Tents, cars and Hash House Harriettes

Hello Blog Watchers (assuming that there are some of you out there - it's almost impossible to know if anyone is reading the blog - let me know if you are)

It's been a few days since the last post but they have been very busy days indeed. We have done the rounds of the tent and camping shops and are starting to narrow down on what we need. The general advice seems to go for something light and easily transportable which means you can go for a bigger tent for your money - we have decided against the trailer tent. However, when did we listen to advice?! We are leaning towards the more durable (and more expensive) end of the market as, for the next 10 months or so, this is to be our home. Steven, our son's, advice was to buy cheap then throw away and replace. As well as tentage the other big budget items are likely to be a fridge / freezer and a generator for electricity.

Today was particularly hot and sweaty going round car show rooms. We have narrowed down our choice of vehicles to a Toyota Landcruiser or Nissan Patrol and a number seem to be available and within budget - we are off again tomorrow for a few more test drives.

Of course it's not all been work and no play - on Wednesay we went for a walk at Watson's Bay and here is me beside the famous Doyles Restaurant.

It was a bit of deja vu for Sandra and I as this is where we spent our last afternoon on a previous trip to Australia.

We met up with a group of (mostly) female runners who go for a run (or in many cases a walk) every Wednesday. Johann, Sandra's sister, is a member of this group and we "got involved" - this generally meant drinking and Sandra and I were forced against our will to drink beer in a oner - again there is photographic evidence!

These were the local "Hash House Harriers" - female section known as The Harriettes - a harmless group of middle aged, middle class eccentrics who like a drink - we felt quite at home!

After the sporting! activities we adjourned to a local Thai restaurant for a meal. As the place didn't serve alcohol, myself and one of the party, an American called Tom (right front in photo) disappeared to the local pub for a carry out where we got involved in the quiz night and were invited back next week.

All for now, off to bed to prepare for another had day 4WD testing.

Oh, one final thing, particularly for those who know Sandra in her professional role, she identified a bus driver who she considered to have "attitudinal problems" and tried to put him in his place. However Aussie bus drivers don't like being put in their place by a Pommy female so a small row erupted. She claims it was a draw - but we were still put off the bus!