Room with a view

At last, I have managed to upload pictures. So first off, a couple of pictures of the view out of my window from my new room in college.

As you can see, its not a bad view of the Swan River. The other good thing about this new room is the access it potentially gives me to a spiral staircase leading to the roof of the tower of college. From there, the view is better & many a sunny afternoon or starry night may be enjoyed in the tranquility of being a few storeys above the hustle & bustle of college below... if only I can devise a way to get hold of those keys. Hmmmm.

The slight down side of my room is that there is no air conditioning, & with the heat like it is at the times it can be a little uncomfortable. However, much of the last week has been fairly overcast & even stormy. On my first day living in the tower there was the most electric & threatening thunderstorm I have ever been in. It included three full strikes to the lightening conductor on the top of tower which zapped around my room as if someone had let off a firework just outside my window. It was a crazy experience, but very cool.

Lectures began this week - seems like some of what I'm studying could be quite interesting... I hope! I managed to wangle a handy timetable with Mondays & Fridays off. I'm trying to fill that time with useful things, but it will also be useful when the assignment deadlines lurk. Generally, it is good to be back around college, at uni, & catching up with people at church. I've remembered again just how inconsistent the surf in WA is after surfing a beautiful break for a few days in NZ, but the weather is generally very good so being at the beach is awesome.

I will endeavour to upload a pictoral version of my time here so far in my next post with my new found skills.... we'll see how successful it is.

Home sweet home... away from 'home'!

I am now back in Perth & enjoying the hospitality of the Dodd family - the two sons of which are good friends from uni. Tomorrow I move back into college & on Monday the new semester begins.

I have enjoyed some really great hospitality over the last few months - a very big blessing. Last night I stayed with Rory & Susan, & it was very cool to catch up with them again... especially to meet their new son, Theo, & hang out with Miles again. We had a cool time together. On Thursday night I was staying with the Shudall family in Auckland - they are very cool. It was so nice to stay with them for a few days before Anneli & Paul left, & then to hang out with them a bit myself before I left. Hello to Andy, Ines & the kids - thanks for your kindness! So refreshing at the end of a long summer/ start of a new year.

I spent most of the week in a surfing village called Piha on the west coast of the North Island (NZ). It has one of the worlds most consistent left hand breaks, so it was fertile ground for working on the surfing. I had a good time & enjoyed relaxing lots - long sleeps, reading, surfing & lots of thinking. It was quite hard being alone at the start of the week, but I got used to it & enjoyed the downtime. It was such a beautiful place, with exquisite sunsets, black sand, & warm water. Camping was fun too.

My flight back to Perth took around 13 hours, included spending time in 5 airports, & changing planes 3 times... a little tiring, but cheap & I arrived back safely yesterday afternoon. I was a little concerned I had neglected to enrol for my courses & let the uni know I was still around, but I think all is ok & this week I will begin studying modules in: alternative dispute resolution, employment law, indigenous peoples and the law, the liberal democratic state. Should be a good semester, & I've managed to secure both Fridays & Mondays off, so more 4 day weekends! I'm aware most of you probably find that thought repulsive, but I can assure you I will be endeavouring to use my time well/productively.

I expect life will be busy again very quickly as I catch up with friends & meet new people. It feels good to be back in Perth - & it does feel more like a home with 'old' friends & familiar places, after being constantly on the move for 3 months... that is a very good thing.

Ouch!

Yesterday was a difficult day. Anneli & Paul flew out of Auckland at 3pm. We had such an awesome holiday together in New Zealand, which made the parting all the more difficult. Unfortunately I will not see Anneli for another 4 months or so, until I return back home. But thankfully, she is still interested in being my girlfriend so she obviously had quite a cool time in New Zealand too! We did so much... glaciers, rafting, dolphins, horses, bungy, beach, kids camp, yachts, whales, camping, bars, ice creams, good food, hot spas, coffee & nearly 6000 kms! There are many happy memories & funny stories - perhaps I will inflict you all with them when I get back. Also, maybe some photos will follow here in a few weeks.

For the time being, it is a real blessing to be staying with a very cool family in Auckland so I am not all alone straight away. However, tomorrow morning I am heading to the coast for a few nights where I will camp & hopefully surf fairly intensively for a few days. About time too as I haven't been in the swell for a few months. It will be a good few days to recharge & get ready for a new semester back in Perth starting next Monday.

Must rush!

Alive & well. New Zealand is amazing. Having an awesome time. Anneli says hi to my public. Driving to catch ferry to North Island NOW...!

The celtic charm of Christchurch...

I awoke Saturday morning to overcast drizzle. It was also fairly cold. That felt refreshingly & reassuringly like home. It seems I have got used to the Australian climate!

I arrived in Christchurch (New Zealand) on Friday night, after a good flight which included a sighting of a comet blazing through the dusky southern hemisphere atmosphere with increasing awesome presence (now that is poetry!). It could have been a difficult evening after getting late for my flight (being the last one to check in, only 70 mins before departure) & arriving in Christchurch at midnight by myself, with no money, & with nowhere to lay my head. Thankfully, the services at Christchurch airport do not have an expiry time & remain efficient until late into the evening, unlike some other airports. So I booked into a cosy hostel, met some other backpackers from my flight & went out for a cool beer at a trendy local bar. The evening had a good vibe, as we all navigated the adjustment to new surroundings together - something that can be unsettling when a solo traveller. It turned into a late night, but a good one.

My last week in Australia was a very busy, but also very satisfying one. It included meeting many of my Melbourne rellies at a family BBQ, trying my hand at mixing a cocktail 'Tom Cruise style' at Phil's bar, & Nathaniel's (my nephew, once removed... I think?) 5th birthday party - pirate theme. I also soaked up some of the Melbourne night life in some trendy bars, & supped a full dose of Australian culture in Federation Square, at the art museum, & later a 'Chicken Parma' at a cafe. I had several tasty meals in the week including Nepalese cuisine in town (some of my family lived in Nepal for a few years) & tender, tender lamb at the place of my other uncle & aunt.

On Tuesday I went to the Australian Open, hoping to see Andy Murray play (in what turned out to be an empathatic win) but unfortunately due to the soaring temperatures (45c & higher) his game was moved & I didn't realise. They didn't start any play until 8pm & then made sure all the days play was completed, resulting in games going on past 1am - still in heats of well over 30c!

I also found a bit of time for some work, to bulk up the piggy bank a little more!

Well, on to Christchurch... somebody told me today that summer ranges anything from 5 to 35c - quite a variation. It has been a very good weekend, which is awesome as it had the massive potential to be a 'graveyard slot'.

After a lie-in on Saturday I checked out the town & some of the sights. A Cathedral, the Avon river, the Botanic gardens, & the tram all combine with some beautiful architecture & quality town planning to make it a charming place. The population is about 300,000 strong & I am beginning to reckon this is the perfect size for a city - big enough to have a fair amount going on & feel busy, but small enough to feel you get to know it, & for people to be friendly.

Christchurch is described as the most English of New Zealand's towns & so that is good. But, I definitely sense a strong celtic influence... from the 'twang' in the accents, to the climate & scenery; from the architecture, to the slightly more friendly than English vibe - to me, this is Scotland down under. It certainly seems like the southern hemispheres celtic cousin to Australia. There was a noticeable difference in peoples attitude compared to Australia - just as laid back & uber friendly, but in a more cosy manner (hard to describe). Perhaps mirroring a variations within the UK!?

Anyway, I have enjoyed getting lost (kind of on purpose... in that I was in no rush to 'find myself' again) round the town, on the banks of the river & in the gardens. It is maybe a bit sad, but I have quite enjoyed some JR solo down time. Probably very good before a crazy few weeks. I also checked out the history museum, art gallery, & watched 'The Queen' at a tiny retro cinema! I also went to church today & it was good to meet a couple of really friendly guys there tonight. The 'World Buskers Festival' is currently being held in Christchurch & so it has been very entertaining to see some of the acts performing from all over the world. They are very good at what they do, & though street performers can sometimes be frustrating I reckon they are mostly good value, just seeking to make an honest living.

Tomorrow I meet Anneli & Paul at the airport & we head off on a week of fast paced travelling of the South Island. Will let you know how that goes.

Work hard, play hard

Last Saturday I took the overnight bus from Sydney to Melbourne. It wasn't the most comfortable nights sleep, but I arrived safely & on time all be it lacking my driving licence (which is possibly quite important for hiring cars & as my only other id than my passport) which I managed to lose somewhere... who knows where!? It was very cool to be picked up by Richard & Glenys, my uncle & aunt (all be it a few 'branches' along the family tree) who I was meeting for the first time. On Sunday I spent much of the day in cafes & coffee shops eating good food, drinking great coffee & meeting the world & his wife down under, who I somehow seem to be related to in one way or another. It was a good fun day, although I was gagging for a shower & a sleep by late afternoon.

I spent a few days this week labouring & gardening at my uncle & aunts place - helping them out with stuff they needed done, & also stacking up some dollars for upcoming travel treats! This included going to war with an axe against a flower bed for a whole day! (sound like a poof, right?!) I can assure you it was no easy task - it was root central down there & as hard as concrete. The axe really was my most effective weapon at breaking the surface, & even that sometimes seemed to struggle with the task... as did I in the 30+ heat. I also almost killed a Possom when I knocked it 30 ft out of a tree whilst it was sleeping - it looked a little dazed & shocked, then whimpered off somewhere... either to recover, or possibly to die. Oops. Today I ventured UNDER the house, crawling amongst the cob-webs & dead bugs. I won't lie - I was scared - there are all sorts of sick spiders in this country that do horrible things to people, I'm sure. Anyway, the cable had to be re-routed, & I was selected as the man for the task. It was successful in the end, so I have happy hosts - which I think is a very good thing.

Amongst this work, I have also been having some good fun. On Wednesday I joined Joey & a couple of other English travellers to drive along the infamous Great Ocean Road. It was an absolute scorcher - over 35 I think - & much of the day we were in fog from the bush fire smoke that blankets Victoria each summer. However, we also saw some beautiful scenery - rugged cliffs, pumping surf, & national parks. We stopped off in Torquay en route, the home of Australian surfing (ironically, considering the nature of its English cousin), where Quicksilver & Rip Curl originated. We had a mosey round a few of the many surf shops, but unfortunately had no time to look round the surf museuem. We also stopped off at Bells beach to see the big surf & later on saw the 'twelve apostles' (now 8) - successive cliff 'stacks' along one stretch of coast line. Some places we passed through on the day include Colac & Geelong - interesting names huh!?

Yesterday I went to the MCG to watch Australia play England in the first cricket one day international of the tri-nations series. It was another dissapointing result & muted performance from most of the English team. But, it was a great day (again, very hot - we were in the section of the ground facing the setting sun) & good to see some international cricket after not making it to any of the Ashes tests. The crowd was fairly vibrant in our section, particularly as the beers went down & there were several fights, expulsions & plenty singing/swearing excessively. Drunk sports fans really are the same wherever you go the world over, I think.

It has been really exciting to hear great news from HOME (Bratton), HOME in term time (Leicester) & current HOME (Perth) the last few weeks! It makes me want to be back in all of those places at once! Congratulations are due to Kate Venn & Jooles (B) who got engaged, Steve & Rach (L) who also got engaged, & Rory, Susan & Miles (P) on the arrival of their new son/brother, Theodore William Bligh Shiner... corker of a name! I am so excited for all of these amazing people & can't wait to see them all in due course, to celebrate these exciting things!

I now have one more week here before I go to New Zealand, where I will meet up with a very special someone. That will be a little taste of home that I reckon will make up for missing all these big events!

Farewell base camp

Since Nov 25 I have been based in Sydney & have travlled in & out of there many times. Tonight I leave, never to return! I'm taking the overnight Greyhound to Melbourne where I will stay with family for 2 weeks. The plan is to do a little work to gain some $, & also see some of what Melbourne & Victoria has to offer the world. It should be a good few weeks.

I spent Christmas with a great family in Sydney. We had a fairly traditional roast, but ate it sitting by the pool in the sun - a little different to home (unless you are a certain South African family I know!). For New Year I stayed with Joey and we went to a party in a flat with a very cool view over Sydney, the Harbour Bridge, & the spectacular fireworks. This week I laboured for a few days at a Bible College, helping out with some landscaping, renovation and lawn-mowing. It was good to do some physical labour for a few days, especially as it wasn't worth watching the dismal death of English cricket in the SCG final Ashes test. Finally, the Aussie smugness may recede - though its unlikely. The last couple of days have been very cool. I've been staying with a guy I met at NTE in Nov. It has been good to hang out with him, meet some of his mates, and unexpectedly catch up with others I met at the conference. Now, to a new place & new people.

A 'strine xmas (An Australian Christmas)

Dashing through the bush, in a rusty holden ute
Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot
Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs
It's summer time & I am in my singlet, shorts & thongs

Chorus
Oh jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day
Hey jingle bells, jingle bells Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty holden ute!

Engines getting hot, we dodge the kangaroos
Swaggie climbs aboard, he is welcome too
All the families there sitting by the pool,
It's Christmas day the Aussie way by the barbecue

Chorus

Come the afternoon, grandpa has a dose
The kids and uncle Bruce are swimming in their clothes
The time comes round to go, we take a family snap
Pack the car and all shoot through before the washing up

Chorus

For old times sake....

It's Christmas Eve, hip hip hooray,
We all love this special day!
Tomorrow's gonna be even better,
We hope that Santa's got our letter!

Travelling & all that...

Lots has happened in the last few weeks since I left Perth. After spending a week with Drummoyne Presbyterian Church (see below), which was really enjoyable & a great time to grow in all sorts of ways, I headed to the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (UCCF equivalent) 'National Training Event' (Word Alive/Forum equivalent) in Canberra. We heard talks on eschatology (the end times) by Phillip Jensen - a very clever man who spoke for well over an hour each night in great depth on complex issues. Richard Chin also gave talks on the book of Colossians - he is the director of AFES (Richard Cunningham equivalent!).

However, possibly the most rewarding thing of the week was attending a 'strand' small group that did an in depth study of the systematic theology of the resurrection in the Bible. This included considering every reference to resurrection (Jesus' in the past, the Christians in the present & everybody's in the future) in the Bible & marvelling at the centrality of this belief to the Christian message & all Christian belief. So, may sound a little heavy to some of you, but an amazing privelege to consider in such depth. The week was so good because there was such a focus on the training & growing in faith through the studies, so it really was transforming. Other highlights of the conference was hanging out with Perth people, meeting loads of new people, & playing 'stingers' - a new version of frisbee... for men only.

After NTE, I headed to a place called Campbelltown (no kidding - very ironic, should have got a picture) just west of Sydney with 20 other students from universities in Perth. We were again joining with a local church to do some Christmas based outreach. I only knew a few of the team beforehand, as most of them were from other universities in Perth so it was great to get to know another new group of people. I stayed with a really great couple from Northern Ireland whilst there, called Phil & Gayle. It was cool to spend time with them & have some good chats! The 20 of us on our team then met with another team of 20 also from Perth & we spent some time in Sydney, then went to the Blue Mountains & hiked through luscious canyons & creeks littered with waterfalls. I returned to Sydney after this & stayed with a guy called Joey who is a Leicester lad in Oz for a gap year.

Joey & I headed north of Sydney on an overnight bus to Byron Bay - a surfer/hippie hang out. On the way we stopped at the 'Big Prawn' & took the compulsory touristy photo's. Byron was very cool, if a little cloudy & wet. That didn't stop us from getting amongst it with some surfing action. It was a very good thing to be back on a board again, after a fair few weeks dry... I totally enjoyed that & didnt't want to stop even when my body had had enough. We then stopped off at Surfers Paradise a night, where we didn't surf. It isn't really a paradise for surfers, but more a Blackpool style resort in the Gold Coast theme of things. All bright lights, shopping malls, & quite a bit of tack... mind you, not half as much as Blackpool. Brisbane was our next stop, where we cultured ourselves in the various free museums & art galleries. It was really good to do, & something I should try to do more often as I see various different places.

I am now in Hervey Bay, Queensland - a few hours north of Brisbane. I'm staying with a great family, the Hoole's, with 3 cool kids (8, 9 & 11). They are the relatives of some friends from Bratton & have very kindly taken me in for several nights just before christmas. It is nice to be relaxing in an Aussie home, & seeing how they celebrate Christmas. We have just come back from the annual drive/walk around various parts of their town where house after house clothes itself in Christmas lights. It is a real attraction with half the town turning out to look at the lights. One street is even officially renamed 'Christmas Street' in the month of December due to every house bar one going overload on the lights! I will be here for the next few days, hanging with the family, playing with the boys, swimming in the pool, & hopefully reading lots!

So that brings you up to date. Sorry its a long one. Lastly, I hope you have a great time celebrating Christmas this year. Remember to take some time out to think exactly what is worth celebrating this year that will last beyond Boxing Day! God bless.

Just a passing through

Hopefully I will get more time on the internet soon, so I can update you as to what has been happening. As it is, I barely have enough time to read my emails each time I get on the internet. Needless to say, I am alive & well.

I am now on my own until Jan 22, when Anneli and Paul arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand. But God has already provided some people for me to be hanging out with & visiting for the next few weeks, which is very cool. So, I am currently in the Blue Mountains, & heading back to Sydney this afternoon. The plan is to go north towards Brisbane for a week or so seeing some sights & hopefully getting some surf. I'm going with a guy called Joey - a friend of some of my friends at uni! Only met him once, but seems like a nice guy so should be good fun.

Will hopefully post some more substantial news soon.
God bless.

Drummoyne Presbyterian Church

I flew to Sydney as parrt of a team of 8 students & staff from the Christian Union at my uni to join a local church for a week of outreach. I was the 'exotic one', being the only non-Aussie!!! It has been great fun & lots has happened in the week. I have been staying with a really nice guy from the church called Dave - he has only been around for about a year so it was good to spend some time with him & talk about church. We spent the week helping out at the church, the youth group, visiting a local nursing home, advertising various events around & visiting local schools.

It was really hard work at times, but also great fun & very rewarding. I really enjoyed spending time in the schools & with younger people - they drain you emotionally & challenge you intellectually, but are also very open & interested to consider Christianity. I have lots more respect for teachers & youth workers after this week! It was also cool to get to know some guys from Perth a bit better. We got on well as a team & had some great laughs, so that was very good.

A little more disappointing has been Englands effort in the Ashes - I have taken a lot of stick so far for this one, but am standing strong... I think we have a chance. We have just had a good day with the bat in the Adelaide test, so things are looking up. I love sport, so it is good to be down here while the Ashes are on - a good point of conversation with many people!

I am off to the Australian capital, Canberra, tomorrow. It is the AFES (Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students) National Training Event - kinda like Word Alive/Forum for those of you who have been to them. Really looking forward to it, & to taking some time out for some teaching & new challenges. After that, another church outreach - in a poorer suburb of Sydney. Will be in touch soon.

Hello & goodbye

Lots has happened in the last 2 weeks since I finished my exams. Needless to say it has been very good, though occassionaly a little hectic. I have been relying on the goodwill of some very gracious friends after being kicked out of my college room not long after my exams were finished. In between various trips out of Perth with Stephen & Jo (to whom the 'hello' refers), I have slept in various beds, left my bags & luggage in various houses, & borrowed various possessions from kind & trusting friends! Right now I'm staying at the house of one of my good friends from college. A lovely place with a pool, so will have to make use of that this afo - especially as its a beautifully hot day.

I think Stephen & Jo enjoyed seeing around Perth & meeting some of my public down under. It was especially cool for them to come to church, & for us to have a meal with Rory & Susan, who have been good at looking out for me since my arrival (not saying that just because they might read this!). We also hired a car & headed up north to see some more of country WA for a few nights. You have to do a lot of travelling to get anywhere near anything in this country, so it was quite a mission to cover the km's in the time, but also a good adventure! We saw some typically Australian landscape, some very cool laid back country towns (consisting of a population anywhere upwards of 200) & some beautiful beaches & national parks. The weather was hot, camping was fun & it was cool to get away for a few days even if we were moving fast.

Earlier this week, my cousin from Melbourne (Phil) flew over to visit the 3 of us for a few days. We used the chance to escape the city again... this time to a small island just off the coast - Rottnest. We sealed an amazing beach hut as our accomodation at a steal of a price, hired bikes, cooked BBQ's & generally chilled together. We spent our days cycling from one bay to the next - snorkelling, swimming, sleeping, reading & sunbathing! All slightly redder but very well rested, we returned to Perth on Wednesday.

It seemed sensible to us to leave our bags at the ferry company depot for the day on Wednesday, whilst we explored the local port town of Fremantle. It was a really good idea because we enjoyed the day there without having to haul our bags about. So, after a drink in a very cool brewery/bar called 'Little Creatures' (it aint no Bratton, the Duke!) we returned to pick up our bags just before 6pm, thinking there was an evening ferry yet to arrive. To our surprise & frustration, it was all locked up with our bags inside! Unfortunately, Phils flight to Melbourne was the following morning before the place opened. We spent ages calling various numbers - security people, the ferry company, port authorities etc, but to no avail. So, we roughed it a bit longer (i was wearing a pair of swimming trunks, which can become fairly uncomfortable after a few hours!) & collected our bags in the morning, freighting Phils back to Melbourne. When we did collect the bags, it didn't take long for Stephen, Jo & I to have a shower, brush our teeth & change our clothes - needless to say it felt very very good.

Yesterday the 3 of us visited Perths aquarium together which was fun & interesting - some massive fish! Then I said good bye to Stephen & Jo, as they have headed down south in a camper van for a week. I am now preparing to fly to Sydney tomorrow for a week of mission with a local church, which will be very exciting. Not only have I said goodbye to Stephen & Jo, but also many friends in Perth as I am now on the road until Feb 23rd.

Frustrated!

So, I am very frustrated at the moment! I just carved out half an hour to write what I feel was an entertaining, heart-felt but informative post! Unfortunately the concoction of an inadequate blog programme & my failing computer skills resulted in it being deleted before I got to post it. Time is precious this evening so no time to re-type. Needless to say I am alive & well, enjoying my time with Stephen & Jo (who also seem to be enjoying themselves), feeling chilled, but also busily preparing to depart WA for a few months on Saturday. A longer & more detailed post will follow later in the week - sorry I haven't replied to emails for a while. Computer time has been sparse of late & is only getting worse - will work on it. Off to Rottnest Island for a few nights tomorrow - sun, sand & surf!

The endless summer...

Now has begun what can only be called the endless summer. From today until 26 Feb 2007 I am free from 'the man' - in this instance, my uni degree. I intend to use it well - lots of plans for the next 3 months, which will become apparent on this site not too long after they happen!

So, yesterday I finished my last exam for this semester. I had exams on Tuesday & Wednesday as well. The first two went fairly well. My exam on 'Aboriginal history' on Tuesday was set to be a winner because I was given the exam paper a few weeks back, & I thought I could take my notes in (as I could with my other two law exams). Therefore, I was getting pysched for a substantial victory at transcripting a pre-written essay. However, a little too my surprise, I discovered the night before I could not take any notes in. It wasn't a worry though, as I managed to learn the general gist of what I planned to say & churn it out in the exam. Yesterdays exam was very hard - one of the more difficult ones I have taken, but I managed to get lots of good stuff down so hope I got the result I need.

I made up for my recent lack of social activity (due to strenuous revision!) by going out for a drink with some friends from College last night. It was a cool evening & very satisfying to watch Australia only manage to scrape a win against Italy. Not so glad about Englands loss by the same score to Argentina. Today I went out for lunch after church with some good friends, Rory & Susan Shiner. I then went for our last surf of the year with Eugene, a guy in College from Singapore who I have been surfing with lots. He has graduated & heads back home on Tuesday. Rory & Susan have kindly leant me their car, so that I can head to Perth International in a few hours to pick up Stephen & Jo. Looking forward to seeing them & hanging out... & seeing some more of WA.

I finished reading through the Bible for the second time today. Reflecting on the last 18 months & all I have learnt through that exercise is really encouraging, but also realise I still have much more to realise to even begin to plumb the depths of Gods word. If you have not done it before, I fully recommend taking a year to read through the Bible in its entirity - just 3 chapters or so a day! It may be something that proves to be very transforming, as I think it has been for me.

I move out of St Georges College on Wednesday, so no longer have a postal address. Sorry but you will be unable to send me all those expensive christmas presents you were planning to send! I will be back here in March, so will pick up any stray letters arriving at the end of this week then.

United!

Today was a day of unity...

This morning my church St Matt's had a joint service of all its 4 different congregations. It was a cool time to all meet together & here about all the different things that are going on in & around the church. It really is a massive church, with what is effectively 4 large virtually independent congregations... I kinda wondered why they don't church plant more - but apparently that is on the horizon which is really cool. After church we had lunch together, so it was good to get to know a few people a little better.

Tonight was ChurchTogether in Perth. 10 000+ Christians met in the Supreme Court Gardens, sandwiched between the CBD high rise & lights, & the Swan River. It was a very cool setting - a warm evening & full moon - & as Hillsong United cranked it up on the stage it must have echoed around the city. I have never seen fireworks used as part of a worship music slot before, but it was fairly cool - especially as I'm missing out on the whole Guy Fawkes Nov 5th vibe today. J John gave the message - good to hear what sounded like a thoroughly English accent again! Though with all kinds of Greek-Cypriate undertones. It was a good thing to have so many Christians together from many different churches - lots to learn in how to be more unified.

I actually walked to the city from St Georges with a few other guys. It was a cool walk, with some good views. Then saw the news of Saddam's sentence (to be hung) whilst gorging ourselves in Hungry Jacks (Burger King) - made me think about his evil & issues of justice... was reading what the Bible says about this in Revelation 14 this morning - lots to think about & allow to sink into my heart.

Otherwise, I have been sleeping lots - but still managed to fall asleep for 2 hours this afternoon when I was reading! I think it must be all that revision I have been doing. Maybe. This is now exam week. Hmmm.

Jaws at Scarbs!

I am nearing the end of my first semester here. The experience so far has been varied, though excellent & I reckon maturing in many ways (I hope!). I am very thankful to so many amazing blessings that God has given me, & realise these are very priveleged days. It has been so good to keep in touch with friends from home - I greatly appreciate the emails, blogs, comments, phone calls & letters.

When I think back to when Dave visited in early September, I can see how much more I have settled since then. The weeks before that were good, but also stretching. Recently, I have been motivated & encouraged by finding very obvious reasons why I am here to help & serve others, & also learn different things. I think we all thrive on having an immediate purpose in our life, & I have had a growing sense of that. This also means that the time is going fast! Now, on to some more current news.

On Saturday morning I went for an early morning surf with a friend from college (Shane), & a guy who has started coming to church recently (Ian). Ironically we surf at Scarborough beach - I think the waves are better down here than at the original Scarborough!? We got to the beach at 8am - there really is little better way to start the day than in warm morning sun, beautiful blue skies, & refreshing crystal waters... you think I'm exaggerating?! Anyway, alarms started ringing up & down the beach not long after we were in the water. Lifegueards began patrolling the water & its edge in speed boats & 4x4's, ushering surfers out of the water. It transpired on the news that evening that there was a 4 metre Great White about 1km off shore. The alarms stopped after a while, so a few of us dived back in for a surf only to be called back to shore again! Helicopters & several small boats arrived & loitered around the location of the shark, trying to guide it out to sea - we were told to carry on surfing but just keep an eye on them, in case they came close. Thankfully, I am safe & enjoyed the adventure... a good story to tell you all over & over in the future!

Alas, the inevitability of revision has arrived. Seeing that I have 3 exams next week I guess it is about time. I spend some time revising out on our balcony in the afternoon sun - unfortunately a gust of wind distributed several pages of lecture notes to the four corners of college. I received some of them back from several people who had found a random page in completely different locations. Some however, are lost for good. Other than this slight mishap, it is going well & I am glad it will soon be over leaving me free to hang out with Stephen & Jo.

I have also been challenged greatly by God in many ways recently. It has been difficult & frustrating at times, as He has put his finger on things in my life that do not match up with the good news I claim to believe in & live by. I am glad He is still patient with me & teaching me these lessons, desiring me to change. For as long as He is in the game, I'm in with a fighting chance! I'm optimistic about this one.

"I beat the beef"

Thursday night was the annual St George's 1 kilo-in-1 hour steak challenge. Of course, I took part as a proud representative of my country.

The rules are simple: each man (& 1 woman) has to eat a 1 kilo (that's a whopping 35 ounces!) hunk of rump steak as fast as he can, or wishes to, in one sitting. Finishing within an hour gets you on the wall of fame.

I gave it my best effort & came a fairly respectable 15th - 19 min 40 sec. That pleased me, because my aim was to beat the 20 min mark. But, rather more embarrasingly I was beaten by the only chick competing!

A few times I was heaving & thought I might 'chuck', but fought on through & surprisingly didn't actually feel ill after, still needing pudding to fill up! Always room. It really does become a battle between your inner spirit & the steak - it becomes your arch enemy within a matter of minutes, & at points it can seem that this nemesis might take it to the death, but I overcame!

I didn't really do my country that proud though - but it's ok because Ben did (the other Leicester-ite down here) with a high ranking second place in 7 min 20 sec. First place was an astounding 'man-eating' time of 6 min 40 sec... the fastest time on record! Sick.

Otherwise: weather has generally been up a few more degrees this week, spent a bit of time chilling on the beach, catching up on some neglected uni work & looking forward to my summer break, just round the corner!!! (I haven't had my 'compulsory' 3 months off yet this year... something expected by all students, making tax payers green with envy!)

PS: Tried loading images from the internet for your satisfaction this time round. Big no show. Sorry people! Will continue to endeavour. Possibly not my IT skills but comp not doing the business. Or maybe not.

Big opposition, but bigger waves

First off, today was the inter-college rugby game. I was recruited on Thursday & was keen to get amongst some of the action on the rugby field, after around 3 years since a 'competitive' (used lightly) game. After I was roped in I was told the opposition included a number of 'State players' (primarily South Africans & Zimbabweans), which basically means they play rugby lots & are very good (but not professional). As if that wasn't enough of a challenge, Trinity college (the opposition) were to field a Western Force player. For the uninitiated, Western Force was Western Australia's recent addition to the southern hemispehere 'Super 12' teams, making it the 'Super 14'. This is the best of club rugby union in the southern hemisphere. For the ex-Matravers rugby captain who had to beg people to play on the day of a game to get 15 players for a scrap with Clarendon, this was a slightly challenging prospect. So I was mentally preparing myself for an absolute mauling with some big hunks of rugby skill & passion.

Thankfully, things developed a little differently on the day. We had our own secret weapon. I met our maori destroyer just before the game - all 6'7" & 120kg of him! I introduced myself, "I'm Junior" boomed his response. How ironic. He was also a Western Force player - all be it in the academy. Still, you don't want to bump into him on a rugby field.

Anyway, I'm not even sure Trinity did use their Western Force player (he wasn't very impressive if he did play!) but they were a good side. I started on the bench. Junior didn't end up playing (something to do with injury liabilites & Western Force being annoyed if he played with the likes of me). When I was called to duty mid-way through the first half, I was straight in at prop! Not necessarily my strong point & I definitely don't have the build, but I was in the pack for some of the loose ball work. Luckily scrums were uncontested so my spine remains in tact, though is a little stiff & possibly now slightly crooked. I really enjoyed it, got involved with a few runs, some rucking (my first experience of an opposition player 'running down' my back when on the wrong side of the ruck - in this case, not so bad as it looked), & some tackles. But we lost: 10-5. A pleasing result though seeing as last year was a 60-0 crushing defeat & St George's have never scored points in this fixture!

So, the rugby players were not as big as expected. But on Thursday, the waves certainly were. Probably weighing in at head high, but definitely the biggest I have actually got out there in & given it a proper go (previously, just got mauled - a running theme?). The 4 guys in our surfing party struggled to break out through the surf, which led to failure in trying to 'get out the back'. This is important if you don't want to get smashed & want to catch waves - both relatively important facets of actually enjoying surfing. I enjoyed it though & got out the back lots. Catching waves was another matter though. I got some brief 'feet time' on a few waves but quickly got swallowed by the crashing water. It was stormy & so so gnarly.

Saturday was cleaner & smaller surf. Beautiful clean 2-4ft peelers. We surfed (well paddled with a board in the water & had fun) several different breaks, but I was punished a few times by the ocean for thinking I could handle it. Strangely, after a good caning, I would always resurface gasping for breath, checking all my limbs were still attached, but still grinning like a chesire cat! There is something about the power & force of the dynamic ocean that excites me & gets my adrenaline pumping...therefore it hurts me, & I just smile & laugh back! Still, one good ride & some progress I think, though much much more slowly than expected.

As I sit here typing, the sun is setting for the day as it dips itself into the Indian ocean, throwing a variety & richness of vibrant colours across the darkening sky. As it does so, my room is flooded with fiery colours (very poetic huh!?). Seriously though, it is utterly awesome & beautiful. Jim enthused of the Western Australian sunsets before I left - he was not wrong. Will have to try & enjoy a couple down on the beach. I would try to share the view from my room in a picture, but could never do it justice, & my computer skills remain inadequate to upload it! I will let your imaginations 'paint the picture'.

Otherwise, had a few nights out for a friends birthday & socials with St Georgians & my Bible study group: good times. In summary of the last few days, I've been taking it a little easier again after all those essays. Exams are just round the corner, so it cannot last too much longer. Maybe!

Home & away

My task is so nearly complete (for this semester)... all that lies between me and 3 months of summer fun is 1 more essay & 3 'open book' exams (a weaker & distant relative of what academics in the northern hemisphere regard an examination - for those who would rather be hanging out on the beach rather than memorising their extensive lecture notes). So, I guess that is quite a lot till I'm done, but I feel optimistic at the moment - I have emerged from the murky underworld of essay writing & it feels so so good. This really has been my life for the last 3 weeks - not that it is all I have done, but everything has been arranged around my essay & presentation schedule. Relief.

Otherwise, I have been enjoying the increasing familiarity of uni & life here. Hence the sparsity of my blogging.

So, some highlights & stories of recent weeks, since I guess that's what you are reading for?!

College debate - tonight was the second of the semester. A chance for 6 guys to test their insults out on the opposing team & entertain the masses with their comical genius... the topic tonight was 'Alcohol is good for you'. All in the name of comedy and the whole 'college community' bag - it was very funny & will give us some dinner time banter for the next couple of nights no doubt.

Warm cosy sun - spring is here, & it is a most beautiful thing. The endless summer: the rosey & semi-permanent vibe of Perth. Sea temperatures around Perth dip in the winter to a few degrees centigrade warmer than British waters at the height of summer! So, as you can guess I am enjoying the southern hemisphere climate.

Perth Royal Show - it was the last night of the annual week long festival/carnival on Saturday night. 10 of us from college went, & soaked up the atmosphere. Spent most of the night at the fairground. Was very worried I would make myself ill after Anthony went on a ride & took well over an hour to return to colour!... especially as I often don't take rides too well. But, I took on the cream of the rides & loved them! Included 'MEGADROP' - a vertical drop of maybe 50 metres... definitely enough to get the pulse racing. Also, proved my killer shot with a gun & won myself this toy... an ugly little thing but my first fairground win ever, so nonetheless a proud moment.

'Getting involved' - UWA Oktoberfest was on Friday. I arrived at 4pm for a beer (after handing in an essay!) & most of the people there had been drinking since around midday.... it kinda showed. Anyway, it was very cool to buy a stein & pretzel, & enjoy the dodgy German entertainment - everyone was in high spirits. Then, went canoeing on Sat am out on the river with a guy from church & some of his mates. Beautiful day & good to be out on the water... but, I definitely prefer being 'in' the water, & preferably with a surfboard & waves that are too big for me, or something else to get my adrenaline going (nothing of an illegal nature, of course). Also, housewarming party on Sat pm with some friends from my Bible study group, & a BBQ with guys from the cu on Sunday. It was a great weekend - they have often been the more difficult times so far, especially Sundays... because they are fully associated with family/friends/Anneli time, & meeting with Chrisitans I am familiar with. So, it was good to feel more 'at home' with people here, & 'get involved' in their social scene.

Reading & talking - I have seriously loved having the privelege of doing lots of reading/thinking/chatting about deeper issues that interest me recently. Reading 'Knowing God', studying 1 Peter/James/Joel/Romans (books of the Bible), hearing good Biblical talks from godly men, & conversations with new & old friends have all been of great encouragement. It is very cool to be challenged & keep growing in my faith through many different relationships, both old & new.

Speaking to Anneli & fam - it is really refreshing & so good to hear the news from the Shire, London & Derby... though these relatinships have a 'new place' in my life, I am enjoying the joys of having a great family & girlfriend to continue 'growing up' with (*gush*). It is so good to enjoy those few moments with those who know me best, even at 10 000 miles.

And some Australian culture to finish... peculiarities of regional discourse:

- HEAPS: a generic term to determine anything of a value or worth slightly larger than average. As far as I can tell it serves relatively little purpose largely owing to its profuse overuse.

- 'HELL': a substitute for 'very'. Eg: it was hell good / that is hell funny. I don't like it.

- SHRIMP: contrary to popular opinion, Aussies (apparently) don't call prawns 'shrimps', but prawns. Therefore, Lloyd Christmas' "G'day mate, put another shrimp on the barbie" is sadly an Americanisation.

Yet again, due to my IT inabilities & resulting failure to upload pics, you will have to wait a little longer to see the latest shots & meet some of my Aus people. Thanks for reading.