Perth, Margaret River & Snow Patrol

The day after the Hobart Cup - Feb 13th, Michelle and I headed off to Perth for 5 nights. After the long flight, the thought of relaxing in our apartment was out-weighed by the NEED to go shopping. The next day was Valentines Day, so we spent that and the next day tripping around the Margaret River wine region.. YUM!! We did a number of other things including a tour under the Fremantle Prison, dining on the edge of Cottesloe Beach, and of course - more shopping!!

Saturday night was the culmination and the reason for the trip - we went out for dinner, and then went to see Snow Patrol at the Belvoir Amphitheatre - a wonderful out-doors stage in the Swan Valley wine region. If wee'd been more organised we could have been back there the next day to see Good Vibrations, but ahh well... cest le vie!

There's a severe lack of hills in the Perth region, but apart from that it was an awesome trip and a place well worth visiting, or even living!!!

Now for the pics!!

What better way to start a tour in one of the countries most famous wine regions than having a plate of beer - Bootleg Brewery, best micro-brew beer I've tasted!


Great number plate!!


Thompson Estate (had to stop for Michelle's name sake!!)


The Vasse Felix cellar door


Chelle and I on the coast walk track at Margaret River


Wine tasting at Watershed... top stuff!


Voyager Estate - a definite 'must see' in the Margaret River region!


Some crazy woman out the front of Voyager Estates MASSIVE flag pole



Whale watching at Cape Naturaliste


Michelle hanging on the beach infront of the Busselton Jetty


The ladder down to the tunnels under the Freo Prison


Little Creatures brewery / bar


Saturday nights sunset before the concert


Snow Patrol

Hobart Cup

Apparently there were horses at the Hobart Cup, but I don't recall seeing them. Here's a few pics from the day prior to my camera taking a swim in a cup of champagne.

Pretty Ness


Michelle and I




Michelle and Kelly-girl

Climbing at Werribee Gorge

The Saturday following Australia's dismal defeat I went climbing with Justin and Amy at Werribee Gorge... the closest out door crag to central Melbourne. And although it's close, the 30 minute walk in almost killed me!! Steep,... and lugging all that gear, I felt like an old mule ready to keel over by the time we reached the top of the cliff.

None the less, it was a great day - thanks heaps to Jus and Amy for taking me out there!!

Here's Amy in a classic layback position (hmm, that shouldn't sound that dodgy)


Amy again - look at the anguish on her face!


Justin at almost full stretch


Here's a sequence of me ending in the money shot with a serious spider-monkey move to grab the next jug


And finally a wider view along a number of the climbs

MCG - One Day Final

Took the friday off work and flew over to Melbourne to watch the Aussie Boys take on the Poms. Shamefully Australia got done in the final over, a game that we really should have won - but alas, the Poms came out victorious.

This was my first time at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.... I must say - it's an impressive venue!! Certainly going to have to come back and watch a footy game at some point with the boys!

The Aussie team standing to attention for the National Anthem


A small contingent of the Boon Army


We were directly opposite the large scoreboard


And what a wonderful day to sport your teams colours and enjoy a coldie - shame they were only serving mid-strength beer.. atleast it's not the SCG where it's only light beer!!


Here's a quick look around the ground


Monty to Hayden


Collingwood to Ponting


Bay 13 partaking in the now illegal Mexican Wave


And here's a vid I tried to take of the Mexican Wave, not too clear though


At the change of innings we went exploring - this is taken at the very top of the MCG, what a view from up there!!


This guy ran out on to the field... there's an easy way to lose $6000!! And he did a crap job too, he didn't get anywhere near the centre of the pitch, and he had all his clothes on!


Here's a pic taken with my phone of Lara Bingle(now with Michael Clarke, A.K.A. "Pup") with a few of her girlie friends and the injured Andrew Symonds who made a classic appearance at the Allan Border medal earlier that week.


And here's a better quality shot, but with that weirdo blood-nut in the way of Roy's head!!

Boags Draught

Hi All,

If you haven't checked out the Boags Tester Reserve website yet.... well you should!!

While you are there, please support my addiction to Boags Draught and help me win 15 cartons of the good stuff.

Please log onto the Boags website through the link below and rate my entry.... naturally a 10/10 will help me win the beer a whole lot quicker!!

CLICK HERE, log in and then come back to this page to vote for me!!

Cheers,
Richard


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