A Winter Walkabout

[Logie66]

[PHIL_TC]

Was just thinking that the Aussie trip would make a great chapter one for the soon to be published "Don"s ultimate guide to the club sandwich". Expect photos and full reviews  

[Logie66]

Yes, you are correct Phil, the first two references will be documented for Brisbane and Adelaide, with perhaps the bonus of Hong Kong airport if I can locate one.

This could be an epic publication  

[pables]

Yes, you are correct Phil, the first two references will be documented for Brisbane and Adelaide, with perhaps the bonus of Hong Kong airport if I can locate one.

This could be an epic publication  

I await with much excitement. Have a top trumps trip Don, wish I was going too, but unfortunately I would get killed!  

[tumblet]

I did spot you in Luton and was going to ask if you were going, but somehow forgot to try and find you later..

Good luck have fun, and make sure you keep us updated pics and all..

[Logie66]

After finally discovering which hotels in Brisbane and Adelaide that I"ll be staying in I decided to investigate the evening entertainment options, in particular Casinos.  One from a point of view of actually playing a game of poker on my travels and secondly to find something to keep me occupied and out of trouble in the evenings, casinos and out of trouble don"t really go I know  

Found an option in Brisbane for a casino, although it doesn"t seem to specialise in any poker games or tournaments, just the standard casino table games, hey ho Blackjack for the win I guess in Brisbane.

Doing a similar search for a location in Adelaide comes up trumps ! It seems Texas Hold Em is fairly popular in Adelaide, and I find the Adelaide Casino, similar looking website to the G Casinos in the UK and it has a poker section.  Daily tournaments running, a freezeout on a Wednesday and Friday evening.  If I"m lucky and get organised in Adelaide and the Casino isn"t a big trip from the hotel I will hopefully get a couple of games of poker in.

Do a quick look up of my hotel in Brisbane, discover that the Casino is adjacent, hmmm, might actually keep me in trouble whilst I"m in Brisbane !!!  At least I won"t have far to stagger home at the end of each day  

[duke3016]

hey ho Blackjack for the win I guess in Brisbane.

22 for the win

[PHIL_TC]

Yes, you are correct Phil, the first two references will be documented for Brisbane and Adelaide, with perhaps the bonus of Hong Kong airport if I can locate one.

This could be an epic publication  

[Logie66]

A good effort Phil, I can see it going global  

[Logie66]

Well, the trip is finally upon me, one more day to go, a few hours at work in the morning and then the final packing of the suitcase before heading off to Heathrow Terminal 3 for my 22:05 flight to Hong Kong, connecting flight to Brisbane the next night, the one bit of the trip I"m not looking forward to is the length of journey.

The England team have found some form in the warm up games, a much more professional approach than the the last Ashes tour.  This time the Aussies seem to be in a bit of disarray and hopefully we will be able to take advantage of this if we hit the ground running.  As per the last series in England, a lot of the results may be determined by the toss and the decision taken by the Captains.

Here"s to hoping for some good calls and decisions by Captain Strauss !

[duke3016]

Have a good trip Don

[pables]

Have a gr8 time Don, I am sooooo jealous!

[Fatcatstu]

Have a great time Don, i will keep an eye out on the googlebox for you.

Oh and if at all possible, punch Ricky Ponting in his stoaty little face for me.

Many thanks
x

[Logie66]

Wednesday 24th November

Finally arrived in Brisbane after departing the UK late on Monday night.  Journey consisted of two flights, a ten and a half hour journey to Hong Kong on a 747.  Got a small amount of sleep, but not much as I always struggle to sleep on planes, watched a couple of movies and played a bit of blackjack to help the time past.  Flight was pretty smooth, can"t actually remember any turbulence at all.  Unfortunately was stuck in the middle section so no views of Hong Kong as we flew in, which was a shame as I was hoping to see the skyline.  Couldn"t see anything from the airport and it got dark rather quickly as well.  A pint or four were had waiting for the connection flight to Brisbane, another late one.  Plane was delayed slightly in Hong Kong, but eventually we set off for Brisbane this time on an Airbus A330.  Another smooth 8 hour flight until we started the descent into Brisbane, a couple of pockets of still air hit and it was like a rollercoaster for a couple of minutes, certainly woke everyone up  




We were transferred over to the hotel by Ross, who was showing a lot of bottle in front of us with regard to the Ashes, they seem to be convincing themselves that they are still the number 1 team to beat !!

Hotel room is spacious and ideal for relaxing in, a 50 yard walk from the hotel is the Treasury Casino, quite renowned locally apparently, I will have to make a visit to check it out, although I think I"ll be struggling this evening as the lack of sleep is slowly catching up with me.



A little further past the casino is the view over to the Brisbane Southbank, looks a little familiar, not sure where they have modelled this on.  A few good bars located over there so I"m sure some evenings will be spent sampling the entertainment on offer.



Well Brisbane seems a nice place, although the smoking laws appear to be a bit draconian to say the least, they even have smoking police by all accounts, must remember to not stub a ciggie out on the ground !!

First test starts tomorrow, weather forecast is ok according to the locals, could be an interesting toss, perhaps both Captains might actually want to lose this one  

Off to find a club sandwich, will provide a report on my first sample later.

[PHIL_TC]

Good to hear you"re there safe mate, enjoy.. looking forward to the cricket and club sandwich updates