Had a great weekend. Moved into my new place in Sydney. Nice and spacious, though there are a couple of issues; a) no cable TV yet, b) electric cooker. Other than that all is well. Went to IKEA to get a few bits and pieces, bought a washing machine etc. Settled down in the pub on Saturday night to watch England vs Australia in the World Cup Final. The lads had their Irish jerseys on, but I’d left mine in Canberra. We were constantly approached by supporters from both teams hoping that we’d be on their side, but our loyalties were divided. I was supporting the Aussies, given that I’m living here now, but some of the lads were supporting England, on the grounds that they wouldn’t have to listen to 4 years of crap if they won. There was a great atmosphere in the pub, plenty of shouting and a cracking game of rugby. In the end the English won a tight fought match, at which point the majority of Aussies left the pub and went home. John Howard, the PM, was a grumpy bastard when handing out the medals, which spoiled an otherwise enjoyable occasion. The man is an arsehole!

Totals for the week:

Run: 6km
Swim: 1200m

Last night…

R: 3 * 1km at 10, 10.5 & 11kmh

S: 5 * 200m

Everything was easy enough. The pool was still a little crowded, but not as bad as Tuesday. Ankles and knees a little sore this morning, so will see how things are this arvo. Might skip the run and just do the swim.

R: 3 * 1km at 10, 10.5 & 11kmh.

S: 200m

Easy running this week to get back into the swing of things. Swim was a pain in the arse. Too many people in the pool, and no fast lane. Also too many people thinking they could swim in the “Medium” lane when they should have been nowhere near it. Ended up having to stop behind someone at least once per length, so called it quits. Might have to switch to swimming in the morning, but I’ll see what it’s like tonight first.

Had a bit of a disastrous session at the gym last night. The plan was to do some running, then a bit of a swim. Treadmills were full, so I started off on the elliptical cross trainer. My legs were knackered after 12 mins or so, presumably from weights last night, so switched to a now free treadmill. Ran at 11kmh for about 8mins, but then had to give up as I was too exhausted. Could be anything really, from not stretching enough after weights, to not having eaten/drank enough that day, to taking up smoking temporarily during my weeks holidays. Oh well…

Weights: the usual 2 * 15.

Feeling a bit out of shape after not being in the gym for the last week or so. Should be able to get stuck into it again next week, barring unforseen circumstances.

Photos are online from the last week or so:

John & Charmaine’s Birthday
Ireland v Argentina, Adeliade
Great Ocean Road
International Rules Series, Melbourne
Ireland v Australia, Melbourne

Back in the gym last night too, after too much food and too many beers on holidays ;-) I now have an extra 2kg to get rid of.

Weights: the usual 2 sets of 15.

Just back from a weeks holiday, following the Rugby World Cup. First to Adelaide, to see Ireland narrowly beat Argentina, thereby ensuring our passage into the quarter-finals. Got interviewed for Irish TV, complete with face paint! Surprisignly, they actually showed the interview ;-)
Drove to Melbourne, via the Great Ocean Road. Spectacular scenery, nice countryside and great fish ‘n’ chips. Arrived in Melbourne, saw Ireland beat Australia in the compromise rules game on Friday, in the last ever game to be played at the MCG before the member’s pavilion is torn down and rebuilt. Then the big one – Ireland v Australia at the Telstra Dome. Unfortunately, we lost by one point, but I’m claiming it as a moral victory. We beat Australia in all the stats, and had them running scared for the whole of the second half, and most of the first. We missed two penaltys and a drop goal, which we can’t afford to do at this level. Photos to follow…

George ‘Wanker’ Bush is in town today to officially pin the Deputy Sherriff badge on Johnny ‘Lying Bastard’ Howard. Woke up this morning to the sound of fighter planes flying around protecting the airspace. Loads of demonstrators are expected to show up, so it will be interesting to see what happens. Hopefully someone manages to hit either, or preferably both, with an egg, or a custard tart, but the proles are unlikely to get that close.

On a more positive note, I’m on holidays later today. Off to Adelaide and Melbourne to watch Ireland in the Rugby World Cup. Woo hoo!