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Lions Tour 2001

An awesome start to the tour with good Brisbane "winter" weather and a first test win in the Gabba. Lots of battle dress, copious XXXX drank and a couple of all nighters! Hard work but then who said it was going to be easy. Not only took in victory in the 1st test but met up with the team at their hotel and went to the reception afterwards. Went to Surfers Paradise and to the Final of the State of Origin Rugby League match at the ANZ stadium. Good start by the posse - who then went onto Fraser Island for four wheeled frolicks, crystal clear freshwater pools, sand dunes and dingos.

I, however, went in search of paradise and sub-aqua experience on one of the seven wonders of the world - The Great Barrier Reef. A wonderful rest and recuperation stage on Heron Island - great weather, a real bed, fantastic food and some stunning diving. - within 20mins we had seen Eagle & Manta Rays, Reef sharks and Green and Loggerhead turtles amongst impressive coral banks and a million fish. Highly recommended as thereare a lot of birds around but they used to have all sorts of extras but they don't anymore! My thanks to the boys (and Bob) out there - great fun and challenging Perudo guys.

Onto Melbourne and shaked up with Philpott, whose house was to be my base for 4 nights. Visit to the Yarra Valley to sample the craft of Cabernet Sauvignon and the might of the Merlot. All washed down with a great lunch in a chateaux in the valley. Australian hospitality at the Albert Park Hotel & the Montague in the evening. Went to the Aussie Rules game at the MCG - great stadium but not such a great game??? Gave the Lions a royal send-off from their hotel and stormed the Colonial Stadium , truly unbelievable atmosphere with the lid on - but the Aussie's had not read the script.

Up and down the Rialto Towers and some great Tasmanian Oysters. Got bitten by a spider and had to visit the doctors as my hand had resembled something out of the Nutty Professor.

Off to Sydney - stayed at Kim's (friend of Dogs) in Chippendale and hit the nightlife. Went on a jetboat around the harbour, shopped like a woman and flew in a chopper across Bondi beach and the Opera House etc. But alas there was to be no third test for the team and I was to watch it rather depressed back in a flat in Putney - not the result we had hoped.

Twas an awesome trip and my thanks to all those I met and drank with on the other side of the world, if I have forgotten anyone please forgive me - maybe we'll catch up again in New Zealand 2005! - C'mon the Lions!

Geoffie
Davy
Dog (Sorry Jamie)
Murdo (If you can pronounce it)
Brusco - thanks for the floor space fella
Fabio - arguably the finest cyclist
Dave (Cumbria)
Coulthart (Cumbria)
Suzie
Trisha
Kimster and her flatmates - thanks for the landing space
Philpott - thanks for the great stopover
Steve
Ian
The 2nd XV LSFC tourists
Martin Johnson and the 2001 Lions

Eastie
Binksy
Kwesi
Bob
Hyweler
Kirby
Wincey
Batesy
Jonathan
Duncan
Gareth
Bromwyn
Belinda
Kate
Peter, Geoff, Dale & Debs

And the wretched spider that bit me!

JB

Hover over the image to see its caption. Click on the image to see an enlargement.

The Aussie Posse arrive Brisbane (L-R, Brusco, Sparra, Dog, Kaiser, Fabio et moi)A fine line up of boottocks!The calm before the storm - the morning of the game above Brisbane
Champagne Breakfast - Bring it on!Battle Dress On! - (L-R, Moi, Dog, Davey, Murdo, Geoffie, Fabs and Brusco)Pre-Match drinks with the Gabba behind
"In the Gabba, the mighty Gabba, the Lions roared that night"The shortlist for the spot on the bench for the third test (Geoffie, Andy Nichol and myself)"We'll go a Waltzing O'Driscoll with me"Of course you can have a photo with me gents - Richard Hill, Danny Grewcock and Johnny Wilkinson
Surfers' Paradise was conqueredANZ stadium - The final of the State of Origin Rugby League Game, QLD Shock resultThe posse beginning tae raise it again - vintage pie!
Rugby League - what a great sport!Drying-Out Clinic - Heron Island, home for four days - wowA wee dip perhaps?
Regular touch sessions in Shark Bay StadiumUnderwater shot in my bathOne of the locals (A Green Turtle)
Another local passes by (An Eagle Ray)Just proof that I was thereWaiting for the elusive Bronze Whaler to come on by - fishing with Jonathan and skipper Debs
Introducing the West London Massive (L-R, Gareth, Duncan, Binksy, Batesy, Eastie, Kirbs, Jonathan, Kwesi, Bob, Hyweller and me (Apologies from absentee Wincey)A formidable lineup - Kwesi, Jonathan, Eastie and BatesyParadise by night
The Five Oaks Vineyard, Yarra Valley with some additions to the massive. Bob has a sneaky fag at the back of the packLets talk vinesGetting high on the fumesThe MCG, Hawthorns v Richmond. Aussie Rules - what's that all about: tight shorts, mayhem and a couple of butchers with flags??
Geoffie gets well into it, kinda blends inNow Rob in the second test… (Rob Howley)Of course I'll have a photo with you Iain - Old school ties and all that…(Iain Balshaw)The Boys leave the hotel - destination 2nd Test, MelbourneSpotty faced youth focused - "Lions, Lions, Lions"
The Colonial Stadium eruptsI have no recollection of this photo, but thought the Seraya twins were worth a shot at fame!PRISM united - myself, bald eagle and the crazy horse!!
Melbourne from the Rialto Towers There's a storm brewing…the Lions reach Sydney HarbourThe Red Army make an unopposed amphibious landing in Sydney Harbour
Battle dressed and back on it down in the Rocks (L-R, Murdo, Dog, Trash, our kind host the Kimster,Sparra, Kaiser, Brusco et moi)The Flying ScotsmanThe compulsory Aussie barbie at chez Kims, with what looks like a contented Sparra and a frustrated Kaiser
Radio Fab FMA wet approach from the sea…who said Australia had good weatherA great sight…
Dizzy heights, centre point tower right below!Sadly no final test, but what a trip… (and what a posey twat)