NED’s World

and the mud slinging has been rife.

Unlike the UK where the candidates and parties are bound by laws that mean that they can’t be rude or derogatory about their counterparts, in Western Oz (not sure about the whole of Oz) you can be as rude as you bloody well like.

Adverts that show opposition party member as idiots and bafoons are allowed, speeches that slag off the government are allowed…. and it’s bloody funny.

Oh yeah, and you have to vote, you can’t not vote otherwise you get fined (it’s illegal not to vote), so you turn up and spoil your ballot.

It was quick, I have thought about this a lot in the last 10 days or so. Very quick, late January I have a bad week at work, I get a phone call re: work in Oz, next thing I know 3 months later I am here.

Now that is quick, very quick, too quick for my feet to touch the ground. So dust has settled, I’ve been here over 4 months and now I am looking at the reality of it all.

I keep using the answer “because I could” and that is so true, that is one of the reasons why. I have been thinking deeper than that: leaving an amazing job, working with a great group of friends, leaving behind my main group of friends who were like family. Leaving behind my family (including my nephews), what was I thinking?

I think the fact that my parents (and for very good reasons) sold the house  that I grew up in, wasn’t the 1st I grew up in, but the one I spent most of my life in. I think that is what broke the ties to the UK in one way or another. Remove the family home and break the ties.

And I am happy they did, if they hadn’t would I be here? I did make the move to Brighton (but Brighton is only a 40 mins drive away, not 19 hours)

Don’t get me wrong this isn’t some schmaltzy bollocks, it’s just what I have been thinking. Some of you (and I am sorry it’s not all of you, and it can’t be blogged about at the moment either) know what is going on down here, a repeat of what happened when I moved to Brighton. So watch this space, bear with me and I will let you all know soon. If it happens it will be perfect

It has been hard moving Winter to Winter, it gets me down when I don’t see the sunshine (mind you from what I have heard it’s be shit in the UK too), that’s changing now, but September to August with rain/cloud/dark evenings does blow. So I am waiting for the Summer, with baited breath (it’s coming)

Well, that’s it really, a insight to what I am thinking at the moment. I hope some of you come visit, I really hope you do (the offer to pay for hypnotherapy lessons still stands - you know who you are)

On the 1st of September Winter officially ends and Spring starts…. exactly 3 months for each season (makes it easier to remember so I have been told)

I am also aware from people that the UK has left a lot to be desired when it comes to the weather at the moment, so to make matters worse I thought I would rub it in

Summer in Brighton

Winter in Perth

Now not one to state the obvious, so I won’t. I’ll leave it up to you all to work out what to do.

In the meantime I will be waiting, sitting in the sun with a nice cold beer. Text me when you land and I will have a pint ready for you.

Some of you know that I hired a personal trainer 3 months ago to get rid of the pies and beer that I had retained over the winter months in Brighton.

The 1st ever session I had with Lauren (yep, my personal trainer is a girl, a one that is rather pleasing on the eye too) was to determine my Fitness Age, basically how buggered up I was with regards to my fitness

Using various tests (Fat %; reach; how quick my heart rate returned to rest, etc etc) I came out as 51 years old last time. Ironically the 2 things I thought would be bad due to smoking and drinking were the best (I have the heart and lungs of a 21 year old)

As I turned 34 this week, and I had been seeing Lauren for 3 months, I thought it would be good time to see what it was after busting my arse in the Gym.

32 Years Old, 2 years younger than I actually am, I am so chuffed (I do have a beer in my hand though while I type this, so it ain’t all angelic for me)

Not wanting to sound like one of those reformed smokers who bitch about other people smoking (believe me, they all look lovely to me (anyone who is a Bill Hicks fan knows exactly what they look like)), however it has made a huge difference in my life.

It is exactly what it sounds like, a rock that is wave-shaped. Had a great 2 days away from Perth with April and Andrew, great to get out of the city. I spent Saturday in shorts as it was 23 degrees and sunny

Wave Rock was amazing and had an amusing meal in Hyden at the Wave Rock Hotel/Motel on Saturday night. One of those places where as you walk in the regulars look at you (You’re not from around here are you Boy?)

Well that’s Wave Rock above, the view from the top was amazing

We stayed in a cottage at the Wave Rock Lake Resort, which was on the banks of a Gypsum lake, the sun set over the lake behind our cottage, so guess what….

The weirdest thing was this rusted vehicle in front of the cottage

It was a great weekend away, even with the 8 hour round trip (luckily Andrew did all the driving), plus we got to see Red Kangaroos (sorry no photos)

Hi Welcome to the 1st post on Nedsworld new home

More will follow soon