The totally off-topic thread

[Mal]

I've now completed my 14704 mile trek back to Brisbane. The 24 hour stopover in JFK was a great idea - I went to the Intrepid Air/Sea/Space museum and wandered around Manhattan for a while.

It also broke up the journey a little bit.

QF had no issues with my ~50kg of luggage (3 bags, one a couple of kg over 23kg), although I did pay BA 62 quid for additional baggage allowances on their flight. [one additional bag @ 23kg pre-bought for 32 quid, one upgrade from 23kg to 32 kg for 30 quid).

Worked out much cheaper and better than trying to deal with QF's 38Kg limit or getting back to BNE from a BA flight and also battling the 38kg limits.

 

[Flashback]

I've now completed my 14704 mile trek back to Brisbane. The 24 hour stopover in JFK was a great idea - I went to the Intrepid Air/Sea/Space museum and wandered around Manhattan for a while.

It also broke up the journey a little bit.

QF had no issues with my ~50kg of luggage (3 bags, one a couple of kg over 23kg), although I did pay BA 62 quid for additional baggage allowances on their flight. [one additional bag @ 23kg pre-bought for 32 quid, one upgrade from 23kg to 32 kg for 30 quid).

Worked out much cheaper and better than trying to deal with QF's 38Kg limit or getting back to BNE from a BA flight and also battling the 38kg limits.

Welcome home!

 

[anat0l]

Welcome home Mal

You must be quite tired after that trek.

 

[Mal]

Welcome home!

Thanks. Not sure how I feel. Brisbane has changed quite a bit in the last year, and comparing prices to the UK is dangerous for my sanity/health

Oh well. Will ease back into it.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks. Not sure how I feel. Brisbane has changed quite a bit in the last year, and comparing prices to the UK is dangerous for my sanity/health

Oh well. Will ease back into it.

Welcome back, yeah Brisbane prices will be a bit of a shock, USS Interpid is very interesting. See you next week for AFF drinks

 

[samh004]

Brisbane has changed quite a bit in the last year, and comparing prices to the UK is dangerous for my sanity/health

Oh well. Will ease back into it.

Maybe you can tell me how, as I certainly don’t notice it!

 

[Mal]

Maybe you can tell me how, as I certainly don’t notice it!

You don't tend to notice changes that are happening around you. It's much easier to notice changes when you haven't been around for a while. Some examples:

- A few more buildings have been finished in the CBD that were under construction.
- Some new holes in the CBD where building has been started.
- Signage changes on various skyscrapers.
- New bridges (go between, pedestrian CBD, Gateway II)
- Changes to various streets in the CBD (beautification schemes).
- Different shops in various places.
- Increase in prices for various things.

 

[medhead]

Some examples:

- A few more buildings have been finished in the CBD that were under construction.
- Some new holes in the CBD where building has been started.
- Signage changes on various skyscrapers.
- New bridges (go between, pedestrian CBD, Gateway II)
- Changes to various streets in the CBD (beautification schemes).
- Different shops in various places.
- Increase in prices for various things.

The Clem tunnel?

 

[Keith009]

Welcome home Mal!

 

[anat0l]

- Increase in prices for various things.

Yes. Beer for one.

That is - not only in some cases is it more expensive, but relative on price-for-price, the quality can be much, much worse.

 

[Flashback]

Yes. Beer for one.

That is - not only in some cases is it more expensive, but relative on price-for-price, the quality can be much, much worse.

Welcome to the world of beer:!: :shock:

PS. cheers and beers, all.

 

[Mal]

Welcome home Mal!

Thanks.

Yes. Beer for one.

Indeed. Just went to the Fox Hotel to check out their $2 Sunday Steak. ($5 after you add chips, salad (or rather bits of carrot, lettuce and onion) and a sauce). Even xx_X was $2.50 for a pot. More classy beers $3. They didn't have schooners, and I wasn't in the mood for a Jug.

When were 450ml bottles of coke introduced here? And is $3.70 for a 600ml actually an indicative price to pay? (I would have thought about $3-$3.20 these days).

Anyways, all is good.

 

[Flashback]

Thanks.



Indeed. Just went to the Fox Hotel to check out their $2 Sunday Steak. ($5 after you add chips, salad (or rather bits of carrot, lettuce and onion) and a sauce). Even xx_X was $2.50 for a pot. More classy beers $3. They didn't have schooners, and I wasn't in the mood for a Jug.

When were 450ml bottles of coke introduced here? And is $3.70 for a 600ml actually an indicative price to pay? (I would have thought about $3-$3.20 these days).

Anyways, all is good.

Sounds about right price wise...... also, never heard of 450ml myself.

I am pooped. Just rocked up home, and next door neighbour was across the road kicking the footy with his son. Joined in....... never again! Forget how unfit we are these days

 

[JohnK]

You don't tend to notice changes that are happening around you. It's much easier to notice changes when you haven't been around for a while. Some examples:

- Increase in prices for various things.

You are not wrong. For some of us even small changes are quite noticeable. I have had one small(ish) salary increase in Brisbane in the past 2 years but I have lost track of the number of goods or services that have increased in that time. By the way the salary increase does not even come close to covering the increases.

Food prices in general have increased by various amounts
Accommodation has increased $10/week
A schooner of xx_X Gold has increased from $3.40 to $4.20
Weekly train ticket has increased from $19.20 to $27.20
Coachtrans to/from airport has increased from $12 to $15
Airtrain has increased has increased from $12 to $13 ($14.50 if buying single ticket)

And Sydney is not much better with lot of things increasing in that time.

 

[drron]

I see a few of you must have been a little cold last night.The temp did dip here in MKY-down to 14C last night.fortunately back to 16C tonight.
Made myself a really good green Chicken curry.Spicy ++ with some fresh little Thai chillies.

 

[Hvr]

I see a few of you must have been a little cold last night.The temp did dip here in MKY-down to 14C last night.fortunately back to 16C tonight.
Made myself a really good green Chicken curry.Spicy ++ with some fresh little Thai chillies.

That's not cold! Minus 5 this morning in CBR and minus 4 tomorrow, now that is starting to get cold.

 

[anat0l]

That's not cold! Minus 5 this morning in CBR and minus 4 tomorrow, now that is starting to get cold.

Said like a true Canberran.

 

[straitman]

My daughter Karen (AFF member jaksmum) went into Latrobe Regional Hospital this morning and at 13:00 gave birth to Sienna Elizabeth King. Sienna weighed in at 7lb 6oz (why do baby weights still get measured in lbs?) and is a little sister for Brody. Mother and daughter are both happy and well, as are Brody and Cameron (Dad)

 

[Must...Fly!]

congrats jaksmum and straitman !!!!

 

[JohnK]

Congratulations to Karen, Cameron and proud grandparents straitman.