Chatterbox for community hero

Today I was going to try something I had never done before and that was going to be public speaking. This was part of a competition with my employer, Coles. I had put my name down for community hero and won at the store level so that was going to get me to the next level. I was to speak to a small group of people. I was going to talk about my involvement with the marine rescue and was hoping something would happen. Other community heroes and their store managers along with three judges would be present. I had written points out that would help me if I got stuck.

My plan for the ride down was to visit The Big Prawn that had been revamped and now located at the Bunnings site in Ballina. I was rugged up in my marine rescue uniform and off down the road thinking I would get to the surfclub with plenty of time to relax. The plan went kind of out the window when I took the first turn off to Ballina and wondered where that prawn was. I knew it would be huge and sticking out. A comfort stop later, I headed down the road not sure where I was meant to be heading. I chose the turnoffs mentioning Lennox Head as I knew the road would be nearby though pretty clueless as I had taken the wrong turn off to Ballina. On my way to Lennox Head, I spotted a turn off that said East Ballina and realised I needed that turn off as I was going the wrong way. I turned around and promptly was lost yet again. Knowing the surf club would be near the beach and the river entrance. Those I spotted pretty quickly and headed down the hill even though I found a lighthouse. I had reached my destination even though I had been slightly lost.

My boss was actually standing out front though I never asked if he was waiting for me, but he knew I had gotten lost. I was rushing as I still had my bike jacket over my uniform. Once I entered the room I was met with several people I knew. One was my old boss and another co worker who was in another store. At least I knew someone and I chatted to a girl who was in the SES for my local area. There were some interesting stories. Even Bruce the safety dragon stepping in for someone who was overseas. All the talks were interesting. I did stand up amongst them all to have my turn though I didn’t go to well. My brain splintered into squirrel mode, but I managed to make people laugh about hitting charter boats. I did not attempt to read my notes and that could have been the problem, but at least it was done though I have tried my best and was a new experience for me and am proud of myself. I had achieved so much out of the talk too. There are many interesting people who work for St. John ambos, SES, Soft ball coaches, church group leaders, meals on wheels and so much more. The managers of the stores learnt a bit too as they never knew the effort people put into volunteering their time. I was congratulated for a job well done even though I was not a winner at all on the day. I would say getting lunch and drinks are worth so much more for a day out.

After the meal and everyone went their separate ways I wanted to find the lighthouse and cemetery. Thing was I found the cemetery, but had no idea where I could find that cemetery. It had actually lost it again. I had done the same in Paris a few years before, but found it. My goal was to find the Big Prawn as I had a fair idea where to find it. I found I got myself going the wrong way again as I ended up following the exit to Tweed instead of Grafton. I was actually heading the way I came earlier in the day. Another comfort stop later I was back heading towards Grafton and that was when I found my prawn. The prawn should have been big enough for me to find in the first place. I was happy and off I was heading towards Byron Bay with the weather starting to close in a touch. There was some rain, but I was hoping not too much.

The ride towards Byron was interesting as I found my turn off that I had missed as I had been lost, but further down the road I found another turn off that could have taken me right to the beach front where the surf club is. There was a house with a nautical theme especially since it had lighthouses in front. Lennox Heads I bypassed as I wanted Byron and the famous lighthouse. The ride was actually longer than I thought it to be especially when some of the roads were in need of maintenance of some sort. Then I found the price of parking so I never got off the bike even though I was in need of a loo. I was surprised by the tracks up to the light house as the road was very narrow, but I was not going to stop for the $7 parking. The parking down the hill was $4 though I do hope they did not take offence to the fact I had to use the loo and not pay for parking. I was going to, but being busting and the coin wouldn’t go in I decided to opt for the easier option. Byron Bay didn’t prick my attention though could be as it was a touch wet, but not raining. I had without realising from the light house chosen the correct route to head towards the highway. Parking did seem to be costly there as I had noticed and my guess was the free parking would be full. If I had people to meet I would travel down more often, but there are interesting places to find. I was a little confused by the exit onto the highway as they were doing road works, but I soon made my way to the correct path.

It was actually pretty good to bypass the hill with its radar trap and the massive amount of road works that was occurring along the way. The ride home late afternoon was really good and I had to stop at Chinderah again for fuel unlike last time where I had the fuel light on for some time and worried I would run out. I am worried about riding through that part of Chinderah as there are scarlet houses abound in that area. They might like KFC or Maccas. I did have a pretty good day away from everything and I could not have asked for more other than getting myself lost. This would have to be my signature move with every trip I seem to make I misalign myself.

Eureka Day 10 Buzzing off to the Gold Coast

Eureka Day 10 Buzzing off to the Gold Coast

I did actually sleep in a little since I was going to head home to the Gold Coast from Melbourne. I did first have to pack my clothes and other goodies from the trip. I did end up with several books about the gold mining areas in Victoria , Sovereign Hill and about the Deborah mine in Bendigo. I do hope I have shown people something different to look at in the various places that I have visited as I think my blogs could inspire people to learn more about their locations or drive them to visit them regardless. I could say the same of myself about where I live.

It had been suggested that I wander over to the Chadstone shopping centre and I was looking at the time and knew I would not have time at all to get that far and back before having to leave. I was going to just take a walk through Oakleigh before heading off to wait for Margie to get back so that we could head towards the airport. I wanted a pie and found there was a nice decent bakery that did potato pies in the shopping centre and that would be my first stop. They did seem to be really nice people the day before. I did walk in the direction I thought the shopping centre was, but I found a church / school and some more decent graffiti art that you do not see elsewhere. On the walk back to the house I noticed that in the little plaza type area that one fast food restaurant had not lasted and was just an empty shell and that was Subway. I am guessing that the local community like the café type locations better that you can sit and drink coffee.

It didn’t take long before I was off to the airport and learning about the different sculptures in the city of Melbourne especially the main freeways. The Ferris wheel did look pretty big when you passed it, but it was better than passing it beneath Costco. From a distance it takes up a bit of skyline. The plan was to do a dump and run at the airport and I had not expected to be dropped off, but it was good to ride to see what the local area was like. We did make the airport with plenty of time to spare and I think I had around 10 or so minutes left to spare, but at least I could check in and then zoom off to the departure gate to wait for the plane to be called. I did read something recently about not wasting time waiting in places like airports. I would never think I am as I have a book and music so I am pro active with my time. Once on the plane I found I was in the middle of two elderly ladies and one mentioned that I was the rose between two thorns. The plane was a little noisy too with a group of young ladies who were chattering away like what you hear in a class room and one had a decent camera with a zoom. It didn’t feel that long of a flight and I landed to blue sky and warm weather instead of being cold. My gear that I was wearing was actually feeling pretty warm.

I had one of the marine rescue people pick me up as he works with mum. It was pretty funny as I was going to have a coffee to wait for mum who had to finish work, but I got the offer to be picked up and I took it. I was not going to say no to getting home earlier than expected and I did have to stop at mum’s work to get keys to the house. I did have one dog that was both very happy to see that I was back and was in shock that someone was coming home. I was happy to be home. I did have to take her for a walk and I think that was something we needed to do.

My trips usually have the return in the mornings and on a weekend. This time around I am coming home on a weekday in the afternoon something I don’t usually do. I have noticed many things on this trip to the southern State of Victoria and that is I will be back. Someday I will have to catch a game of AFL somewhere like the MCG or another stadium. I didn’t visit museums this time round and I just wanted to see the buildings and other things like statues. They all tell a story of a city and locality. It is why I am in pursuit of anything that I find to be interesting. I really do like the public transport even if there are times where it can be squashy. I take the good with the bad as it is always some sort of experience and where are we without experiences? We could do worse and I love going at my own pace, but can handle doing the same for others too.

On my trip thus far I have seen some of the Gold trail and been down in mines to see how the people bought the metal to the surface. I have been to locations where there have been uprisings and stockades built where legends grew. Australia is a bountiful country with many learning experiences if you choose to find them. Places like cemeteries are locations that have some rarely seem architecture and information about their lives that will surprise people later on. Others have monuments to their achievements or even ill fated explorations that captures the public's imaginations

Eureka Day 9 Rambles through Melbourne

Eureka Day 9 Rambles through Melbourne

I did hear the weather outside my window this morning, but I wanted to be off early enough so that I would not get stuck anywhere. I would still wear a thermal shirt as you never know what could happen during the day. I was planning on visiting the Fitzroy gardens and head off to the cemetery from there. The weather was much nicer than the day before. Once out in it all the weather does seem to hold without too much drama.

There never seems to be huge waits for the train at all. I seem to get one within minutes of arriving to the station heading into the city. I nearly did start running when some of the people began running. Walking got me onto the train that arrived minutes later. On the spur of the moment I got off the train at Richmond station to head towards the MCG. The one place I had wanted to visit since I was passing it since I was on the same line. I followed the outer ring of the stadium and was not too interested in visiting the Rod Laver arena even though it would have been a short walk. I was looking at the monuments and then headed off to the Fitzroy Gardens where hovered outside Captain Cook’s house. From there I found the fairy garden, Tudor model houses that I learnt were older than I had thought. I did have a coffee break before heading of towards the treasury gardens where I was after JF Kennedy memorial. I was sure this was the American one and I was right. It was a small garden with water feature.

The next plan was to look at Hosier Lane on my way to Elizabeth street to catch the tram. Hosier Lane was not what I was expecting as it was one of those legal graffiti streets in the city. I was impressed by the amount of work and it seems to change overnight at times too.  There were plenty of other people in the lane taking pics and some locals who do their own thing too.  It would be interesting to see the changing street scape. I did have a wander into another laneway near Flinders station and observed the mass of people eating at the varied cafes. I found my own lunch and jumped into the tram heading towards the cemetery. This time I was planning to visit.

I thought I was lost trying to find the Melbourne General cemetery and was looking at my phone map to find that I was on the right track, but only had a couple of metres to walk. Once inside I visited the office and got a map that was very different from the one outside. I didn’t have all the people from the historic perspective, but I found the ones I wanted to find like Burke and Wills monument,  Peter Lalor, Someone dedicated to have found gold in Kalgoorlie, an 8 hour monument and a Chinese kiln. I never realised just how big the cemetery was and I thought t was funny to include an Elvis memorial, but who could complain about that one. It was big and a long walk. I found there was a need to watch the footing as it was slippery too. I was feeling it since I had nearly walked everywhere and I was thinking about getting a Lygon street tram, but went to the original place I had caught on the Coburg line as I wanted to visit the mall before catching a train.

Once I had left the area I caught the tram back to the city and was happy to be off my feet. I had to stop to meet with Gog and Magog who rang bells at the shopping centre. I had been feeling pretty tired and was happy to hop onto the train, but had taken an underground route called Degraves street or under it. I like the little lanes and should do a whole tour next time. For once I was early to catch a train back to Oakleigh and avoided the huge crowds. It was still light too, but I was called and was picked up to go out for dinner at a local club. There was some discussion later on about where the gangsters like Carl was buried as it had been thought it was at the same cemetery I had visited. No such luck as they are expensive and built up out in other locations. Would be interesting to look into those ones more like an Underbelly tour. I had only used public transport at Elizabeth street as the rest of the time from the MCG to  Flinders I did on foot. I do have sore feet though, but happy to be off them.

Eureka Day 8 Windswept in Melbourne

Eureka Day 8 Windswept in Melbourne

I woke up late this morning and i think it was best that I was allowed to sleep in for a little bit. The weather from the sounds of it outside the window was something that really was not nice at all. I was planning to freestyle around Melbourne with a first stop at the Melbourne General Cemetery. Once I had left the house I wandered through the streets of Oakleigh and found it interesting looking at what the Greek community has with the shops. They sold plenty of food products that I had not seen back in Tweed. Fish mongers and butchers working together with the big two supermarkets. I guess they all complement each other in their own ways. I like being near a train station as I can always go into town with no problems at all.

My plan didn’t turn out the way I thought it would. I ended up in the city and had to get onto the tram that was heading towards Coburg. I thought I could catch it from Flinders street, but it was actually on Elizabeth street instead. Not very far from the station at all and this was my first real tram I was catching other than something like the circle line. I am still not totally sure about the trams, but this was enjoyable. I got a shock when I got off as cars behind were not moving, but I thought I would wear a car as I was that far from the stop.  Turns out when discussing it later that the cars have to stop or else they get a fine. The weather was actually pretty windy and my thoughts was to get to the cemetery, but first I will have a coffee at the university. The door to the cafe due to the wind was hard to open and I was not the only one surprised. Friends on Facey were telling me to turn back and seek shelter as the weather guys were predicting trees to be falling down and would not be a great place to be in a cemetery. I tried walking a bit further once I had my coffee, but had to admit defeat even though I was close to the destination. I didn’t know if I would get very wet. I was happy to have seen a stone laid by Nellie Melba in the university. I did learn this weather was normal for Melbourne, but some places did lose power. I was messaging people hiding behind a museum realising I should turn back and follow the advice of others.

One destination I decided would be best in the weather was the Queen Victoria Markets. Walking with the wind seemed better and there was a little bit of rain as well. I was looking for the John Batman monument that was there. I knew the markets were the location for a cemetery. I didn’t know people were still under there. I was following the history of the markets and I had lunch, which was something that was needed. I think I found all I was wanting at the markets and I never bought anything at all. Only things was food, but that was something I needed. Off into the city I went looking for my favourite bookstore called Minotaur. It didn’t disappoint as I found something I was after. I found another bookstore called Dymoks and stayed for coffee. A book I had been looking for was a little expensive being $50 and I don’t think I really need to read it. I went hunting down the state library that I always visit when in Melbourne. Near the Latrobe statue I nearly slipped over on the mud. That generated some laughs from passerbys.

I didn’t know where I wanted to go next, but found another university with Francis Ormand standing there. I was interested and walked to the other side. Looking at the map I found I was close to the old Melbourne Goal. I walked around the block past the 8 hour work monument that was outside the goal. I seem to find a few of those. The Melbourne Goal’s courtyard was actually open so I could visit as I had always seen it shut up. Ned Kelly was mentioned on several occasions on the outside. I know he is mentioned many times on the inside. From there I went to parliament via the bottom edge of the Carlton gardens. I was distracted by the St Patrick’s Cathedral. It was a huge building and I did walk the grounds finding a few statues and the original building where part of a tower marked the location. I found the parliament building with a large amount of police floating around. It was starting to become dark and on several occasions I had used the loo at that station including having to use my myki card, but not getting charged for it. I was going to leave, but found trains delayed and huge crowds getting on. I decided to leave and come back an hour later.

My phone was nearly dead as I walked around the Treasury gardens and headed for food. Some random guy asked me if I played the trumpet and if I was British. I laughed and said no. He did talk to some lady who walked off very fast. He did see m again on the other side of the road, but I walked off looking for food and hoped he was not around when I came back. After a quick meal I was off again back to the station. I was wondering what was with the police bikes in front of the parliament building so I had a sticky beak. They were protesting Tony Abbott and after a new election. Several people were wearing the anonymous masks, but I don’t know if they were the real deal. I headed home on the next train after spending a few minute looking at what was going on. Trains were still delayed and I later found there had been an accident at Caulfield, but I had no problems. I had heard Dandenong line had problems with snow. I had found my way back with no problems either and the bad weather seemed to have eased.