Well Dave just submitted a journal about Australia Day so I thought I should also mention that the 26th of January is the Indian National Day too...

Here I am in Delhi, and as I commented in Daves journal, I don't have any decent beer with which to celebrate Australia Day, so I guess later on, my colleague Steve and I will have a drink to celebrate BOTH days - but it will be Kingfisher...

Steve is a Brit, but he lived in Melbourne for 6 years - I can't blame him for that - he was a student so he had no control over that decision - sadly he never made it far enough north to see the real Australia, with nice beaches, beautiful sunny warm days, and the odd tropical cyclone...

Yes, I was raised in Queensland, although I am a New South Welshman by birth...originated in a tiny town called Cudal about 250Km west of Sydney, but spent most of my life in Brisbane...Queensland is the land of Four X beer...Rugby League...Surfers Paradise...the birthplace of QANTAS...and a great warm and sunny climate.

Apologies to Gav, Dave, Wallace and all the other southerners...you have nice restaurants and a cosmopolitan lifestyle for sure...but I still love Queensland!

Now on to India...well...what can we say...? Congratulations to all the Indian members of TF on their national day.

I was watching the parade through the centre of Delhi on TV this morning. Very impressive, and good to see. It's a huge country with an enormous population over a billion people. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and many many more varied and different faiths and cultures...but all Indian!

The place has a wealth of resources in the many facets of life, both the real natural resources and the man-made variety, and a people with a sense of humour...the ability to laugh at themselves and see the funny side of life, as well as appreciate the serious side. I see the influence of the British here...but I also know that India had a tremendous influence on Britain...my grandfather was stationed at Lucknow for a while when he was in the Royal Army.

India has a lot to be proud of, and I sincerely wish all Indian TFers well on this special day.

Have a Great Day - especially if you are Australian or Indian - this 26th of January, 2008!

Greer

PS I don't know why, but none of the text formatting menu appeared when I started to enter this journal, so my apologies if it's all a bit small....

Hope you enjoy both days Greer I went to India in 1990, first thing they ask me was me could I play cricket!!!! lol lol (No) Very friendly people there (and most people speak English) frustrating at times though!!!!!

Haven't travelled up North (in Aust) (to busy going to Thailand) lol lol Enjoy the beer Greer and have fun mate !!! cheers!!!!

Have a greay aussie day you bannana bender

independent day from U.K.?