Oh - and before I forget...

...you can follow the next chapter, no matter how short, on my new blog at:

http://australiaisoz-some.blogspot.com/

Thanks for tuning in...

Goodbye Belgium.....for now

Dear Family, Friends, Acquaintances, Discerning Surfer, Random Person Who Stumbled Across My Wee Corner of Cyberspace:

This is it.

Belgium is no more for me.

At least in terms of living here.

For a while.

The time has come for me to spread my wings and fly. Something that I have threatened to do repeatedly for at least the last three years but none of us (including me) ever thought would actually happen.

Yes Folks - I am leaving Belgium.

I look at that last sentence and I still cannot believe it, even though I am typing these words in the wee hours of the morning (very quietly) in the spare bedroom of my friends’ house, friends who have kindly put me up for my last two nights of my stay in this wee country on the shoulder of Europe that most of us call Belgium but a place that I have called (and indeed thought of) as my adopted home for the last 6 and a half years.

The unthinkable has actually happened – I have finally taken the plunge, bitten the bullet, jumped recklessly on a leap of faith, or just plain ran away – depending on how you look at it – from the longest chapter of my adult life.

So, have I finally chosen a to leave the best friends I have on the planet to return to God’s Own Country and return to my home to be surrounded by my loving family?

Erm….

No.

Have I been offered a dream job somewhere that I just could not resist? (Angelina Jolie’s bikini consultant on some tropical island, for example?)

Erm….

No, again.

Am I leaving on a project that will take me out of Belgium for a while and then bring me back, before I’m even missed?

Erm, again the answer would have to be no.

The truth is I have taken a sabbatical from my job, given up all my employee privileges, moved out of my apartment, dumped a lot of stuff out of my life (with Oxfam being worthy recipients of a lot of it – such charming old ladies), placed everything else in storage, bought a backpack which is now filled to bursting - along with a hold-all and the by now famous “gay bag” - which now lie here, expectant, beside me.

Because….

I am going on a bit of an adventure.

For good, for better, or for worse, I am leaving Belgium.

I am leaving it for that country just around the corner of the world, the one where the beasties seem to be like something out of a post-nuclear war disaster movie, the place where “barbies” are king, everyone wears “boardies” and “double-plugged thongs”, sport is a way of living, crocodile hunting is a natural pastime, stingrays are fatal (along with practically everything else), and even the cuddliest inhabitant of them all, the koala, carries syphilis. (CRIKEY !!!)

A contrasting hotbed of entertainment that has spawned such big and small screen classics as Neighbours, Home and Away, Mad Max, Flying Doctors, Crocodile Dundee and Irresistible.*

* = I watched this movie last night – “Not Great” would have to be the verdict, although there was a scary bit of steam-iron action in the opening scenes. Sorry if I spoiled it for you…

Yes Folks, I’m off Down Under to try my luck there for a while.

It’s certainly not because I really did find Belgium boring (as I’m sure you all realise) but the time has come to explore, find myself, see somewhere different, whatever it is, the time is now.

I’d just like to take this opportunity to say thanks to everyone that I’ve met along the way. You’re too many too mention and as this is anonymous blog, I’m not going to anyway.

But, knowing how I am, I’m sure you already know who you are.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to say that I’ve met a few assholes along the way but once again, I’m sure you already know who you are.

I’m away for a while but I know in my heart how I feel. In the words of that finest US congressman, Termninator, I’ll be back.

In the meantime, take care of each other – at least the ones that you care about.

Lots of love.
Me

xxx

God's Own Country

I’ve just returned from a few days back home in Northern Ireland and I would just like to share the following with you:

Northern Ireland is the most fantastic place on the planet.

Of course I’m fiercely proud of where I come from.

Of course I may be somewhat biased in my observation.

Of course I may be suitably PUMPED having spent some time in the loving bosom of friends and family.

But what I am most definitely not is totally blinded by my love of my roots. I am merely stating fact – Northern Ireland is a fantastic wee country.

Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to be able to invite people over to see where I come from and even more fortunate that they have accepted the invitation. I mean, after all, based on the world’s media coverage, my wee country has been demonised at every opportunity thanks to the shocking events of the past 35 years and the media’s thinking that “Good News is No News.”

Thankfully, however, people have managed to see beyond that, trusted me and gone over and seen first-hand for themselves the wee country that is my home. And over the years none of them, and I mean none of them, have been disappointed with their experiences.

Why would this be? Why have people come over to Northern Ireland and left the place suitably impressed by what they’ve seen?

Get yer arses over there and find out for yourselves!!

But to help you, here are a few pointers:

The Northern Irish hospitality is second to none

It is quite simply one of the most scenic places on the planet

It’s cheaper than Dublin.

It’s a more authentic “Irish” experience than the tourist-chasing Republic of Ireland. You only have to see some of our famous landmarks and the understated way that they are dealt with to see what I mean by this.

It has some of the finest beaches in the British Isles.

The Antrim Coast Road is a spectacular drive and repeatedly appears on top 10 drives in the world lists.

We’re fantastic story tellers (although this blog might not prove that)

And last but not least…

We’ve got the FUCKING GIANT’S CAUSEWAY!!!

Shove that up yer “authentic, traditional, blackthorn leprechaun’s pipe” and smoke it!!

;-)

Australia is Oz-some - the first post!!

OK Folks,

(Well, Skippy, for the moment)

This is my next blog, the originally titled "Australia is Oz-some" - a little corner of cyberspace dedicated to my experiences as a wee country fella from Northern Ireland setting off on the biggest adventure of my life - a move over to Australia to sample the delights that that most beautiful of countries has to offer.

Wee bit nervous at the prospect but good or bad I know that it's going to be a HUGE ADVENTURE.

Perhaps I'll come back with my tail between my legs, perhaps not but it's something that I've got to try. I'd regret it forever if I hadn't. Yes, it's a step into the unknown but feck it, I'm the Intrepid Traveller, I'm not that bad a fella - surely Australia will be kind to me?

We'll soon find out!!

Talk to you soon.