River Jahli

This is my adorable Nephew, River.

Miss you little man but Uncle Brad will

be home real soon xo

Father's Day in Oz

Hey there good travelling people ...

Don't forget it's Father's Day in Australia this Sunday ......

You still have time to express post something if you forgot (I didn't obviously coz I am so damnned clever and organised!)

Day Trip in Scotland

Barry! who the ^$%£ is Barry ?



















Where's Budda?


















Marns, Dot and Sheila striking a pose !












Hope this railing is reinforced steel !

Fat Bastard !

Stand on the edge and smile

...fuck NO!

Glamis Castle, loved it because it's

pronounced Glams Castle!

Glamourous Darlings !

The Thistle

The Great Highlands

The three amigo's!

Do i look like i was packing my pants? if

you said yes... you would be right ! I hate bloody chairlifts!

Mount Ben Nevis View from Aonach Mor, Fort Williams
At the Border
I thought it was cold, this poor bastard stood up here all day with no knickers on!
Highland COO!

Marnie, Dot and I had the best day, the scenery in the

highlands is something quite spectacular!

Thanks Catriona and Pete

Just a big thank you to Peter and Catriona for helping us get settled in the UK and supplying us with fantastic accomodation in Scotland and Turkey, it's been alot of fun. Marnie and I have new jobs starting next week with on site accomodation so looking forwrad to our next adventure.
Really appreciate your hospitality, you rock !

RIP Uncle Vic (Victor Budd) Northam WA

Today I had the sad news that my uncle Vic passed away in Northam, he leaves behind his beautiful wife Eileen and all the kids and grandchildren. I'm going to miss you Uncle Vic, you were an amazing guy.

Rest in peace. I wish you; Aunty Eillen all the best, my thoughts are with you all.

GREAT TIMES WITH MARNS

Sailing in Dunbar, Scotland
Playing Dress ups in random hat shop.

Marnie and I have been travelling together for

the past 7 months and she is a total trooper

and I am loving it, we are having the best time ever.

Thanks Marns for allowing me to experience this with

you... Love you babe

Trecking through the fells in The Lakes District, totally magical

Leaving on a jet plane... Glasgow to Turkey!

Kirsty and James

Friends forever, Kirtsy and James,
thanks for taking care of us in England,
we will miss you !

ROAD TRIP ENGLAND/WALES/SCOTLAND

The road trip was 2 weeks,England,
Scotland and Wales, me and marns had
a ball.

TURKEY TRAVELS

Here are some photos of me in Turkey from 6th Aug- 21st Aug 2006

PROUD FAVOURITES

ACTRESS: Bette Midler
www.bettemidler.com

ACTOR: Colin Farrell
www.colinfarrell.org

SINGERS FEMALE: Bette Midler,Kylie Minogue, Barbara Strisand
www.bettemidler.com www.kylie.com www.barbrastreisand.com

SINGERS MALE: Joshua Groban, James Blunt
http://www.joshgroban.com/ http://www.jamesblunt.com/

MUSICAL/CONCERT: Bette Midler 2005

BAND: Dire Straights
www.mark-knopfler.co.uk

COLOUR: Blue

SONGS:
Thats What Friends Are For (Dionne Wawrick)
Written by Carol Bayer Sager (lyrics) and Burt Bacharach (music)
Originally recorded by Rod Stewart in 1982
Made famous when recorded by ensemble known as Dionne & Friends, consisting of Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Gladys Knight
The Dionne and Friends version was #1 on the Top 40 charts for four weeks in 1985

Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)
Written by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar first recorded by Glady Night but was made famous from Bette Midlers Film, Beaches Soundtrack.

TV PROGRAMS: All Saints, Australian Idol, Will and Grace, Little Britain

MOVIES: Beaches, Priscilla, The Castle, Steel Magnolios

http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/booking/select_rest.asp?Rest_ID=1132

HOBBIES: Scrap Booking, Travel, Dancing, Live Theatre/Musicals

COUNTRY: Switzerland/Rome

CITY: Edinburgh, Scotland

MEMORY: going on holidays with my mum, dad and little brother in Exmouth as a kid

DANCE: Cha Cha Cha

DANCER: Jason Gilkinson and Peta Roby
www.burnthefloor.com

CLOTHING LABEL: GAP

COLOGNE: Ralph Lauren Pollo Blue

TV PERSONALITY: Georgie Parker

FOOD: Spaghetti and Meatballs

DESSERT: Banoffee Pie made by Julie Tucker

WINE: Willow Glen Australian Ros`e

DRINK: Diet Coke

RESTRAUNT: Cream, Perth western Australia
http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/booking/select_rest.asp?Rest_ID=1132

HOLIDAY: Europe 2006...living the dream

PROUD FRIENDS

This section is devoted to my amazing friends. The People I have in my life that make me laugh, keep it real and are always there for me. Here is a little about each of them.

NB: Photos will be entered asap, thanks for your patience. BM

Julia
Soulmate
Secrets : I invited Jules to party once and told her Id pick her up and I forgot her, she still loves me, its a bloody miracle.
Hint: If you want a black eye, try and take her photo !
Fantastic mum, best friend, very honest and totally hilarious.
Julia Goolia is a scream. She is an amazing mum that would do anything for her 3 beautiful boys. She is the most loving caring person I have ever met and we will be friends forever! Jules and I met through her Moron X husband, the only good thing he ever did was introduce me to his wife. We have been close friends now for years and Id do anything for this gal...She is one in a million!

Marnie P
Very close friend and my fiance`e
Secrets: In a previous life she was a chocolate bar!
Hints: Different food must not touch on ones plate(this is a serious offence) and do not kill anything from the animal kingdom in her presence!
There is not many people that can work, live and play together but me and Marns are unique, we can do it! Yes, we got engaged September 2004 and was the best party I have ever been too! Marns and I met at Rocky Bay in December 2002 and became close friends in 2003. Marnie comes from Yanchep and we lived together for over 2 years before escaping Maylands and we are currently traveling together having the most amazing time ever. Marns is the most honest person I know and is an awesome friend to have and the best person anyone could ever live with, the perfect flat mate I would say! Marns and I have been there for each other through good and bad times and I will never forget what she has done for me.

Bronwyn
My Best Girlfriend
Secrets: she is secretly in love with me !
Hints: when washing up do not throw her expensive cuttlery in the bin...Oops!
Bron and I go way back and have been friends for well over 10 years. We were working together as apprentice chefs and also become Ballroom Dancing Partners many moons ago. Bronwyn loves to travel and we don't see a lot of each other but when we do, we love nothing more than to sit down to a great home cooked meal, a dancing video, (Dirty Dancing is our favourite) and a good ol chatterbox. Bronwyn is great at keeping secrets and Is my dearest Girl, I love her dearly. She is currently living in Queensland working in a hotel. We will be friends forever! I even asked Bronwyn to go out with me when I was a wee lad... She politely told me to GET LOST hahah

Pamela
Friend/Mentor
Secret: She is a celebrity and her car runs with no pertrol!
Hint: If you are lazy, incompetent, use a exercise book for a database, and walk like a duck... Keep walking!
I met Pamela in 2003 and she was a manager at my work. After a month or so I was lucky enough to get a promotion and Pamela became my boss. Over the next 2 years we were team mates and became good friends. Pamela helped me become the confident person I am today and for this I respect her and thank her. I'm very proud to have her as a friend and she is a complete nutter and she is driving me blogging mad!

Sean
Best Gay Mate
Secret: Drives like a granny! and he refuses to cook! (thank god)
Hint: When Sean is Moody and grumpy, feed him chicken treat and you will see a miraculous improvement in his mood.
Sean and I go so far back we cant actually remember the first time we met, we know it was at some girly house party somewhere and then we become close friends through the Freedom Centre where we both used to volunteer for many years. Sean is the most funny person I have ever met in my life, he makes me laugh all the time , this is why I love having him around. He is a very loyal friend and he tells me how it is straight...Our friendship means the world to me and I know we will be friends forever... Oh and Sean despises bad service like me!

Nathan
Best Str8mate
Secret: loves to dress in women's clothing hahah just kidding!
Hint: Cooks the best Barbie Q!
In a few words Nate is a down to earth and a very chilled out regular SNAG. Him and I became mates again the same time around when I met Marnie at Rocky Bay as we worked together. He is a great friend, always there for me and I love him to bits. He is a great listener, gives good advice and he accepts me for who I am and we have become good friends over the years...hmmm in fact he is my only str8 mate ! You Rock Nate !

Mark
Close Friend
Secret:Mark thinks he is Abba and is secretly in love with William Hung!
Hint:Reality TV Junkie and he does love a bit of Eurovision!
Mark is a gentle, carry and living guy who is always there for me and I have known him for many years also. Mark and I love to dance to Lil bit of Abba and we share a love of musicals. Very Lucky to Have him as a friend.

Gavin
Gayest Friend
Secret: He has a pastel blue matching tracksuit...hmmm I'm thinking Bob Down and he is a Closet Scrapbooker- he is also a very talented artist but I don't like to tell him this.
Hint : Wear Brut 33, its his favourite!
Gavin Gavin Gavin, what can I say. I first met Gavin when I was 11 years old...a long story, he recalls I had big ears and wore glasses...I think in his old age he is getting dementia lol. No seriously Gavin is a very close friend and we share a lot of history together, he is a very kind and considerate person and always there for me (mind you after he see's this it might be a different story :) Love ya Gav !

WALK WITH PRIDE

WALK WITH PRIDE
www.glcs.org.au

Friendship

Instead of different words, however, we're stuck with simple adjectives. Close friend. Best friend. Childhood friend. Intimate friend. Trusted friend. Beloved friend. But whether you use adjectives or different words, few could deny the nearly infinite meaning in such a simple word.
Friends are special people.

We can't pick our family, and we're sorely limited in the number of them at any rate. Society and mores (and often our own conscience) dictate we select a single mate. But our friends can be as diverse and infinite as the adjectives we choose. Our friends, in a very real sense, reflect the choices we make in life.

Give a friend a hug today and tell them you love them...go on, it will make you and them feel good!

PROUD JOURNAL-Updates Daily

Tuesday 1st August 2006- Day out in Dundee
Today Marnie and I went in to the City of Dundee to get our tax back, we visited some friends then I have spent the rest of the day on the computer setting up my blog pages, having a great time, not much sleep though ! Getting excited about Turkey...1 sleeps to go !

Wednesday 2nd August 2006- Day with Rob
Rainy day and miserable as but it didn't stop me from going into Dundee to meet Rob for a drink. We had a drink at Dundee contemporary Arts and then another one or two at local gay bar "Gauger", played camp music in the duke box and had a laugh, we then headed out for a bite-to-eat which was lovely. We then headed off to our hotel room that Rob had organized at the Hilton, the room was great- overlooking the River Tay and the Tay Bridge, we spent the night in listening to music and ordering room service, he spoiled me rotten, he is a total gentleman and I enjoyed his company. Thanks Robin for making me feel so special and thanks for a great night :) ... I'm going to hold onto this one as long as I can

Thursday 3rd August 2006- Exploring Edinburgh
Ok folks , It's official, Edinburgh is my all time favourite city in the world, Its full of life, vibrance and always something to do, if you haven't been there get out there!
We set off around 10 am and headed for Edinburgh, Picked Marnies Cousin up them we were on our way, we got into the city then had lunch at Latasca's ( the best Spanish food I've ever had ) and very reasonably priced, you can get a 3 tapas lunch for £4.95 Bargain! http://www.latasca.co.uk . after lunch we went exploring through the streets, first Princess street, full of great souvenir shops, clothing storejewelryy, you name it this city has it all.As the Festival is on at the moment the place is beamingwith colourfull people, street theatre, live music and lots more, we then changed some £ into Turkish Lira and then walked a bit more. ever heard of 'The Tale of Greyfriars Bobby' ?
We visited the grave of John Gray and Bobby, it was great and while I was there I bumped into a deavolunteer Isabelel that used to work with me at Rocky Bay back at home, it was lovely to see a familiar face. We then went to the harbor where we boarded Marnies uncles ship, the Skandi Navica and had a look on board, it was great.

After here we went back to the port where the Royal Britania was docked, yes Her Majesty, Queen Lizzy was in but she was nowhere to be found, the Yacht was a fine sailing vessel and the cleanest I have ever seen, it weas lit with purple lights and looking pretty spectacular, so we sat in the bar on the jetty admiring her as we drank a few bevies. This was the finale to a great day..Can't wait for tomorrow !

Friday 4th August 2006

Started off with a sleep in til about 11am and then Marns and I headed off to the tax office in Dundee to put our UK tax returns in "Noice". We then went for lunch in the city and got some photos developed from the barbie Q last week, definitelyly some keepers in there, we then did a wee bit of shopping then headed back to Carnoustie to get ready for the big night out at a friend Carols place, some of you would have met Crazy Carol last year when she came to OZ and we went on the boat cruise (the second one). Carol had all her Bairns (children) there and aunties, uncles and all, we had a fantastic night, drank copious amounts of alcohol such as stollies and vodka then Marns and I were taking shots of Ouzo from a 1Lt bottle (gross)..Bottle was emptied, then I thought It was a great Idea for us to call our friends and family in Oz, well those I could remember the numbers, have no idea what time it was in oz when we called...sorry Sean, Nate, Mum, Nanna and Grandad, oh and Jules who is never bloody home!We then danced the night away til 5am.

Saturday 5th August 2006

I will start this entry at 5am , we had a kip on the floor before waking up to the house looking like a bomb had hit it, the girls all layed around talking while Marnie did the dishes, it took her so long coz she was still so drunk and I supervised from the sofa on the living room. Before heading home we stopped of for Maccie D's, World best hangover cure....Oh god I feel minging today ! Gotta pack for Turkey tomorrow, gotta organise stuff so I thought Id do my journal so don'tnt have to face doing any washing (miss you mum) :)

so the rest of the day will be spent dragging my sorry arse around the house ready for the flight to Turkey tomorrow, dead excited. Dinner tonight, rice, chips and curry sauce from the chippie, so much for the weight loss! too tired to cook!

Sunday 6th Ausgust... Turkey here we come woohoo! so excited, adding another country to my list, this makes it 15 since leaving OZ 6 months ago. Just finishes off last mintute packing, getting transfers from Dundee to Glasgow airport so better get my A into G.

Next time you hear from me it will be from Side, Turkey.

hoşça kal- good bye

PHRASE OF THE WEEK

"It's nice to live nicely" by D.R (Perth WA)

Free Gay and Happy

This is where you get to know me a little more on the personal side. Im a gay man and very proud of who I am and the achievments I have made so far in my life.

I have the most amazing supportive family and the best friends in the world.

If you want to know more about me you can also check my gaydar site out at:

www.gaydar.com.au/goateedude26

any questions or comments, please feel free.

Listed below are some useful and helpful links for other GLBTQ people

http://www.glcs.org.au
http://www.pflagaustralia.org
http://www.freedom.org.au/

Useful Travel Tips

For Great BackPacking Gear go to www.blackwolf.com.au

Welcome to Travel Tips
Tip 1 : never travel with 4 women, its bad for your nervous system heheh just kidding.

Tip 2: If you are travelling from Australia, maybe take some little Asutralian Souveniers with you eg.( koala key rings, aussie pens, magnets etc... its always nice to give something to people to say thanks if they help you out, its also a nice way for them to remember you. This will definately be great in Japan as the Japanese will not take money for their troubles and Its deemed offensive to offer.

Tip 3: If you are travelling to Italy (Rome) and you are planning to visit the Collosium, dont line up in the huge cues...you dont need too. If you go to the front entrence of the Collosium and then turn right up the hill you will see further ruins, you can purchase a ticket here for those ruins and the collesium and you can walk past the 5000 people in the cue, also if you are from Western Australia or South Australia, take your drivers lisence with you as you get a discount when ID is produced!!! (Bargain)

Since leaving my home in Mandurah, Western Australia on 2oth January
2006 i have travelled to 14 countries and numerous cities, towns and villages. I have enjoyed the many cultures and sceneries of Japan,Ireland,England,Germany,France,Italy,Switzerland,Czech Republic,Germany, Austria, Wales, scotland,Belgium,Netherlands and leaving for Turkey on Sunday! still to get to Greece and Thailand :)

I have listed a couple of great hostels, cheap places to eat out and fun things to do and see and maybe a couple of things not too do in the UK/Europe (ie DO NOT go to Liverpool), will keep updating for those of you who are considering travel at some time I the future.

Japan
Japan is a wonderful country full of amazing architecture, amazing culture and the Japanese are some of the most friendly I have ever encountered in the world.
The best tip I could ever give you is to purchase a JR Travel Ticket prior to entering the country, check them out at www.japanrail.com/JR_travelingonJR.html"> . This will save you so much hassle and allow you access to nearly every train and bus in the country...Amazing value as travel within the country is extremely expensive. You can find cheap places to eat in Japan also and we found that the traditional Japanese hotels are often the cheapest and they are a great experience.

Ireland
One of the most scentic places on my tavels, the country side is full of greenery, beautiful flowers, an amzing coastline and some of the worst drivers in the world. My 4 friends and I hired a car from Dublin International Airport when we arrived and booked into Jury's Inn, very reasonably priced acomodation.

We chose to drive around and see as much of Ireland as we could, great idea but make sure you have a good map, they dont like using street signs!

Must See in Ireland :
Blarney Castle and make sure you kiss the Blarney Stone, Its scary but a hell of alot of fun !
Dingle Bay: south coast...challenge, see if you can see Fungi the dolphin
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Ireland/County_Kerry/Dingle-296137/Things_To_Do-Dingle-The_Dolphin_Fungi-BR-1.html
Ireland is a very freindly place and definately reccomend travelling there. Great B7B and they do the best breakfast ever in Ireland !

TopDeck Tours
The best thing i have ever done in my life...18 days of pure fun, indulgance and happiness. My friends and I did the Winter Getaway Tour and Itt is something I will never forget. We travelled to 9 countries within Europe in 18 days and I was amazed to how much we saw, did, drank, ate and enjoyed the experience...the best thing about it is that I have made some friends that I will have forever.
check topdeck tours out at
http://www.topdecktours.co.uk/content.asp?Document_ID=16
BTW our tour guide and driver rocked ! 3 chears for Michele and Adam . PS if you meet adam, make sure you ask him about Tickle Friday.

Trip of a life time

Today I thought I would tell you a little about the adventure that I am currently on. My friends Marnie,Kate, Kezza,Jules and I left Australia on the 20th January 2006 and flew out from Perth International and arrived in Japan for 1 week. The Japanese are beautiful people, the whole country was covered in snow. We then ventured over to Frankfurt german where we stayed in the Airport for a couple of hours on route to our next stop...the fantastic Ireland, a week of hire car travel (mad drivers) and stopping at Dublin, Kilk-ennheee (party town), then Cork, Dingle bay and fab little place called Camp!

We then left Ireland for our next stop London!!! Now London was interesting, lots to see , lots to do but my goodness its expensive and the old £ is not so friendly to the $AUD. We were due to stay in London for 2 weeks but kate walked past this sign in a travel agent advertising trips to spain (cheap) so we booked at set off to Benidorm, Espanole for a fully inclussive hotel accom, alcohol and food holiday for 2 weeks...boy did we drink. We really had an amazing time in Spain... anyone ever met Sticky vicky ? hmmmm

After this we arrived back in London for a couple more days and to farwell Julie who had to get back to oZ for work. We then gathered our very heavy back packs (mine is called Fat Albert) then set off on our TopDecK Tour. We stayed at the Wake Up Lodge in London ready to Meet our tour Guide michelle, fantastic chick ! we boarded the bus for Calais and experienced one of the worst bus trips of my life to get to the ferry...the driver mas a maniac.

The next 19 days we visited, France (Paris), Italy (Rome,Florrence and Venice), Switzerland(Interlarken and Jangfrau),Czech Republic (Prague), Germany (Munich, Heidelburg), Austria(Salzburg),Netherlands (Amsterdam) and Belgium (Brugge).. an amzing experience and one i will never forget, made some great friends that will be in contact with forever.

We all then arrived back in london and slept for about a week before heading up to Birmingham England to find work, I got a job in Manchester so I left the girls (ever travelled with 4 women? EEK!) and headed off to my new adventure...alone. lasted a couple fo months here but didnt like it too much so joined my friend Marnie in Warwickshire. Marns bought a car and we worked here for a while the we set off together on our road trip on route to our next destination Scotland. We packed the car up with our favourite snacks and all the essentials ie.(toilet paper) and set off for Wales, the through England stopping at too many places to say, then to Scotland 2 weeks later and this is where we are now. The road trip was amazing, we had such a great time, one of our friends Kate is still working in london and the other Girl Kerrie left for home, a little home sick i think, so Its just me and Manrs and we are now living in Carnousite, Scotland.
So there you have a somewhat brief discription of what Ive been doing this year. Travelling has been a life changing experience for me and Im hooked.

I have kept a journal every day since we left and over time i will be publishing it on my blog for all to read.

Take a walk on the wild side

Welcome Fellow Bloggers
My name is Brad Mckay, I am 28 years of age and live in Mandurah, Western Australia. I am currently travelling around the world with a very close friend and due home in the new year. This is my first Blog ever and I would like to thank my mentor, Pamela for introducing me to this crazy, strange but exciting new adventure.

I welcome everyones comments and look forward to meeting new people and hearing whats happening in your lives, so sit back, make yourself a martini and enjoy the ride.