Confident Enough Now

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

To let the wife book a week away in middle of May at play off semi finals time.

COYB

[mickd1961]

I’m just about to book a 3-4 week trip to Australia next February to avoid the relegation party from the Premier.

Best to be well organised I find these days.

[Joy_Division]

if Albion were 10 points clear with one game to play they would find a way to get 9 points deducted so we all had to sh*t ourselves on the final game.

[goodlordmurphy]

I’m just about to book a 3-4 week trip to Australia next February to avoid the relegation party from the Premier.

Best to be well organised I find these days.

You ought to cancel that, we're going to need more 'shoulders' to wheel.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

Spent 3 months in Oz a few years back don't feel the need to return too many other places to explore, unless of course it's for the cricket. T20 this year Ashes in 2021. Mmmm

[mickd1961]

Spent 3 months in Oz a few years back don't feel the need to return too many other places to explore, unless of course it's for the cricket. T20 this year Ashes in 2021. Mmmm

I love the vibe,the people and the weather.

I’m going to start in Perth this time and then do Melbourne,Byron Bay,Sydney,Brisbane,Cairns and somewhere else before finishing off in Perth again.

I’m not pissing about changing flights in Dubai this time,I’m flying direct from Heathrow to Perth with Quantas on the 17 hour direct flight.

Anyone else done long haul with Quantas?

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

I love the vibe,the people and the weather.

I’m going to start in Perth this time and then do Melbourne,Byron Bay,Sydney,Brisbane,Cairns and somewhere else before finishing off in Perth again.

I’m not pissing about changing flights in Dubai this time,I’m flying direct from Heathrow to Perth with Quantas on the 17 hour direct flight.

Anyone else done long haul with Quantas?

Went to Oz for 3 months in 2012 as a special 'just retired' hols. Although we had an amazing holiday staying in 9 different locations we were a bit underwhemmed. We did the 3 biggest cities but spent most time in more rural Oz not in the outback but in small towns pop. 5000-10000 a bit similiar to where I live (don't like big cities much as I do like my outdoor space.)

Social problems were similar to here.

Weather varied from cold 6C and stinking hot 45C. Brisbane was just getting over the floods that had devestated Queensland the previous year. Quite a number died and 100,000's affected. It's flooded a few times since and I believe is flooded now. And then there is the drought (what was their 3rd longest river no longer exists) and the fires. Saw a very small bit of that in California last year and we did find it pretty scarey!

Outside of the cities and resorts I found the food really disappointing. If you didn't want fish n chips which were good, burgers, pizzas of parmigiana then you were struggling. I can get far better quality and choice without geting the car out. Reminded me of England in the 70's.

I do like a beer but in Oz it was ridiculously cold 1/2" of ice on the pulls. Literally couldn't drink it until it warmed up.

Internet was either awful or none existent

Towns were miles apart and all much the same when you eventually got there. They all looked the same. It's also so far from anywhere that it's dificult to find a local that has travelled. I recall one bloke about my age who obivously wasn't short of a few bob never been out of Oz before but was shortly coming to the UK. He had absolutely no idea of what he was coming to. Invited us around for Barbie and drinks so he could pick our brains on what to expect. Contrast that with here. Couple of days back from the States and drove an hour to Arundel (prettiest cricket ground in thed world? Possibly) had a fabulous day out and didn't even go in the castle. Two years ago did 8 European countries and never went near an airplane. Couldn't do that from Oz.Off to Israel in May somewhere else ticked off my list.

Pubs were usually hotels very blokey and blighted by gambling. And gambling is a massive problem. Every pub (most of them were more hotels than pubs) had mini casinos or pokies (slot machines) and banks of tv's showing horse racing. When the racing finished around 9 everyone went home. It's estimated we spend $20 billion pa the Aussies with $200+ billion are the highest in the world for regulated gambling. As online is severly restricted most of it is on display. We really didn't like to see it. Went to The Medlbourne Cup that was a superb day out.

Two things I loved. The wildlife was fantastic. A few mornings we woke up to find kangaroos having breakfast ouside our window, there was the c0ckatoo that calmy walked onto our terrace and stole the biscuit my wife was eating and then there was the 1000's of penguins that come ashore on cue at sunset on Phillip Island. And Aussies themselves. With one or two exceptions I found them to be friendly and much very going.

We then went to Singapore and loved it. Great food, drinkable beer, fascinating history and interesting architecture. Been back since and treated ourselves to a stay at The Fullerton. Try it you'll like it.

You obviously enjoyed your previous visit and no doubt will agin. For me not unless it's for the cricket. Not too sure about that as I think we will get tonked.

[mickd1961]

Went to Oz for 3 months in 2012 as a special 'just retired' hols. Although we had an amazing holiday staying in 9 different locations we were a bit underwhemmed. We did the 3 biggest cities but spent most time in more rural Oz not in the outback but in small towns pop. 5000-10000 a bit similiar to where I live (don't like big cities much as I do like my outdoor space.)

Social problems were similar to here.

Weather varied from cold 6C and stinking hot 45C. Brisbane was just getting over the floods that had devestated Queensland the previous year. Quite a number died and 100,000's affected. It's flooded a few times since and I believe is flooded now. And then there is the drought (what was their 3rd longest river no longer exists) and the fires. Saw a very small bit of that in California last year and we did find it pretty scarey!

Outside of the cities and resorts I found the food really disappointing. If you didn't want fish n chips which were good, burgers, pizzas of parmigiana then you were struggling. I can get far better quality and choice without geting the car out. Reminded me of England in the 70's.

I do like a beer but in Oz it was ridiculously cold 1/2" of ice on the pulls. Literally couldn't drink it until it warmed up.

Internet was either awful or none existent

Towns were miles apart and all much the same when you eventually got there. They all looked the same. It's also so far from anywhere that it's dificult to find a local that has travelled. I recall one bloke about my age who obivously wasn't short of a few bob never been out of Oz before but was shortly coming to the UK. He had absolutely no idea of what he was coming to. Invited us around for Barbie and drinks so he could pick our brains on what to expect. Contrast that with here. Couple of days back from the States and drove an hour to Arundel (prettiest cricket ground in thed world? Possibly) had a fabulous day out and didn't even go in the castle. Two years ago did 8 European countries and never went near an airplane. Couldn't do that from Oz.Off to Israel in May somewhere else ticked off my list.

Pubs were usually hotels very blokey and blighted by gambling. And gambling is a massive problem. Every pub (most of them were more hotels than pubs) had mini casinos or pokies (slot machines) and banks of tv's showing horse racing. When the racing finished around 9 everyone went home. It's estimated we spend $20 billion pa the Aussies with $200+ billion are the highest in the world for regulated gambling. As online is severly restricted most of it is on display. We really didn't like to see it. Went to The Medlbourne Cup that was a superb day out.

Two things I loved. The wildlife was fantastic. A few mornings we woke up to find kangaroos having breakfast ouside our window, there was the c0ckatoo that calmy walked onto our terrace and stole the biscuit my wife was eating and then there was the 1000's of penguins that come ashore on cue at sunset on Phillip Island. And Aussies themselves. With one or two exceptions I found them to be friendly and much very going.

We then went to Singapore and loved it. Great food, drinkable beer, fascinating history and interesting architecture. Been back since and treated ourselves to a stay at The Fullerton. Try it you'll like it.

You obviously enjoyed your previous visit and no doubt will agin. For me not unless it's for the cricket. Not too sure about that as I think we will get tonked.

A rather depressing read 😆

I found that last years trip was the first time I truly switched off from work for the first time in 23 years since I started my own business.

So much so that certain parts of work I never ventured back into once I returned.

Loved the people,loved the relaxed atmosphere and loved the sports stadiums such as cricket at Brisbane and Perth Glory football.

Saw Phil Collins indoors at Perth and Jersey Boys at Brisbane,all stuff I wouldn’t normally do.

Wife wants to hold off until early 2022 which suits me as the Ashes will be on 🤐

I’m doing New England this autumn and Boston and now thinking of doing Vancouver next Summer 2022.

Can’t take it with you can you?😎

[TipperaryBaggie]

To let the wife book a week away in middle of May at play off semi finals time.

COYB

Yeah - on a Singles holiday!

[TipperaryBaggie]

I love the vibe,the people and the weather.

I’m going to start in Perth this time and then do Melbourne,Byron Bay,Sydney,Brisbane,Cairns and somewhere else before finishing off in Perth again.

I’m not pissing about changing flights in Dubai this time,I’m flying direct from Heathrow to Perth with Quantas on the 17 hour direct flight.

Anyone else done long haul with Quantas?

I did long haul with Qantas eight years ago Mick. No problem whatsoever although I did a two day stopover in Singapore on the way out. I also booked all the internal flights through Qantas as well.

One of the places that I would recommend is Darwin where you can get out to the Kakadu National Park. Stunning scenery in which they filmed a lot of the Crocodile Dundee scenes. Hamilton Island was also one of my favourites where you drive around in golf buggys.