| Stuff that impresses the Pommies:The Weather | | Yep, the great British preoccupation follows you where ever you go, and I have to say, it's pretty good here. But even here (in Sydney) it gets pretty cold, so don't let the Aussies tell you it's like a British summer even in winter (except those up North - who may have a valid point). | The Babes | | Erm... or chicks as the locals refer to their women. A whole lot better that back in London even (I say even, as this is the best the UK has to offer..). Off course, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for this (for those who know my sorry story) so need I say more? | The Beaches | | Goes with the weather really (or is that babes?), but deserves a special mention as you'll have to look long and hard in Europe to find any as good (and as empty, a major plus) as here. | Sociable Hours | | 24 Hour bars, pubs and clubs. Hurrah - now one can enjoy half a shandy and a bag of pork scratching at any hour! And I should make special mention of the great idea of having cash machines in most bars and pubs. No more trudging down the road looking for a cash machine now. | Bottle Shops | | Walk in fridges (in most bottle shops - aka. off licenses). A huge chilled room full of beer can be found in most, so you don't have to cram the lot in your fridge (or most likely someone else's) when you get it to your destination. Shame about most of the stuff they keep in here though (see below). | The people | | After living in the UK it comes as a great shock to find everyone here is so friendly and sociable. Shop assistants like to chat away (handy when you're waiting for you know who in the changing room), bar staff are courteous and relaxed and just about everyone has time to say g'day. |
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| And I just couldn't call myself a winging pom without:Road Rules | | The stupid traffic laws! Including the ridiculously low speed limits everywhere, the fact the police actually enforce them (Hello! This can be a bit of a shock when you're used to driving in the UK, France, Italy, etc.), pedestrian crossings which tell both the pedestrians and cars to go at the same time (duh!), junctions which force traffic to enter and leave dual carriage ways from the fast lane, lanes which start and end between two others (like, they should be at the edge of the road), etc, etc, etc. | The Beer | | Sorry guys, but I thought the Aussie filth they served in bars in the UK was bad... not that it tastes that bad here (and it is quiet impressive to see the 'brewed on' date on a bottle is usually within a few weeks), but I wish they'd omit the ingredient that gives you such a dodgy feeling in the stomach in the morning! | Public Transport | | Or rather, the fact there is no tube here, the trains don't run frequently enough and when they do are always late. Come back LUG, BR (or Railtrack, or whatever you're calling yourself now) all is forgiven! Oh, and while you may think taking a bus may be a good idea, check out the rush hour traffic and guess again! | Cabbies | | Sort of related to the last gripe... but you have to admit the cabbies here (in Sydney) are shocking! OK - so I may have been spoiled by the excellent London drivers ("What? Some tiny alley no one has ever heard of, 20 miles away through the centre of town at 3am on a Saturday morning? Certainly governor!"). However, it is annoying that most of the time I get in a cab I have had to direct them (and I'm the tourist!). But the number one frustration - the cab shift changeover! At 3am, can you get a cabbie to take you home? No chance - because they will only take fares that are going in the direction they want to go (their home or to the compound)! Great service? I don't think so! |
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