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There were two huge queues for customs. Got a shuttle bus to the Brittania hostel in Northbridge. No union jacks in sight (except maybe the ones on the Ozzie flags). Rang the Bog. They were serving till 6. Got there for 5. There was a fair enough crowd in various states of drunkenness. Steve recommended the Hahn Premium, a far better choice than the Miller we tried first. He was working at 6. We sang Amhran na bhFiann and headed back to Brittania for 6:30. Our cunning plan worked and we were not charged for that night. The proprietor told us that three Irish girls had arrived and weren't very happy and needed cheering up. We needed sleep more though. Went for a dorm room for a change. Daniel from Switzerland and unpronouncable from Japan already had the bottom bunks. Up at 9:30. Went for a dirty fry. Got eaten by flies. Possibly the most animated meal ever. Bought insect repellent. Off to Scarborough beach on the bus.

The Bog

Town was cloudy but calm before we left. But we noticed the wind freshening during the journey. The wind was gale force on the beach as bad as Essouira. The sea was boiling. The aerobee was useless. Mac went for a swim. I refused to accept the conditions and tried to read with my back to the wind. Eventually it got too much so I had to stand up. Chatted to a couple, he was from Switzerland, she was from Lancashire, they both worked in Dubai with Emirates the airline. They said it wasn't as bad in the morning. Took shelter off the beach near a wall. Tried to sunbath. Too cold. Went for a pint. Into a surf shop and whinged about the weather. The surf dude working there gave me a blast of surf lingo. I nodded and tried to look like I understood. He said to check out oceanoutlook.com.au for WA swell reports and http://www.bom.gov.au/ for the weather. He also said that Margaret River had the best surf. Back into town. The ocean outlook is bad for the next 5 days. This may be a good thing cos good waves for these guys mean certain drowning for me. Went for a pint in the Brass Monkey. Good, big pub. Tried to go on a pub crawl, but couldn't find any lively places. Heard some commotion on the first floor of a hotel. Straight in and up the lift. A black tie Christmas party. I was wearing a "Peoples Republic of Cork" longsleeve. Bouncer asked us to leave. Gladly. Found a lively pub with a crap cover band with a solid guitarist. Back to the Brass Monkey for one more. Met Jetel(?), a Swiss student. She said the Post Office was the place to go out. Couldn't muster the energy though. Bed for 11. Mac rocked on.

Essouira - a blustery windsurfing spot in Morroco

The Brass Monkey