Australia: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (and the Meh?)

[pmccarthy]

My daughter asked the garbage truck driver whether she has to separate the cardboard from the glass now that she has been given  a third bin. He said do what you like, it all goes into my truck and into landfill.

[facthunter]

That's shameful. People trying to do the right thing and its all a hoax. Nev 

[old man emu]

Tell me about it!

 

People bring in all sorts of things to the Op Shop - bags and bags of clothes, shoes, bags, bric-a-brac like crockery. We go through it all and sort the saleable from the rubbish. We end up sending unwanted clothing to go to Africa (allegedly). Yesterday I sent away 220 kgs of clothing. That was after I had taken a ute load of solids to the tip to go into landfill. We are lucky in that our local tip does not charge us for that. Getting rid of this stuf costs Lifeline and Vinnies thousands of dollars each year. 

 

On the bright side, our Op Shop has distributed over $100,000 within the community over the past three years and still has a helthy amount of funds on hand. It is marvellous how much money an Op Shop can make selling just about everything at less than $5 each. It helps that it is fully volunteer run with no wages, but rent and consumables do take a bit each month. 

[Jerry_Atrick]

My MIL volunteers in an op shop (called charity shop in the UK). They benefit from full relief of business council tax (rates) and of course, largely volunteers (I think there i a paid manager - but they will not be on much money). 

 

My MIL said revenues are up since the cost of living crisis, and that people who one would not normally associate with sopping at op shops.  I wonder if that is the same here (in Aus as I type ;-))

 

 

[old man emu]

Gilgandra is a typical inland town. The local indigenous mob  are the Widjuri, with Gamillaroi as next-door neighbours. Our Op Shop gets trade from the residents of the town and surrounding towns, as well as the travellers (who make up a large part of our customer base).. For the size of the indigenous population in the area, we see very few of them in the shop.  The word is that the indigenous people are not doing it so tough and can afford to buy from the major chain stores.

[Jerry_Atrick]

Well, this two weeks has drawn to a close. I am sitting in an airport bar (Melbourne Airport, by the way, is ship.. too small.. and $32 for a glass of wine - WTF - I paid $40 for a much better bottle at a Bellarine Peninsula vineyard yesterday) reflecting on this trip.

 

This trip has been.. in a word... "meh". It has been basically visit mum, back at bro's by 2pm and work until ostensibly midnight, but usually an hour or so later.. And I have had this cold that does not want to be killed. A decent shot of nasal spray just before I board should see me right, though.

 

Sounds crap, right? 

 

Well, no.. I can say I don't want to repeat this next time. But I can also say, there was enough great stuff to counter the crap. My usual sojourn to Tocumwal never lets me down. For the first time ever (and I have spent a lot of time there gliding), I visited, let alone stayed at the Tocumwal Palms Hotel Motel (I stayed there, too). Probably the equivalent if the "Union" hotel in a rural ton where there is also a "Commercial", it was surprisingly a fantastic hotel. And if you are staying in Tocumwal, I can honestly recommend their accommodation - clean, modern, spacious, bright, well equipped as a motel. The only thing missing was a table to sit at.. but the pub has plenty of those. 

 

This was the first time in my life I have visited Tocumwal and not visited the aerodrome. I cancelled the viewing of the on-aerodrome property I was supposed to look at. I decided I just wanted to savour the town for once. I got there about 3pm, checked in and went for a walk, soaking up the atmosphere. And it is a relaxed friendly vibe. Despite my natural aloofness, people would initiate a conversation. 

 

Back at the pub, I got a table; a cold VB (it was 27 degrees outside). I sat on the covered patio (is the best way I can describe it). It was obviously too cold for the flies to come out. Showing my antisocial tendencies, I pulled out my laptop and actually logged into work although I was technically on hols. And then I shit down and dropped a post on here. I am now on my second pot of VB (despite Tocumwal technically being in NSW, they use Vic measurements). Some bloke in a high vis walks up to me and strikes a conversation about the weather - and being now a UK citizen with an Aussie accent, I think to myself, "How British!". He works for a local excavation company, and supports. Hawthorn II forgot to mention, I have my 10 year Hawks membership sticker on my laptop). He doesn't believe I live in the UK and want to set up shop in retirement in Tocumwal. Not that a UK person would want to move to Tocumwal.. but someone would want to actually work in their retirement. 

 

Tne intervening Saturday, I meet an old mate (who also worked for me in London, but not the same buy I bumped into in the other thread I just posted to). We are at the Harp and Hound in Queen Street Melbourne. As I arrive in Flinders Street, there is an array for men and women in their evening best - most quite drunk and loud, but having a great time and annoying no one, but those who don't like anyone having fun. It is the last day of the spring racing carnival. I have no ide what the race was, but I have to say, I quite enjoyed the sights of one set of people. 

 

In the pub, my mate and I set a 4 pint limit. After which, we have a lime and soda each and after a great night of conversation and the odd interaction with others, bid farewell. The trains are so much better than when I lived here and they run late enough that you don't have to worry about Silvertop Taxis anymore (or is it Uber, these days). 

 

Second $32 glass has arrived.. F! Mind you, it is a Yarra Valley wine and I am sure is very average here, is like honey to a bee. 

 

Friday night just gone and I have booked the day off work (cost me a day of holiday). I take my bro and sis in law to dinner, We decide we will go to the city - well what was Southbank but is ow Southgate. It has changed a little since I left - many of the businesses have gone, but it is basically the same. But before we cross the Yarra, on the Flinders Street side, there is a river bank restaurant to our left.., with a swimming pool. Only some Melbournian would think that would work. No one was in it as it was a cold night, but the restaurant was well frequented. 

 

 I suggested if we could find an authentic Mexican restaurant, let's check it out. Well, we couldn't.. but there was a Tex Mex restaurant - La Hacienda or soe such name. To be honest, it was a little shmultzy looking. But I have had Tex Mex in Texas (and mist of the US), Australia (with a fantastic place in Clayton before Taco Bill bought it out), and Europe.. and this was the best I have had. 

 

After dinner, we walked over Princes Bridge and around the CBD a bit.. It was fantastic. People having fun... no knives, either. 

 

Yesterday, I went to the Bellarine peninsula with my brother. I felt absolutely shit. This cold had taken hold But, afger he tended to his retirement property, we stopped at two vineyards (for me to buy a couple of bottles for my partner), Wine tasting is still free. Then we went to another vineyard that did east bites for lunch, overlooking Port Philip bay. I had Bundaberg Creamy Soda.. OMG, what a treat that was.. Good food  (entree calamari and battered zucchini we shared), views (despite grey cloud and drizzle).

 

Mind you, I slept for about 15 hours after that trip..

 

Today, I fly home. By the time I went to renew the insurance on my motorcycle, it had expired so I have to call them. So rather than ride the 2.5 hours home when I get to Heathrow I will go to work, sort out the insurance while there. 

 

My next trip is the end of March next year. I will be bringing my daughter, But it will be four rather than two weeks.. and two of those will be traveling.. 

 

Oh, and this is my drinking record on this trip, now I am back on the booze.

 

Fist night... 1 glass of red at my bros...

 

Toc.. 3 pots of VB...

 

Saturday with my mate.. 4 pints of some lager..

 

Friday.. a 3.5% Peroni, and a glass of chardonnay..

 

Yesterday 6 sips tasting,,,

 

Today, Would estimate 500mls of decent Chardy..

 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Jerry_Atrick

[Litespeed]

Jerry,

 

Australia is the antidote to sober

[Marty_d]

Jerry, you do know it's not compulsory to spend $64 on 2 glasses of airport wine, don't you?