Dan Makovec’s blog

Back in Sydney

It’s 10.30 at night and I’m up on the 75th floor of World Tower overlooking Hyde Park and Kings Cross all the way across the harbour to Manly.

From up here, this town ain’t so bad.  Tonight however I descended my ivory (well, glass really) tower and walked amongst the plebs doing their Christmas shopping in Pitt St Mall and realised why I left.  Shitty traffic; pushy, rude people; pollution; crazy prices.  Makes me glad to be a Brizzy boy now.

Yes, it was a 45 minute drive the 12km to the airport along the Gateway this morning, compared to 20 minutes to get from Mascot to the Sydney CBD, but given how rarely I use that road these days, it’s a small price to pay.

Virgin also went severely fubar today.  They had a major nation-wide systems meltdown.  So much so that they had to resort to doing the paperwork using, er,  pen and paper!  My flight was delayed an hour.  Not that I minded, as it gave me time for a hearty breakfast in Brizzy airport.  Plus also the equipment that was supposed to have arrived in Sydney for me yesterday hasn’t made it yet (after several promises of various missed deadlines).  It’s coming tomorrow apparently - the suppliers promised!  I just hope it’s before lunch, so I have enough time to actually install it before hopping back on the flight.

It’s hard to believe that this time last year we were preparing to drive from Sydney to Adelaide for Chrissy.  This time we’re staying in Brisbane.  Just as well really - we’ve got some serious gardening to do in preparation for a mid year rennovation (nice big back deck and verandah going on the house).  I just hope the transplanted trees survive the drought.

Speaking of drought, there’s no sign of one down here.  Dams are nice and high, and everything’s lush.  I think I’ll make the most of it - the jacuzzi in my ensuite awaits.

Night.