It was Grand Finals weekend (comparable to Stanley Cup playoffs) but for Australian Football or footie!! There was a parade on Friday afternoon and then Saturday, the day of the big game, every bar was packed and people were out at bbqs, all ready to watch Geelong (a Victorian team) face off against Port Adelaide (a Adelaidian team). I "tipped" or bet with some people from the office, seems that I was the only one going for Port Adelaide, despite the fact that the last time the two teams played, they won by a landslide!! Anyhow, as fate would have it, it was a crap game, with the final score being more than 100 point spread betweeen the two teams, in favour of Geelong. After half time, I gave up watching the game and watched the people in the pub instead!! It was just such a ridiculous win!! That said, every Geelong supporter was dancing in the street for the entire evening as they, like the Leafs, hadn't won the "finals" in over 30 years!!
In addition to the Grand Finals, there was, of course, the rugby game between Australia and Canada. Though I can't say that I watched the game, I can say that I won this "tip", having bet that Canada would lose by 30 points. As everyone who knows me knows, I'm patriotic but I was assured, by a number of people, that there was no way were "actually" going to win so I, unfortunately, had to bet against them ;( Seems it was a crap game as well, for anyone who watched it....however, I did win a fish and chip dinner on St Kilda ;)
As promised, I did a touristy thing last weekend and went on "Puffing Billy" an old train that runs along its original tracks, built in the 20s. It's in the Danenong region with lots of beautiful scenery,wineries and "mountains". The train trip was pitiful, (it might have been more enjoyable if I was 8 and/or if I had kids), however I do think that I'll go back to the area with the bike and cycle around as it's a peaceful area with lots of hiking trails and national/state parks. We drove back along the "tourist" road and managed a stop or two at a look out. All in, it was a nice day out of Melbourne.
In addition to my tourist venture, I had three friends with birthdays last weekend which meant going out Friday and drinking way too much at a bar ;) Then there was a house party, filled with a lot of Kiwis on Saturday night. I also met up with some French speaking people (was great to realize that I haven't lost it yet), some photographers and had a few dinners with some friends. It's been crazy busy and now, in addition to my burgeoning social life, I'm going to have to manage to find the time to start looking for work again :( Hopefully, I'll manage to find something interesting and different in record time...
Must be off...I have to plan my weekend in Sydney tonight before I can head off to bed as this week doesn't look like it'll allow for much time at home during the evenings :( Rachel, thanks again for sending the book down - I'm convinced that it'll help with my planning and Joc, I'll pass it off to you when we meet up for New Year's ;)
Miss everyone back home and I'll post again sometime next week after I get back from Syndey!!
Hugs,
S
