Australia Day

Gidday.

Well. It's finally here. That one day of the year which allows all Auzzies to wave blue and red and white flags and call each other "Australian". Heaven forbid you do anything unpatriotic today, for you will be labeled "Unaustralian" and over here, that is an insult indeed. And for once I'm not joking.

However, I did manage to poke some fun at the locals and wore my "NZ" black and silver fern top to the boss's Australia day BBQ. And what's more, I got away with it without being shot at. Met a few of the bosses friends and some other guys from work who normally reside out at a mine. Pretty decent sort of blokes, as most of the auzzies I've met so far seem to be.

I am most impressed with Auzzie meats. The sausages and steaks and lamb are magnificent. They really push the lamb thing here, and I can see why. I am now convinced that NZ must export all it's decent meat, because for a country known for it's sheep (as I am reminded regularly), our meat is nothing compared to the auzzie offering.
I know NZ is capable of producing this quality because some of the home kill meat I have sampled back home is very similar in quality, and has much more flavour than the stuff you buy off the shelves.

Anyhow, after the BBQ we spent pretty much all of the afternoon in the pool, so I'm hoping I'm not too burnt. I did apply the sunscreen but I didn't realise I had spent quite so long in the water. Had a game of pool after we were out of the pool which was good because I happened to win. Another score for the Kiwis.

Spoke to one guy there and he said: "Mate, your from NZ, I've been to NZ and seen NZ, and it's incredible. Why on earth would you want to leave?". Definitely food for thought, perhaps the NZ government needs to ask themselves that exact question.
Almost everyone you talk to here either knows or works with a Kiwi, there is a lot of us over here. Some choose to move for the weather, some for the lifestyle, but most people move for the $$$. Have I mentioned there is a heck of a lot of money in Australia? I guess it's one of the advantages of being able to just dig stuff out of the ground and sell it to the world. You are more or less mining money. NZ cannot compete in my opinion, especially with over taxation and poor management. The tourists don't get to see that side of NZ, perhaps if it were made more widely known the government would be forced to do something more about the situation instead of taking us Kiwis for a ride.

Anyhow, enough politics for today. Short week now, only 3 days to go, so that's pretty good. Got a few outstanding jobs to complete so I should have plenty to keep me out of trouble until the weekend. Think we might head up to Rocky seeing as we didn't make it today, go and win some more pub pool if we can.

Right, it's half past 6 at night now, and almost dark, so I might go and sort out some dinner.

TTFN.