Thought I better carry on the tradition and construct another update. Fairly cruisy day today, for a Sunday. Sundays in Auz are completely different to NZ. You can pretty much do anything on a Sunday, in the morning at least, in NZ. But not here, pretty much everything is shut. Looking around Gladstone on a Sunday, most people are probably at the pub. Auzzies do enjoy their drink.
There are a few people out and about cycling/walking etc, fitness is another big focus over here. I am rapidly growing tired of seeing television ads for “biggest loser”. You would average probably 12 or 16 ads in a standard evenings television viewing period. They definitely need some new ads... they have a dancing sausage advertising “Peter Boodle’s quality meats” which is a bit of a joke too.
They love taking the mickey out of other companies ads too, “Hungry Jacks” (BK) have an “Angry Angus” burger, advertising “It’s not fancy, it’s angry!” A direct rip of the McD’s “Fancy Angus” burger. But if you believe the ads, “the burgers are better at hungry jacks!”
What is this... a free advertising section? I’m sure you get the point however.
Pretty good weather is predicted for this week, mostly 33 and 34 degrees. Could be raining by the weekend apparently, but their weather forecasting capabilities are about on par with the NZ metservice’s, so I for one will not be holding my breath.
We have been invited to our branch manager’s house for an Australian day BBQ on Tuesday, so that will be interesting. It shall be our first real deal Auz BBQ, so we will have to play it by ear. One thing I have learnt is you cannot take anything for granted in other countries. Some things which you take as read back home are just unheard of over here.
Speaking of BBQs, we came across some “Kangaroo Sausages” in the supermarket the other day. We already were short of freezer space so decided to wait until next week, so once we have tried them I will let you know how we get on. Apparently Roo meat is supposed to be quite edible, but I’ll judge that for myself.
Speaking of food, we tried out our third “Fush n Chup” shop last night. I shall attach a picture of the resulting meal. Not as expensive as the first one, and an entirely different meal. Much superior. This round cost us about $10 each, that included a portion of chips (probably about 1/3 scoop NZ terms), a battered fish, and a “Pluto pup” (hotdog in NZ lingo). What you also get (aside from it all being contained in a cool polystyrene box) was a salad as well. (And lemon, and Tartere sauce). Personally I felt this augmented the meal well, and was a nice touch.
The chips were battered. Not just deep fried, but actually battered, and were delicious. The fish was well done, not too oily like the first one was. Very tasty with the lemon and sauce. The “Pluto Pup” was again disappointing; they only have those pre bought “corndog” type savaloys on a stick. Whereas they batter/construct their own back in NZ, we are yet to find anyone doing that over here.
Unfortunately.
I must admit, one feels a complete dick going into a fish n chip store and asking for a “Pluto pup”. However, if you ask for a hot dog you would either get an American style hotdog or a burning Labrador.
Actually probably a blue heeler... I don’t think I’ve actually seen a Labrador here yet... perhaps they burnt them to extinction with all the Kiwis coming over and asking for hot dogs. Most dogs here are short haired (funnily enough). And the magpies are scrawny things missing half their feathers. NZ magpies are far sleeker. Both sound about the same though, with the very distinct warble.
Anyhow... I think that’s about all I have to report for now. I keep thinking of things throughout the day and think “I really should write home about that” but then when it comes time to update I forget what it was I was going to write about. Perhaps a notebook might be in order.
At least it adds some weight to the reply when someone asks me “How was that?” I can now answer: “Oh, it was nothing to write home about”.
Tallyho.
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