Last episode, I was off to Australia, looking forward to seeing family and friends.
The trip started with a bang, having been surprised only three days into my just under four week stay when daughters, sister and an old Aussie friend in the UK conspired to throw me an advance ‘big birthday bash’ at the local hotel.
My gob was sufficiently smacked when I rounded the corner in the large drinking establishment to the sight of balloons, streamers, party blowers – and all but two of my seventeen blood relatives plus a few pals I’d know since I arrived in the country circa early 70s!
Who knew an old geezer could be so lovingly thought of?
It was a great start – but (there’s always a ‘but’), by day five, a round of ‘the lurgy’ hit me and remained for the following two weeks, leaving me sounding like Batman and having to carry a carton of tissues everywhere.
However, I made the most of my time as much as I was able, usually collapsing in a heap either in the afternoon for a couple of hours or having a very early evening.
And then, on the flight home, I managed to pick up another variant of the virus (thanks in no small part to those coughing on-board), making me sound like Batman holding his nose!
This was particularly interesting as I had three voice-overs booked in, one of which was a two hour session recording two side characters for Warhammer 40K’s ‘Dark Heresy’ universe.
Somehow, I made it thanks to a combination of paracetamol (can’t take medicated cold ’n flu tabs due to high BP), a Radox bath, lemon, ginger and honey tea, chicken and vegetable soup, Vicks VapoRub and Hall’s soothers!
Just think if they were able to combine all those things into one tablet…
As far as radio, TV and the media in general downunder goes, it’s an acquired taste. Having been away from the country for 10 years, nothing has really changed – except there are now more ads and more ad breaks more frequently than here on the telly, and on the radio too.
Australia and its media have always been heavily influenced by America, more so from the latter half of the last century onwards, hence the prevalence of so many commercials, whilst the presenters generally come across less formally than they do in the UK.
And I forgot how just about everyone calls you ‘mate’ – even if they’ve only just met you! Other phrases still in use, at least those I encountered, include:
Howyagoin’ (UK: how are you?)
Avagoodone (UK: I hope you have a good day)
Seeyalater (UK: bye bye)
Youbewdy (UK: that’s very nice).
I love how all these exaltations (and more) are usually uttered as one word!
So join me next time when I’ll be posting-the-usual-rubbish which, I hope, will entertain and perhaps even enlighten you about something you probably didn’t need to know…
Greg Marston started out as a radio presenter behind the first of many microphones in 1979. For the past 30 years, he’s remained there as a professional voiceover artist.
Find out more about him and his nearly half-century career by visiting gregmarston.com or connect with Greg on LinkedIn.
