Final installment of A guide to Aussie land

I can't imagine why blogger decided to post this pic, of Bruce, Jane, Cody & Grandpa Peter, 4 times, but it's late and I'm going to bed. They say you can't have too much of a good thing...


It is very likely that, on arriving, some cheerful Australians will "adopt" you, and on your first night, take you to a pub where Australian beer is served. Despite the obvious danger, do not refuse. It is a form of initiation rite. You will possibly wake up late the next day with an astonishing hangover, a foul-taste in your mouth, and wearing strange clothes. Your hosts will usually make sure you get home, and waive off any legal difficulties with "It's his first time in Australia, so we took him a the pub, to which the policeman will sagely nod his head and close his notebook. Be sure to tell the story of these events to every other Australian you encounter, adding new embellishments at every stage, and noting how strong the beer was. Thus you will be accepted into the unique culture.

Most Australians are now urban dwellers, having discovered the primary use of electricity, which is air-conditioning and refrigerators. Typical Australian sayings: "G'Day!", "It's better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick." She'll be right."
"And down from Kosciusko, where the pine clad ridges raise their torn and rugged battlements on high, where the air is clear as crystal, and the white stars fairly blaze at midnight in the cold and frosty sky. And where , around the overflow, the reed beds sweep and sway to the breezes, and the rolling plains are wide. The Man from Snowy River is a household word today, and the stockmen tell the story of his ride." (not sure about this one)

Tips to surviving Australia: Don't ever put your hand down a hole for any reason whatsoever. We mean it. The beer is stronger than you think, regardless of how strong you think it is. Always carry a stick. Air-conditioning. Do not attempt to use Australian slang, unless you are a trained linguist and good in a fist fight. Thick socks. Take good maps. Stopping to ask for directions only works if there is anybody near to ask. If you leave the urban areas, carry several litres of water with you at all times, or you will die.
Even in the most embellished stories told by Australians, there is always a core of truth that it is unwise to ignore.

See also: "Deserts: How to die in them", "The Stick: Second most useful thing ever" and "Poisonous and Venomous arachnids, insects, animals, trees, shrubs, fish and sheep of Australia, volumes 1-42"

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Hope everyone has enjoyed the "Guide", there are lots of dangerous things here in Oz, but most of us manage to survive, and think that it is a pretty good place to live.

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My youngest son Bruce, his wife Jane and their youngest son Cady, are here in Bridgetown (or Fridgetown) as Bruce unkindly calls it, for the weekend. It is Bruce and Cody's birthdays on the 6 & 7th so they are here to celebrate early. It is a long weekend here, so it's a nice little break for them.

I have been busy making a scrapbook for Cody, the family went a wedding in Queensland earlier in the year, so he got to go to "Movie World", "DreamWorld", and the " Australian Zoo", run by Steve Irwin, the crocodile man, so there were lots of photos, plus seeing Grandad Peter, of course.

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My football team had an incredible win today, they came from 9 goals down late in the third quarter and won by 3 points. Only downside to it, was they beat the team my two other sons support, so I feel badly for them.

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Be strong, go with your heart, and beleive in miracles because anything can happen.