The age old question: What is art?!

So I touched down in Adelaide today after a week partying in Cairns and proceeded to do what any other self respecting culture vulture (guilty) would - visit the museum and the art gallary. I understand and enjoy museums, I get them - they are a way of documenting history and highlighting our ancestry; they are an education. So I pottered around quite happily: stuffed animals - tick, weapons of indigenous tribes - tick, pottery - tick...museum = done. Next was the art gallery. Now I am the first to admit I take to numbers and words more readily then drawing, design or art. I seem to recall my art teacher regarding me as a lost cause. Nevertheless I was determined to go into the gallery with an open mind and happy to learn something. The early works were enjoyable; I am not much of a portrait man ( if I wanted to look at an ancient lady I'd take a glance towards my Aunty Val - sorry Val!)but I enjoyed the landscapes. Again I can appreciate them as a documentation of history as well as for their aesthetic qualities. But this is where all of the enjoyment ceased. As I moved into the modern art section i was confronted with pieces that can only be described as scribbles and doodles. It is probably just me but I am unable to comprehend modern art. Let me show you why - if i was to present this to my former art teacher I am convinced his response would be ' Woodley...what the hell is that?'



Furthermore, if I was then to reply to him "Why sir it is 'Paler than Pale Custard Cream Moonlight Off White Old Ivory Irish Linen Cream Natural Beeswax Cornsilf Falmouth Hawain Sunset Palona Burnous' of course" I doubt very much if I would have ever made it out of the classroom. It looks like the tea stained paper you used to make as a kid to use as ancient scrolls. My 3 year old niece could do a similar job. SO if anyone can explain to me how this can make it into a national gallery please do not hesitate!!

100 - not out

Despite some near misses we have reached our century today with the triplet all alive and well and with no-one desperate to return home! To celebrate James and I decided to go white water rafting followed by paella for dinner which Andy dutifully stayed behind and prepared for us - he's a good little croc. On our way to the rafting we worked out that Mr. Woodroof and myself had seen eachother everyday for 100 days straight. I'm not sure if I have seen anyone for such a long period since I was 16! Anyone who has the pleasure of knowing James can surely understand the torture which I have had to withstand. Anyway back to the rafting - we spent an amazing day on the rapids both in and out of the boat, sliding down mini waterfalls being plunged 5 metres under water ( we had to equalize our ears on the way down!)and jumping off 15 ft rocks. Both petrifying and exhilarating it was a great way to celebrate day 100. And how could this day get any better?? The paella was absolutely 10/10 - well done croc.

Sailing the Whitsundays

Just returned from an awesome 3 days on the high seas aboard the maxi sail boat Apollo. It is a previous winner of the Sydney-Hobart race but unfortunately we didn't really get to see it in action as there was very little wind. Still, that suited me down to the ground; I would swap all the wind in the world for the 3 days of sunshine we had :) We cruised around visiting beautiful beaches, snorkling in the Great Barrier Reef and doing head first pencil dives into the ocean (no matter how many times you jump from a boat it never gets boring!) Being on the ocean gave me the opportunity to get back into the diving we all enjoyed so much in Thailand. This time I chose to do a night dive with my partner in crime Mr. Woodroof. It was an incredible experience - plunging backwards into complete darkness with torch in hand was terrifying. You can literally see nothing other then the 10ft that the torch beam covers. During our night dive, we were followed by a huge cod skulking on the sea bed. These mammoth fishes often use divers lights to hunt during the night. Everytime we saw a little fish we fixed our torch lights on it. Now these fish were blissfully unaware of what was about the happen as the cod stealithy crept up through the darkness. As it approached the fringes of the torch light you could see the huge cod slowly stalking its prey in a similar fashion to a lion, completely invisible to the poor little fishy! Then when it was in striking distance the cod pounced, snapped his jaws shut with a huge boom and the fish was no more. While it was great to see nature in action I cannot help but feel a little responsible for the demise of that poor fish! :p

I'm Back :)

Ok, so I have been completely useless at updating this for the last 6 weeks. I have been too busy, too lazy, too drunk too hungover - basically every excuse under the sun. But I am back now and will hopefully manage a few more regular updates. Our time in Oz has been full of ups and downs with the most notable low being our van being broken into. Both Andy and my backpacks were stolen and we are now clothesless! Andy, always willing to show off his pigeon frame, has been walking around topless for the last week. But enough of the low points, and in the interest of keeping this short and sweet, here are some of the highlights thus far:

1. 3 day Canoeing trip in the Noosa everglades: 3 days on the water was exhausting but great fun. We hiked up a huge sandune and took some great group photos. The highlight, without question, was the appearance of a carpet python whilst we were in our camp site. Contrary to what we were told during our briefing these chaps aren't more afraid of you. This little creature decided to come chill out underneath the table where we were cooking and just wait there patiently. Mr. Woodroof, never one to enjoy close encouters with anything that isn't cuddly, joined the women in a frenzied panic. The boys on the other hand watched on as it caught, crushed and then ate a bush rat. Lovely stuff.

2. Rainbow Beach: We were only here briefly but it is a gorgeous place with a great beach. It is also the place where James turned to me and said with earnest: 'Someone sent a photo of me in a wet suit; Adam...why didn't you tell me I was getting fat'. Classic Woodroof.

3. Fraser Island Day 1: Probably the best day of tour de world thus far. Bombing down a beach in a 4x4 with the ipod blaring, volley ball at Lake Mckenzie, followed by a box of goon (basically 5 litres of very cheap wine) drinking games, campfire and guitar...does it get any better?! I doubt it.

4. Aussie Hospitality: After learning that our van had been broken into our tour guide invited us to his house for a BBQ and a few beers. Chris, from Unique Fraser, was an absolute legend and looked after us even though it got him in trouble with the missus. The BBQ was great, the beer was better and we even had the chance to get an insight into the Aussie culture - lovely stuff.

We also met an awesome group of Aussies in Ballina who took us surfing, had us round for a gorgeous dinner, showed us the sights and generally looked after us for a few days. So cheers Emily, Marissa and Matt - we will definately catch up with you guys again soon :)

5. Byron Bay: A chilled out town, great for partying, awesome beach, good surf and friendly atmosphere. But without doubt the best thing about Byron Bay - $2 Chilli con carne at Cheeky Monkeys. That's less then 1 pound...cashback!