Canada EH!

Hey guys, Bromley and Kimbo here again with another red hot update. How is everybody back home. Hope all is well.

This weekend we went to Toronto, Canada. Toronto, the capital of Ontario is home to the CN Tower (the talleset tower in the world!). The weather wasn't too good for the weekend (actually the weather was pretty shithouse!) but it was cool to see the tower disappear into the clouds.

We also went and had a tour through the Rogers Centre (the worlds first baseball stadium with a retractable roof) with Brom and Kimbo Tours Ltd. We actually just got lost while trying to find the ticket booth for the proper tour and found an open door into the stadium. We were walking around inside for about an hour and no body kicked us out. We got some funny looks though. Hehe. The people in the photo below went to our competition tour. Losers!! Our tour was much better. None of this "organisation" shenanigans!

It was cool to see a couple of the Toronto Blue Jays practicing though. And to see the stadium.

The Canadian National Exhibition was on while we were in town so we got to go to a bigger version of the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The Royal Bank of Canada has over half a tonne of pure gold in the windows.

We did a boat tour through the Toronto Islands which was also nice and Kimbo got to do some shopping. We had a great weekend. Got back to 'home sweet erie home' at 2am on Monday morning. This weekend we are heading to New York City. Exciting eh! Will talk soon. See ya guys,

Bromley and Kimbo

How NOT to get lucky in the CN Tower

A note to all you guys out there on how NOT to get some in Toronto, Canada.

When you take your girlfriend (who is well known for a fear of heights) to the viewing platform the tallest tower in the world - DONT "ACCIDENTLY" BUMP HER ONTO THE GLASS FLOOR WHICH OVERLOOKS TORONTO FROM 1200 FEET IN THE AIR. (They dont like that Nick)

I would just like to say - In my defence, my heart was in the right place. I could see it in her eyes how much she really wanted to walk on the glass floor.... I guess 10 year old kids who think its funny to jump on the glass as hard as they can dont help the situation. I maintain it was the kids fault - they have no fear!

I can hear all you females out there right now cursing at me - "You ass Bromley" - and let me just say that I do feel bad. I would never dream of doing it again...well maybe dream about it but not actually do it!

I woudnt dare go into the part where Kimbo, in trying to stop herself from going on the glass, grabbed a random spanish guys crotch. That would be too much. Oops! Hehe

The view was awesome!

Farewell Alcor

This is just a tribute to the late Alcor.... who recently passed away. I had just visited the zoo about a week ago when not long after that it was announced that Alcor had broken his leg whilst playing with his brother. Whilst at first officials thought that Alcor would have to be put down, they were able to find a vet who would operate on him in Pittsburgh, PA. Whilst the operation was a dangerous procedure and the odds were not in Alcor's favour, the operation did seem successful. However, about 5 minutes after leaving Pittsburgh, Alcor suffered a heart attack in the van he was being transported in and tragically died. You will be sadly missed Alcor. Peace out brother.



(I'm not sure if this is Alcor or his brother Mizar, who I'm sure feels very guilty about the incident - don't worry we don't blame you Mizar). Photo taken by Kimberley Phillis (c) 2006 (great photo Kimbo!)

Daniel Bromley.... fashion icon

It was pretty chilly on the lockport cruise and we were not prepared.... luckily some Americans got some spare jackets outta their car for us (the Aussie accent will get you plenty in the USA!). Bromley thought he'd model the jacket they picked for him for all of his fans out there.... His talent really is wasted in engineering I think.




P.S. I forgot to say in the other blog that when we were on the highway on Sunday there was a little turtle crossing the road!! When we past it it was nearly all the way on the other side of 6 lanes of traffic going about 110kms/hour can you believe it survived?! Oh and you should see the amount of road kill here.... squirrels, skunks, raccoons, deer etc etc.

P.P.S. Dan helped us put a hit counter on the right of our site.... pretty impressive.... over 300 hits in 5 days! Thanks to all our fans out there.... You know who you are!

Beach Boys are still rocking on!

Last Friday night we ventured into the town centre with the McCabes for the 'Celebrate Erie' festival. It was the most hyped night of the whole festival as the beach boys were playing a free concert! And what can I say other than the beach boys have still got it goin' on! Only one dude (the singer) is still alive from the original band but they still sound the same. And I'm pretty impressed with that old dude, he sang 11 songs in a row without breaking, and played a 2 hour set with no intermission! He even got a few young hotties in mini skirts from the audience to dance with him on the stage! The most hilarious moment was when one of the dudes got a blonde up on stage and gave her his guitar which she slung over herself. The old dude then played the guitar from behind her whilst she swayer her hips.... it was sooo funny yet offputting at the same time.

Saturday we shopped till we dropped and discovered some bargain shops where brands like quicksilver and mossimo and levis are roughly 10% of the price they are in Australia (we really are getting ripped off guys). Sat night we went out with a dude Bromley met through work and his girlfriend. We went to a Japanese restaurant and had Hibachi (where they cook it in front of you) the chef was SO cool he threw stuff into your mouth with an eggflip and made volcanos outta onions and soy sauce!

Sunday we did a boat cruise on the Erie canal Lockports (the photos will explain what they are). We also went to a quaint heritage town near the falls called Niagara on the Lake which is like Morpeth only heaps nicer and full of beautiful mansions and vineyards and THE BEST FUDGE EVER. Another great weekend in the USA! Toronto Canada this weekend and guess where the weekend after that.... NEW YORK CITY!! WOOHOO! We hope that everyones still keeping up with our travels and don't be afraid to leave us a comment telling us about how we're missed! We miss you all. xoxo. Ok PHOTO TIME!!


I just chucked this one in to show we still look the same!!!!!!!!!




Han I put this in for you.... this is one of the wineries at Niagara on the Lake we went tasting at.... they are all like this so beautiful and impressive.... but they charged $6 for a tasting and it was gross!

This is what all the shops in Niagara on the Lake were like.... so pretty and no traffic lights and beautiful manicured gardens.... very expensive and touristy though.


This is a lockport. The rivers are at different heights so to get from one to the other you go in one of these and the doors shut and big pumps fill the lock with water and you rise to the next level.


Check out this crowd for the beach boys.... it went back like 6 blocks.... we heard there were 80000 people there and there's only 100000 in the city of erie! We dunno if we misheard or not though.


This is a photo of the setup on the main street in Erie for the Beach Boys - they played on the stage behind the screen but that was impossible to see so we just watched the screen.

Dan and Sonny - GOOOONNEEE!!!

Well, Dan 'The Man' Callaghan, taken by Bromley and Kimbo in the first round of Belle Valley's 2006 Draft, has left the sunny algae ridden shores of Erie, PA. He left this morning in his hired Pontiac headed for Charlottesville, Virginia, y'all. We wish him the best of luck on his journey - he has never driven on the right hand side of the road before and its a 9 hour drive to get there - and hope he finds success with the Virginia Cavaliers football team as a fourth string orange cutter.

Another tragic eventtoday for Bromley and Kimbo, as they said their final goodbyes to Sonny, their V6 Hyundai Sonata. Sonny was seriously injured in a Beachwood, Ohio carpark on Wednesday, 9th August 2006. Sonny will be taken to a car hospital where she will receive extensive treatment. Upon repair, she will be given to a new family in a better position to adequately care for her special needs. We will always remember her for her tremendous ability to do 'screechies' in downtown Pittsburgh.

Enterprise Car rentals replaced Sonny with an identical version albeit a four cylinder buzz-box! Sheis little slower off the mark than her late twin sister and although struggles in the screechy department, takes a pounding just as well as her sister. I hope you all will welcome Sonny II into our family just as we have.

Thanks for the support,

Bromley and Kimbo

Random Shenanigans

Hey guys, due to numerous requests, we welcome Bromley back to the spotlight to take you through what else has been happening north of the equator. On the trip to Pittsburgh we spotted this bloke travelling in absolute luxury. Got a couple of sweet photos of him. Just after it snaapped he gave us a Lleyton signature - 'C'mon'. Legend!!

Below is a photo of the junction of the rivers at Piitsburgh. The top is the Allegheny River. The bottom is the Monongahela river. The colour change between the two is because the two flow in opposite directions. Interesting eh!!

Next on exhibition is a striking action shot done by none other than K. Phillis. These are the Purple Ladies with Red Hats. Kimbos mum is a member of the Newcastle sorority. Kimbo spotted them midway through her clam chowder and did the bolt after them.

Next, Kimbo was expecting a beautiful romantic shot in front of this fountain in the PPG building. Nick, She didnt like that. Haha Piss funny though!!

Kimbo has been eating as good as ever. The scales dont lie!!

This is the inflated goon bag room in the Warhol Museum. I cant believe this bloke made millions from blowing these up and putting them in a room with a fan. Genius. I always thought the best use for a used goon bag was a pillow. Nice work Andy.

Bromley being homeless in the lower east side under the bridge out of town. Note the perfected crotch grab.

Thats it for the latest installment from me guys. Get back to work!!!

All the best, Bromley

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.... The big city with a small-town vibe....

I think the title of this blog is one of Pittsburgh's mottos, we saw it written on a few brochures etc. This weekend Bromley, Dan and I went to Pittsburgh. It was about a 2 hour drive from Erie, so we set out early Sat morn and just stayed over the one night (I won't say much about the sleepover apart from Dan sounds like a ride-on mower when he sleeps!).

We had an awesome time in Pittsburgh. The downtown area is surrounded by two rivers which kind of make it into a triangle and there a bridges out of downtown everywhere.... the downtown area is actually only about a two mile radius! This layout meant that it isn't too busy downtown as there is not much residential property in the triangle... so it really is a big city with a small town atmosphere!

On Saturday we arrived and ate (the first of Dan's 5 main meals for the day! I take back all the calls from the past I have made that he never eats). We then went up Mt Washington (downtown is also surrounded by mountains) in a cable car that was made a LONG time ago (Dan chickened out and wouldn't go up there!) where we got an awesome view of the city. We also went on a Ducky tour which was a bus that turned into a boat and that was great! We then went to southside for tea which is kinda an arty precinct filled with pubs and restaurants kinda like Darby st but on a scale about 5 times the size!

On Sunday we went to the Omnimax theatre which is a dome and the screen is big like in an imax but goes all the way over the roof so you recline and look up to watch the movie. We then went to Heinz Stadium (home of the Pittsburgh Steelers mentioned in previous bloggs) which was absolutely massive and Broms bought a Steelers jersey.... Then we went to the Andy Warhol museum which was excellent.... Here's some pics!


This is the Just Ducky tour that we went on (the bus that turns into a boat!) FANTASTIC!


Downtown Pittsburgh.... it was really cool. This is the view from the lookout the cable cars go up to. The fountain you can see is the tallest in the United States. Its hooked up to an anomometer so on a quiet day it can go up to 200 feet high.

The cable car ride - it was soooo steep and the cables made funny creaking noises! Look how small the cars are the judge the steepness.... ridiculous!

This is Heinz Stadium.... It was pretty cool but we couldn't get a tour coz they only do them on weekdays (go Pittsburgh tourism!)

At the Andy Warhol museum.... heaps of cool colour prints.... this is the man himself (he was rather unusual I gather).

Dan the He-Man

Oh what a feeling ..... Hyundai!

Hey guys,

Well this is our beast we get around in. The 3.3 litre double overhead cam V6 engine punches 235 horsepower through to the blacktop. The advanced four-wheel independent suspension system provides a wonderfully smooth ride coupled with excellent high speed handling through the Erie backstreets. This magnificent example of south-korean engineering excellence has all the perks youd expect from Hyundai - doors, windows, engine and even wheels. The 2006 Hyundai Sonata is an absolute joy to cane. Check out me and Kimbo being tools!













Yep our Sonata is a weapon....well it was....for two weeks. We went for a drive to Cleveland last night and got reversed into by some high school cheerleader trying to put her makeup on while fanging through Beachwood mall's carpark. So now the Sonata looks a bit like smashed crabs. Poor thing - see below. Ended up getting home to Erie at about midnight after filing police reports and stuff.

We are still having a good time. Dan is coming to Erie this weekend and we are heading down to Pittsburgh Saturday morning. And we gonna be checking out midget wrestling at Club Bash in Downtown while we are there too (jealous Lambert).

Talk soon, Bromley and Kimbo

Niagara Falls

On sunday we went to Niagara Falls, which was only about a 2 hour drive away. We had to cross the border to get to the Canadian side, which was cool. We had a great day but it was EXTREMELY packed with tourists as it was a Canadian long weekend (yes yes we didn't know that until we arrived at the border and asked why it was so busy). Crossing the border by car was sooo much easier than at the airport. It then took us an hour and a half to find a carpark that was free!!

But we finally parked and went and saw the Falls, which were spectacular. We went up the Sky tower (like Centrepoint) and saw them from afar (my legs were shaking the whole time as I am scared of heights), then we walked right to the start of the Canadian falls and felt the mist from them (which was like rain). We also went to the Imax and watched a documentary about their history which was cool as well, it had a museum of things that people had attempted to fall down the falls in such as the original barrels, boats etc.

I found some interesting facts about the falls:

• Currently, Niagara Falls wears its way back another approximately 1 foot/year. (in 1000 years they may not be around anymore)
• Annie Taylor "Queen of the Mist" , a school teacher from Bay City Michigan was first person to travel over the Falls in a barrel on October 24, 1901. (she took her cat in the barrel! and it survived! she did it to get rich but ended up dieing in poverty)
• More recently, a couple of foolhardy individuals have attempted to survive a plunge over Niagara Falls in a kayak and a jetski - they both perished. (a jetski?!)
• Niagara Falls Ontario Canada is known as the Honeymoon Capital of the world. (but its a bit tacky if you ask us - like surfers paradise - full of wax museums, etc)

Anyways, we had a great time, and can't wait to go back and do some of the other things available like walk behind the falls and go on the maiden of the mist. One thing we will always remember is the nice border security woman. When going back to America, we passed over our visas. Bromley had forgotten to put in a document he needed to have with his to get back in the country. However, the woman was nice enough to let us in instead of sending us inside to wait for hours in line to talk to border security officials. WE LOVE YOU LADY! Anyways, enough blabbering, you guys wants photos right!!

This is the Canadian falls, they're a bit bigger than the other ones, and again you can see Maiden of the Mist in the Mist, can't wait to go on that, you have to wear a raincoat! Look at the size of the falls in comparison with the Falls, it shows how massive they are.

This one is the American falls (there are 2 falls - Canadian and American) however they are only separated by a small island so if your in Canada you have a front on view of both, and if you're in America you have a side on view of both. The boat is the Maid of the Mist which we'll go on next time.

This one is a self take by a renowned photographer, Kimberley Phillis. How cute does Brommles look! Ohhh....

P.S. Dan Callaghan - Did you know there's re-runs of Dawsons Creek on WTBS at 9am every morning - best season too - the one where Joey and Pacey hook up!!

Steelers Training Camp 2006

On Saturday morning, Bromley and Kimbo awoke to the sound of (what Bromley thought was a jackhammer being applied to his forehead) a 7am alarm. Turns out Dave McCabe (friday nights bbq host - with the most) is a very bad influence. Anyway we managed to get up and were on our way to Latrobe, PA. Latrobe is approximately 3 hours southeast of Erie, PA down interstate 90. We arrived at Saint Vincents College in Latrobe at approximately 12pm just for the start of the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. I found out later that night that 20,000 people showed up to support their team and everyone wore some sort of merchandise. It was a sea of black and gold. The temperature was very warm - probably 30 deg. and these guys were out there training.

While Kimbo sat under a tree and read a book, (I can hear you all saying "I cant believe you made Kimbo go to that Bromley - I took her to Niagara Falls the next day - So nerrr!), I got to see the World Champions hard at it. The best came just as we were leaving to get some lunch, QB Roethlisberger threw a 60 yd bomb between two defenders for a WR Washington touchdown. What a legend! Here we come Superbowl XLI.

Pennsylvania Law

Bromley is seriously considering becoming a permanent resident of beautiful Pennsylvania. On friday night enroute to a bbq, Bromley and Kimbo stopped off at a bottlo to pick up a beverage to consume at this bbq. Thinking a sixpack would fit the bill just nice we wandered in. We had already been warned that you get your wine and spirits at one bottlo while all beer must be purchased at a separate bottlo. So we picked up a nice Aussie red for Kimbo and headed off for the main attraction (the beer bottlo). Ps, by the way, a 750mL Jim Beam costs 13USD - bargain! Anyway - the main attraction. The gentleman in the store asked me what ill have and hed go get it for me. After a little interrogation as to why he didnt sell tooheys red, I decided on a sixpack of Yeungling (just this little drop a few people recommended to me along my ways). To my amazement, the guy said "no can do man - you gotta buy a case - STATE LAW! - sorry". Can you believe he said sorry - for telling me i have to buy more beer. I was in heaven. I just wish they brought this law in in Newcastle. Imagine how easy the reply is when Kimbo asks "Why do you drink so much Bromley?"................."STATE LAW darling!!"

Bromley and Kimbo have joined the gym

[In Bromley's best american accent]

Hey Gang!!!

Bromley here with the latest addition of our the blog thing!! We are having a good time here in Sunny (really hot and humid) Erie. We are learning how to drive on the right hand side of the road. Kimbo struggles to grasp the concept sometimes and we find ourselves staring down some of the biggest trucks you have ever seen. (Ref: Orange beast below). In her defence it is harder than it would seem but I still dont open my eyes anymore.

Working at GE is good....so far. The plant is massive and they have their own gym. Which is funny cause so many americans look like they dont know what one is. At least the facilities are there to work on getting some rock hard abbadabbas.

I have also noticed (only after Dave McCabe pointed out to me) that GE employ alot more females than UGL Rail. It might be that its intern season too though. We are going to Niagara Falls this weekend. So we will keep you posted. Love Broms

Dave this is where I will buy my supplies!

Don't worry Dave.... there are plenty of shops around to keep me safe, this one we saw in one of the main streets.... Will have to go there today and get some protection.

Grocery Shopping in Erie

Grocery shops in America (well at least Erie) are pretty funny.... There are alot of grocery stores that are like IGA or even smaller, but then there are the normal sized ones like Giant Eagle (where we went shopping) and the massive ones like Wegmans (haven't been yet hopefully going this arvo). Giant Eagle was different.... It was almost impossible to find low-fat products and cereal that isn't covered in sugar.... Also, there were alot of very sus meat products and lots and lots of frozen snacks (we're trying a different frozen product each week, this week Bromley chose sausage, ham and cheese hot pockets - that sounds pretty foul to me!). The other different thing is there is the option to check yourself out, instead of going to an actual checkout.... We are yet to serve ourselves. You also can join the supermarket and become a member and get special prices on a lot of items. Anyways, we found a couple of interesting things and we just happened to have a camera handy!



These are so cool hey!!!! Didn't dare try one.... Totally gnarly man.

In this photo Bromley is holding up 2 rolls. One is a footlong (the small one) like what you get at subway. The other is one massive roll hey?! Hopefully its to be shared between two people :) Nick and Anthony you would love the size of the serves of food here, even I can't eat it all!!

Attention Chris Bromley

Chris we have been seeing some mega trucks here, but this one by far is the biggest, best truck that we've seen.... It was in a carpark near Subway (the only place in Erie where you can get something that resembles a salad sandwich!). Bromley said it looks like the one outta fast and the furious?


Also we'd just like to say another big CONGRATS to Bromley's brother Chris and his girlfriend Emma who are celebrating their engagement as of Sunday the 23rd of July. We are so happy for you!!!! P.S. CHECK OUT THE SIZE OF THIS DIAMOND! That would fall to the side hey Jess....

Just in case your missing us....

I thought we should put a photo in here of us.... Just in case you're already starting to forget who we are!! This is one Hannah took of us at the airport....

ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA (is that spelt right?!)

Hey there dudes and dudettes, this is just a bit of info about our home town (for the next 6 months anyways!).... We haven't had a chance to take many photos of the scenery ourselves but I've found some stuff on the net.... The photo above is the view of Erie from the Lake.... It's a very industrial and old town but does have some really pretty areas (mainly on Presque Isle)....

Interesting facts about Erie:

• Erie is within 500 miles of more than half of the U.S. population and is accessible by automobile, boat, plane, train, or bus
• Third largest city in Pennsylvania
• 127th safest American City (that's really not that good a rating is it?!)
• Erie's largest employer is General Electric Transportation Systems, manufacturer of locomotives (GO BROMMLES!)
• Erie County is home to Pat Monahan- lead singer of the Grammy winning band, Train.
• 'Alice' from the Brady Bunch, Ann B. Davis, is a native of Erie
• Population: (2000 census) City - 103,717 County - 280,843
• Climate: Average - 51.9 F (about 11C) Average summer high - 76.4 F (about 25C but its much hotter at the moment and humid) Average winter low - 20.0 F high – 35.0 F (about 0C OH MY GOD!)
• Erie has FIVE Universities/Colleges
  

There are many more interesting facts about our great city, of course, including that it houses about a MILLION steakhouses and ZERO sandwich shops.... but I didn't want to bore you!!

Here are some photos...

This is a map of the city, you can see Presque Isle coming off the lake which is their biggest boast, it has ten 'lake beaches' but we have been told by other Aussies not to swim in them as they have high algae levels (so high kids put algae on their face and play games when they swim in the beaches!).... We live towards the bottom of the map, but it's good living away from downtown as there seems to be nothing downtown anyways!

This photo is of Erie's observatory tower, like Newcastle foreshores.... I would have liked to get some photos of the views from this tower but can't find any so will take some ourselves and upload them later.... On a clear day you can see Canada from the tower (which is across the lake).


This is a picture of a lake beach, like I said they have ten. The sand is kind of pebbly but they are quite pretty....