MASCOT: You do know there’s a bear in your bag?

A good friend of mine stopped, quiet concerned,  to ask:

“you do know there’s a bear in your bag?”

Oh the silly Germans.

Paddington Bear gave her a little fright. Why would a grown woman be carrying a bear to the beach and then take photo’s of him?

Erm…

This serious question only became more confusing when Germany saw other people at the beach, with their bears, taking photos. Somewhere in the UK someone decided it was hilarious, and acceptable, to do this. I’ve never  questioned having Paddy with me on the road. In fact I think he rather enjoys it.

Here he is at Cronulla about to pop in the sea!

Related Articles You Can Read On… 

Where Paddington came from (papaminx.wordpress.com)

Maybe he thought it was Paddington: Brown bear caught on camera as it tries to break into Russian railway station (thisismoney.co.uk)

Marmalade and Rain (vexulious.wordpress.com)

 

GAME: For all those Europeans – Prepare yourself for some utterly stupid Aussie lingo

OK so I’ve just moved to this BEAUTIFUL suburb called Summer Hill and in this little pocket of Sydney you can expect to count just one pub. This pub is called The Summer Hill Hotel.

I got rather giddy the evening I signed up to take a home in this lovely place and decided to explore every potential aspect of my new space and so I stumbled into the Hotel in full celebratory mode to down a glass of wine and say “yeah, well done Natty!” Naturally one of the first questions I asked the hotel was whether they had a swimming pool in the facilities.

 

DO NOT ASK THIS QUESTION!

 

But Why?

Let it be known to all Europeans that beckon upon Sydney with suitcase in tow that when Australia says something is a Hotel, its not, it’s a “hotel”.  Sorry, lets put it in plain English: It’s a pub.

Why they insist on titling almost every other pub in the city a hotel is beyond me and frankly way too confusing for the idle wanderer.

It turns out I was the TENTH person from Europe THAT WEEK to ask them whether they were actually a hotel – a question that would never have crossed my mind if a dear friend hadn’t bluntly pointed out “erm…you do know this isn’t actually a hotel. You know, like, you find an ‘Inn’ in the UK”

Also…hello? If something was called an “Inn” I would also anticipate the building to accommodate those sleepy travellers. Those poor Europeans running around Sydney, knocking on every Hotel door only to discover it’s a total lie.

Now all I can see are pubs, sorry, ‘hotels’. They are literally everywhere in the city.

Don’t be a knob – be prepared for this (stupid) Australian quirk and save yourself the journey of disappointment when there is no swimming pool in the pub.

Related articles

• Infinity swimming pool of the week is at the Dinarobin Hotel Golf and Spa resort in Mauritius (poolconsultants.info)
• Swanky Radisson Blu Hotel Opens At MOA (minnesota.cbslocal.com)
• A Guide to Luxury Hotels in Sydney (hotelssaustralia.wordpress.com)

 

Take Me There: A Look into Australia’s Country Party Life

We were invited up to the local bar to see a band called Floorboards, an event keenly scribbled into the community’s calendar months, possibly years, in advance.

After much anticipation we walked into the local bar where it became evident by the locals confident swagger and shaking hips that they had been there since mid-day, not just to secure seats for the show hours ahead of time, but to merrily pass the hours before such entertainment reached the little town of Krambach: home to cows and eccentrics.

We witnessed the fist two brave women (the two most shit faced) to strut their stuff on the dance-floor by the hour of 8(pm); it was just a few minutes before half the pub joined in and it seemed anyone who lived in Krambach over the age of 50 was ready for the stage, which the Floorboards appreciated, as we 20-somethings stood on the side safely resuming our dignity – or so we thought – sipping our gross 2 dollar wine and feeling very sophisticated in comparison.

If there is one thing to take from this bunch it is that they know how to enjoy themselves, as their big night continued on we decided to run away and were in bed by 10(pm); unsure if what we had seen was completely hilarious or rather a sad snippet of what happiness is to a small town.

Paddington Bear’s Top 3 Flying Must Do’s

1. Literature

Read an overview of the emergency booklet. He loves reading and this is always his first big read on any journey.

Paddy reads

Remember, if you’re not as strong as Paddington please don’t sit in the emergency exit seat.

2. Cushion Soft Bottom

Select your seat carefully. Paddington usually chooses the aisle seat, especially on long haul journeys; it’s easy to pop to the loo and adds extra leg room. Occasionally he gets stuck in between the creases, ensure you don’t try to squeeze through these, as Paddy will tell you, it’s not very comfortable. Silly poppet.

3. Cool and Comfy

Wear comfortable clothing, but keep it stylish. As Paddy does in his top hat and deep blue, toggled jacket.

Thanking you, Paddington!

Getting involved with the Olympics – for free?

High socks? Walking stick? Tipsy? You’ve got to be British.

Where?

Victoria Park: BT LONDON LIVE

Get me there!

The underground Mile End is a good one to catch. It’s a 15 minute walk to the park.

Free, really?

Free entry. Yes.

What’s involved?

Big screens showing the games

Beautiful jazz bands all day

Pink plastic jigsaw stuff: please see photo for more details

Fun games, although a lot of kid stuff, there’s also a ferris wheel, zip-line and basketball hoops which were very cool.

Eateries: noodles, fish & chips, pizza. We recommend the hog roast, yum!

I only spied two bars: The Sun and The Heineken tent(s).

What to be aware of!

They’re really strict on what you take in, which is obvious I suppose for Olympic security, but it’s a park. So it was a little weird going through body scanners that are usually saved for airport control.

You also have to chuck all your food and water – although you can just drink the water and re-fill the bottle inside. Lots of water fountains you see. We also managed to sneak in banana cake –fluttering eyes work.

Sanitary stuff…

Lots and lots of porter loos that are cleaned every half hour. Not amazing, but not awful.

Introducing my travelling mascot…

Paddington with passport ready. Same size as Paddy you will notice.

MEET MY COMPANION…

It’s about time I introduced you to my travelling mascot, Paddington Bear. He’s a miniature symbol of all that is British: suited up for a day of rain with a charming smudge for a smile.

WHERE DID WE MEET?

Paddington and I became acquainted three years ago rather romantically at Heathrow airport, both of us waiting for our next flight to New York; since then we have travelled the globe together! He can be relied on for a boozy night out, a waltz around a park or even a tricky hike.

I have come to learn that he’s not much of a talker but very much a listener; he’s a tidy travelling companion with no hesitations to just give life a good old go.

This is a section to share a few of our adventures around the world…enjoy!

Do you have a mascot? Do share!

The Olympics – are you game?

Even if it means huddling in a bar, probably eating pork scratchings and sipping a G&T.

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed it too, but the British tone for the London Olympics 2012 has altered somewhat. What was once tagged as a sure reason to leave the country and stay as far away as possible has now acquired a more enthusiastic and (dare I say it) patriotic feel. I know of people coming back from their travels just to be within the city whilst the games are on. Although certain areas are still being avoided by those in the know-how.

It’s possible that our attitude to the event has evolved into mere acceptance: it’s  really going to happen now, so we might as well get involved in this.

We’ve also become remarkably accepting of the guaranteed underground rush. We’d actually like to get involved in the hype and atmosphere, even if it means huddling in a bar, probably eating pork scratchings and sipping a G&T.

This is, after all, a rare chance to show off some real Britishness…whatever we consider that to be these days.

We’re ready for you London Olympics – Game is ON.

For more detailed information please visit: http://www.tickets.london2012.com/homepage

WHAT EXACTLY IS BRITISHNESS? Have your say…

1) A keen interest in drinking – be it tea or beer

2) We have history – this could be because we like to argue with everyone…but at least we’ve got an interesting background

3) A challenge – we’ll give anything a go, really. Just dare us.

4) The more the merrier – we like to mix things up and the Capital embodies just that. Louder = better.