The verdict is in...

KT's running style is like nothing the world has ever seen before. Personally, I think it is like a duck on laxatives running urgently to the loo, but there you go. I suspect some people who will remain anonymous like KT have voted more than once. Hmmmm...

Anyways, Sis, I am more than willing to be proven wrong. I can't wait to see the new style, I bet you are a great runner!

Let's see, not much other news. Work has been pretty hectic, so not much time for anything else. The Mighty Lindfield FC All-Age 6B 1sts (NOT the 6B Reserves, thank you very much) have our first game on Saturday. I'm still not sure where we're at skillwise given that our only game so far was a friendly against the Wakehurst Over-the-hill, Over-running-for-more-than-ten-metres, Over 35s.

Ve shall see about zat.

We have a good combination of guys, from beer-gutted talkers to young whippersnappers. Hopefully we will go all right. If not, we have to at least beat the 6As.

Later Gators.

Hap Hap Happy Birthday Sis!

Go KT, it's your birthday.
We gonna party like it's your birthday.


Happy birthday Sis! For the first time, I get to celebrate it before you do! God bless time differences. I have already blown out all your candles and opened all your presents just like a good lil' bro should. You got some good stuff.

Nah, but seriously. You have been the best sister ever, and the best daughter for over a quarter of a century now. Well done. We are very proud of you. You have lots of guts and determination, as well as helping to cheer everybody up when they're down. I hope that you get to celebrate with friends, and that you get my pressie soon! This could be like the sea mail Christmas shipment of 2005. Love ya Sis!

In other news, I got attacked by a spitfire in the wilds of Northern Sydney and now have a loverly rash on my neck and chest. Got the day off work though, so all good.

The Vicar of Keirantown

Tonight, I am going to see these guys:

Only they will actually be in the form of these guys.

The Sydnee Yoof OrcheSTRA are pumping up the volume on their violas and tympanies to bring me Romeo and Juliet: 1st and 2nd Symphony, with a bit of Tchaikovsky thrown in for good measure. Can't wait.

Don't worry, I will download a Mylo remix of it for youse tomorrow...

Anyways, is anyone else v. shocked by KT's glass-shard-in-the-foot episode on the weekend. All those reading this in the You-Kay, ask her 'You 'kay?' and give her some company/sympathy.

And just days before her birthday, how unlucky can you get?!

Emja's bro Andrew is filming a new kind of mythbusters show at the moment which so far has involved him getting stung by bluebottles, bitten by mozzies, waxed on one arm and one leg, and running around in one of my old t-shirts to test some sweat myth. In the next few days he will be free diving off Catalina Island in the US and bungee jumping in NZ. Some people have all the luck.

Anyways, this is a very vicarious blog entry, so hasta luego!

My work

This is an example of what I have to assess at work. The drawing above is of, obviously, a building materials recycling facility in Sydney. Can't you tell?

I mean, it may happen to be a concrete crushing, metal grinding recycling plant smack bang in the middle of an industrial park, with planes flying over head and trucks and trains rumbling by each boundary of the property, but of course there will be ladies with handbags entering the building during a clear blue day. What's with the side entry - have they salvaged a recycled metal grate and propped it up as a door?

Anyways, politics mean this thing will get approved, I just know it.

Such is life in the bureaucracy. Ho hum.

I content myself with the fact that KT is about to be LATE 20s!! Hahahahahahahahaha!! Sucker.

I've had a wonderful day, today wasn't it.

Sorry, I have been a bit self-absorbed since getting back from me travels. Always bitching and moaning about how I need to find a new place to live and how life is so terrible and woe is me.

When really the Thommo itinerant lifestyle gene should have kicked in and I should be happy in my nomadic state. It has kicked in NOW.

I hope everyone is well. Tangles seems to be cavorting round Oz like Bass and Flinders on speed. Cok is getting 'tude from the fishes. Moron is freezing his arsle of in Sverige. Cazrock is still looking for a bunny's owner. And KT is on the lamb from the guy who is on the lamb, with intermittent pauses to watch druggo musos fall over.

How are the silent blogreaders? Middle Sis? Can we do lunch again soon?

Walkin in a winter wonderland...

Billy Connolly tells a joke that copper wire was invented by two Scotsmen fighting over a penny. In possibly the most expensive Kingdom to visit as a non-pound-earning tourist, I thought Scotland might be a nice retreat from A$10 coffees and A$150 cab rides. So I decided that, while KT had to work, I would skedaddle to Scotland and walk the Great Glen Way - a 118 km walk from Fort William to Inverness, in the Scottish Highlands. And I would get to see Loch Ness as well!


My tightass journey started in London, where I went to the British Library while waiting for the train to Fort William. Price of admission A$0.

The very noice British Library next to Kings Cross Station, London. I think the guy on the left is trying to pinch out a giant loaf.

London keeping an 'eye' on Big Ben. Ha-ha.

Changing trains at Edinburgh, I ducked out of the station for a quick geez at the locals and their loverly buildings. Edinburgh Castle is awesome. I will definitely be back to Edinburgh, maybe to study? Cost of visit: A$0.

. Edinburgh. Where the main thing I noticed was that everyone seemed to be good looking.

I stayed in Fort William at an noice little backackers for A$30. Then off bright and early on the start of the walk. Here are some piccies of the four day journey...

This is what the Scottish Highlands look like at 6am in February when you start out early because you're shit-scared you're not gonna make it to the next village by sundown. I almost had nowhere to rest my head this night but found the kindness of a lodgeowner who let me kip in a vacant holiday lodge down by the Loch.

Fort Augustus. My godsend after two days without phone or internet, or villages with a population of more than 3, INCLUDING the local dog. Sis, I had a hot chocolate here and the mug said 'Brodie' on it!!

It really came down in places. My beanie froze at one stage. This is in the forestry track on the highlands near Loch Ness.

Frozen stone bridge, Invermoriston. That night I stayed with old Mr and Mrs Greig, who put me up cos no one else would take me. God bless 'em.

Climbing out of the Glen and over the range to Drumnadrochit. This was a killer hike on a trail that seemed to wind back on itself. Ran in to some forestry loggers who looked at me like I was mad.

Interesting close up of grass, on the the top of the hill. Loch Ness in background.

The castle at Inverness. My journey's end.

I made it!

And the costs?

Travel (train, foot, hitchhike and plane): A$150.

Accommodation (five nights): A$200.

Food (Tesco is a wonderful place): $A40.

Now I reckon that's a bargain for the You-Kay.

Anyways, London can keep its poundage, I am back in the land of the sane where everything costs what it should and you don't have to times things by three to work out what it's REALLY costing you.

Miss ya terribly Sis. I've got Sis withdrawal!

You're a shite for sure eyes!

Helloooo from bonnie Loch Ness, Scotland is loverly.

I've walked 80 miles in the last four days through sleet and snow and my feet are bruised and battered. Apart from that all is good.

I am whiling away the minutes before a flight back to London and this internet outlet denies me access to both KT's and Cazrock's blogs on the grounds that they contain 'inappropriate phrases' and yet it gives me ready entry to the filthy blog of Dr. Cok!!

I think somebody's had too much snow blown up their kilt.

I shall have photos of Scottish snow and Scottish trees and other Scottish stuff when I get back to Ozland next week. Till then, I hope youse all are well.