The Antipodean thread

[miss_elise]

okay Victorian Antipodes - please register your interest here for a meet up in December

 

[BinkieBaumont]

"No its not the Village People, or the latest advertisement from Tourism Australia, but "Australia" by Good News"


[video=youtube;0BCobo5iMRY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BCobo5iMRY[/video]

 

[Smithy]

Guy Fawkes Night

Question for the Aussies here...

Back home in NZ, Guy Fawkes Night is a really big thing. It's when Kiwis can buy fireworks and come Guy Fawkes Night, towns and cities resemble Baghdad or Beirut at the height of it! When I was a kid we'd always make a big "Guy" (large man shaped thing made out of anything flammable and dressed in some of Dad's old clothes) and he'd get burnt on a big bonfire. Was a real fun night and as a child probably the next most looked forward to special day after Christmas.

Here in Victoria, Guy Fawkes doesn't seem to be observed at all. Just wondering if any other state celebrates it.

 

[lolly_loisides]

It used to be a huge thing in NSW when I was a child. I loved cracker night. The community got together, there was an enormous bonfire in the local park and the Guy would be thrown on the fire. It was fantastic, and yes you're right Smithy, after Christmas it was my favourite time of the year.

The State Government banned the sale of fire works during the late 70's & Guy Fawkes night was never the same after that. Coupled with total fire bans, Guy Fawkes/cracker night died out entirely.

 

[Talbot]

It used to be very popular back in the late 60's when I was a kid.

Of course, the time I set fire to the leaves in the neighbours guttering with a sky rocket was a pretty interesting night.

 

[Smithy]

Thanks guys. That's a shame that's it's died out over here. I suppose the fire risk as well which didn't help the survival of the day either.

Talbot you made me laugh about the sky rocket incident. Reminded me of the terrible things we used to do as nippers with the things. Using tubes to launch the things was always popular.

Long since banned but in the 80s as kids there were these ones called "double happies" which looked like miniature red dynamite sticks. They were very popular for blowing up old model aeroplanes or chucking into the old lady down the road's letter box! When I was around 11 or 12 I had a packet of these double happies in the pocket of my shorts (Stubbies no less!) which went off, I had to take my shorts off in the middle of the street much to the amusement of my mates who were with me!

They banned sky rockets back home a few years back as well. Although when I was last home for Guy Fawkes in 2008, there were still a lot of crackers going off. I've often wondered what unsuspecting tourists think when come evening the sky is lit up with explosions and there are bangs and booms going off all over the shop!

 

[MikeBravo]

"Cracker Night" was banned back in the 70's, something to do with kids blowing their hands and fingers off (bloody wowsers!).

The sale of fireworks was banned in most if not all states. They are still available in the ACT (along with porn).

 

[Talbot]

! When I was around 11 or 12 I had a packet of these double happies in the pocket of my shorts (Stubbies no less!) which went off, I had to take my shorts off in the middle of the street much to the amusement of my mates who were with me!

The boy stood on the burning deck,
his pocket full of crackers,
one went off in his pocket,
the other.....


Good thing you were not injured!

 

[Talbot]

Took a walk around the CBD at lunchtime. I have never seen so many men trying to match a shirt to a tie to a hat.

With some pretty interesting results.

Ahh, Melbourne Cup Time.

 

[Smithy]

The boy stood on the burning deck,
his pocket full of crackers,
one went off in his pocket,
the other.....


Good thing you were not injured!

Blew a hole in the pocket (which Mum wasn't too thrilled about) and got quite a sizable bruise as well. Not to mention the ribbing that I got for some time after from those who saw it!

 

[Smithy]

Seeing as Talbot brought it up.

Is everybody having a punt on the Cup tomorrow?

It's the only horse race I ever put a few bob on. Haven't decided who to go for but will have a look at the form today and toddle down to the TAB tomorrow and throw it on something.

If it's going to be soggy (and the met office seems to think it will) perhaps one of the Kiwi or British Isles ones might be the go - So You Think or Descarado perhaps?

 

[miss_elise]

I will be at the Cup with bells on - only trying to think what to wear on my feet to keep them dry-ish.

Not sure who to bet on - going to look for some long odds though. So You Think is not worth the punt

 

[Godfrey]

Took a walk around the CBD at lunchtime. I have never seen so many men trying to match a shirt to a tie to a hat.

With some pretty interesting results.

Yes - dropped into city hatters - there was a chap there doing the needful with hat in one hand and tie in the other. Guided and advised by some very helpful staff to something not too silly. The place was packed!

 

[BinkieBaumont]

Yes - dropped into city hatters - there was a chap there doing the needful with hat in one hand and tie in the other. Guided and advised by some very helpful staff to something not too silly. The place was packed!

"Mens Problems" co-ordinating shoes, jacket, tie, and hat, shirt, cufflinks, handkerchief, socks.................................................A 23 Yo Chap at my office asked if he could Borrow a Top Hat!

 

[BinkieBaumont]

Something to get us into Party Mode for the 1st Tuesday in November


[video=youtube;T10VecAun-Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T10VecAun-Y&NR=1&feature=fvwp[/video]

 

[Godfrey]

A 23 Yo Chap at my office asked if he could Borrow a Top Hat!

I always tell my staff that casual Friday is no more and that its now 'formal Friday' - topper, spats and canes essential. Needless to say the unwashed are often left bewildered - to quote "What's 'spats'?"

So for me Friday is at least the best suit, the sharpest lid and the best examples of what Messrs Duchaump can manages in the neck wear department.

 

[Smithy]

Well another bloody difficult Melbourne Cup to call!

Being soggy, I had a few each way on Harris Tweed and a bit on Descarado for a place. 400 odd to go in the race and Harris Tweed is 2nd, Descarado 3rd. And then it all went wrong!

Anybody pick Amercain?

 

[Godfrey]

A place and the last in the work sweep - so basically I get my money back.

In the words of HG Nelson - "Harder to pick than a broken nose"

 

[BinkieBaumont]

It was fearfully Hot here in Swan River Colony 33c I think, I just wore a navy and White shirt, two tone navy shirt and white Pith Helmet, I did take my "Traveller" in so we could all listen to the race

 

[BinkieBaumont]

It was fearfully Hot here in Swan River Colony 33c I think, I just wore a navy and White shirt, two tone navy shirt and white Pith Helmet, I did take my "Traveller" in so we could all listen to the race