Homeward Bound

Well sitting in the lounge waiting to be called for my day in a plane. Still don't know how the carbuncle gets off the ground but looking forward to my Ikea bedroom. It's at times like these u need a Kane to cry, 'hand grenades all round' at the bar on the plane or Twigster to start his jolly japes including a slide down the pole from princes to paupers. Anyway looking forward to getting back onto Scottish terra firma and would expect radio silence, unless something dramatic happens on way to Dubai.
Home, where my thoughts escapin', home, where my music's playin'
Home, where my love lies waitin' silently for me

Beautiful Boy/Big Boys Don't Cry

An observation, on a day that is a day for the Sheila's in Oz it amazed me the number of butch Bruce's that took time out to give their sons a hug. Lost count of the number of times I saw this bonding today. Maybe helped by weather, but a few more daddy hugs could make the world a better place.
Before you cross the street,
Take my hand,
Life is just what happens to you,
While your busy making other plans,








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Don't Dream it's Over

Probably one of the biggest musical influences on my life was Crowded House who I saw on 14 occasions. The one gig I never got to was their farewell concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in 1996 in front of 250,000 people. Bizarrely my new boss PW was there and also created an incident that could only be described as 'Fall at Your Feet'. I always vowed that if I was ever fortunate enough to visit Sydney. I would disappear into my 'Private Universe' and listen to the whole of the concert at the House with a bottle of wine. People will never understand what this would 'Mean to Me' but it was 'Something so Strong' that I had to do it and I did. a tear may have fallen at end, but at least I leave a part of me in this great city. 'Its Only Natural' that such a fan experiences this transcendental moment. While I listened and watched a 'Distant Sun' set, I was 'Together Alone' with the boys. Anyway I know that there are loved ones who say that I 'Better Be Home Soon', so I downed my last sip, tipped my cap to the Finn brothers but will make sure that I 'Dont Dream it's Over'.

Now I'm walking again to the beat of a drum
And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart







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Accidents will Happen

Decide to go a decent ramble in Manlay which has the most fantastic rules with pedestrians having right of way, controlled paths and lots of lovely stop off benches. Start to climb upwards at Cabbage Tree Grove which is somewhere between Leek and Potato Lane and Carrot and Coriander Cove. Am suddenly aware of some movement to my left and there on a ridge is something that would not look out of place in Pokemon or Dr Who. Turns out it is a local Water Dragon. To quote Frank, 'Betty the donkeys done a whoopsie in the corridor', I almost needed my spare boxers! Turns out there is a $50000 fine and/or 6 months fine if you steal one. Not sure the penalty for soiling the walkway!

There's so many fish in the sea
That only rise up in the sweat and smoke like mercury
But they keep you hanging on
They say you're so young
Your mind is made up but your mouth is undone


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Road to Manlaybay/Surfs Up

Although I had a brilliant trip to Bondi yesterday the weather was not its best and instead of packing my budgie smugglers should have packed my Galvin Greens. Well today is Mothers Day in Oz and I think my wonderful mum must have been looking down on me and arranged the most fantastic weather for my final few hours.
Take the ferry to Manlay and met with beautiful weather and beaches. Having packed already I have come budgieless, but am determined to have a paddle in he Pacific. Runners and socks off, jeans to knees and hankie on head I paddle for 30 minutes amongst surfers, volleyballers, skateboarders and generally cool dudes. Unfortunately on occasions surf higher than my knee and jeans soaked. Am pretty certain I then mounted a board and performed a couple of 180s to rapturous applause. I even got a picture of me below, but sometimes the strong sun makes you look thinner than you actually are!
Surfs up aboard a tidal wave








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Location:Manly,Australia

Power to all our Friends/My Perfect Cousins (kinda)

Well a visit to the Bondi and a lunch date with the moll's Irish cousins who find themselves over here working at present. Parked my arse at the Bucket List which is a cool place on the edge of the beach. Has a fascinating story behind it. Waiting for the gals I get a bottle of SB and just enjoying when it starts to rain, despite the maitre de sheelar stating it wouldn't. She certainly ain't a Sian Lloyd. The girls arrive and we polish off a couple of jugs of Pimms and a jug of Sangria along with some great scran. A quick FaceTime back to home base at 6am GMT and Bob's yer uncle (technically not) we are off and running. A quick photo opportunity in the drizzle as we gesticulate to a Japanese visitor. Click, click, click and its all over. Was brill to have a real Power lunch and great to catch up after ages.








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It's Bream a Hard Day's Pike

Got up at crack of cockatoos and decided a power walk around Sydney streets was in order. 60 minutes I hit the Sydney fish market which was cooler than cool. In amongst the landings and auctions of fresh fish, there is a culinary theme park of all that is fishy with live, dead, stuffed all displayed together. As it was brekkie time decided to throw myself into the moment and at 08.37 ordered myself grilled flounder and chips, pictured below.
Took me back to childhood days on Troon's South Beach when as nippers we used to spear flounders and if only fresh ginger, chilli, coriander and lemongrass had been invented my career could have taken a more culinary course. At first I did feel kinda guilty as Flounder is a key actor within Little Mermaid, however if I had ever managed a dream date with Ariel he would have been a pain in the arse, so with that in mind I devoured it with added pleasure.








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