Transitions
Last Thursday night I lay in my bed. The streetlights shone into my room through windows that, until a few days ago, were draped with green curtains. My house was close to empty, my essential possessions (cycling shoes, an X-lab, and a full multimedia kit) were packed in a duffel bag at the foot of my bed. With my aircon full blast, I wrapped my fluffy duvet around me and felt just like my house - alone and empty. It was a blue mood that swept over me. I reached for my eye shades - for some reason having my eyes covered seemed to relax me.
Friday was an emotional day - saying good-bye to everyone, clearing out my office and dealing with the movers. Thank goodness I was in a rest period, moving week left me whipped and I appreciated the break from training. A few last minute errands and a good-bye dinner with a loyal employee left me a little tight to get to the airport. Fortunately, the plane was running late and I made it without too much difficulty.
The ladies did do a hell of a job of saying Bon
Voyage!
The blue mood followed me to Australia! The moment that I had planned (one way or another) for ten years had arrived, and I now faced my new life completely flat.
I arrived in Brisbane on Saturday morning and for the first time ever, was not searched. I guess the secret is not to shave and wear a loud Hawaiian shirt. Grabbed my rental car (free upgrade!) and headed into the city. It had been two months since I drove, and boy did it show. Stalled three times on my way downtown and laid some serious rubber doing a hill start! The stalling didn't rattle me, but the one-way system sure did. I drove in circles for 45 minutes before finding the motel. Of course, I drove past it four times before realising where it was. I needed a navigator.
I must have slept 14 hours a night for each of Saturday and Sunday. The move had really wiped me out and I hadn't lifted a thing! I felt like I should be really happy, but I was just flat. I was thankful that nobody knew where I was and I slept, and slept, and slept. I felt very blah, but thankfully, woke up early on Monday and was rejuvenated. Every sunrise is a new opportunity to start afresh. I may have been a lazy git the day before, but today it's going to be different.
Slotted a favourite CD in the car stereo and headed south to the Gold Coast. Driving down, I was reminded of Florida - strip malls and dry terrain. Made fantastic time and despite the rain, felt better with each kilometer under the wheels. Rolled into to Runaway, and was greeted by Francois.
The Man!
We had only exchanged e-mails and I was thrown for a bit of a loop when he said g'day and had better English that me. I was expecting Lebeau from Hogan's Heroes and was faced with a smiling tri-machine. He took me upstairs and I met his wife, May-Lise - something about French ladies...
I was instantly happy that I had made the trip, even more so when they told me there was a sports complex only 2K away. Off for some weights and a swim. The facility was amazing (should have taken pictures). 25m x 50m pool - swam three times. Once there were three people in it (the pool, NOT my lane!). Full weight room. Track. High speed Internet connection! All for $14 per week, cheaper if you stay longer. The Gold Coast is an excellent place for base building. I made a mental note.
After three days with Les Francais, I noticed that my French was coming back. Fond memories of Catherine (a former love) flowed back as I would listen to May-Lise talk in the next room. French has to be one of the best languages in the world. Musical, colourful and expressive. After a few days of listening to mes amis, my French was coming back in my head. Damn! I want to live there for a few months. Have to work that into 2002. How cool would that be? Hang in the South and train like Lance. Become a climbing machine and lay the smack down at IM Lanzarote!
Too soon, it was time to head North to Noosa. Just
like a race, you never feel bad for long! 
gordo - 3 November 2000