Posts
I've now arrived in New Zealand, and am about to start hitting the road with the Kiwi Experience, which will take me around both islands over the next month or so, stopping off at both unheralded locations and major centres such as Wellington and Christchurch. I aim to write a post every weekend, but it is possible delays may occur as I will have less internet access. My sports and church reports are due soon as well, got a bit behind. My latest batch of photos is now up at Picasaweb http://picasaweb.google.com/maxbarnish/CapeTribAndFraser?authkey=CbbKy61gRFw# (I have changed settings on past albums, sorry if anyone has been having access problmes, should be fixed now) and on facebook. For Picasa, you can also go to my homepage at http://picasaweb.google.com/maxbarnish , where all my albums are to be found.
When I wrote my last post, I'd just been on a scenic journey along the Barron Gorge. Since then, I've travelled further North into Far North Tribulation to see Cape Tribulation. En route we stopped at Mossman Gorge, which in this land of marine beasts, provided a rare swimming opportunity. After leaving Cairns, I flew to Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. My purpose in being there was to visit spectacular Fraser Island, where similar lake swimming opportunities presented themselves. The desert trek however was a little taxing for a man of so little body mass. From Brisbane, I transited via stormy Sydney to Auckland to start the Kiwi leg of my journey. I now have around 5 weeks of my adventure remaining, and am due to return to the UK on 31/3. Looking forward to seeing London and Cambridge-based people upon my return to home shores.
Max
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Monday, 16 February 2009
Photos from Great Barrier Reef, Barron River, Melbourne; and some trivia
These are great: I hired an underwater camera to do these:
http://picasaweb.google.com/maxbarnish/Reef?authkey=ZZGCwweHrXY&feat=directlink
This time not on facebook as too slow to load, as used special camera- but have made a placeholder album with a link to picasaweb where they are. need to copy and paste that link as can't find a way of creating a hyperlink.
Also have a DVD can show ppl when home, or try to magic something technical
Any problems with this album, please tell me as this will be the best one of the trip
Also now uploaded an album 'Melbourne and Barron River' to facebook and picasa http://picasaweb.google.com/maxbarnish/MelbourneAndBarronRiver?authkey=hNBW7C1G92w&feat=directlink, yes I know it's not quite identical, but it's still funny. Need to find more funny names- there is a Barnish Road I know in Northern Ireland. Dao Peninsula anyone? West Street is an obvious one, but that's mundane in comparison. Shirley Road I can think of off the top of my head.Sure there's some i won't ever find...
Also after a bit of a tough week, thought I'd post a few trivia questions in case anyone wants just to read them, or get involved by comment-would like a bit more involvement (need to click on number of comments at bottom of post, then write comment, select comment profile as name and enter name, then publish it and check it worked- email me if problem). Can anyone get the answer to all three, if so may find something fun for the winner. They are tough questions though.
1) Which one of my friends shares the same initials as me (order irrelevant)?
2)Which 2 friends have I performed duets with live in performance in front of an audience -to make it harder, i don't think anyone attended both shows
3)I am now on a hot island, which other hot island have I visited?
P.S. Thanks for people telling me they've enjoyed the photos and blog
Max
http://picasaweb.google.com/maxbarnish/Reef?authkey=ZZGCwweHrXY&feat=directlink
This time not on facebook as too slow to load, as used special camera- but have made a placeholder album with a link to picasaweb where they are. need to copy and paste that link as can't find a way of creating a hyperlink.
Also have a DVD can show ppl when home, or try to magic something technical
Any problems with this album, please tell me as this will be the best one of the trip
Also now uploaded an album 'Melbourne and Barron River' to facebook and picasa http://picasaweb.google.com/maxbarnish/MelbourneAndBarronRiver?authkey=hNBW7C1G92w&feat=directlink, yes I know it's not quite identical, but it's still funny. Need to find more funny names- there is a Barnish Road I know in Northern Ireland. Dao Peninsula anyone? West Street is an obvious one, but that's mundane in comparison. Shirley Road I can think of off the top of my head.Sure there's some i won't ever find...
Also after a bit of a tough week, thought I'd post a few trivia questions in case anyone wants just to read them, or get involved by comment-would like a bit more involvement (need to click on number of comments at bottom of post, then write comment, select comment profile as name and enter name, then publish it and check it worked- email me if problem). Can anyone get the answer to all three, if so may find something fun for the winner. They are tough questions though.
1) Which one of my friends shares the same initials as me (order irrelevant)?
2)Which 2 friends have I performed duets with live in performance in front of an audience -to make it harder, i don't think anyone attended both shows
3)I am now on a hot island, which other hot island have I visited?
P.S. Thanks for people telling me they've enjoyed the photos and blog
Max
Saturday, 14 February 2009
I'm safely out of Victoria, now in Cairns
Before I start, apologies for the more serious tone, but I'll probably write another post midweek back to my normal style. I've just arrived in Cairns, having left Melbourne. As many people will know, the state of Victoria has suffered serious bushfires, which encroached on the edges of the city. So, this last week I've rather been stuck in the city of Melbourne. Was a bit scary been a matter of miles from such a disaster zone, and at times feared for the worst. But somehow, for me at least, things worked out OK- and I'm now safely away.
I have managed to see some of the sights of a quite magnificent city though. Last night I went with some people I met at Hope Church on Sunday to see a classical concert at the Sydney Myer Music Bowl, followed by some Malasian food out in Chinatown, which made a change from the microwave cooking, as I don't really have the facilities out here to endulge my culinary skills. I also took city tours on the City Circle Tram and the Tourist Shuttle bus. I also visited the King's Domain park near the architecturally sublime Flinder's Street Station; and the Sports Precinct to the East of the city centre, seeing an array of famous stadia, besides the Melbourne Cricket Ground, including the Rod Laver Arena and the 1954 Olympic Park.
Now, I'm in Cairns in Far North Queensland in the extreme North-East of Australia. I'll be visiting the Great Barrier Reef and Cape Tribulation, then going South to Brisbane to visit Fraser Island. It will be from Brisbane that I'll probably blog next
Max
I have managed to see some of the sights of a quite magnificent city though. Last night I went with some people I met at Hope Church on Sunday to see a classical concert at the Sydney Myer Music Bowl, followed by some Malasian food out in Chinatown, which made a change from the microwave cooking, as I don't really have the facilities out here to endulge my culinary skills. I also took city tours on the City Circle Tram and the Tourist Shuttle bus. I also visited the King's Domain park near the architecturally sublime Flinder's Street Station; and the Sports Precinct to the East of the city centre, seeing an array of famous stadia, besides the Melbourne Cricket Ground, including the Rod Laver Arena and the 1954 Olympic Park.
Now, I'm in Cairns in Far North Queensland in the extreme North-East of Australia. I'll be visiting the Great Barrier Reef and Cape Tribulation, then going South to Brisbane to visit Fraser Island. It will be from Brisbane that I'll probably blog next
Max
Saturday, 7 February 2009
The Ministry of Funny Turns- and other oddities (photo links included)
Since Tuesday, I've been in Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria, which is located to the West of the state of New South Wales, in which I had previously been staying. Generally, I'd have to say the hostel and tour have been much more sociable than in Sydney, with fewer breaches of group social etiquette and some good conversation at last, though some people appear never to have consulted the OED or Webster's definition of 'group', for I'm quite sure it doesn't read 'collection of atomistic units of various size which pay token or no heed to each other'- and some people are so presumptious you just have to laugh. This notwithstanding, I have had the opportunity to converse with some interesting people here unlike in Sydney, where the scene appeared overwhelmingly low-brow, and in a way rather juvenile, despite some of the activities being superficially very adult (euphemism).
Let's say, my first day in Melbourne was 'interesting'- it is almost a law of nature that nothing in the life of Max follows the standard pattern. The people at my bus transfer company seem to have a screw loose, since they got all confused and got me to the airport at 7.20 am for an 11 am domestic flight- even my parents wouldn't be quite that early. Thankfully, I was offered an earlier flight, so got some extra time to acquaint myself with Melbourne. The hostel in which I'm staying is a 'flashpacker hostel'- no it's not a nudist resort- it just means the facilities are that bit less spartan and better maintained- great news for Mr High-Maintenance. As for room allocation, it was conducted by an Irishman with a cheeky demeanour. Hostel guest lists typically hace a high turn-over, so now it's more balanced- but what was it that drove him to decide to put me with a group of girls none of whom could speak fluent English- my TEFL language-grading skills came in handy- and no-one checked my CRB despite not all being real adults- tut-tut. Was it my tendency to sashay around- but that's very hard to do with a mammoth backpack. Or did he mistakenly think I'd be good 'entertainment'- sure he could have found a muscular sportsman from somewhere.
Slightly concerningly, before my helicopter flight as part of my Great Ocean Road trip (photos on facebook- Great Ocean Road in Max Barnish's photo area; or open Picasa link http://picasaweb.google.com/maxbarnish/GreatOceanRoad02?authkey=yUkAvxT8uVE#) I weighed in at a meagre 68 kg (think that's 10 stone 7), giving away nearly 30 kgs to the other guy in the chopper- maybe I need to eat some more roast dinners! The Great Ocean Road is a spectacular coastal drive west of Melbourne, comprising of the sublime Surf Coast and the rugged Shipwreck Coast- of which I have some aerial photos in my album.
Back in Melbourne itself, I witnessed one of the strangest driving phenomena ever. Just as Monty Python brought you the Ministry of Funny Walks, Melbourne brings you the Ministry of Funny Turns. Picture this- you're driving up to an intersection, and want to turn right. Normally you'd want to get into the right-hand lane, right? But oh no, not in Melbourne. Now imagine, how would you perform this right-turn manoeuvre if the aim was to make as many people laugh as possible. This is not far off how a Melburnian would do it. So, you move over to the extreme left, yes you heard that correctly, as such getting in the way of everyone actually turning left, maybe hitting the kerb to scare a few pedestrians for good measure, then when all the traffic is going straight across the interesection from the road on your left into the one you want, you turn horizontally across the intersection as if you had come from the road on the left, hoping you'll not collide with a vehicle coming from the left. Crazy!
I also watched two matches at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With a capacity of 100,000, this modern stadium is too big for it's own good, and has a lot less character than the Sydney Cricket Ground in my opinion. Here follow my match reports click on links for scorecards(please report any link problems by comment or maxbarnish@gmail.com):-
4/2/09 Victoria vs South Australia (50 ovs- MCG)
www.cricketarchive.com/archive/scorecards/180/180616.html
Victoria (204/4 off 37.3 overs) comfortably overcame South Australia's score of 200/9 (innings complete) at the MCG to go top of the Ford Ranger Cup table. The highlight of the well-below-par South Australian innings was a dsiciplined 89 off 116 balls with 7 fours by Callum Ferguson, marking his first call-up to the national one-day squad, ably assisted by no7 Aaron O'Brien with 23 off 57 balls with 2 fours and bowler Mark Cleary with a run-a-ball 32 with 4 fours. However, SA couldn't recover from 32/4 plus the retirement of Tom Cooper, felled by Shane Harwood (4 for 33 off 10 overs) who inflicted much of the early damage. The highlight was a stunning return catch diving across the wicket to dismiss SA wicket-keeper-captain Graham Manou for 5. In reply, the result never looked in doubt following a rapid start for Victoria with 62 runs coming off the first 10 overs (Rob Quiney firing 31 off 33 balls with 4 fours and a six). Major contributions from all-rounders captain Cameron White, released from national duty, with 33 off 43 balls with 4 fours and a six, and Andrew McDonald (55 off 74 balls with 7 fours) saw Victoria home with more than 12 overs to spare. Jake Haberfield, in only his 3rd match for South Australia, took 3 for 48, albeit a bit expensive off 6.3 overs.
(International match report to follow next week)
Max
Let's say, my first day in Melbourne was 'interesting'- it is almost a law of nature that nothing in the life of Max follows the standard pattern. The people at my bus transfer company seem to have a screw loose, since they got all confused and got me to the airport at 7.20 am for an 11 am domestic flight- even my parents wouldn't be quite that early. Thankfully, I was offered an earlier flight, so got some extra time to acquaint myself with Melbourne. The hostel in which I'm staying is a 'flashpacker hostel'- no it's not a nudist resort- it just means the facilities are that bit less spartan and better maintained- great news for Mr High-Maintenance. As for room allocation, it was conducted by an Irishman with a cheeky demeanour. Hostel guest lists typically hace a high turn-over, so now it's more balanced- but what was it that drove him to decide to put me with a group of girls none of whom could speak fluent English- my TEFL language-grading skills came in handy- and no-one checked my CRB despite not all being real adults- tut-tut. Was it my tendency to sashay around- but that's very hard to do with a mammoth backpack. Or did he mistakenly think I'd be good 'entertainment'- sure he could have found a muscular sportsman from somewhere.
Slightly concerningly, before my helicopter flight as part of my Great Ocean Road trip (photos on facebook- Great Ocean Road in Max Barnish's photo area; or open Picasa link http://picasaweb.google.com/maxbarnish/GreatOceanRoad02?authkey=yUkAvxT8uVE#) I weighed in at a meagre 68 kg (think that's 10 stone 7), giving away nearly 30 kgs to the other guy in the chopper- maybe I need to eat some more roast dinners! The Great Ocean Road is a spectacular coastal drive west of Melbourne, comprising of the sublime Surf Coast and the rugged Shipwreck Coast- of which I have some aerial photos in my album.
Back in Melbourne itself, I witnessed one of the strangest driving phenomena ever. Just as Monty Python brought you the Ministry of Funny Walks, Melbourne brings you the Ministry of Funny Turns. Picture this- you're driving up to an intersection, and want to turn right. Normally you'd want to get into the right-hand lane, right? But oh no, not in Melbourne. Now imagine, how would you perform this right-turn manoeuvre if the aim was to make as many people laugh as possible. This is not far off how a Melburnian would do it. So, you move over to the extreme left, yes you heard that correctly, as such getting in the way of everyone actually turning left, maybe hitting the kerb to scare a few pedestrians for good measure, then when all the traffic is going straight across the interesection from the road on your left into the one you want, you turn horizontally across the intersection as if you had come from the road on the left, hoping you'll not collide with a vehicle coming from the left. Crazy!
I also watched two matches at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With a capacity of 100,000, this modern stadium is too big for it's own good, and has a lot less character than the Sydney Cricket Ground in my opinion. Here follow my match reports click on links for scorecards(please report any link problems by comment or maxbarnish@gmail.com):-
4/2/09 Victoria vs South Australia (50 ovs- MCG)
www.cricketarchive.com/archive/scorecards/180/180616.html
Victoria (204/4 off 37.3 overs) comfortably overcame South Australia's score of 200/9 (innings complete) at the MCG to go top of the Ford Ranger Cup table. The highlight of the well-below-par South Australian innings was a dsiciplined 89 off 116 balls with 7 fours by Callum Ferguson, marking his first call-up to the national one-day squad, ably assisted by no7 Aaron O'Brien with 23 off 57 balls with 2 fours and bowler Mark Cleary with a run-a-ball 32 with 4 fours. However, SA couldn't recover from 32/4 plus the retirement of Tom Cooper, felled by Shane Harwood (4 for 33 off 10 overs) who inflicted much of the early damage. The highlight was a stunning return catch diving across the wicket to dismiss SA wicket-keeper-captain Graham Manou for 5. In reply, the result never looked in doubt following a rapid start for Victoria with 62 runs coming off the first 10 overs (Rob Quiney firing 31 off 33 balls with 4 fours and a six). Major contributions from all-rounders captain Cameron White, released from national duty, with 33 off 43 balls with 4 fours and a six, and Andrew McDonald (55 off 74 balls with 7 fours) saw Victoria home with more than 12 overs to spare. Jake Haberfield, in only his 3rd match for South Australia, took 3 for 48, albeit a bit expensive off 6.3 overs.
(International match report to follow next week)
Max
Monday, 2 February 2009
Alternative photo link
http://picasaweb.google.com/maxbarnish/Desktop?feat=directlink
This isn't as good as the facebook link as doesn't have my comments on it. There was a public facebook line sent, which should work. The picasa one may require a google account- which is free and many people have anyway- but i tried it while signed out and it still worked- so perhaps not needed. Hope one of them works for everyone
This isn't as good as the facebook link as doesn't have my comments on it. There was a public facebook line sent, which should work. The picasa one may require a google account- which is free and many people have anyway- but i tried it while signed out and it still worked- so perhaps not needed. Hope one of them works for everyone
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Sydney Photos
I've posted photos from my time in Sydney on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2289620&id=36911724&saved
For those who don't have accounts, I have emailed a link to the page which is supposed to work for anyone. Anyone who needs an email link or is experiencing technical problems with the link, please email me on maxbarnish@gmail.com
Max
For those who don't have accounts, I have emailed a link to the page which is supposed to work for anyone. Anyone who needs an email link or is experiencing technical problems with the link, please email me on maxbarnish@gmail.com
Max
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