We have moved!

Just to let you know that I've changed the web address for my blog to http://www.longwaydownunder.blogspot.com/
It would be great if you could visit this and sign in again to become a follower on this site instead. Sorry for the inconvenience, I obviously didn't think it through did I!!
Anyway, its exactly the same thing except its a new address.

New blog post coming soon about the bike, I've had a bit of a nightmare with it really, first it was takin forever to arrive, then when it did, it was a complete dog of a thing! Anyway, been workin hard over the past 3 days to get it how I want it, nearly there and will post a full report and photos very soon.
Thanks and please dont forget to click on the new link and renew your "following" :)

Brisbane city....complete with lifeguards!

Hi all, yes I know, when am I gonna get on the road I hear you scream! Well, I've been on the phone to the guy today and its being delivered in a truck getting here on tuesday :) yippee!

So, today I took myself into the city, well from the help of a rather long thing that runs on tracks, yep, got the train into the city to have another look around and see a few of the sights, takes about 45 mins from here to the central station, as it stops at every station on the way, AU$10.40 for the day, which includes all Bris public transport (trains, buses and the sea cat) so that was cheap travel!

Walked over the Victoria St Bridge to Southbank, where the parks and cafe culture take the place of busy streets and shopping malls, oh, and there's a beach! really! no sh*t! (sorry, this is a public blog so I'll censor my profanities) A man made beach just off the river front, complete with sand and lifeguards, I thought of throwin in a few clear plastic bags to see if it resembled some jelly fish too :)
There's a photo on this page too, its really cool actually, surrounded by a park and lots (and I do mean lots!) of cafes.
Takin full advantage of my daily transport pass, I then climbed aboard the Sea Cat, a passenger catamaran (obvious really wasn't it) and went up and down the Brisbane River which took around and hour and a great way to see the city and surroundings, you can of course disembark at various stops along the way, but I chose just to cruise up and down and get off on the city side.
A quick jaunt around the busy streets and malls and then back on the train to Burpengary.

A great day and didn't cost a fortune.

Ok, I promise the next blog will be me telling about my new bike and where I intend to RIDE next, until then, thanks for checkin in, ya'll come back now dya hear!

I'm still here!

Hi, not much to report yet, I've tracked down a machine that will hopefully steer me safely across this brown land.
It's a 2003 Kawasaki KLR650, its not here yet as I bought it from up north Queensland, it should be here this weekend with a bit of luck. So then I can pack the mule and head off, Fraser Island is probably my first stop, but anything can happen and I reserve the right to change my mind without notice! :)
I've just found this map thingy that plots where I am at anytime, so hopefully this will work.
It probably says "dreamer" next to the mark on the map, thats just my name on the KLR650 chat forum.

Righto, gotta go and get some tucker, catch ya soon. Oh and here's a pic of what the bike should look like too.

Red tape and Green frogs

Well, here I am, (ooh bugger, I'm no longer a prince!) in Brisbane, or a suburb call Burpengary to be exact.
Staying with my friends Ian & Paula, who moved here 15 months ago with their 2 children and dog, since living in Kaiapoi NZ for 6 years.
Apart from going out and getting beer :), of course, I'm a bass player, what did you expect? I've been doing some research as to buying a bike, stuff I should have done before I left, yes I know! anyway, there are a few hoops to jump through and a few forms to fill in once you have found a vehicle, but really, its not too bad.
I have narrowed my search down to a couple of bikes that are in reasonably close proximity, yes, its a bloody huge country and Brissie alone is pretty daunting after living in little old Nelson.
Not as much choice as I'd expected, but what is there seems pretty good, so fingers crossed!
Most of my searches have been on http://www.bikesales.com.au/, http://www.bikepoint.com.au/ and http://www.tradingpost.com.au/, not much on Ebay Australia. Motorcycle rental is not really an option as hiring for this length of time would probably buy a bike anyway!
Had a lovely home cooked roast lamb meal last night when I got here, that was awesome! and just about to walk to the town (Burpengary) to get a mobile sim card and greet the locals :)

Pictured is a green Tree Frog, which was in the garden last night with his/her mate, so I thought it rude not to immortalise him/her for my first photo, she's a beaut too! and much prettier than me (come on lets have an orderly queue for the whole host of disagreements)
Ok, signing off and thanks to all my followers too for takin the time to catch up with me, more exiting stuff coming soon!

The Great midlife crisis Australian Adventure

Well, I'll just kick things off here and explain what its all about, well, not in too much detail, but I'm heading to Brisbane, Australia on March 17th for the start of what will be my motorcycle adventure.

I've been living here in beautiful Nelson, New Zealand for the past 6 years and now, through different events of life, fortunate and unfortunate, its time to move on.

Basically I will get to Brisbane (Queensland), buy a suitable motorcycle, probably a Kawasaki KLR650, load it up with my camping and survival gear and head out. Just like the Long Way Round, except no support team! oh and no Ewan McGregor either, but the force will still be with me! :)

Over the following 2 months, I'll travel via the coast (or as close as I can to it) with a few deviations along the way, heading to Perth in Western Australia.

I'll be catching up with friends along the way in various cities, so I cant wait to see those guys and have a beer (or 6)

Well, thats it really, I cant wait to get going and see what lies ahead for me, the people I may meet and what opportunities wait for me, its all very exciting stuff and just the fact that I have no idea what is going to happen!

My next entry will be much closer to the time of leaving, so I'll see you then.