turnpike lane.

We have set up temporary shop on Lausanne road, sounds flash, yes it does, but it's an area currently undergoing gentrification. Hmm. 90 quid gets us a 3 1/2m x 4 1/2m room on the top floor of a 3 storey house. All bills included.
Our solitary window overlooks the backyard. In it is an apple tree and a shed filled with mainly junk and a bike. Our fence is covered with graffiti and the BBQ grill looks like something gleaned from the Cherry Venture.
Theres a sink in our room, which is great now that we have cups & one of those water purifying jug things. Space is at a premium, and the bed could be a little larger, but it's relatively new. We did get a people protector for it though.
We have recently acquired a stereo, so we are pretty much sorted.
The area is brilliant, for all the right reasons. Food is everywhere, and cheap. It's a Turkish/Indian/Lebanese/Kurdish/Pakistani/African/Carib/Latino kind of area, with a few Ruski's, Poles and Italians thrown in for good measure. It's fabulous.
International supermarkets, deli's, 24 hour green grocers, halal butchers, cheap curries, pirate radio, kebab rolls, corba, baklava, samosa, lean goat for £2 a kilo. Thats what I'm talking about. A pound of cherries for £1. For a pint down the local £1-50. 260 guest ales to sample. (4 weeks work in itself)Theres even one of those blasted 24hr Offies, 230 steps from our door. Dangnabbit. Theres a park 50m away with surprisingly few hobos and swineloads of pidgeons. Why do people encourage pidgeons to come to the park? They offer so little.

Go feed the ducks with your stale bread.
The tube is 3 minutes by feet if that, and we are 3 stops from Kings Cross.

(No boys, it's not like that.)

Yep, it's a top little spot turnpike lane, and now it's our home for the next few months. : )

THE SHIELD IS HOME.....AT LAST.

Justice wins, in the end. And universal balance has been restored. Even with an extra man in the box the roaches could not overcome the indomnitable cane toad spirit.
After the match, I was approached by a cockroach who suggested I and the Maroons were lucky.... I tapped him vigourously on the back and pointed out that it was his team who enjoyed the lions share of luck tonight, but that sometimes, luck isn't enough.
The Maroons thouroughly deserved the victory. Down south they'll call it another miraculous escape, but for us it's standard procedure. Testament to the grit our boys possess. I was so proud, I shed a tear, but not in the pub ofcourse. For me it was the biggest game of the year. Now there is an overwhelming sense of relief.
And I guess that cockroach supporter was right after all..... I am lucky.
Lucky to be a QUEENSLANDER.