It’s to my nanna, Doris, born July 16 1918.

It hasnt been a great year for her, and I’ve been a crappy grand daughter. But I hope my letter made her smile, and it serves as a pretty good 2012 wrap up for me. You might even get a giggle.

Here it is:

Dear Nanna,

Please stop falling over and breaking things! Take the right medecine at the right time and drink LOTS of water. I worry about you! If you do those 2 little things, everything will be much better, I promise. And if you would wear your hearing aids, that would also be lovely but my wishlist to Santa maybe growing too long

Right, I owe an apology. I’ve been so flat out busy and plain flat broke that I didn’t send a mothers day or birthday card and I feel like the shittiest grand daughter ever. Especially when you really helped me out at birthday time, when we were really struggling. So thank you LOTS AND LOTS and I’m very, very sorry. Really.

I know mum has probably told you all of this, but I’m going to put it all in a letter so you have it on record. Who knows, you might even read it more than once! Could be fun? You probably should. And don’t lose this! I never sit down long enough to write letters. This is the only one I’m sending THIS YEAR. You’re a lucky woman Doris

I’ll start at the beginning of 2012. Despite having no money, both Eddie and I have had an incredible year. I was training very hard to be a great athlete and cyclist and gave up my work to have a crack at getting to the paralympics. At the same time I was training for an International Pole Dancing Competition, but that was just some silliness, or so I thought at the time. It annoyed my cycling coach a lot.

But then I went and won the damned thing and became a minor celebrity. The people these days, they love being inspired by go getters with disability. Seems I fit the bill. I was featured in what can only be called “shit tonnes” of international press, did a fair whack of radio and appeared twice on Australian television. I’ve done other publications, too, like Marie Claire.. Anyway, I did really well at cycling but not well enough to get me to London as I had crashes and injuries and lots of mechanical problems with the bike.. But I got to go over anyway! I was invited to perform at the olympic exhibition of pole sports a week before the official olympic games – The World Pole Sports Championship, and I am now the proud owner of $3000 credit card debt. I’m going to clear that up pretty swiftly by selling my car, which I don’t like, and buying a cheaper one that I do. Wish me luck!

Moving on, Ed got a promotion at work in March and then in June, he asked me to marry him. I said yes and our engagement party was in October. The ring is beautiful, but was very expensive. We could have paid off my credit card! Hahaha. Oh well, I only get one of these rings and it had better be beautiful, right? Anyway, I’m starting to ramble and have to go train a client soon so I had better set about wrapping up.

For a whole bunch of reasons, I gave up cycling. I can make a good career pole dancing and speaking, and I love both of those things A LOT. I now have a wonderful agent, who also manages the paralympic athletic team. This will be a big year for he and I as a team and then 2014 will be a real cracker because I’m planning on it.

I participated in a Leadership Development Program this year called Leaders For Tomorrow and they paid for me to become an accredited yoga teacher so that, one day, I can help disabled Australians be happier by learning to love and accept their bodies, and feel good about moving and breathing in order to do it. One day…  What a year though: I found my true calling – on the pole, learned to follow my dreams and got sent overseas to teach pole and perform, meeting amazing people, seeing wonderful things and helping people connect with a place inside of them they never truly believed existed – because our potential is limitless.

So I’m just back from Europe, and I didn’t pay for it this time. Because it was work. This is now what I do. Next year, work wise, is shaping up to be huge – I’ll be travelling, speaking, performing and teaching for over 5 months. I’m touring a little bit in Australia first – Peats Ridge Festival, some speaking work for the AFL, then Adelaide Fringe before hitting the full, long, European Summer. I just pinched myself. YEP, it’s all real!!

This xmas, Rebecca and I are hosting a hawaiian luau for the Sydney Roaches (so Lyn, Tony, Greg, Xtine and Kids, Ed and I) as well as her fiance’s family… What have I got myself in for?! Heehee.

I’ve looked after Angus and Isobel a few times in the past few months which I’ve really enjoyed. I’m ready for kids emotionally, but I cant do it yet physically – my body is my worktool – or financially – we’re still skint. But we are practicing (not what you’re thinking Nanna!) I mean that just yesterday, we got a dog. She’s a 3 year old retired greyhound called Holly – just in time for Christmas. I love her to bits. She likes to play tip and chew fluffy slippers. Ashkii (the cat) is coping – but only just.

Merry Xmas Nanna. I hope I get to see you in 2013. I miss you terribly. I’m having a bit of a teary.

But that’s Life and, usually – for the most part, it’s pretty good.

Love you Nanna.
<3

I had grown quite adept at my pre-scheduled-train-stop-exit-strategy-organisation by now and descended at Bordeaux cool, calm and collected. I knew Reb’s friend, a journalist by the name of Louis Jean would meet me and that he was a surfer… so I when I saw the guy with the long, scruffy, blonde hair walking along the platform, I called out to him.

Thus begun the most amusing Tuesday afternoon adventure I’ve ever been on. We talked and joked as we checked in my bags and LJ introduced me to his great affection for civic disobedience by insisting that neither of us pay our tram fare to the city centre. I did laugh, but I’ll admit I was quietly terrified.

The weather was putting on some kind of magic show, with patches of sunlight and cloud, light, rain and shadow that made the whole, old, beautiful city glisten. Bordeaux is glorious.

LJ lead me to the Cafe Brun where we drank a pint of stella and chatted as I started to outline exactly what I was all about. The boss started his shift as we were leaving and happened to be a mate of LJ’s. I was already in good spirits, but the boss mocked my accent, repeating my malformed “au revoir” back to me as I collapsed in laughter.

I freaking love it when people have the balls to take the piss.

Our next stop was supposed to be “La Contessa”. The comedy continued as after ten minutes of walking LJ stopped to ask for directions and we had significantly overshot the mark. The girl he asked lead us to the right street (all without taking out her earphones) and as we arrived outside… we noticed that it was closed.

So it was back to this arthouse cinema that has some really gorgeous artworks and might have been a temple or a monastery, I don’t really remember, but damn mulled wine is really, really, tasty.

I discovered there was significantly more to LJ than met the eye. Descended from French aristocracy, he served in the foreign legion before completing a masters in journalism that saw him travel extensively through south east asia. The man has seen the world and was brought up to make chivalry and gallantry appear so effortless that it almost passes under the radar… Almost. This was not simply some surfy journo. We had met as strangers and parted 3.5 hours later as firm friends.

We wandered, we chatted we checked out bordeaux and got me back to the station with enough time to grab a coffee before boarding my train…

… Which had broken down and ended up leaving a mere 40 minutes behind schedule. I settled into my normal train routine of pulling out the laptop and updating this journal whilst also intermittently checking email, facebook and glancing out the window to think “gee whizz that’s pretty”.

Eventually I made it to Biarritz, where I was met by the gorgeous Brigitte and a beautiful bunch of pink and cream roses. We chatted as she drove me to my hotel… the room was well appointed.. and ENORMOUS. How enormous? Well, I made an embarrassing youtube video. Views of the roof of the casino and beach and sea, glorious sea. Just as we had landed, it was time to fly again, this time to meet Brigitte’s mother and the person entirely responsible for my European adventure, Beatrice, as well as her 2 prime association volunteers, for dinner. We ate beautiful Pays Basque food, I learnt a lot, laughed a lot and drank the very best wine of my life.

I was here. At my much anticipated final destination; Biarritz. It was off to a ROARING start!

Lois woke not long after 8 and made murmurings about coffee. Before you knew it we had set about preparing another one of Lois’ spectacular big, luxurious, decadent french breakfasts and all my aches and worries melted into oblivion. Coffee, bread, cheese, ham, butter, jam, fruit salad, muesli, almonds, yoghurt and even a boiled egg for me… What a spread! Junior woke and came out to join us. It was so awesome that we had to wash it down with beautiful green tea.

Lois really knows her tea, which is something I very much appreciate. Funny how observing something as simple as someone quickly discarding the first pass of boiling water from the pot and leaving the second lot of water to brew can make your heart smile. “Yes! The second pass makes for a much better cup of tea!” I mused with a contented sigh. We talked about food, about Australian cheese, about Tasmania and Lois showed me her art book… And then we noticed the time. I had 1 hour to get out that door. Shower, pack, dress, pack, makeup, pack, hurry, hurry! Lois fixed me lunch and suddenly it was time to go.

She carried my suitcase to the station and we chatted all the way. As we waited for the train we talked about the right time to visit and the beautiful walks we will do. Then the train pulled up and by the time we loaded my luggage on, they were ready to close the doors, without leaving us any time to “faire le bise” or a big warm hug

Goodbye Lois. Goodbye Poitiers. Goodbye Myriam, Marie Dunot, Jean-Louis and Benjamin. Thanks for being beautiful. These memories are truly sacred.

I wrote this entry on my way to Biarritz, about to make that pit stop in Bordeaux.

And we are all about to meet Louis Jean.

It was Sunday, November 25, which meant it was time to do what I went to Poitiers for – a workshop and charity performance for L’Association Spin Passion Pole Dance and A Hospital for Children. The newly constructed Swing Pepper Dance Hall of Migne Auxances is a beautifully decked out space and it was here that I met Jean Louis, the treasurer of the association, and his very sweet son, Benjamin, who has down’s syndrome (but is the most loveliest, cuddliest boy ever and takes great care of his dad ).

I was warming up and testing the pole when my host parents (Reb’s parents) from my student exchange 14 years ago arrived, their names being Christiane (Krikri) and Gilles (Gilou). I had visited them when in France 3 years prior and on this occasion they came 200km to see me. It was such a warm reunion. Marie Dunot was next to arrive, a vision impaired pole dancer, burlesque artist, teacher and head of the international association of pole dance for people with disability.

Guests then started arriving and Marie and I clicked so well, I suggested a spur of the moment game plan change: instead of doing our pre-choreographed, rehearsed routines, why not feed off each other, put on some sweet tunes and freestyle?

Cue 90 minutes of freestyle jam, death match style insanity and another hour of workshop on top of that. A lot of pole was done done that day! Once proceedings drew to a close, I went back to Lois’ for a quick pit stop – hang out my laundry and get dressed for dinner, then it was off with Mimi, Jean Louis and Benjamin to La Boucherie, specialising in the region’s steaks. After a great meal and interesting conversation yet again, I got back to Lois’ house to meet Junior – a uni student from the same parish who was staying for a month whilst settling into study.

We made tea and I taught him the Tim Tam Slam while we watched pole dancing clips on youtube.

Perfect day? I think yes.

Monday I woke feeling pretty ordinary, but threw my runners on and did 5 laps of Les Escaliers du Diable and had a big stretch. Lois got home from Bordeaux just as I finished up, so it was time to teach her the Tim Tam Slam too and hang out for a bit before she went to work.

I spent the day doing very little and I really needed it. I pottered about, caught up on writing, made food and prepared for departure the next day, which included going to the train station to pick up my train tickets and make a small change – Reb had a friend she wanted me to make some time for in Bordeaux, so I should stop there a few hours. I met Lois in town at 7, we bought groceries and giggled, she cooked a beautiful dinner, we trained backbends and watched pole dancing videos til the wee smalls.

I was having a really good time

Once I settled in on the train it was writing time, non stop. Well, almost. I had time to learn that the lady sitting beside me was an American, living in Poitiers as her husband was a basketball player on a contract there. They accept a contract in a different country every year. It’s a sweet sounding life to me!

I was running late in my train exit strategy organisation and smashed my water bottle in my rush. It was my second water spill accident in three days, but luckily the last. Just after I had hopped off the train at Poitiers and started getting myself together,  Myriam appeared. I was Saved! Adventure time

Myriam piled a suddenly wide-eyed and excited me into the car and it was off to find Lois’ apartment. I didn’t have net access and hadn’t written down the address, but I had sent it to Myriam via Facebook. Once we approached the town centre, Mimi pulled over to look up the address. As luck would have it, we had stopped the car outside.

We took the bags in and quickly met with my gracious couchsurfing host, agreeing to meet later for dinner. It was only as we left that I noticed Lois’ hand. No index finger and an oversized thumb. “Hey! What a strange coincidence to be staying with someone with a limb difference, just like me!” I thought as Mimi and I headed out for a tour of Poitiers centre ville, which is largely a car free zone of cobbled pedestrian roads.

Such a cute town! It had recently had a facelift, the grey of years past washed away and all history preserved, restored to its former glory. They had started setting up the christmas market in front of the beautiful hotel de ville (town hall). We wandered, we shopped, I ogled, as wide mouthed as I was wide-eyed, completely taken in by the charms of this pretty town. I bought a bright pink t-shirt with a giant, rainbow, sparkling heart on it and I love it to bits. Upon reflection, it’s funny, because Myriam refers to me as “le dame de grand coeur” – the big hearted woman… Wearing that t-shirt it becomes very literal! It’s a walking town – no cars allowed in the centre – and once we had explored all the nooks and crannies we stopped in Mimi’s favourite sports bar for a drink. She had coke, I had a Leffe (when in France…) and the football match was starting. France Samoa, we were told by the gentleman sat at the next table, and just like that, another conversation started. One connection shared, but another one was missed. Lois had tried to meet us, but couldn’t spot us in the bar. She met us instead at the restaurant where Mimi lead me for dinner.

We had ordered and were chatting happily when Mimi’s phone rang… and suddenly she was off to the hospital as her youngest child had taken ill. Just as dinner arrived!

The meal was beautiful and whilst it was a terrible shame that Mimi couldn’t spend the evening with us, it opened up a whole new, incredible space for Lois and I to explore and discuss the world, as viewed by two women of a similar age who know exactly what it is to live with limb difference, as well as what it was like growing up.

The lessons we had learned were very similar, I was really astounded by the number of parallels that we identified and how much we had in common despite the significant differences, such as family unit, race and being brought up on opposite sides of the planet. I had the chance to really connect with someone JUST like me, who could really understand what everything was like and identify from the most genuine place possible.

We stayed up late talking and I fell asleep reflecting on how blessed I was with such luck. The value of meeting and knowing Lois is something I will be forever grateful for.

I felt like death. Head ache, nausea, fever. I put myself to bed at 630pm thinking an hour’s nap should set me straight, as Stef was coming to meet me at 8pm. When the alarm went off at 730pm, I was unable to move. 740. 750. Finally made a deal with a higher power and hauled my aching ass out of bed. The pain from metafit on jetlag wasn’t only physical. There wasn’t a single muscle in my body that didn’t ache and every time I turned my head I was sure that I would chuck. An angry kitten could have kicked my ass. I was sincerely, utterly, completely and thoroughly F!@KED UP.

Stef arrived as I struggled to pull myself together, but I was just so happy to see him that as we chatted and I smiled I found the strength to head out with him, to meet Rebecca and her friends at the French Rock Battle. Her friend Lysa was the bassist for one of the competing bands, Dark Chocolate. Sadly we were well into the next band’s set by the time I was getting into it and ready to go – just as everybody else wanted to go home

Bec and I chatted until nearly 2am. We were so tired we were falling asleep but it was soooo good to talk. I was sick again the next morning. I barely slept. The pain, the aches, the head, the nausea all had me in their grip. I forced myself to get ready and join Bec as she left for work. We walked through the Marche D’Alligre – the daily produce market in the street – towards Gare de Lyon. Bec went to work and I went off to buy a french SIM card. With that mission fast accomplished, I was heading home via the supermarket… I got lost and took a very long way around, had to ask one person for directions, but the fresh air did me good. By the time I’d bought a few groceries, some tea and artisanal chocolate, I was spent. Back to the apartment and straight to bed. Again, I was due to rise at 130 to meet Bec on the Champs Elysees at 3pm. And again, I had great difficulty battling the illness to get my crap together. Which is when good luck struck and I remembered my trusty MIGRA STICK. Yep, turns out I was in the throes of the worst migraine I’d ever known. I forgot all my metro tickets, but I made it out and on my way to Bec. I was running 15 minutes late.

Eventually we found eachother, not far from Louis Vuitton, and we strolled down the Champs Elysees and stopped briefly for me to absorb the splendour of one of my favourite monuments in the whole world – The Grand Palais. We wandered past the spectacular Christmas Markets and caught the metro to Bec’s new apartment near Montmartre, and took photos in her kitchen with the Sacre Coeur over our shoulder. We had intended to go for a walk and discover the area, but it was raining outside and her apartment was great. We researched online, talked to our parents on the phone and Bec had a shower while I chatted with David.

Bec has a habit of being surrounded by really interesting, awesome people and David is no exception. We have a lot to talk about, cos he’s a sporty guy. He does a lot of weight lifting, running and motor cross. He also really wants to visit Australia. The conversation was interesting and diverse and by the time we left for dinner, I had slated a new friendship.

We had a reservation for 7 at L’eventail. In the end we were 10. I sat with Bec’s lovely gal pals I had met the night before – Lysa and Elisa – and even got to see Nico, who I’d met on my visit 3 years earlier. The amount that can change in so little time really is astounding. David joined us, too and ate very sensibly. I decided to live large and ordered the pork ribs but this is France, people, you don’t get a half rack. The portions (thankfully) are very small. I think it’s great and plays a big role in the country’s slender waistlines. Not to mention how long we take over here to eat – conversation is definitely the priority. It also allows you to focus on the incredible wine!

Great people, great conversation, good food, good times all round. Why on earth didn’t I take any photos in Paris!? It took forever to wrap up, though – the 9 others had shots while I waited outside. I was well and truly ready to sleep. It was after 1am by the time we left and 2 by the time I was reunited with the splendid bed.

And thus concludes another day in the life of the travelling Debzillah!

Geez it’s tough, trying to balance living in the moment with reflecting on this journey! I think I’m going to have to be quite strict with allocated writing time from here on in because I’ve been going for an hour, have just about had enough, and not even nearly caught up! That said, I’m really allowing myself lots of space and freedom to express.. This is getting pretty wordy. Deal with it

I slept like the dead, yet again – and much longer than expected. My hair badly needed washing, so sadly the big breakfast I had envisaged (and had also promised) was reduced to eggs poached in baked beans with cheese and thyme on toast. It was, none the less, accompanied by mimosas and entirely delicious. I took a car to Kings Cross St Pancras which, while very slow, allowed me to relive more precious London memories as we passed many of my favourite places.

The awesome couple, Michael and Natalie, who head up my excellent sponsors, PoleFusion (protein and supplements), were waiting at the station for me. Not only was I ten minutes late, but I had difficulty finding them – so when we did meet, it was for a very quick coffee indeed! So glad we made the time to catch up, though, they are gorgeous people with incredible energy and let a very exciting cat out of its bag, so I feel very special

Getting through customs and boarding the Eurostar is altogether far more enjoyable than catching a flight anywhere and the train ride over was spent happily typing away at my laptop. The next part I’ve covered. Bec met me at Paris Gare du Nord and after a little bit of dicking about we caught the metro to Rue D’Aligre, between Lelun Rollin and Bastille, to the apartment we would be staying in, and from where I wrote my previous entry.

What a relief to be able to pick up where I left you, I feel like I’ve finally made a little bit of progress! But, alas, I’m nearly at Bordeaux, so this will have to wait a few hours, until I reboard the train to take me to Biarritz . <3

Whilst Gemma Ford had warned me, I wasn’t entirely prepared for what lay ahead. Once I’d been introduced to metafit, I was also being reacquainted with my breakfast. Cath, from Cardio and Core, is familiar with this phenomenon, and so waits until after training to eat. Next time, I’ll do the same.

It’s supersetted, body-weight, timed-circuits, designed for maximum metabolic impact. You warm yourself for 5 minutes and then go through 20 minutes of what I can only describe as SHIIT – Super High Intensity Interval Training. This particular release starts out simple – squats coupled with squat jumps – nice to get the thigh burn going early! Every susperset included a plyometric exercise – now you might understand why my breakfast was coming back. Burpees, jump lunges, speed skaters, squat thrusts – partnered with pushups, climbing plank, side tap squats or alternate reverse lunges… I was ruined. I guess I was still jetlagged and recovering from my cold but I really was destroyed. I remember this feeling very fondly as it had been quite some time since I had since true depletion. It made rehearsals for my routine afterwards very difficult though! I’m crossing my fingers for a good show in Poitiers on Sunday…

I then had the pleasure of meeting Kate J and all 4 of us jammed at the studio and had an excellent time, despite me being too spent to really play. Next time! We ended with a coffee and then it was, all very abruptly, over. Bendy had a client to see and I had a bus to catch back to London. I was sad to say goodbye – I’d have loved to stay and play. I’m certain I’ll be back We just had too much fun and Bristol is so charming.

The coach ride back to London was slightly less pleasant, not just because of the driving rain. A blocked toilet and noisy passengers were just a bit irritating.. and grotty. I struggled tremendously lugging my backpack from the coach station to the tube station, into the tube, to the next tube and finally to the meeting point where Rachael was waiting for me in Canning Town. I was horribly jet-lagged by now, so very appreciative of her assistance and guidance as we caught the bus to her house and she lugged my suitcase all the way to my room. It was great to see Rachael – who essentially hadn’t changed since last I saw her in Newtown what may have been about 6 years prior. I’m not able to work it out!

She had warned me that her dog was large and crazy but I’m pretty dog friendly and animal savvy, and my chilled out vibe has always had a tendency to rub off on them.

And then I met Kai.

He wanted to lick me, chew on me, hump my leg, sniff my crotch, run around AND knock me down the stairs ALL AT THE SAME TIME. 6 months old, 3 foot tall and over 30kgs of very, very excitable husky. I was disarmed, but very amused. Eventually I became adequately boring for him to return to destroying things in the recycling bin.

Having had my fill of public transport for the day, we ordered a car to take us to my chosen haunt – my favourite street in all of London and the 2 pubs I hadn’t had the chance to visit on my recent trip there: Broadway market. The driver was, in Rachael’s own words “special”. Rachael had to set his GPS/Navman on his behalf because after ten minutes of serious effort and our mounting frustration, he had made no progress. We did make it in the end!

We started with Belgian Beer and nibbles at the Dove, were Rachael’s partner Fred was waiting for us, casually sipping a beer and reading the paper. The three of us drank merrily, engaged in stimulating conversation that covered diverse subjects and had just decided to move on when SURPRISE! My mate John Marshall turned up. A great mate for over a decade was certainly a sight or sore eyes. We trotted up the street to the Cat & Mutton for a fabulous feed and another couple of drinks before the fatigue got the better of me and it was time to call it a night. We took the risk: we recalled the same driver.

15 minutes, he said. We’ll wait, outside we said… Not one more drink, we said. It’s time to go, we said.

5 minutes later, John hailed a passing cab.

Over 40 minutes and 4 phone calls later, our car finally arrived. I gently poked fun of his tardiness several times, but the conversation remained pleasant. Upon arrival at our destination, he reminded us that we could call on him any time.. (!!! NO WAY !!!)

As promised, Kai was a much gentler dog in Fred’s presence. We played some hilarious X-Box, listened to cool tunes and finished the night with Frangelico on the Rocks.

London and I make some great memories – with the help of some fabulous friends!

If only you could see the view that lies before me, all that I am taking in as I sit and write. The parisian skyline. Every time I come to Paris it hits me. An unshakable sense of belonging, of connection and of home. I don’t often romanticise about Paris when I’m in Sydney, but as soon as I’m here I fall deeply and inextricably in love. Unfortunately I am at this point reminded of the pain of separation that follows and a heavy heartedness that I will carry with me for some time after I leave. I compare this pain to child birth – worth experiencing for the joy which results.

Maybe it’s mostly Rebecca. For those of you who don’t know, I am bilingual and I lived in France as a 16 year old. Rebecca was my host sister and our relationship is the most durable I’ve ever known. Whenever we see each other, there is no sense of any gap. The passage of time – at one point 8 years – goes unnoticed as it is irrelevant. We speak as if we had done it every day, since forever. Few things in life are this easy or this warm. It’s thanksgiving in the US today and, coincidentally, I woke with a clear and profound sense of gratitude this morning and have a wonderful time paying attention to fully appreciate those things that I noticed. The good times with my friends, the hospitality of Rachael and Fred who had me stay in London, the seagulls suspended in the sky as I whizzed past in the Eurostar, the absence of cloud over Calais, leaves so yellow that at first I’d mistaken them for wattle, a sign once we entered France about respecting the sea that we had passed underneath to arrive there… But now I’ve missed a whole chapter WAKE UP!

Let’s go back to Tuesday. The wait to clear immigration for non UK passports was long, my bags were heavy, my back was aching – but all of this discomfort melted as joy flooded my being when I exited that airport. I was in London. I did a bit of reccy mission and found where I’d be catching the bus to Bristol, recharged my UK sim, withdrew some pounds and sat down to enjoy something we don’t get in Australia – a (soy) gingerbread latte.

The coach trip to Bristol was fast and pleasant, despite the inclement weather. Bendy’s rays shone even brighter for the dullness of the cold and the wet – a brilliant smile and golden hair waiting for me in the bus station, keeping it alight. I met her cute smartcar, her warm and inviting house and the pole studio where she spends so much time training. What a versatile space! We dried off our clothes and Bendy coached me in contortion. The swelling of my ankles and tightness of my hips didn’t get in the way of me working on improving my backbend. It was a great session. Then, much to my delight, I had the pleasure of coaching Gemma Ford in single arm pole technique. She was an absolute gem to teach and nailed her single arm handstands. I really hope she works on the tricks and techniques I introduced her to!

After 3.5 hours in the studio, training, the very day I’d landed, Bendy took me out for delicious ramen and a walk across the famous, beautiful and historic suspension bridge. Once home, it was tea and tim tams, chats with Mr Bendy and his mo, and finally off to bed. We slept like the dead (I highly recommend Bendy’s bed as being unbelievably comfy!)

Thus concludes day 1 of my adventure! Connecting with Bendy, discovering Bristol.

I’m going to bore you with all the intricate details. On the way to Bangkok, I watched Snow White and the Huntsmen in between naps and spent a long while reflecting on exactly what it is about Kristen Stewart that annoys me so effectively. My first time in Bangkok airport and wow was it deserted. Apart from a vast array of gorgeous purple orchids everywhere and an abundance of muggy, clinging, humidity, the only people around were pretty much all lying down asleep across chairs – and we’re talking in the dozens! Dubai, in contrast, was completely a buzz at 6am. People were everywhere, and they were rude. The shopping in the airport is 24 hour and top end. Starbucks does a roaring trade but there is absolutely nowhere to sit. That didn’t bother me, as I would be doing that for 30 hours and my legs wet already swollen. The rude and crowded kind of bugs me though. I’m not in a hurry to spend time there.

The flight attendants on the way to Dubai were just lovely, in particular a girl called Gemma, who was from Belgium and very impressed with my french. Being a bilingual Australian seems to shock and impress people almost as much as being a one armed pole dancer.

I made the obligatory transit pal in a young kiwi guy called Sam, who just happens to be the 2012 Young New Zealander of the year, heading up an international disaster volunteer coordination charity. He was off to London for a big conference. Finding a friendly face to shoot the breeze with in what are sometimes testing circumstances is always reassuring.

The A380 is definitely more comfortable, with better leg room and a wider seat. I watched french flic Polisse before moving on to start rehearsing my music, outlines and chorey for the workshop in Bristol with Bendy Kate! I spent some serious time hoping my body would do what I wanted it to 3 short hours after coming off a long haul flight.. I was certain this would be an interesting learning experience!