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Saturday 20 December 1997 | |||||||||
| Woke up at 4am, phoned Kim, train to Gatwick, flight to Geneva. Didn't feel too bad, considering the time I got up, and the 'few sociable drinks' the night before. Arrived at Paul's (friend or Nigel's) place at around 2pm. Found his front door key in the letterbox and let ourselves in. Discovered he is to install cable TV the next week, but for now the TV had but 3 (not very good) Swiss channels. However, found a 'Friends' video and watched a few episodes and vegged out all afternoon. Paul came hone, had a few beers, went out for food in Geneva old town. Very nice peppered steak and chips (and beer). Went to an Irish bar (perhaps as Paul is Irish?) and had a few more beers. Got home not much before midnight and crashed out knackered. | |||||||||
Sunday 21 December 1997 | |||||||||
Having slept like a log, woke at 8am feeling very iffy. Drove to Flaine (driving takes my mind off feeling ill) in a little over a hour. Good weather (sunny and just below freezing), no queues to speak of at the lifts, not many slopes open, but enough to keep us occupied for the day. Found the fresh snow to be good, if a little deep for me in places. Straight up a bubble and down a red, was amazed I remembered how to ski straight away - much better than the last trip.
Had peppered steak at a mountain restaurant for lunch (now feeling much better). Weather got cloudy and it started to snow. Nigel fell over and broke the binding on one ski! I did the rest of the run (then went back and did it again) while he walked down. After 7 hours skiing, with a couple off for breaks, drove home in around 90 mins while Nigel tried to sleep. Had Ethiopian take out. Quiet strange, spicy pancake things you pick fillings up with, in one hand. Very messy, but nice. | |||||||||
Monday 22 December 1997 | |||||||||
Got up quiet early, but had to meet Nigel's friend Damian and get his binding fixed. Arrived in Avoriaz 11:30, so only got a half day pass (11:45 - 16:45). Great resort though, and the weather was fine so had a good few hours skiing.
Did nothing of note in the evening, basically collapsed and watched more videos. | |||||||||
Tuesday 23 December 1997 | |||||||||
| Woke early again and headed for Chamonix. Got a little lost on the way, after discovering that this was a collection of small ski areas, which are collectively known as Chamonix. Still, managed to be in one of these areas (Le Tour) by 10:15 to get a pass and start skiing. The weather was dull, and snow quiet sparse in places. After a slow start, found a few good runs, but nothing as good as Avoriaz. Managed to brave the very cold and windy pistes until 16:15 when we had to catch the bubble back to the car park, the run down being closed due to lack of snow.
Went to Mulligans again, then to what appeared to be a shopper's restaurant (the surprisingly good Movenpick) then to bed quiet late. | |||||||||
Wednesday 24 December 1997 | |||||||||
| Christmas Eve, back to Avoriaz, which we discover is part of a huge ski area called Portes du Soleil - The Gates to the Sun (or something like that). This is by far the largest area, with the best snow near Geneva. Parked down at Les Prodains and took a cable car to Avoriaz 1800. Skied with Nigel on an easy circuit in the morning and ended up in Switzerland (Les Crosets) for lunch. He wanted a lazy afternoon, so did part of a harder circuit in the afternoon before meeting up at 4:30 for the trip home. Went round to Damian's for drinks and met Greg and Laura (Canadian couple), and Dan and Dela, his wife (Brits). Left on xmas day, but not that late. Nigel and Paul went to a dodgy night club which I skipped. Couldn't have even gone if it were normal as I was so knackered. Took a cab back to Paul's, rang Kim and crashed out. Nigel and Paul came in about an hour after me, and I had apparently missed nothing. | |||||||||
Thursday 25 December 1997 | |||||||||
| Slept in all morning, then just lazed around until about 3pm when we went back to Damian's for xmas lunch. Opened a load of oysters, but couldn't bring myself to eat any. Greg and Laura turned up with another couple, Jeff ('Franco American') and Helen (Londoner). Ate lunch, played Pictionary and generally slobbed around for the rest of the day. Stayed sober in all this time as we planed to meet Jeff, Helen, Greg and Laura in Avoriaz the next day for skiing. | |||||||||
Friday 26 December 1997 | |||||||||
| Got up quiet early and drove to Avoriaz (again). Met the afore mentioned in the car park as we arrived (had arranged to meet later, so thought this lucky). After they'd sorted skis, etc. out though it was midday. Greg and Laura bumped into an Hawaiian couple they knew, purely by chance and decided to ski with them too. After all this though, Nigel, Hawaiian couple and I managed to loose the rest on the very first run. Still, stuck with the other two for the rest of the day. Tried the speciality of the region (Tartefette I think) for lunch, which was OK for mountain restaurant really. Took a semi-closed run down to the car park, rather than the cable car, and unfortunately managed to mangle my skis on rocks. Good job they were hired (and the shop didn't mind!). Back in Geneva, had drinks at Dan and Dela's. Very nice buffet too, but didn't eat or drink too much so I was fit and well for the flight home the next day. Shame, as the food was excellent. Met yet another couple, one American and his French wife. Dan and he work together as Personal Bankers, so had interesting conversation about work, tax avoidance, etc., etc. Home around 11:30 and took on an episode of Ab Fab before turning in. | |||||||||
Saturday 27 December 1997 | |||||||||
| Didn't really sleep to well the night before, but managed to get up at 7:30 all the same. Took the skis back and checked in early for the flight. Sat and wrote this in the airport rather than spend hours looking at the huge array of watches on offer. Flew back to London, ordered a cab to the airport 7am, had a few beers with Sean and Lyn in Islington before crashing early at Nigel's place. | |||||||||
Sunday 28 December 1997 | |||||||||
| Start of flight to Aus. Cab was very quick to airport, so checked in very early. As a result was able to secure an emergency row Singapore to Sydney. Managed to get away with checking in an unfeasible large amount of baggage - couldn't work out if this was because their scales weren't working or they just didn't care as I was so early. Good flight really, slept quiet a bit due to lack of sleep the previous few nights. Singapore air was very good, 22 channels of video, decent food, etc., etc. | |||||||||
Monday 29 December 1997 | |||||||||
| Still on the plane... Was impressed with Changi airport (very clean and tidy). Managed to pick up a cheap hi-fi (sort of) duty free, also lots of cameras, videos, etc. on offer. Landed in Aus a few minutes early and passed through customs, etc. in around 45 mins. Was collected by Kim and Wendy, but still managed to get slightly lost in the city on the way home. Crashed out around midnight (although this could have been any time really, not having had a decent kip in over 3 days). | |||||||||
Tuesday 30 December 1997 | |||||||||
| Woke up 6am without any feeling of jetlag! Read for a while them dragged Kim out of bed and went on a mission to get Medicare registration and a bank account sorted out. Did the first, but totally confused the poor chap in Citibank with my questions. Just relaxed in the garden in the afternoon, but had to grab some sleep around 3pm for a couple of hours, before I was woken by Kim (after several minutes of coaxing round apparently) telling me I wouldn't sleep later if I didn't get up. Short walk round the neighbourhood before dinner, and met Robert after. | |||||||||
Wednesday 31 December 1997 | |||||||||
| New year's eve... woke after an almost normal sleep and drove north to Nelson bay to meet Greg and co. for a few (bit of an understatement?) beers. Went to the beach during the day, then the booze up. What do you expect? Warm up at home, then down to the pub by the beach for midnight. Loads of people milling around outside in the street. Went back home to carry on, lots of nudity ensued (who's idea was that?). Don't know when it all ended (much memory loss). | |||||||||
Thursday 1 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Woke up still drunk (don't recall the time) as usual for new years day. Everyone slowly dragged themselves out of bed (except Kim), cooked breakie and went down the beach. Very windy again so didn't stay long. Kim was very ill, spent all day (until early evening) throwing up. Aaron (aka Shaz) cooked me a very nice pasta dish, but didn't drink any alcohol. Girlies (minus Kim) went to the pub, played Phase 10 with the boys (and won!). | |||||||||
Friday 2 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Woke early, but managed to get back to sleep until 10ish. Kim (feeling much better than day before) and I cleaned up the aftermath of the previous night before anyone else surfaced. Went to the beach again) via the pie shop (again), was windy (again) so didn't stay long (again!). Drove back to Sydney in the afternoon, had a nap and slobbed out in front of the TV. | |||||||||
Saturday 3 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Bad case of jetlag (waking up early) so read a while before anyone else got up. Went to look at a few car dealerships, but dismayed with the choice on offer. Went round to Robert's place to show his parents Kim's photos. They ended up having a big nostalgia trip over some school video Robert found while Kim was away. Was very tired due to early rise and Kim keeping me awake all day (no afternoon nap). | |||||||||
Sunday 4 - Tuesday 6 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Didn't really do much at all. Hung around in Sydney waiting for the boxes from the UK to be delivered. Went shopping in Parramatta and got more banking details. Visited a few car lots, etc, etc. | |||||||||
Wednesday 7 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Got up early and drove to Woolgoolga (near Coffs Harbour) to visit Chris and Jill Bridgen (friends of Kim and Wendy from the North Rocks days). I drove 4 hours, Kim another 2.5 (or something like that). Went to the beach to have a quick look when we first arrived, before having a BBQ for dinner. | |||||||||
Thursday 8 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Visited another, more secluded beach, but decided this was too dangerous to swim in (no patrol, only a couple of people and rips). Went off to a safer one and messed around there for a while. Dug up tiny crustaceans and made slop castles. Afternoon nap, Kim went for a walk with Jill, but I couldn't be bothered. Bed quiet early after a very nice lasagne. | |||||||||
Friday 9 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Lazed around, went to Coffs Harbour and checked out the shops. Visited a small craft shop place in on the way home and picked up a small gift for Yvette's BD. Went to the beach for a swim, then out for Chinese food. Had the banquet for 5, load of good food, was a BYO (bring your own alcohol) restaurant so was a bargain. | |||||||||
Saturday 10 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Couldn't decide what to do, so off to the beach again. Was going to go out and see what the local night life was like, but couldn't be bothered in the end and went to bed early. | |||||||||
Sunday 11 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Feeling bad about being so lazy the last few days, got up and went for a run (5km) at 9am. Found it very had to breath because of the humidity. Went to the beach again (surprisingly) and spent most of the day there. Had very nice Tai food cooked by Jill for dinner. Went out for a few beers with Chris (old friend of Kim's who lives by Emerald beach). The pub shut at 10pm so didn't get much drinking in. We were just about the only people left by then anyhow! | |||||||||
Monday 12 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Went round to see Chris, had fish and chips for lunch, then went to the beach and caught as few waves (well, two anyhow, but this was only bodysurfing and not the real thing). | |||||||||
Tuesday 13 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Lazy day, long walk on the beach and coast in the evening. Had fun catching crabs (digging then up off the beach) and playing with creatures in rock pools - fed a snail thing to a sea anenamy, which swallowed it whole, then threw it back up again! | |||||||||
Wednesday 14 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Went back into Coffs Harbour and walked round by the harbour and new jetty, which the locals have taken to jumping off (with the lack of nothing much else to do). Went shopping for grub for that night (ingredients for pizza I prepared). Not much sun, and very windy so went to the beach and tried to fly my parafoil stunt kite. Was too windy, and one of the lines snapped. | |||||||||
Thursday 15 January 1998 | |||||||||
| My birthday! Went to visit Yvette, couple of hours drive further north. Quiet an experience. Yvette was staying with her olds on their farm. Dad is a bit of a hoarded (doesn't believe in throwing stuff away) so the place was strewn with bits and pieces. Not just small stuff either - cars (loads of them), vans, trucks, cranes, a bulldozer, etc., etc. Also the usual farm stuff, goats, sheep, cattle, ducks, geese, a couple of dogs and the like.
Wondered around the farm for a bit in the afternoon, then went to Yamba and for a swim in the Blue Pool. This is a natural spring (so fresh water) which comes up through rocks right by the coast to form a natural swimming pool.
Picked up some fish and chips and ate them on a cliff by a lighthouse while the sun set. Then home for a few beers and birthday cake.
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Friday 16 January 1998 | |||||||||
Yvette's birthday. Weather was dull, so didn't really do much in the morning. Had a nap in the afternoon (so nothing much then either), helped round up the goats and sheep, then visited a few of the other animals.
Then out to Yamba again for a bit of nosh. Was very deserted but managed to find a restaurant which was open (a bit tricky as we went out quiet late) and scoffed a huge steak. | |||||||||
Saturday 17 January 1998 | |||||||||
| The weather was pretty dull, but went to Yamba for the beach in the hope it would improve - it didn't. Still, wondered along a very nice stretch, just no swimming or baking in the sun. Drove back to Chris and Jill's and went out for curry in Woolgoolga. For such a small town, the restaurant was massive, but very quiet. Food was surprisingly good! | |||||||||
Sunday 18 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Nothing really exciting, just drove back to Sydney from Woolgoolga, lazed around in the evening. | |||||||||
Monday 19 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Tried to go flat hunting in North Sydney and surrounding areas. Problem being that most people do this at the weekend so most decent placed advertised in the weekend paper had been let over the weekend - bummer! | |||||||||
Tuesday 20 January 1998 | |||||||||
Went to the beach - Palm Beach to be exact, aka Summer Bay from Home & Away. Very hot early afternoon so swam, dozed and baked in the sun.
Wondered down to the Surf Club to find a bit of filming going on. They appeared to be filming a scene to do with a surf carnival or sort of race. Saw a few stars (Travis, Rebecca, Tiegan, Alf & Lachie). Loads of groupies hanging around, etc.
Got home to find we were locked out so sat in the garage as it began to rain. Absolutely torrential rain followed, so the planned BBQ got cooked in the garage and eaten inside. | |||||||||
Wednesday 21 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Went flat hunting again by trying to turn up at the places at advertised times in the paper, and booked a couple of appointments. Saw a couple of OK is places, but nothing great. Booked a couple more appointments for the following day and hoped they would be better. | |||||||||
Thursday 22 January 1998 | |||||||||
| More flat hunting, found a better selection today, including a great place with picture postcard view of the harbour bridge and opera house (and not bad furnishings either). However, Kim didn't like the building, and it was a tad expensive, so decided to put in an application on a smaller place with not so sought after (but still very nice) views. After arranging all this, went over to see John and Denise in Dee Why. Went to the beach for an hour or so, then back to their place for pizza and a few drinks (for Kim, I drove). John and Kim celebrated her upcoming birthday with a short Port session. I almost cracked the Ned Kelly puzzle, but Kim took it off me for being too anti-social. | |||||||||
Friday 23 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Kim's birthday... Yvette showed up at Hornsby train station at 6:30 (or something like that, far too early anyhow) after an overnight coach trip from Maclean. We went home and slept some more before going to the beach. Spent most of the afternoon there (on Whale beach, just round the corner from Palm). Some big surf, and had fun trying to catch the waves. Got a couple, and was badly dumped a few times - all good fun though. That evening went over to Simon's to meet and warm up before heading over to Epping Hotel. Was quiet a nice place, apart from the Karaoke singing they had on for some reason. Still, after a few beers, cocktails, spirits, etc. this didn't even seem that bad. Yvette forgot she came to see us, she got talking to some guy, and seemed to quiet like him, if you know what I mean When they kicked us out at 2am we spent a while deciding whether to go to Tracks (dodgy night club round the corner) but thankfully gave it a miss and got a cab home. Were dropped off at one end of the road and walked the wall! For those who don't know, this means walking along the top of the 'wall' between Goliath Ave. and the dual carriage way that runs parallel with it. Don't worry, isn't as dangerous as it sounds, as the 'wall' is about 10 feet wide with slopes both sides. Hardest part was getting through the undergrowth half way along - I found diving into it with reckless abandon the best way! | |||||||||
Saturday 24 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Don't remember... perhaps this will change later.... probably spent all day recovering from a hangover given the above entry. | |||||||||
Sunday 25 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Day started dull so we planned to pop in for a brief period on a BBQ round and Simon's place (which he would probably have to cook in the garage). However, day brightened up so ended up staying most of the afternoon/evening. Played cricket in the back yard, drunk beer, ate, etc. etc. Pretty good day in the end. | |||||||||
Monday 26 January 1998 | |||||||||
| Australia Day... Was very hot and sunny, we wanted to go to the beach, but had arranged previously to see Will, Yvette, etc. who wanted to go into the Harbour and watch some of the celebrations. Took the train to Circular Quay and wondered round to just above the opera house to watch some tall ships sail by. Back to Circular Quay to meet Will, Nic & a mate of his (name eludes me), Yvette, Fiona & Adam. Wondered up to Hyde Park food and wine festival via vintage car show.
Kim, Will, Nic, unknown and I decided to head back down to the harbour to watch some aerobatics display (which turned out to be very poor) before walking back to Hyde park again. Felt a bit iffy, and was getting very hot and not really enjoying the crowds by now, so Kim and I left for home. | |||||||||
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