Same Shoes; Different Stride

Hello everyone, its been a while but I had a few hills to climb.

Leap of Faith, Berri

My return to Canberra dropped me back into a position I previously held in 2006. However fate has seen fit to twist it slightly, just to keep me on my toes and slightyly stressed.

Passing the stress on; keeping the Senior Residents busy at Kioloa.

This year I entered the Sub Dean in good faith. My co-worker Sarojini is away in India, and will be joining me in the Sub Dean office in six weeks leaving the start of the year in the hands of yours truly. Alas, things have not gone to plan. Just as our faithful boss decided to take a trip to Perth ANU decided to dump an extra 40 1st year students into Fenner Hall. While 40 doesn't sound like much (not even 10% of our current population) it does raise issues when we have exactly zero rooms to put them in.

Climb to the top and jump, sounds better than returning to the mess at home

In order to gain space for our new residents ANU has hired the top floor of our neighbouring Hotel, the Rex, and this has raised all sorts of issues. As the Head of Hall is in Perth (and righfully so) the Dean is acting in his position, and I get all the leftover work the Dean doesn't have time to do, including training the 2 the two new Senior Residents we had to hire to look after the 40 extra students, whilst also training attending the day long training for the 18 original Senior REsidents. As much as I am complaining it has been fun to be challenged so early.

Its a long hard slog, but what's life without adversity?

We camped at Kioloa, an ANU site near Bateman's Bay, to conduct some team builing activities including a mad fun leap of faith.

But all in all, its been fun

Three Strikes, You're Walking

Common folklore lore suggests that trouble always runs in threes, and Local Canberra resident Phillip Gatt is now ready to agree. A recent spate of unlucky events has left Phillip scratching his head in wonderment as tragedy thrice struck his beloved motorcycle.

It began with a minor incident when reputable motor dealer (who shall remained unnamed to protect his business) reattached the gear shift lever in the wrong position. Three weeks later, in bizarre circumstances, the speedo drive was shattered by a piece of blue stone. However catastrophe struck early on the Wednesday morning when his Motorbike, a Suzuki GSXR750 was stolen.

The enitre escapade was captured on Fenner Hall's CCTV, however due to shadow faces were not able to be clearly identified.

Phillip (pictured far left) and his family around his beloved Suzuki

The first incident occured when the motorcycle was taken to a professional for a routine chain and sprocket change. When the bike was picked up by Phillip he realised that changing gears was more diffilcult than usual. "I had to lift my entire foot off the foot pegs in order to change gears," he said, "however I was on my way to Brisbane and it was only a small problem that I could live with."

"I had accidently returned the lever to a postition one notch too high," remarked the embarrased mechanic. The job was given priorty and fixed free of charge.

The second incident occured 30 kms north of Byron Bay, just as Phillip was returning from a holiday in Brisbane. A small but incredibly hard piece of blue stone was kicked up by the front wheel of the bike to collide with the speedo drive, smashing the small metal disc into three pieces.

The shattered speedo drive

The speedo drive, which is attached to the front sprocket, tells the speedometer how fast the bike is going.

"When Phillip told me his speedo wasn't working I thought it was something I had done," replied the mechanic when questioned about the problem, "but once I removed the body kit, four pieces fell to the ground, three from the speedo drive and one piece of road."

"Its utterly amazing that the rock managed to snake its way through the bodykit, like some magic stone thrown by a Lee Harvey Oswald type of road" said Phillip. "Riding 1000km not knowing your speed is diffiluclt, but do-able."

The third incident was conducted between the hours of 3:00am and 4:00am. The two men, aged between 17 and 25 scouted the carpark for over half and hour, before removing the cover off the motorbike. One of the men proceeded to lift the back wheel off the ground and roll the bike on its front wheel, thus rendering the steering lock useless. They waited in the carpark for quite some time, and unforunately the CCTV stopped recording (its not 24 hrs) and when it started again at 5:ooam the bike was gone.

The incident left the victim lost for words. "..." he said.

Constable Conlan, who attended the scene of the crime with Constable Sandon (the hot one, as remarked by one Fenner Hall staff member), believes the two perpertrators were just out for a joy ride.

"I hope they are out joyriding. Ideally they'll write the bike off and in the process themselves as well," Phillip commented.

When one of his friends, David (Toby) Mcgill, was asked as to if he thinks Phillip would be angry at the incident he replied, "not if he has insurance."

Don't worry, He has!

April O'neil, Canberra Times.

A day at the cricket

My last day in Brisbane was great. First of all I went to the XXXX brewery with one of my cousins - Tim. For $20 you get a full tour and four beers - bargain! We were told about the exciting history of beer and the history of XXXX. This was followed by a tour through the beer making process. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos. However it was exciting to see the massive vats, storage tanks and conveyer belts filled with beer, bottles and cases. At the end Tim and I settled down for a few quiet ones at the XXXX bar before we made our way back to Tim's brother's house (who amazingly is also my cousin) to await the next exciting event

I'm a big sporting fan, and I had eagerly been awaiting my first Twenty20 experience and tonight was the night. Unfortunately at major sporting events the beer is quite expensive and you can usually only buy midstrength or lights. That isn't good enough for the Gatt's and so we developed a devious plan.

First we checked what could be taken into the ground, and a certain clause caught our eye (in bold)...

• Soft sided bags (six-pack size), open top fabric bags (such as green supermarket bags) or clear plastic bags
  
• Water and non-alcoholic beverages in plastic or cardboard packages which have not been previously opened


• Food, but not in packaging that could be used as a projectile ie pizza box


• Tea or coffee thermos (which will be checked)


• Binoculars and personal cameras

Next we pooled our collective skill together - my cunning streetsmarts, Nick's access and proficency of cutting edge medical equipment, and Tim's knowledge of fine liquor, and this was the outcome
This photo shows Nick syringing the Bundy from the bowl into our unopened bottle of coke (we also have Johnny Walker). The next photo shows the results.

And everyone was happy.The cricket was fun, every time their was a wicket or a six the fireworks went off, which we were sitting directly behind. It also turns out that a Canberra friend of mine was sitting about 30 metres away (I met him at a pub in the 'berra a week later). They also played snippets of songs over the loudpseakers, everything from Sweet Child of Mine (Guns 'N' Roses) to MASH and the Simpsons theme songs).

On our way out we found this sign...someone should alert the Australian Cricket Board before they get into trouble

We ended the night with a few beers at a pub, a walk home, and a game of Baseball with a glass bottle and a metal pole as a bat - check out the cuts on Tim's arm (the shirt's funny too).

Thanks for the fine fairwell Cuz

We're all going in a summer holiday

Hello everyone, I've been a bit lax in updating my blog since I left Melbourne.

I rode my moto up to Brisbane in a three day trip which was fantastic, stopping off at Newcastle and Byron Bay to visit some of my cousins. I than went to Lismore and saw most of the family on my fathers side (I haven't seen them for about twelve years) - to give you and idea the cousin count is in the fiftes and I heard the second cousin count ahs reached the hundreds. Needless to say I didn't know many people.

I have been in Brisbane for around two weeks, it has rained most of the time successfully washing away my plans including a state twenty twenty match and a climb to the top of Mount Beerwah. However plans are to see Tasmania smash the QLD Bulls tonight in another cricket clash.

I spent Christmas with some of my father's brothers and their families which was great fun and for New Years I tagged along with my cousin and her partner which was good too.

I've been lucky in that lots of circus friends have made their to Brisbane also and so we have caught up a few times for dinner and lunch and even a trip to the science centre here (We got in for free because we worked at Questacon).

Unfortunately I have no photos because 1. my computer hard drive crashed and had to be replaced so all my photos we wiped (most are backed up at home luckily) and 2. I didn't take any.

I'm making way back down to Canberra on Friday and I should arrive on Tuesday pending any flooding.

Fifth Leg - Phillip Island to Melbourne

Day 16 started as a bit of a worry, the weather looking a bit dull for our momentous return to the mainland. We arrived at the Ferry catching place nice and early to ensure we didn't miss it. It rained a little bit on our journey, but nothing like day 1. I managed to get another flat and spent a good ten minutes in a bus shelter changing my tube and removing the offending shard of glass. A friendly bus even stopped and waited for me - for some reason expecting me to get on despite the fact I was reattaching a wheel, putting my helmet on, and tying my bag down. I got a wee bit bored riding through the populated area and started taking artistic shots.

Front wheel of my bike.

My beautiful face and some lush scenery.

We arrived in Frankston about lunch time. Chris, Jules and I went looking for a Barbar to shave us with a cut throat but to no avail. However we did find a woman in a box. She wrote messages on the screens with white board markers and you could write back. She refused to speak and could write amazingly quickly backwards. In a bold move I got her to sign my shirt. I spent quite a long time topless as she wrote me a message. We finished the afternoon by catching a movie - The Hitman (based on one of my favourite playstation games) and listening to live music whilst drinking beer. This was a very short day - 30 km, but our total was now a whooping 926 km total.

Day 17 - the final day. We got up late and rode leisurely as a group from Frankston through to Melbourne. Multiple times we were passed by yuppies all decked out in the riding gear, they passed us with a healthy look of disdain on their faces at such a rag tag mob - wearing cheap gray t-shirts with texta scrawled all over it, riding bikes that didn't cost more than a second hand car, one even had a bag tied down with straps. Those bloody wannabies don't even know the meaning of a long days ride, they're too content riding to the next coffee shop so they can lounge around in the tight clothes and their helmets on their heads (they annoyed us a little).

We happily continued on our journey ringing our bells merrily. Together we arrived at Fedration Square at lunchtime. Chub joined us for the celebrations along with our friends and family.

The team arrives safely.

Left to right: Myself, Danene, Chris, Jules, Chub, and Emily.

We ate lunch and drank beer. A good time was had by all.

Where did we want to ride to Guys? Right Here!!!

Day 17 - 44km. Questacon to Federation Square - 970km.

Fourth Leg - Wilson's Prom to Phillip Island

Leaving Wilson's Prom on day 13 was much easier than entering. It earlier in the morning and so it was cooler, we were fresh and keen for the ride, not fifty km into a gruelling day, and there were no anger filled p-plater's to deal with. Not all of us found the lunchtime destination with ease. Jules and Danene turned up to the wrong beach and had to take their bikes off road proper by riding on the sand for a couple of kms to join the rest of us. After lunch Emily and myself were able to visit the second southern most lighthouse in Australia

and we took in the magnificent view.

We all met up at the Tarwin Lower Hotel for a few beers where we chatted to the locals whilst waiting for the keys to our accomm - a garage had Danene's mother's house, which is still in the process of being built. The local bar staff and some friendly drinkers jad a couple of brain teasers for us uni students to grapple with, the pool table offered us much joy, and the Juke box caused angst.

One of the puzzles - get the 5 cent coin into the glass with physically touching anything.

When we had finished our socialising Emily rented a DVD for us to watch but most passed out in a drunken stupor with Danene caught between the two snorers and Chris crushed up against the roller door.

The team drunk at the pub: Danene, Emily, Chris, Myself and Jules.

Tarwin Lower was 97 km from Wilsons Prom and we had now covered a grand total of 813 km.

On Day 14 we started on our way towards Phillip Island. A green sign alerted us we were now under 200km to Melbourne before we entered the Island of my namesake. Emily, Danene and myself went surfing (apparently Danene has wanted to do this her whole life

but her parents never stopped to let her) before finding our way to the chocolate factory(Danene tells us this was a coincidence but I'm not convinced). Here Emily chewed on a choclate house.

We made it unscathed to a caravan park that allowed us to camp on their boat washing area as water restrictions meant it was out of service. While everyone else bunkered down for the night I found a bar by proceded to meet the staff. The batender was a chemistry graduate (like me), owned a motorbike (like me), and wanted to ride his bike from Warrnambool around to the Mornington Peninsula (like we were doing). I then stumbled home and slept with the mossies (those bastards bit my lip and it swelled up like scared fugu). It was an 83 km ride. We had now ridden a total of 896 km.

Day 15 was a very pleasant rest day. Danene took us on a tour starting with the Knobbies where...

...we spied a penguin. I even got this mad video

and a great shot of Chris's butt as he searches for the Penguin under the boardwalk. Next we made our way around towards the Grand Prix Circuit, on the way passing this cute Penguin on the road - Danene assured us it was just sleeping. We ended the day by visiting a beach with some caves before finding our way back to bed (and those bloody mossies found my lip again).

Third Leg - Lakes Entrance to Wilson's Promontory

Day 9 was a relatively uneventful day, marred by the fact that Chubb had to leave us at Bairnsdale as he had arranged to do some volunteer work for a week. After a teary farwell we rode through the stinking heat avoiding the highways as much as possible. We did manage to bump into a few fellow bike enthusists when thousands of cyclists rode past in the opposite direction. Welcome the Great Victorian Bike Ride. Riders of shapes and sizes on every type of bike imaginable turned their heads to watch us, all mouthing their confusion as we were seemingly going the wrong way.
Coincidentally we had chosen the same lunch spot as the GVBR and so when we arrived there was a carnival atmosphere with live music, sausage sizzles and even a mime. The mime was kind enough to break her statue pose to sign Chris's team shirt.
It was also humourous when one of the WARBYS (GVBR helper - stands for We Are Right Behind You) wanted to chase Chris down after he left the lunch spot as he thought our friend was directionally challenged. We arrived in Sale 115 km later and searched for accom. The first caravan park wanted to charge us over $100 and the second was infested by so many mozzies that even the owner advised us to find alternate sleeping quarters. We left there downhearted and with a plethora of mozzies bites. We ended up at camping at the showgrounds for $10 a night.
That evening a learnt to fear the night. When the sun goes down the flies left us, but a plague of mosquitoes, that would continue to haunt us for the remainder of our trip took their place. We enjoyed a dinner of Chris's Special with the bood sucking insects before retiring to the Greyhounds for a few drinks and a couple of games of Keno. We broke even on Keno, and a few drinks vouchers meant I didn't have to spend a cent. This long day on the road brought our travel total to 517km

On Day 10 we left Sale after a hearty breakfast at a local bakery before being faced with a quandry.
Being the brave adventurers that we are, the decision was made to take the coastal route. We came across a redbelly black snake who was laying across the shoulder, thank god Danene spotted that or their could have been some sick cyclists. Chris, Jules and I decided to stop for a few sneaky ones at Welshpool before the six km ride to Port Welshpool. We then decided a few travelers were necessary. Cheers Chris.
We camped at another caravan park, and met a great guy named Rosco. This is the inside of his living quaters... ...and this is the outside.
Once again we bunkered down for the night with the mosquitoes after completing a relatively easy 107km - bringing our cumulative total to 624km.

Day 11 was an easy ride to Wilson's Prom, followed by a gruelling hilly slog to the camping grounds. The temperature reached 30 degrees at about the same time as we reached the entrance to the National Park, and I then realised I had a leak in my camelpac. In the insane heat as well as contending with lunatic schoolie drivers I had to race up intense hills and conserve my dwindling water supply. All this made arrival at the campsite and subsequent swimming at the beach all the sweeter. It was time to relax and enjoy our next rest day. Day 11 was a 92km haul bringing the group's peddling to a 716km total.

On day 12, our third rest day we went for a small walk and ate lunch on the edge of a cliffbefore the rain sent myself and Jules to the car. Poor Danene and Chris got caught out still admiring the landscape and came back saturated. That night Chris and I were attacked by Wombats and Possums trying to get to my museli bars that I had accidentally left in my pants pocket, which I was using as pillow stuffing. The wombat manged to get tangled in the guy rope of our tent, and in a squeal of panic it ripped half our tent out of the ground. I love nature...

Wilson's Prom: a bird's eye view of our beach.