Shields Down Under

It's been a wild and crazy partnership of epic proportions but due to artistic differences, I have decided to shift my allegiance from BlogSpot to Wordpress.

I still fully intend to keep this little diary going at a rate of two or three posts a month so please update your links to the new home of Shields Down Under...

http://www.shieldsdownunder.wordpress.com

And, that is that. Thanks for reading.

Today's the day that Kevin '07 is making a late '08 apology to the indigenous population of Australia for all sorts of stuff. It seems to be a sensitive issue over here so I'm keeping myself ill informed and braving the backside pain that comes from sitting on the fence. I should really learn more about it all but at the moment I feel less than qualified to have a real opinion and so shall remain impartial for the time being. I have however, been making my own apologies of late. They tend to be less impactful on wider society and more to do with the amount of fruit I am eating these days but it makes me feel a part of something, nonetheless.

The shipping finally arrived and boy, oh boy, did we pack some junk! I was pretty certain that we'd been more ruthless than this but it would appear that the last minute rush has contributed heavily to our first Australian 'Hard Rubbish Day'. Why I still have most of my uni books is a mystery and they are soon to become the latest addition to the local charity shop. Cath's rollerblades look better than when we packed them after their steam clean courtesy of the Australian Customs department which she is very happy about. We've now got lots of pictures to put on the walls though which should start making Chez Shilleds Deux look more like a real home.

The good ole US of A have their 4th of July with all its wanky ceremonial nonsense and rifle toting over exuberance; The UK has its string of much loved and longed for bank holidays for spending on the motorway between friends and relatives and, having experienced both, I have to say that Australia day has got me wondering as to what, in the heady world of public holidays, could be better?

Having spent a measly $30 on Kayak hire, Cath and I, along with a couple of mates paddled across the harbour to a little cove known as Milk Beach (introduced to us as 'Mulk Beach' by our friendly South African boat master) to swim among the rocks and take in the boat and air shows taking place over our new home. The only pomp and circumstance you'll find on this public holiday lies in beer, relaxation and just generally having a laugh with everyone (especially when you fall out of the boat... twice). A quick sleep in the park followed by a brief stop at the fish market to pick up some giant Tuna steaks and we're set to finish off our very first Australia day with a couple of tinnies and an obligatory Barbie. You beaut!

In one of the most English experiences we've had since we've been here, we decided that we wouldn't be going 'sarf ovva rivva' for New Years Eve and opted for a North Bank affair.

Having camped out at the point for 9 hours with a large portion of the UK's sport 'science' students, I can say that I'm glad we went down to see the fireworks but reckon we'll try something different next time. Quite frankly, I missed the toboggans.

However, this new year is looking like it's going to be a cracker as I start my exciting new job next week and I can't wait to get stuck in.

It has to be said that although the weather has thrown a complete curveball to our Christmas emotions, Christmas day was a right royal affair that the most ardent of traditionalists could never deny. I still hold fast on my 'stop pretending it's winter' ideals but I am very grateful for Gill's delicious Christmas lunch with all the trimmings which went a long way in bringing us back into line with the festive spirit. In fact, when the lights go down, Christmas in Australia is not so different after all (see exhibit A, right).

Getting our heads around Christmas in the sun has been no easy task and I can't quite understand why Aussie TV promotes a wintery Christmas as being 'proper'. Surely they're just setting themselves up to be disappointed! I was always brought up to believe that sunshine was a pretty good thing - couple this with a shedload of pressies and far too much chocolate and I reckon you're onto a winner that should be exploited to the full as a unique Aussie experience. In a small attempt to promote this philosophy, we have purchased body boards with some Christmas money (thanks, Mum & Stuart) to fly the flag for a sunny festive season.

As I dismount from my high horse, I would like to point out the cutest Christmas Stockings in the southern hemisphere alongside an enormous pile of Christmas goodies that arrived in various shipments from Sue and Terry (thanks, guys). This has become our Christmas Tree of sorts as the traditional spruce just doesn't fit in with the fruit bats and cockatoos.

Anyhow, with only one present left to buy and a mammoth gingerbread fiasco to reproduce, we're almost there and it won't be long before we wake up and smell the Turducken.