Dearest chums, in its own crazy way, my world roaming weariness is making me SO happy :) I love it that much I've already forgotten about that darn, dreary part of the planet I descend from! #bigfatsozSouthampton. The one downside that comes to mind is my sinfully, sweet appetite and me looking large as a result of the weight I'm putting on. I could scoff anything resembling pudding or desserty-sounding until I'm SICK! :( While I internally criticised my size, I devoured an apple, powdered sugary slice of calorific pleasure; immediately pretending that never happened.
THE CLUMSINESS CONTINUES ... Dog my cats! Fat hands only went and spilt damn foundation down her new (albeit cheap Primark) dress but couldn't change as I was out and about.
No biggie, pero I only spent some of the day hanging out on RAMSAY STREET and ticking one of my lifelong dreams off my bucket list. The Neighbours tour was 1000x more AMAZEBALLS than I thought it could be! Many of the viewers had come over from the UK; yet a few lads had been dragged along by family members or a girlfriend. Standard! We all feel it was a shame that Neighbours Nights are not running right now but I guess they're all too busy celebrating the 30th anniversary this month. Our tour dude Kyle was a real stand up guy and filled us in on all the facts and figures of the show and trust me I quizzed him something rotten :D
* There have been an astounding 51 deaths on that teeny street plus 40 on screen weddings
* When filming in the winter months for the summer episodes; the pool is heated and the girls wear heated inserts in their bikinis
* All the home owners of the cheeriest cul-de-sac on planet utopia are paid handsomely enough to cover their mortgages for the inconvenience and nuisance. They are provided with the 40 or so filming dates a year on their court in advance.
* In exchange, all that is asked is for the curtains to be kept closed, their lawns to be well maintained and any physical changes they wish to be made to the front of their property must be approved with written consent .. in order to fit it into a story line.
* Because they have to keep the G-rating there are no sex scenes, swearing or material of a mature content. It is laughed at that sex is intimated by kissing and closing a bedroom door.
It was a 40 minute drive to Pin Oak Court, the world's most famous residential road. No, I don't think I'm weird to be so psyched to be in this beacon of Australian perfection where the sun always shines (often faked by clever lighting). 24 hour security was instated after incidents like a dirty, drunken drongo peeing off the top of what was Harold Bishop's house in the middle of the night, giving the 80 year old man who really lives there a fright. The trespassing toad got a cricket bat beating as served him right!!
* In exchange, all that is asked is for the curtains to be kept closed, their lawns to be well maintained and any physical changes they wish to be made to the front of their property must be approved with written consent .. in order to fit it into a story line.
* Because they have to keep the G-rating there are no sex scenes, swearing or material of a mature content. It is laughed at that sex is intimated by kissing and closing a bedroom door.
Pretty Ramsay Street def looks bigger and the other way round (to me) on TV; it is itty bitty. We were able to roam free, close up to the 6 properties but without crossing the driveways or trampling their gardens. It was very surreal to be treading on such hallowed ground, that has been part of my life for the best part of 30 years.
After posing in front of all the Ramsay residences and with the road sign; I wanted to re-enact some of the soap's famous scenes but was let down by my rubbish Aussie accent. I'd used my most nasally voice too! Moreover, of all the crazies who have come to Ramsay Street, I am by far *the* CRAZIEST; supposedly nobody has ever laid across the road while touring.
The casa of the hunkiest police man on TV, who I love love love
Later on we were taken to Nunawading Studios and guided round the outdoor sets, but not a damn one of the interiors as Kyle doesn't have keys to grant us access. I had hoped he'd cheekily have snuck us in!! I'm still kinda cut up that the producers also don't need a short, British extra :( *wah wah wah I'm-such-a-loser wah wah wah*
A blast was had snapping tons of pics throughout Lassiters Complex (Harolds Store, Police station, hotel, The Waterhole and Rebecci Law firm, the community centre), at the bus stop, Dial a Kyle, Fitzgerald Motors, Grease Monkeys, antique store, Sonya's nursery, the lake and pavilion where Kate was shot, hospital, uni campus, history wall mural and men's shed. The entire exteriors are all so close together with a roof overhead, that we rarely see on screen. Every single area of the studios is utilised to minimise filming offsite; including Steph's motor cycle accident where she ran down Ringo, killing him in cold blood. We walked along this tiny stretch of road right by the offices of studio building where this was recorded. The camera angles are technically brilliant to make everything appear larger.
:) HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY NEIGHBOURS :) The magic is still there and long may it abide. Huzzah!!! Go book a tour right now but only if you don't mind being enchanted by the fictional district of Erinsborough. You'll love every second, for how can anyone feel glum somewhere so fun?
Onto the Sea life, being upfront with you Melbourne aquarium is quite small save for the scary as all heck 6 metre salt water crocodile! You can stand directly over his beasty bod on a glass floor; this still haunts my thoughts. Maybe Pinjarra's a really nice croc for all anyone knows; it's seems unfair that you get a bad rap for and having razor sharp incisors and being a predator. That being said, it would be totally stupid and INSANE to approach one or invade its lair.
THE BITS I DID LIKE - Touching starfish, the submarine walk through mini sharks and smiley faced stingrays and the penguin frenzy at feeding time which was funny to behold. They're crazy for the fish and poop every 17 seconds (Jimmy Fallon EWWW!) as they eat too many for their petite frames.
Trammed to Shrine of Remembrance - it was very moving to be in the peaceful ANZAC memorial vicinity; especially as we all stood still for the daily lowering the flags ceremony as the bugle sounded. The historical stuff generally isn't my 'thing' but it was powerful and humbling, to take time to remember those who bravely gave their lives.
At night, I went with some of the #105 girlos Cris, Birte and Felice to Moomba festival along the Yarra River. There was a vibrant atmosphere among heaps of peeps and rainbow, electrified fair rides. I don't really know the origins or significance of Australia's largest community festival but guess it's a celebration of all things Moomba. Moomba crassly means 'up your butthole!' but the official translation has been declared to be 'let's get together and have fun.'
SHOCK AT SUNDOWN - We were all spooked by an unconscious girl we came across, sprawled out on the grass and frantic that she was dead. She was young, on her own and not moving. I can't even tell you of the dark terror that came coursing through my veins.. An ambulance was called and a crowd gathered, all too concerned for her to move. Someone was quick to perform CPR and save her life before our very eyes; we were relieved that she came round but did so in a confused, erratic and freaked out manner. Her body convulsed and her eyes bugged out so either she had epilepsy or I HATE saying this because it's a judgment.. or she had taken drugs :( Hopefully she was okay after the paramedics took her away... we were left shaken up so I can't begin to imagine how she must have been feeling :(
After collecting ourselves, we waited on the riverbanks to watch the water ski jump contest. The evening ended with a beautiful, sparkilised fireworks display either side of us as we stood oohing and awwing, on the bridge over COLOURED water. I was not troubled by my phobia as I was soaking up the poignant moment; for it was *then* that I fell in immense love with gorgeULOUS Melbourne. My life here could be too perfect; I knew it would steal my heart <3
THE BITS I DID LIKE - Touching starfish, the submarine walk through mini sharks and smiley faced stingrays and the penguin frenzy at feeding time which was funny to behold. They're crazy for the fish and poop every 17 seconds (Jimmy Fallon EWWW!) as they eat too many for their petite frames.
At night, I went with some of the #105 girlos Cris, Birte and Felice to Moomba festival along the Yarra River. There was a vibrant atmosphere among heaps of peeps and rainbow, electrified fair rides. I don't really know the origins or significance of Australia's largest community festival but guess it's a celebration of all things Moomba. Moomba crassly means 'up your butthole!' but the official translation has been declared to be 'let's get together and have fun.'
After collecting ourselves, we waited on the riverbanks to watch the water ski jump contest. The evening ended with a beautiful, sparkilised fireworks display either side of us as we stood oohing and awwing, on the bridge over COLOURED water. I was not troubled by my phobia as I was soaking up the poignant moment; for it was *then* that I fell in immense love with gorgeULOUS Melbourne. My life here could be too perfect; I knew it would steal my heart <3
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