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!

JB