed, twinkling elephant, I happened to meet a rather handsome guy who just so happened to take me for cake and hot chocolate, how could I refuse! We had a wonderful chat and enjoyed our cake before I had to end the enjoyment early. He kindly walked my twinkly self to the train station and waited with me until my train arrived. It was a short encounter, but I knew I wanted to see him again; his intoxicating laughter and wit made me think about him long after I had left him. 

I then got to town and met Brian, we went to indulge in sitting down out of the rain and watching a film, otherwise known as going to the cinema. We watched Big Eyes, it as only grasp of missing out on the Danny Elfman concert (substituting it with a Tim Burton film). After the film we went and ate some delicious food and then Brian challenged me to find the bar downstairs... someone came out of the sneaky door before I could be made a fool of. Inside was what I imagined a speakeasy to look at, I was just waiting for a jazz band and dancing girls. We got some funky cocktails and felt all 1920s before it was time to head back home.

My second date with Phil was spent trying to impress with my pool playing abilities, there were times when I came close to winning but alas, I was beaten. Little did I know he owns his own pool table back home, I can't say I was impressed with that piece of post-pool information. Much to my disappointment this may have been the last time I might see him, he was going to Perth for the weekend and I'm sure in that time I may have moved on to a different state.

Over the weekend I went to a family party, Tricia's house warming, which turned in to a very long weekend. After a lovely time spent with them at the house warming, I decided to continue drinking with Steve and Sean... note to self: Don't try and out drink the cousins again. After finally falling asleep, Sean woke me up about ten minutes later and asked me if I wanted to go with them all to watch cricket, I asked what time it was. 12:30. TWELVE THIRTY!? I'm supposed to be surfing with Brian at 12! Quick home and a shower before going out to hit the waves. 

Thank the hangover Gods for their mercy! The sea was flat and the plans were changed; Brian took me to Hahndorf instead. A little town in South Australia that has a Ye Olde ice cream shop... Established in 1997. I think I have socks older than that store. After a wander around the little German town we headed to Glenelg for a hot drink and a stroll along the beach before a few games of pool. By this point I had been awake for over 24 hours and I was like the walking dead, if I didn't sleep for a week I would be surprised. 

After feeling the desire to run laps around the streets I finally drifted off in to an undisturbed magical sleep. 14 hours later I awoke and today I was doing nothing, and doing nothing felt fantastic. Even better than my doing nothing was the fact Phil was coming back to Adelaide and better still, he wanted to meet up again; I guess letting him win at pool was a good tactic. So after drawing with him at air hockey, or so said the score board despite his extra goal on me and an evening of random adventures he still wanted to see me. The next day was the cinema for Chappie, as you well know, in the cinema there is less ability for talking... at least here he won't know how loopy I am... at least not before it's too late. 

It became too late when Phil, Courtney and I got involved in a game of Doctor Who Monopoly. My family know all too well my Monopoly playing, and it takes many moons before they'll agree to play again. Phil and Courtney found out when I managed to win EVERYTHING, bankrupting both of them, gaining all the properties and, to add insult to injury, laughing a loud, loud maniacal laugh... Now it's too late...

Insult to Injury

Sunday was time for more Fringing. Brian and I went to the Royal Croquette club and wandered around, wondering what was going on with the barrier of washing machines and getting pleasantly confused. It was a beautifully sunny day, so much so that poor Brian had managed to burn his entire back when he went paddle boarding earlier that day. Irish skin is just as delicate as British-Ginger skin. 

After realising that we had missed most of the shows we wanted to see and poor Brian feeling a touch of sunstroke we headed off through town to the Hello Kitty Cafe.  

I had a slice of cake and a chai latte, everything was Hello Kitty. It was pretty awesome. We then walked through China town and saw the picture of the Sheep on the floor, because it's the year of the Sheep, or Goat... or... ya know. The worst moment of the day was realising that had either of us said something we would have had someone to go to the Danny Elfman concert with, instead we both didn't realise anyone else wanted to go and therefore missed it. Missing that will bug me forever more.

On the Tuesday Brian invited me rock climbing with some friends, his friend Bernard had travelled over from Ireland just for the occasion. Ok, that's a lie, he came over for the cricket but he wasn't impressed with my mention of that at the time since Ireland lost. So we won't mention that Ireland lost in their cricket match, shhhh. It was lots of fun. Given my intense fear of heights and complete apprehension to start with I was quite impressed with myself at the end of it. We all tried the same one to start with but Jess being a pro meant that the other three of us looked like the amateurs we were. After that we kind of just started messing around trying to battle our own personal achievements. Brian attempted the jumping one, and after achieving it once with nobody watching he tried time and time again to achieve it, we did manage to get it filmed but sods law meant I missed the imperative first bit. Also I challenged Bernard by telling him I couldn't take advice from him since he hadn't completed the green one... then he completed the green one, fair dos my friend. Champion. All the while, Jess was pro-ing in the background. Both Brian and I managed to peel skin off our hands and became bandage buddies. At least I got as high as I did up the wall, personal goals and all that.

On the Friday I headed to Bounce, a really cool place here in Adelaide that's full of different styles of trampolines. It was a hell of a lot of fun, the only problem was my back decided to give up on me. I was enjoying it a lot but my back wouldn't let me continue. After admitting defeat and going home, I got a shower and tripped over my own damn flip flop and sprained my ankle, just to add insult to injury. So I hobbled in to bed and tried to get a decent sleep with my aching back and throbbing ankle. 

Despite the pain I had to crack on, it was time to go and watch some ice hockey with Daniel and hope for a fight amongst the players. It was pretty chilly in there and the game was fun to watch but not all that comfortable on those nasty 'seats', if you can call them that. There was a little bust up but nothing worth writing home about. After that we went to get some food and did nothing but laugh the whole night, we drank a bottle of wine then headed out to a bar for a few drinks... Daniel opened up a tab, BAD MOVE! I got completely plastered after a great night of laughing I managed to get the train home in one piece. The next day my hangover was a different story. I escaped to the shops for crisps and a banana milkshake, but banana milkshake doesn't seem to exist in South Australia. I hadn't banked on how hot it was outside and nearly melted, the heat and the hangover didn't bode well. It was a day of self inflicted sorriness. 

The following week after trying (kinda) to rest my agonising back [the foot was better by the Monday] it was time for SUP yoga with Brian. We got on the boards and tried to steady ourselves for yoga positions. Having never done yoga in my life, with a bad back and on a wobbly paddle board I couldn't see what could go wrong. I did what I could and tried my best not to laugh. Although at the end, after everyone fell in a couple of times (I managed to stay on the board the whole time, even if I didn't achieve all the positions) we lay on the boards relaxing but I burst out laughing and tried to contain myself due to the quietness and serenity of the situation. What happened was earlier a guy had asked me if I was from MeetUp, I thought he said "are you from Meelup?" which is a place in Western Australia that I had been to, my response was "no, I'm from England." I'm sure you can appreciate the hilarity of that when everyone is quiet and peaceful and I then realise what he asked me and start laughing to myself, what made it worse was the fact we were on water, so even with trying not to make a noise I was rocking the boat with my body moving in containment of the laugh and therefore creating waves in the water... that just encouraged me to laugh. Whoops. 

After the yoga we were able to use the boards, with paddles in the other pool to do some stand up paddle boarding, my navigation wasn't up to scratch and I did fall in a few times. Once done I went to get dry, one of the things I also found funny at the pool was the rules they had printed in the changing room. I'm a child, of an age... best get supervision from someone. Once moderately dry it was time to go get some hot food to warm up. Pizza and conversations about random things ensued before home. 

Adelaide Begins

I arrived in Adelaide and Marco and I said our farewells. I stayed with my fantastic cousin Diane who so very kindly opened up her home to me and gave this poor travel tramp and real bed to sleep in.

Not only did she take care of me like the amazing loving person she is, she also invited me out on the boat, which of course meant a trip on the biscuit, and boy could that thing go. I squealed like a banshee most of the time, almost getting tossed out, at least Rob could hear my screaming over the engine noise to slow down before I had opportunity to come pelting out. Apart from almost bouncing out on to Diane's lap and bumping knuckles with Dan I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill.

As a lot of you know, and have probably worked out from the pictures, I'm a very proud ginger. That said, I have had, for the first time in 25 years, someone do something to my hair other than cut it... Highlights. That meant bleach and a whole lot of fear. Diane decided to put blonde highlights in my hair, I was very apprehensive about it. Bits of tinfoil in my hair and the foul smell of bleach had me fearing the worst... what if it turned green? I could do without that. Green and ginger isn't the best combination. Luckily it turned out very nicely, but don't worry, I will never lose my ginger. Highlights is one thing. 

The next thing we did was head to Mannum to go camping and see the Hot Rod show, lots of 50s cars and ladies dressed up beautifully in 50s style outfits. This made me pleased that I brought a 50s style dress that I love! Yes! The Saturday was once again spent on the biscuit off the end of the boat. Brennan, Jacqueline and I went on and after a few goes Rob managed to throw us out, I went in head first feeling as though I had hit concrete, Brennan landed on me and Jaci skidded across the water before going under. It's a good job we were camping because the impact meant I lost a contact lense! 

One of the things I saw in Mannum that amused me was in the Op Shop, look at what Harry Potter was classified under in the book section of the shop. Sure thing, Australia. I am hoping that was a mistake or just put back on the shelf incorrectly. Although it's funnier to think someone truly believes that. I laughed. Loudly. 

Whilst the Fringe was on I met up with Brian and wandered around the Garden of Unearthly Delights where we ate some delicious food, had great conversation and a pineapple full of alcohol, it had to be done. We also discussed several promising business opportunities... just need investors and the motivation to actually achieve said opportunities. 

After Brian started feeling the cold of the Adelaide evening we went and got a hot chocolate before realising I had missed the train and had to wait an hour for the next one, oh well, time to casually stroll to the station. When we got there I had to work out which train I needed to get. Obviously I knew where I needed to go, but that doesn't mean the trains final destination was the same. Then I realised, I was going to Belair. Yo home to Belair! I was extremely amused and very tempted to break out in to song. That had to be the best part of the night (sorry Brian).