Friday 29th October (tomorrow) sees the England squad depart for these shores.
The Strines are having some fun ahead of their departure by projecting
this image onto Big Ben (not Hilfenhaus - the clock tower adjacent to
the UK HoP).
Something I have adjusted my views on are the Seasons.
I came to the conclusion yesterday, that there is someone in Brisbane whose job it is to flick the seasonal switch. Friday 3rd September was the 3rd day of Spring and saw Brisbane record a temperature around 27 degrees. Somebody had clearly set the Winter switch to the 'off' position.
For me, being by birth a Northern Hemisphere lad, I am used to the seasons being a fairly fluid concept. At some point in September you notice it has become cooler; the leaves are turning; they fall to the ground. Summer has become Autumn.
In Brisbane the seasons are called thus: Spring = September-November; Summer = December-February; Autumn = March-May; and Winter = June-August.
And by and large it works. You don't necessarily get that transient, fluid seasonal shift I referred to above.
I can only imagine it's a factor of latitude.
I'm not complaining. It works, and I now think I'm used to it.
Cold. Short and sweet.
Three years ago that would have me bearing my pasty flesh to all and sundry.
Heading for the nearest public house to slake a thirst.
Now? Jumper, long legged trousers, warming drinks.
It's funny how one's perception changes.
I'm feeling rather 'meh' at present. There are a number of factors contributing to this malaise, some of which I'll list here:
1) looking fwd to returning to the UK for the first time in 3.5 years;
2) re-reading Bill Bryson's Notes From a Small Island in anticipation of (1) above;
3) looking forward to the forthcoming Ashes - ironically to be held in Aus - but anticipating seeing some friends who are coming over;
4) taking street view tours of my former home in the UK.
There are some very specific things I miss about the UK, I anticipate being able to have my fill, be satisfied, then repeat in about 2-3 yrs time.
Specifically:
1) old friends;
2) pubs with history; that
3) serve proper draught ale not chilled to within an inch of it's life;
4) lush, verdant, countryside
5) Waitrose;
6) The Tube;
7) The Guardian in print form.
That'll do me. There's things I won't have missed. But I'm prepared to overlook those.
Since 1st May Em and I have been engaged in our own little social project called Brisbane Unchained.
In principal the aim is to try and shop for one month - May - from independent stores, basically not large chains, hence Unchained.
We're blogging about it at: brisbaneunchained.blogspot.com
Suffice to say, it is not easy. Especially when you're lazy.
