Day 87 - Sunday 31st March 2024 (Easter Sunday)

The alarm went off at 06:00 this morning, and I made a point of ensuring that I stay awake so I didn't miss my call with Mum again. I was browsing Facebook 15 minutes later when the phone rang; Mum had spotted that I was online, so thought that an opportune time to ring me ..... I was still in bed which I think is a first for me and video calls.

All caught up with Mum (who had been asleep on her sofa when I tried yesterday), I started trying to make plans for the day, but one thing loomed large in my thinking; my 10:10 appointment with a dentist. I decided to leave planning until after the visit as I'd managed to convince myself that an extraction was the only possible outcome! 

Away from the hotel at 09:50, and into the dentists chair spot on time; she could replace the filling which was great news. Here is where Australian dental care differs from what I've seen in the UK. First, my gum was numbed so that I didn't feel the needle (never had that before), then I received the numbing shot which seemed far more targeted than I've had before as my whole bottom jaw didn't go numb.

Then the drilling started, which I didn't feel at all. This confirmed that specific tooth is indeed dead as my dentist back home suggested. Filling applied, a suggestion that I use interdental brushes rather then flosses so I don't pop this one out as well, bill paid (not as scary as I thought it'd be)

Out of the dentist, and I had a wander around the area. I nipped into an information kiosk to enquire about how to pay for trams when I exit the CBD free zone, and ended up with a payment card which is the only option.

Then back to the hotel. I'd definitely decided that I was going to the AFL game at the MCG (isn't there a lot of TLA's today?), so I booked a ticket for that for a 16:00 first bounce (or whatever they call the start of a game).

I was at the ground at 14:00 after walking out there from the city (only 1.4km, so not a big walk), and in and seated when the gates opened at 14:30. Once again I thoroughly enjoyed all of the pre-amble to the game between Richmond Tigers and Sydney Swans.

The game started fast with both teams scoring goals in the opening forays. but Richmond had the better of things, ending the first quarter leading 4.3 (27) to 2.1 (13). I was sat behind the goal with all of the Sydney fans, so the mood was a little gloomy.

In the second quarter Sydney came roaring back, taking the lead with 9 minutes of the half left, and extending to lead at halftime 5.9 (39) to 7.5 (47). Once again, the scores are shown as goals.behinds (points). The teams really seemed to enjoy attacking the end where I was sat.

Quarter 3, and it was time for Richmond to reap the benefits of kicking my way. They regained the lead 9 minutes into the quarter, and pulled away to a significant lead at three quarters time 10.13 (73) to 8.9 (57).

Sydney finished kicking my way, and roared back at Richmond; the gap in the score was reducing, time was running out and fatigue was starting to play it's part. With the Richmond end under pressure, Sydney just couldn't find that final score, and ended tantalisingly just 5 points short; Richmond won a fantastic game 11.16 (82) to 11.11 (77).

I've enjoyed a couple of fantastic games over the last two evenings, and would happily go again, but I suspect that's my lot (unless I find myself in one of the other cities when there's a game on). Back to the hotel with a stop at Subway to get some dinner .... I'm still chewing on the one side until I get a bit more comfortable with the repair.     

That's about it for today; I now need to think about planning for tomorrow before I head out of the CBD for the long anticipated get together with my cousin.