Okay, time to pull the finger out

Back once more. I really should start writing what I've been up too before I forget it.

Left Gero, flew to Perth, plane to Sydney (bloody Qantas sending Melbourne frequent flyers through Sydney) is delayed.

Nothing to do in the Perth terminal. And I mean nothing. They've taken out the internet terminals and are playing the Footy Show on the terminal televisions. I don't feel like a televisual lobotomy, so for about three hours I stalk laps of the terminal muttering under my breath. A good way to bring yourself to the attention of security (particularly with a fairly overgrown beard due to not being able to shave due to a rash) but perhaps they thought I would detonate myself if approached so I managed to avoid any troubles.

Finally get on the plane, land in Sydney, transfer (sprint between terminals to arrive at the Melbourne flight just as it's boarding) and safely touch down in Melbourne. I am met by a slightly sweaty but beautiful nonetheless, Shaguar. She arrived at the airport to discover the plane had just landed.

After finding my baggage hadn't arrived with me, we departed, after being held up by several swarthy looking men wearing black hats, chaps, spurs and carrying Colt 45s (would you believe a machine with Pay for Parking Here written on it?) and headed back to the Shaguars abode. What followed was a lovely, lazy day, keeping warm in front of the heater and eating some seriously good take away Thai. My baggage was even delivered by a rather nice rake thin Indian chap, wearing the whole headgear and bindi shebang.

Saturday morning we got packed up, dressed up and cruised into the city to have the big Richards family Yum Cha. Birdie num-nums is all I will say. With Mum, Aunty Lel and Marg, Uncle Andy, Clare, Ness, Hugh, Karen, Angus and Davey it was the first full family get together we've had in a mighty long time. Poor Sharon being inundated by Richards, but she stood up exceptionally well (in fact, seemed to quite enjoy herself) and even scored some nice duty free Jurlique from Nessa as a bonus.

Following lunch Sharon and myself bade farewell to everyone and headed to Sam and Nirvanas in Sale. A leisurely cruise out along the Gippsland Highway/Freeway to Sale, then turning off to Golden Beach to be met by Sam, Nirvana, Matt and his new girlfriend whose name escapes me (I'm terrible with names). Golden Beach is a beautiful little seaside hamlet set in amongst the near beach brush and trees, about a half hour drive from Sale, serviced by a General Store and a Fish 'n' Chip shop.

Sam and Nirvanas house is a nice, big seaside shack that obviously became someones folly. Two stories with a firemans pole to get from the top floor (the sleeping area) to the lounge if you so wished. It had that air of an unfinished house just awaiting someone with enough money to come in and complete what was started on it.

A lazy night in eating cheese and pasta, drinking beer (or wine for those more sophisticated amongst us), sitting in front of the heater and talking crap ensued. Also Matt and Sam engaged in a competition to see who could scale the Bat Pole, leading from the upper story to the lounge room. Guitars were produced and songs sung towards the end of the night before we all climbed into bed for the night. Marvelous stuff.

A slow morning on Sunday which included a venture forth by the men of the clan to find firewood in the Flog (Sams new VeeDub). A leisurely day of further talking rubbish and eating, followed by some sterling kitchen work on Nirvanas behalf. Jamie Oliver move over.

A pit was dug on the next block for a fire- it's a vacant block, we weren't setting fire to anyones holiday home- and we started on the firewood we bought earlier in the day along with a stack of wood that was felled by a storm a couple of weeks earlier. We moved a stack of chairs outdoors and sat around the fire in the late afternoon and into evening, eating, drinking and talking rubbish.

After the sun had set and all the alcohol in the house had been consumed, Matt was similarly consumed by pyromaniacal urges and decided that all the firewood on the block must be burnt at once. Sam protested, expressed his concerns and then joined in, throwing any scraps of wood that Matt may have missed onto the raging inferno. It was quite an impressive sight from the road (the threat of third degree burns or the block going up in flames had nothing to do with us watching from there- not at all), although I was concerned at having such a large fire at such a late stage of the night.

Then I found out it was 8.30pm. That's what happens when you kick off at 4 in the afternoon.

Monday morning Sam and Nirvana surfaced early and disappeared off to work while the rest of us took off for the journey back around 9. After dropping off Matty, Sharon and I headed back to Coburg. We headed to the cinema (I think it was Monday) and caught the afternoon screening of The Simpsons Movie. Meh, is about all I can say. Very few laughs and a not particularly brilliant storyline. After that was a night of Sharon and I watching Top Gear and just enjoying spending some time alone together.

Tuesday morning the Shaguar dropped me off at Spencer Street on her way to the giant checkerboard and I caught the train to the 'Bool. An easy three hour trip later and I'm met by Kaz and the boys (sounds like an 80's Pop band). Nessa was at the 'Bool as well, so the boys had no shortage of attention. I spent a happy couple of days hanging with everyone, including a day that Hugh took off work, and indulging in the pleasure of having two highly excitable young boys to play with. Much Thomas the Tank Engine did ensue.

My visit also included being woken at 8am each morning by Fireman Sam yelling WAKE UP UNCLE NOOKE! at me then him jumping up and down on me when I ignored him. This would degenerate into me tackling both Fireman Sam and his offsider Elvis, pinning them down under the guise of me giving them a hug and trying to catch an extra couple of minutes nap before they'd start wriggling and complaining.

Alas, all good things must end. So with heavy hearts, Nessa and myself boarded the train back to Melbourne for Ness and Geelong for me. I was off to visit Mum for her birthday. I gave her the fish patê dish that Sharon bought her (which sat perfectly with the rabbit, duck and chicken she had sitting on the dividing wall between the kitchen and lounge) and the battery powered crumb vacuum cow I found in a homeware store in the 'Bool. Then Mum and I had a lovely day of just hanging out and relaxing.

Early the next morning (Friday) I jumped the train to Melbourne back into the waiting arms of the Shaguar. For the next two days we really didn't get up to much (other than buying industrial quantities of Milo and roll on deodorant for Tone and Em in New Orleans). We cruised into the city and saw the Pixar (Toy Story, Monsters Inc. Cars, etc) exhibition at ACMI and the Guggenheim exhibition at the NGV on the Friday but other than that we just enjoyed being a couple prior to yet another forced separation (this time until Xmas).

Sunday morning it was early out to the airport, booking in and the inevitable wait prior to the plane boarding and heading off to the USA. Which will be the subject of my next blog entry (some time in the near future) when I get motivated to write some more.

More than anything, my time back in Melbourne surrounded by family and friends just drove home how much I miss the place. Gero is lovely and I've enjoyed my time there, but it's not home. Gimmie a year to finish what I'm currently working on and I will finally be back where I belong.