Category — Sydney
Playing Two up for Anzac Day in Sydney
So, this is the 2nd year I’ve been in Australia for Anzac day, and this year, I decided to do it properly. For those that don’t know about ANZAC day, I suggest you read the article on Wikipedia. In summary, it was the first major military action in the first world war by the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps, and this day celebrates the pride of these countries in this corp. It’s celebrated all over the country, and the services start as early as 4am.
One of the games that was invented by them was 2-up and the only day you can legally play it in Australia is on Anzac day. The principal behind it is to flip 3 coins off a wooden paddle, and whichever 2 sides match is the winner, hence “two-up“. There are some rules though: You have to get a good flip on the coins - if they don’t spin enough when you through them up, it’s a no-throw. Likewise, they have to get a good height - but not too high or hit the ceiling. And on hitting the ground, they have to all stay with the defined boundaries.
Now that sounds pretty dull in essence, but it’s a actually a blast! The reason being that you bet other people in the audience, and everyone - I mean everyone - gets involved. You can shout out a bet of say $10 on heads, and someone will say I’ll call you tails. The person who calls heads looks after the bet until the result is known. Then if they win, they keep it, and if they lose - tails - they give the money to the other person. You’d think people would try to cheat the system, but they don’t. The spirit is absolutely amazing! Everybody has great fun and chats and laughs and you just can’t imagine how much fun it is. It’s just a shame that it only happens once a year.
We spent an impressive 5 hours in the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel that afternoon, but not playing that all day. All in all it was a great day, and next year I’ll make sure I’m up for the dawn service.
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April 27, 2008 No Comments
The Geordie Thermometer joke and how cold Sydney Weather really gets
So I now live in Sydney. I’m originally from Essex in England, so I’m used to fairly cold weather. Went winter rolled in, the jumpers and jackets would roll out. After all, the great North-South divide declares us as Southern Softies.
But, “Up North” - you have to say that with your best Geordie accent - it’s a different story. My friend is from Newcastle and we have the running joke’s about the differences between the North and South of England. And today, as the temperature drops to the point where I’m considering wearing a jumper - yes, it does get cold in Sydney despite the myths - I was reminded of a classic joke… The Geordie Thermometer.
It’s so true. I’ve never been up there, but I have friends from there, and they just don’t seem to feel the chill. It’s a strange thing. And that joke cracks me up every time!
One thing it has made me realise is that I really want to go there! I can’t believe I’ve never been. I went to Uni in the Midlands, and Newcastle’s not that far from it.
And yes, I just mentioned it. I actually have a selection of Winter clothes here in preparation for the Sydney Winter. It last for around 2 months, but thankfully doesn’t get as cold as home - gloves are not needed. But one thing I do wish is that they didn’t make manhole covers out of the slipperiest material known to man! I’m serious. The other day, it rained, and you can see all of Sydney’s working population carefully avoiding them like some kind of hop-scotch game. Those fool hardy enough to venture onto them, usually ended up doing some kind of impromptu dance routine with all the coordination of burning confetti in a tornado!
But, I do kind of like the rain. Reminds me a little of home. It’s rarely the same kind of drizzle you get in London - which is a good thing - but it is kind of comforting to know there are similarities with Sydney. Roll on deepest Winter… I’ve got my jacket ready.
April 16, 2008 No Comments
Awesome Night Flight into Sydney over the Harbour
I had to write this. I’ve been working in Melbourne today, and so got a late flight back. This in itself is nothing special, but at that time of day, the planes head to the North of Sydney, and then fly back West of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. What this means is that you get a simple amazing view of Sydney, made even more impressive by the building and bridge lights.
It started flying over Epping - yes, there’s a suburb of Sydney called Epping, but it’s not quite the same as Epping in Essex, although that is the origin of the name - past St Leonards, and North Sydney. Then you see the bridge and the harbour open up, before seeing the towers of the city, all lit brightly against the dark night. The Sky Tower a pin-prick of building surround by these great monoliths of steel, concrete and light. The only thing I couldn’t see was the Opera House - although that may have been caused by the distraction of everything else.
The only thing I can compare it to was flying down the River Thames late at night passing over the whole of London. Going to have to book more late flights - but perhaps not on a Friday night as it wreaks havoc on your social life!
April 4, 2008 1 Comment
Thanks for your support
Thank you to everyone that supported me in my recent Sydney Harbour Bridge Run. For those of you that didn’t you still have a few more days to go and sponsor me:
http://gofundraise.com.au/gregory-brine
Fingers crossed I can still make that target I was after. And thank you in advance.