Looking forward to the Bank Holiday.

How fortunate. My first weekend in Australia and it’s a long one. Flying down in to Melbourne to watch the grand final. (Aussie Rules – bit like Gaelic). Back to Sydney on Sunday then up to Palm Beach (with friends of Lleyton. Sea plane – how posh!).

(Stay tuned for a report on tying one on down under. You know what I mean.)

At the new gaff.

Flew in to Sydney yesterday then went out last night. Yes, Mac, you were right - the pizzas at Hugo’s are empire. Tried to go out for a few afterwards. (Didn’t see any of the guys from INXS. Or Rolf Harris). Sydney people don’t seem to last long on a Tuesday.

Speaking of which, even though I was up the front of the plane, I need to sleep.

Going off down under.

I must say, I’m pretty regular when I’m back at home. Must be that great Scottish diet. (Err, on the blog, I mean Charlie).

Anyways…

Fly out to Australia tomorrow. Have to pack the dress kilt, as I’ve a little official business to attend to while I’m there.

So I suppose I’ll, as they say, see you on the other side. Of the world.

So my next entry will probably be from sunny – I hope – Sydney.

A new sensation??

Mogwai are playing at The Barrowland tonight. Might head down.

Speaking of which, I took a peek at some upcoming gigs there.

Wouldn’t you know it? Just as I’m heading out to Australia, INXS are coming to town. And I’d been so looking forward to seeing them – particularly with the spiffing new singer. It’s just my bad luck (NOT – in case anyone is unable to detect irony as I type, I AM NOT INTERESTED IN SEEING INXS LIVE!!!).

It’s a real double whammy of quality Australian music, actually, here in November. I see Jet are playing there the night before INXS – talk about chalk and cheese. (I saw Jet in the States once. They were actually pretty good).

An observation.

Had a few bevvies and then came back in. Was thinking about stuff. As a Scot writing a blog, my mind wandered across the Irish Sea. I wonder how many Irish people are out there blogging. And, in particular, I wonder if they blog when they’re out on the bog. (Ha ha ha.) Although I suppose cutting turf and computers don’t really go together. But it’s out there if anyone wants it: a BLOG from the BOG (I did say I’d had a few drams).

Back with my dear old ma.

So there you go. Back home. If anyone I don’t know ever reads this, I suppose I should have some pictorial evidence of myself. (And it’d be cheating if I wasn’t properly attired.)



Well I’ve started so… Go on, then… Here’s another.


Yours truly in front of the old abode. A sight for sore eyes. (It will be actually, the amount of time I’m away in the next months).

Cool new album.

Only just picked this up, but on first listen it seems quite interesting. Not really my normal cup of tea, lads, but there you go. From San Francisco, I believe. There’s a sample track if you scroll down. (Ooh, and I’ll even include a picture).

Actually, I feel a bit bad now that my first musical post wasn’t a band from home. So here you go. Glasgow’s finest. (Sorry I didn’t have any tracks to download so I just did a quick search. The chap on this blog seems to get it pretty right, though). Click the pic to go through and have a listen.

Slight change of plans.

Back in Paris, staying with the cousins (yes, the twins, Mac. What was that about marrying your cousins? Royal families, indeed).

Just heard about the coup in Thailand. So there goes Krabi. Might be in Oz a bit sooner than I thought.

Or perhaps I’ll be back in Glasgow beforehand. Stay tuned.

Shattered.

Last night. Olivia Valere’s in Marbella. Less said the better. About 100 of us. (And Richie, yes Kate was there. But she was with Bobby. Next time, hey?) (No photos sorry, chaps. Not allowed.) Ouch!

Now you’re talking.

Not a lot of time to talk – but thought I’d better put this one up there for everyone who can join us next year. As you know the family’s been looking to get a new boat. One of the main reasons I’m down here in Puerto Jose Banus was to look at a few old tubs. Quite liked the look of this one. Taken off the market a day or so ago, but they think it shouldn’t be long before another comes in. The search continues…

A bit of wind

I am new to this. Sounds like I went in to tour guide mode on that last post. Tickets, anyone?

Anyway, I’ve now found my way to Tarifa (drove down from Seville). “Wind capital of Europe’ they say. I thought it was because it looks across straight over to Morocco and something to do with Southerly winds (“one too many Tagines, my friend”) but the kite surfing here is empire.

Can’t say I took it myself, but check out the quick snap.

Went out in Ruina last night. Not exactly the centre of the universe but can’t complain. Some largesse coming up, so doesn’t hurt to have a quiet one.

Oh. Also thought that in an effort for those of you reading who still think I’m a Luddite, that I’d take the opportunity to dazzle you with my new hi-tech self. I know you’ve been blagging about it for ages Mac, but I’ve finally taken a look at Google Earth. (Not sure if you can see me waving – just to the left of the red roof).

Seville in September.

We've made it to Seville - an incredible Spanish city for a lot of reasons, least of all is this amazing late season sun we're enjoying. Although enjoying crisp beers (in said sunshine) with strong cheese, followed by the statutory afternoon siesta - would be a close second.


In a celebration of all things Spanish and uniquely flamenco - Bianca and I attended The 14th Seville Biennial de Flamenco. Which opened last night (to rave reviews) with the performance of '‘Andalucia, Flamenco and Humanity' in the Lope de Vega theatre. Featuring as many as 58 artists on stage, the production was directed by Mario Maya and will tour the eight provinces of the region. Featuring the cream of Flamenco's top names - such as Fernando de la Morena, Rocio Bazan, El Pele and Carmen Linares - it was a serious and dramatic production. To be honest, I thought it a wee bit boring, especially after the decadence of Ibiza.

Ibiza Photo Fallout.

Shipwrecked off Spain.

Seriously, I thought I'd have posted a few more times in the past week. But Ibiza has just been way more than I'd expected, especially now that the island is starting to wrap it up for 2006. So with a little photo-editing, pic posting and name dropping under my belt, I'll be sure to create a post with all the action from the business end of the season, here on the island.