Meeting Zander · 323 days ago
The Family and I sat outside the delivery rooms all day waiting for word of our latest member. Zander Ty Sampson was born at 16:24 on the 2nd of January 2008. He is my latest nephew and is a strange red colour with brown hair. My premination about his sex turned out to be wrong. After double checking I’ve asserted that he’s defiantly a boy. His willy lost me a case of beer from my brother and cost him the pink outfit I bought him Turkey.
Today I saw both my sisters breast feeding. It was the first time I’ve seen them both as mothers. They are both very natural and elegant mothers and it’s hard to get used to. When I left Australia, my mum was a mum, my sisters were sisters, and I was the baby. Now however, My mum is a granny, my sisters are mums and I’m an uncle. It’s hard to get used to after been the baby for 24 years, although I feel sorry for Oliver having only held the title for 5 memoryless months.
NYE was a dry occasion for me. Zander was over due and Stuart, Janell, Mathew (one of Stu’s ADFA mates) and I were partying in Sydney and might have needed to drive up to Newcastle to greet him. The city was packed as usual and after a few drinks at a city bar we made our way down to circular quay to watch the fire works. By the time we arrived the police had stopped people entering the quay because it was at capacity. We conducted a quick recky of the perimeter fence and found a small unprotected gap. With Stu as Decoy kicking an Australia post box, Janell entered followed by Mathew followed by myself followed by 4 police officers who had only seen me enter. I ran into the crowd followed by the bright yellow vests and crouched down. A few seconds passed with nothing then two pairs of arms grabbed me and tore me from the crowd. I was roughly escorted past Janell and Mathew out of the quay and given an order to move. I ended up watching the display from a big TV. On the upside it did have more camera angles then the real thing :)
— Gregory Clarke
more to come · 330 days ago
I’ve been blogging from my pda on my travels so I have a lot of back logged blog entries to come :)
— Gregory Clarke
Home to meet Oliver :) · 330 days ago
Sydney Australia
Biram closed the city of Istanbul and I was lucky to get my christmas shopping done. I found a few little stores but my barging powers were greatly reduced as the grand bizzar was closed :( It also meant I missed out on islamic art galleries which I was really interesting in visiting.
My flight left Istanbul at 17:55 on the 23rd and arrived in Sydney at 06:25 on the 25th via Frankfurt and Singapore. The flight wasn’t too bad, I lied and said I get leg cramps on long flights so could I get a exit row seat :) It really made a difference. I tried to fight jet lag on the plane by working in Australian time as soon as I boarded. It didn’t work and I ended up only getting a couple of hours sleep on the 30 hour trip.
After customs cleaned my boots I exited the gates to the sight of my brother. It was great to see my Stuart and to know I was home. After a long hug we headed to Newcastle to surprise the rest of the family (the rest of the family thought I was coming home in march ’08). My brother had left Newcastle at 0345 telling the family that he had “Navy Duty” in Sydney. A quick shave at the twin caltex and I changed into Stuarts Navy uniform. Just around the block Stuart disembarked Black Betty (the name of his car), and I drove up to Sam and Aaron’s house. A very pregnant Sam was outside and walked in with me. After a bit of idle conversation about breakfast not being ready, Jannell spotted me and gave me a hug. Then Sam clued on and screamed. My mum quickly ran out wondering what had happened and after looking at me for a second she too screamed. Then it was time to introduce myself to Oliver (my Nephew that had arrived while I was overseas). Ollie and I bonded as I bathed and dressed him. He’s got a very strong character and beautiful blue eyes. The family and I merrily feasted in the uncommonly bad weathered christmas day. Stuart and I still had our traditional swim.
I’m returned to Sydney to organise myself. As soon as labour hits Stuart and I will return to Newcastle to greet our new niece into the world. It was great to get home and see Molly (our dog who still new my personal commands). Something was different at home, my room was now a baby room :s I tried to explain to my mum that I am the baby but it appears that oliver has stolen the crown from me after 24 years. It was a good run though.
— Gregory Clarke
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I'm in Hungry · 373 days ago
Hungry Budapest
I’m in Hungry :) I have been blogging on my pda but you’ll have to wait until I get a good computer to upload them :)
— Gregory Clarke
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Still road tripping · 396 days ago
Doolin Ireland
we’re in doolin at the moment about to head off to see some caves in the rain. We visited Trim, where my grandmother was born and found her mothers grave. I didn’t know where the grave was and we played a morbid game of wheres wally. Chris won. I took some photos and the grave was well tended which was nice to know.
Saturday night was spent in Galway which is a party town but I wasn’t feeling so good so I skived.
— Gregory Clarke
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