A brick lane curry

Mick and Adam near Brick Lane

Well Mum and Dad have swept through again. They got back from Ireland yesterday in the afternoon and off to Paris on the Eurostar (train that goes under the English channel) early this morning. You might have heard people say 'if you want to get the best Indian curry in the world, go to London'. Brick lane is famous in London for having heaps of curry houses, all 'very good quality' and good price.

Margaret, Mick and Adam - ready to drive a hard bargain!

So we went over there on the tube (it is in East London and I live in West London) and did a lap of the street. We were assured by touts out the front of nearly every door that their chef had won a brick lane chef competition and that we could have 20 or 30% off with a free pint of Cobra (Indian beer) each.

Margaret and Mick in London? Looks more like India!

The curry was excellent although it was very very mild. I think they cater for people with bland tastes. But if I go back, I'll ask for just a little bit more hot...

Visas all round

Well finally it has come through - the new UK visa has been approved. So now all I have to do is go home and get it in my passport and collect Melinda. I also just got another visa - an Indian visa! It looks like I might be off to India for a month for work. However, as is the nature of the work that I do, I'll believe it when I'm on the plane and taking off!!

Mum and Dad in London

My (Adam’s) Mum and Dad have been in the UK now for nearly 2 weeks. So far I have taken them on a trip through Wales, shown them around London (as well as seeing some sights myself!) and they have done a trip to the lake district and around Kent.

Today they have left for a week in Ireland complete with my sat nav which should guide them nicely around the island of Ireland. I am still waiting to hear about a visa which will allow Melinda to come back to the UK and unfortunately there is nothing you can do to make them hurry up. It’s ironic because I, probably like the majority of other people who have never had to deal with immigration officials, used to see people on TV winging about visas etc and think ‘oh well, who cares that’s their problem!’. Now when we are in that situation its really quite annoying!!

Nevermind, I have settled back in to London life and managed to get tickets to the Guiness Premiership Final (which is like the AFL or NRL Grand Final of English Rugby). Even better, my team Gloucester was playing! But they lost to Leicester and never really put on much of a show. The day wasn't lost though as I went to my rugby club's dinner and dance at the Queens Club where they have the Stella Artois tennis comp just before Wimbeldon. A bit of fun wearing a tux and some flash food...

Heineken Cup Final at Twickenham

Danni Minogue and cops on the plane

I (Adam) am back in London now and Melinda is staying in Australia until the new visa comes through for her. The flight back was as boring as you would expect with a couple of exceptions.

I was walking through Melbourne airport and I looked at this tiny little woman and though 'Gee you look like Kylie Minogue.....oh, you're Danni Minogue!!' Naturally I immediately phoned Melinda who is a massive Kylie fan to brag. I saw her again in the airport in Hong Kong and I must say she looks better in person than she does in her photos!!

Just in case you forgot what Danni looks like...

Anyhow, when we got to London everyone was instructed to remain in their seats as police were going to board the plane to 'conduct a search'. They came on and went straight towards to blokes who were escorted off the plane with their hand luggage.

Its now the morning after and I will be out to the airport again shortly to meet my Mum and Dad who are coming over for a visit.

Knackered after a month on the sauce in Australia

Well I have been very slack and not updated the blog for a month now. I am sitting at Melbourne airport waiting for my flight which has been delayed and trying not to fall asleep. It has been a month of solid socialising, eating, drinking, eating and drinking.

On the trip I managed to:
- Attend a bucks day,
- Take my mum out for dinner for her birthday,
- Go camping in the bush with my Dad,
- Spend a couple of days wake boarding and beers with an old mate,
- Attend a wedding
- Look at and choose a venue for our own upcoming wedding,
- Meet people for a quick beer only to finish 8 or 9 hours later (several times),
- Go out for dinner a few times with friends,
- Go to Darwin to see my sister,
- Meet some old mates for a large Anzac day back in Melbourne

And after all that I still missed out on seeing a couple of people. But my liver has given me a stern talking to and I hope to stay off the grog for at least 2 or 3 days. (Does the 24 hours on the plane count??!!)

My mum and dad are leaving to come and visit and arrive in London 24 hours after I do. So I don't know that I'll be getting much of a break...

Adam

Marisa and Adam out Darwin