Rumblings of a marketing man on tour…

Stubble? Me?!

So, I’m at the domestic terminal waiting for my flight to Melbourne. There’s obviously been a big match or convention this weekend, as there’s shedloads of skinny girls, all wearing rather revealing cheerleader costumes.

As I’m sure you can imagine, they’re attracting a fair bit of attention.

Even the slightly tubby one, with just a hint of stubble growing through his very thick (and somewhat orange), make-up. Bless.

Here’s hoping they’re NOT on my flight ce soir…

Iain is looking forward to another week with Pinky and the brain in Melbourne…

I like freckles I do...

A cute café where I’m grabbing lunch in the go (gotta dash home, drop off Melbourne case, and get suited n’booted for the event at the Consulate General’s residence ce soir).

On the wall under a freckle faced clock, is the gem;

‘A face without freckles, is like a sky without stars’.

Cute!

Iain is looking forward to the fererro rocher and being spoilt by the ambassador…

Yes, I’m back in Sydney. Lucky Sydney I hear you cry. Bruce Forsyth would be proud.

A massive delay, so I’m going to be 90 mins late for work. Great start to the week when I have a stack on and an evening engagement every night.

An idea of the hotness...

Still, delayed, but good old budget tiger do try pretty damned hard. Special mention to Danesh, the hottest (and sadly straightest) cabin crew I’ve ever clapped eyes on. Guns so big, the shirt hugged him so tight, nothing was left to the imagination.

Certainly helped the time pass quicker…

Back in Sydney, big week ahead. Just hope this miserable spring rain that’s lingered here (luckily not Melbourne) most of the weekends toddles off sharpish!

Iain is on a Melbourne countdown…

The infamous Melbourne cup...

Just quickly as the cab’ll be here for me before 6am to get me to the office for 9am. I’ve had an amazing Sunday which consisted of:

- being woken by not the lady and the plumber, but Mrs. And Mrs. Thumb (think about it)
- a lovely brekkie, closely followed by coffee+cake from the cutest wee shop (which stocked Duchy Originals)
- a drive out to an amazing big hill / mountain type viewpoint with views of Melbourne (can’t remember the name) – an authentic Aussie house warming barby hosted by some of Pinky’s old mates
- a swim in the indoor heated pool, closely followed by the finest home cooked meal…

I’ve had a great time in Melbourne. Such a great time that my week off will mainly be spent here, with trips around the region. The best bit?

I’ll be in the members enclosure at the Melbourne cup a week Tuesday! The Aussie version of our Ascot. Oh, that and more time with Pinky and the Brain, who’ve effortlessly made my weekend here an absolute pleasure…

Iain is going to win big on the geegees..

Great word slack.  So descriptive…

Certainly not using it in the business sense, nor is it anything physical (ooer missus), but more in terms of my updating you on my travels in straaaaailyaaaa.

Well, to be honest . It’s just been ok.

Sydney on paper, scores well. Good centre of commerce, business opportunities, stunning weather, views, established ‘cool’ scene, plenty lovely bars, restaurants, clubs and although it has The Opera House, it does score fairly low on the cultural side.

The harbour and ‘that view’ are picture perfect, but Sydney itself is a 60% facsimile of a city like London. Sorry Sydney-siders I know that will not be a popular view, but despite trying I just find myself a little disconnected, unable to emotionally connect (jeez, get me to Oprah’s couch), with this as a place.

That said, I’m having a grand old time.

Great working with my very talented colleagues out here (unsung heros in my book), and I’m living the life with my apartment, dinners out every night, you know how it is. I’ve also been lucky enough to catch up with a couple of old agency mates (one more to go), caught up with someone I worked with donkeys years ago randomly in the six degrees of separation exercise (although out here it’s more like one or two), eaten in a lot of lovely eateries, etc, etc, etc…

This weekend however, the tour takes me to Melbourne. A city I love!

It has a cultural heart. It has a European soul. It has blue blood running through its lovely little veins. The weather might throw four seasons at you in one day, but by god it’s stunning. When I was here three years ago, I was there for about five days, two of which I sadly spent bedridden with a horrible flu (my travelling companion found plenty to stay occupied with however!).

So, it’s off to see Pinky and Princess Jay, who is the little sis of one of my closest high school chums. They’ve prepared the West Wing for me, and I can’t wait to see them. More tonight on the Kodak moments of the past few days, a jesus racing van (seriously!), Alf Stewart, the odd Opera House snap, and a few of the reasons why I do like Sydney…

Iain is ready for Melbourne!

Is it the right way up?

Well, it’s almost time.

A sneaky week off first (just seeing some friends, probably nowt blog-worthy), and then I’m off to Sydney. I fly next Saturday night, land Monday morning and head straight into the office.

Jet lag? Pah, sleep is for wimps…

I have an apartment booked, no idea where. But I hear it’s the same area where the Aussie PM lives. Tis meant to be rather lush, and rather close to a famous bridge and house of opera…

A million and one things to do between now and then, but I can’t wait get to a nice temperat Aussie spring. Sydney, Melbourne, The Barossa valley will all be on the list. And after that, who knows…

Iain is counting down the days…