The Perils Of "The Pot"

The expats (or "Pot-Pats") as they are known hereabouts had gathered.  The venue The Rusty Keyhole, on the river next to the old bridge in Kampot, Cambodia.  The occassion - Rugby Union World Cup Final, New Zealand vs France.

As you'd expect, in a sleepy former French colonial town,  in this bar the supporters of Le Bleus had the numbers.  One of them had sacrificed much to the cause.  Moto accidents following the quarter and semi final win celebrations had resulted in an arm and leg respectively in plaster casts.  No one was sure whether he would survive another victory!

An all day happy hour was in effect and the mugs of ice cold Anchor beer at 3000 riel a glass were flowing. 

The game got underway and it was tight.  Outside storm clouds gathered.  The locals were wary.  They knew the risks.  Then the  rain started to fall.  Lights dimmed and fans slowed.  Power outages were par for the course in these parts.  Then as the rains pounded down even heavier the TV image froze and went to black.  A single line appeared on the screen - Signal is Scrambled.   Another hazard of Satellite TV.  WiFi was still up.  Someone found the commentary on their phone but the speaker was weak.  Three heads gathered together to listen in.  Five minutes later just before half time the signal was back.  No one had scored.  No damage done.

The second half got underway, it got even tighter.  Fifteen minutes to go and New Zealand up by the narrowed of margins 8-7.

Then our worst fears were realised.  Another even heavier squall hit - Signal scrambled again.  Heads went back to the smart phones.  Only one had the commentary.  Updates were relayed to the crowd.  A penalty to France.  Where? Everyone wanted to know.  The All Black 22.  A kick to touch.  Another penalty this time to New Zealand.  Another kick to touch.  Still the rains came down and the signal remained stubbornly scrambled.  Suddenly a squeal of joy.  Its all over.  The All Blacks had held on, and claimed the Webb Ellis Cup.

Now that it no longer matters, the rain eases.  Across the river the sun peeks through the clouds above the Bokor mountains.  The fishing fleet chugs downriver on the way out to sea for another nights fishing.  Its about  time to head out along the riverfront promenade to search out a bowl of bok l'hong, and perhaps another beer to watch the sun set behind the wonky old bridge.

As days go, it doesn't get much more exciting than this in The Pot.

Across the Fence - 30 Clicks From Nam

And there I was.  Not exactly where I was supposed to be.  Across the Fence.  Probably 30 clicks up river from Nam.  It was quiet.  Too quiet.  A breezy cloudless night.  Charlie nowhere to be seen.  Suddenly out of nowhere tracers light up the evening sky.

Must be time for another beer.

Surprising Smart Dr Fish?

Dr Fish are surprising smart.  Not only thickling, but absorbing and smothening as well.

Do yourself a favour and release your exhaustion and confused matter of you.

These fun loving flesh devouring creatures await your visit! 

Anchors Aweigh!

The end of another tough day on Serendipity Beach in Sihanouk Ville.

Perambulation Diem #25

Don't try this at home!

There must be a lot of expat wheelchair bound invalids in Koh Kong if Mr Han can afford to advertise in the prestigious Sihanoukville Advertiser!

Who ate all the Flag-Pies?

It was a big weekend in sport and entertainment. 

A fat old singer living off faded glories from 30 years ago received $500,000 for 12 minutes “work”  attempting to rev the crowd at the MCG into a frenzy before the start of the AFL Grand Final

Meatloaf Mumbling Incoherently



He got the gig as the pregame entertainment headliner  because back in 1977 his album Bat Out Of Hell was on high rotation on the cassette player in AFL Supremo Andrew Demitriou's Datsun 180B. 

For the 99,537 spectators at the MCG on Saturday they might have been forgiven for thinking the AFL had decided to tighten it's belt and save $499,000 by hiring a Meatloaf karaoke impersonator.  We know that didn't happen because that guy would have at least been able to sing!

StKildaFlaneur is all for a bit of nostalgia and we would like to add our voice to those demanding a return of Angry Anderson to belt out a rendition of Bound For Glory last heard in 1991.  More importantly the AFL should repurchase the iconic Batmobile which we have heard is available for a mere $7,000.

 

Check it out the link below.  Plenty of bemused participants including the legendary Deeks! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7J2madZVFA

We are unable to include a link to Meatloafs performance because due to the embarrasment of all concerned postings to Youtube are being taken down! 

A formerly fat slightly younger bloke once famous for eating all the pies (according to the Barmy Army) announced his engagement to a former exploding Fembot




Warnie - As We Knew And Loved Him



The man who once spent an entire tour of India eating nothing but baked beans and was often accused of eating all the pies is now more likely to be found sipping on a diet protein shake.  On Saturday the rumoured engagement of Shane Warne and Liz Hurley was confirmed.

Liz Visits Madame Tussauds

Warnie's also given up the smokes on the due to the risk of serious disfigurement if exposed to naked flame.

Finally the Australian people have a red headed leader they can admire and respect

Lingy - AFL Premiership Captain 2011



Whilst the Ranga in Canberra continues to suffer in the polls, the same can't be said of the number one Ranga down in Sleepy Hollow.  To learn why.  Read on! 

But....The Biggest News Of All Was The Demise Of The Flag-Pies!

cake·walk (k k wôk )

n.

1. Something easily accomplished: Oh the Premiership’s a cake-walk for good old Collingwood

AFL Grand Final 2011

Geelong 18.11 (119) defeated Collingwood 12.9 (81)

There's a lot that could be said.  StKildaFlaneur is however quite content to bask in the schadenfreude of the moment.