Its December 28th @ 06:00 waking up in the Doyle manor Castlegar, IRL bleary eyed and slow moving nothing new there but I need to thank the Red Barron for delivering my farewell present straight from the organic farmers market in Brixton which doesn’t help. This is Ireland it is always cold, wet, gray or a mix of all of them, the morning I left was a typical morning been driven by the Timmons family to Dublin airport, I have a list as long as my arm to do today, not only do I have to make two flights I have a bank manager in London to see, pick up my ruck sack from the two G’s in Richmond, get to Taylor St for a coffee, phone the letting agency and grab the last minute items I forgot to get and make it back to Heathrow for a last drink and a final farewell. 101 things going around my head and the list of jobs are getting longer on top of that I have the aunt asking me how I am every two minutes – I’m polite and say good, inside I’m holyshit.com! You see I’ve never done something like this, I’ve always taken the easy route and booked a fancy hotel or thrown money at the problem but this is different, I’m going traveling thew world, I’m a traveler, I don’t have a job and I am going to resist using my Amex!
Its now 18:30, just over twelve hours on the go I’m shattered, deflated with getting non of the jobs done, still scared and in desperate need of a drink – but before all of that, its time for the a little show – you know the one, rock up to the airport pick the hottest trolley-dolly lay on the Irish accent nice and strong and be super polite – any chance of a free upgrade? Not a hope in hell! OK I say, its one of those days I’m going to break one of my rules, out with the Amex I’ll have your finest seat in Premium Economy – “nope sorry none available!’ Eek OK whats First Class going to cost me? After the day I have had and how I am feeling it will be worth it – extra smiles and from the dolly, “I’m very sorry sir but it’s all sold out, your on a full flight!” however niceness pay’s off – exit row seat, ok not bad I’m on this tin tube for twenty odd hours I’ll take that, fingers crossed its a kids free aisle!
Kids free and not a pretty lady in sight, two sweaty miners flying home – great! Looks like I’ll get smashed and flirt with the air hostess instead. Nope doesn’t happen I can’t even get a vodka tonic and beer at the same time – some poxy rule about serving two drinks at once!! Of course that doesn’t stop me, I’ll finish a V/T while your pouring the beer out and honest its for the guy next to me!
Bangkok stop off, right has to be good food here let the nose work and see what happens – result chicken katsu curry and a more beer, topped off with a flirty smile from Fiona who use to be called Frank. Back on the steel tube, two sleeping tablets a brofen and a water this time – moments later a gentle rub of the shoulder – sir we are about to land in Sydney you need to put your seat up.
So I’ve made it Sydney I’m here its 07:45 I’ve been on the go for what feels like 7 days, the sun has his hat on and I’m itching for coffee and a proper Aussie breakfast but I’ve got a big old rucksack to carry around and there are no lockers at the station- cock! Well the next best thing, the Marriott hotel across the road, “of course I’m staying here, just that I’m waiting for my friends to arrive so we can check in together, I’ll be back in a few hours!”
“Hello I’ll have egg’s benni with salmon, a flat white and a bloody mary – can you make that with an extra shot of grey goose?”
Well why not, its not as if I’ve got work tomorrow……..
the bean hunter 