SPECIAL NOTE

Check out our previous blog at http://theretroroamers.blogspot.com

Wednesday 31 July 2013

218 - We Ain't Going'n Anywhere In A Hurry!!!!!

Hi ya folks

We have been back from Melbun for nearly two weeks, and moved back into our beach side unit that we have been staying in. In saying that we are doing another house sit from 02/08/13 for a month at the Brides sisters house, also at Sawtell. After that we will return to our house sit beach side unit, till who knows when.
 
The Bride has also taken on voluntary work at Meals On Wheels also at Sawtell. Me, well I will just hang around on the beach. The RetroLiner is still at Glenreagh, and the Val is slowly dying before our eyes. Come on Lotto!
 
So that is it, as far as posting and travel news for the time being.  Nothing is going to be worth reporting until something happens.
 
So all you travelers out there, I read all your posts that are linked to mine.................boy have I got the dribbles big time. O'h well keep on dreaming, dreaming.

For those I haven't contacted personally for a while, I lost all my addresses when my lap top crashed in Melbun. I am trying to get them back.

 
CYA

Friday 12 July 2013

217 - How Much???????????????

Is this Squizzy's House?
 
Well after a  week in Melbourne, on the positive side the weather has been, well, very Melbourne in the depths of winter. Those who have visited this part of the world, will know what I mean. Clothing wise is black, black or black.

We are staying at Middle Park, which is only a stones throw from Port Phillip bay, St Kilda and South Melbourne. In saying that it is all pretty trendy. Reminds me a bit of my younger years in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Lots of terrace type houses, back lanes, trams and one gets the feeling the "Squizzy" from Underbelly is going to jump out at any time from the myriad of lanes, with a machine gun. Interesting.

But the whole joint is sooooooooooooooo expensive, all to much for a couple of very poor Geriatric Gypsies, who now work for Kevin Dudd.

Of course the Bride is spending a lot of time with Ann in the nursing home. However one afternoon, we took the opportunity to catch a tram into the city, and check it out. The last time I was in Swanston Street Melbourne  was 40 odd years ago, with a couple of surfie mates,  Macca and Crowe, on our way the Bells Beach, in Crowe's trusty hotted up vee dub. 

Finders Street Rail Station
 
Of course Sydney and Melbourne are poles apart, and still are. However image three surfie dudes originating from Sydney eastern beaches around the nineteen sixty something, with blonde hair, boardies and pluggers, floating down Swanston Street full of bad manners, grooov'n out to music from JPY, Chain and the Loved Ones to name a few. It then becomes very scary when confronted with all types of weirdos, beggars, misfits and some real scary numbers, especially the skin heads, with their shaved heads, coloured hair, what was left of it, studded everything and steel caped boots.

Feeeeeeeeeeerk was this for real...........................well guess what, nothing has changed.
 
The big difference is the multi cultural population. Felt like the odd one out, if you get my drift. I couldn't understand what was being said for love nor money from anybody, Must be very Melbournian.

Yep I'm still a chic magnet (he he!!)
 
Anyway we wandered down Swanston Street and headed towards Federation Square to play "Tom the Tourist."  We didn't stay in the city to long, cause really we were out of our comfort zone, so to speak.
 
The only cheap burger we get was at a "chew and spew joint" down near the station. This is the first time ever, the bride and I felt really uncomfortable. Not only was the joint filthy dirty, but some eccentric wandered in with no shirt on, army camouflage pants, covered in tats all over the body, including his melon, and with the outside temperature about 40 degrees below zero, may I add. Feeeeeeeeeeeerk is this turkey is going to spray the joint with a M16. 
 


The  bride outside Federation Square........bloody expensive if you
want to look at anything.
 
Maybe we should go there to save us
 
 Hey Lady, maybe you know where the noooooooodie beach is
 
We wandered around for only a short time, and decided to head back to catch the tram 112 back to our residence.
 
Where have you two been. I have been worried sick!!!!
 
Stay toooned for the next adventure in Melbourne.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday 4 July 2013

216 - One Day At a Time

A great Eagles classic, "One Day At a Time".

Left Coffs Harbour on the Virgin big bird at 22 degrees, and landed in Melbourne about 7 degrees. Feeeeeeeeeeeeerk how do you expect an old fart like me, to handle a drop of temperature like that. I can guarantee every bone in my body is screaming for respite.....more heat..............save me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A perfect left hand at the back beach at Sawtell, via Coffs Harbour
 
A perfect, well sort of, right, left, dunno really at St. Kilda Beach.
 Now where is that nooooooodie beach???
 
Can you take me back to Queensland Mister. Just have to do a left hand turn out of the heads....please Mister!!
 
This is Buddy the Wonder Dog, who took me for a walk this morning
 
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Superman?
 
Stay toooooned for more adventures of the Retro Roamers in Mexico. Well you know what everybody sais about south of the border, "Down Mexico Way". The bride's favourite saying, "get a life and get over it" Do you think she is trying to tell me something (he he!!)