Jerry_Atrick

This eve, I am off to the city to catch up with a mate.. next report will be on the nightlife (he lives in the city and we are just catching up at his local)

Well,, for this first post, it is the good, the bad, and the ugly about Melbourne ad surrounds that I have seen so far.. And the meh? (in other words, makes no real difference). Since 2005, I have been back about 6 times; all mercy dashes or admin (estate). But this is the first time I decided to take some time to reacquaint myself a bit and not just run around like a chicken with my head cut off. So, I have taken some time out to jot down some notes.. ans keeping it apolitical, here is what I have observed or has stuck out in my mind: The Vic Market food hall.. It is so good and should be a national institution. I know the Adelaide Market is excellent, too.. maybe better. But there is something about that building which has changed little since I can remember it; my earliest memory is when I was 5; which is 55 years ago. The selection/variety of produce; the quality, and the prices are not that much more than supermarket from what I could see. Speaking of food - the bad.. It is expensive - more so than in the UK and by a way. Also on food, the supermarket quality - at least where we are and where I have visited has improved markedly. When I first moved to the UK, unbelievably, the UK supermarket food was better than Colesworth... But, the tables have turned again. The consumer chocolate bars - are the ugly. I should get quite trim after moving back as I can't see myself eating many at all. I know when I left Australia and the first visits, they were very similar to the UK, but somewhere along the line, the majors here changed the recipe to US style 0 mire sugars, palm oils I guess and the rest... it tastes like US chocolate now... Which was a real shame as I finally got my hands on a Chokito... which was my childhood favourite. Probably never again. Multiculturalism: For some peoples complaints on here, it doesn't seem to be particularly different to when I left, nor when I was a kid. The nature of the multiculturalism has changed, and I have noticed in Melbourne in particular, there is a proliferation of Asian eateries, but to be honest, while I think it is quite OK, on the scale, it is a bit meh? I know someone will point out that I can go to areas which are quite different.. It seems in Victoria, wherever they can put a shop, they will. I think it is over-developed commercially, and that it is bland, US style mass shopping architecture. Definitely a bad. I think Melbourne has become more Bohemian.. It has a vibe that shouts emerge from the conservative past and embrace different. I really like its vibe. Although, with the development of all those high rises around the market area, it did feel a little claustrophobic. Not great. The roads, despite some potholes and crumbling are fantastic. Getting around during the day with the traffic levels was a breeze... but Having to watch the speedo to ensure I wasn't a few licks over the limit was a pain.. I could easily have done 120kph on the Hume and it would have not been one iota less safe in reality.. I am sure there is more of the good bad and ugly, and no doubt as I recall or come across them, I will add the to here.. But it really has whet the appetite to get moving.

Count Binface: The above poll is a national poll and not the people of Clacton, but it doesn't bode well for them becomming the next governing oarty, does it, since I think they have lost over 10% so far, and it will get worse.

and execute on it.. Words are cheap.

On another note; this trip has seen some quite strong urges to have a glass or two.. the wine here is so much better than that available in the UK, IMHO. But, I have so far not relented.. Very happy about that. I have drinks with a mate in Melbourne tomorrow night - See how that goes... But so far, so good. Come October, I will return, but probably no where near the quantity as previous.. It will coincide with the next visit ...

Small town - can't drive fast 😉 Just back from the aeroclub eve.. Lovely people - very welcoming..

Well, a week has passed since I arrived on these fair shores.. I decided to travel up to Tocumwal today to look at some land that may feature in my retirement. But, a nice surprise - I reconnected with my ab initio flight instructor of over 30 years ago! It was fantastic to meet up We flapped the gums chatted about old times and of course our different journeys; and I happen to be in town of the evening of the local aero club meet. So, will do the three S's and trundle off shortly to meet the local aviation fraternity, Doesn't get much better than that!

Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree

Sizewell B has just been granted a 20 year lIfe extension at a cost of £800BN. It still hasn't found a home for the nuclear waste which is "temporarily" housed at its on site dome. I have worked at Sizewell B and it is an expensive plant to keep going. But the thing is, it is an extension to existing plant. It is not investing in new plant. It's suitability doesn't automatically apply to Australia. 25 years ago - yeah nuclear would have been the way to go for Aus. But renewables technology has moved too far forward now.. And it continues to do so. And allowing it to go ahead is probably more a political decision than technical

Yours looks a little warmer than where I was last night on the Bellarine Peninsula (come to think about it, not too far from where home is for you)

And the point is?

I would have said bringing some of the good weather with me. As it was, the plane had more lateral movement on landing than I thought normal

How can you fellas say its wet here. Today at tulla (Crappy phone camera)

Or did a bot post this?

But fair