Here's The Juice...!

I left Orange. And I spent a week in Lithgow in the shadow of the Blue Mountains and indeed we must have been in the shadow as it was lovely and cool about 18c. It suited my Irish complexion very well. My friends took me to see the THREE SISTERS rock formation definitely worth a viewing.

After hanging out in Lithgow for a week I headed once more for the big smoke of Sydney, there I met up with some old friends Kevin and Tanya they are the proprietors of the Sydney based fashion house "Minty Meets Munt" http://mintymeetsmunt.bigcartel.com/

I also got dolled up and attended The Benji Marshall Foundation Ball in aid of the Children's Cancer Institute Australia. http://www.ccia.org.au/ a good night was had by all.

The following day I headed for Singleton NSW and that's where I am now meeting up with a few old friends from the wife carrying scene.

Next week I will attend a Memorial Evening for our friend, Singleton's Tom Kirkwood that had he young life cut short by cancer. I am sure he'll be with us all in spirit.

East Coast and New South.....

I am in Orange. The one in N.S.W. and I am happy, the weather has been cold and cloudy... and it suits me just fine!! I will be M.C at my friends' wedding in March and my speech has been composed by me and approved by the bride....phew!

Last week, I left Adelaide by plane to Sydney. I (foolishly) decided to stay in a suburb called Tempe, next to a highway under the flightpath to Sydney International Airport ..I know I don't sound enthusiastic.... No sleep! It was torture! On a plus side, during the day, it was very interesting...as soon as the first A380 wakes you up at 0.6.30 it's a case of "if you can't beat them , join them!" and it is quite amazing to see these jumbo feats of engineering and physics just glide by a few metres away from the balcony. Let's say..one trip to Tempe was enough.

I then went by a very dirty, icky, dirty train to Lithgow...what fantastic scenery through the Blue Mountains...Those I recommend! Stunning scenery! A single ticket to my final destination of Orange was just 26$AUD..not bad at all....!

I've come a long way baby! Greetings from the Goldfields of Kalgoorlie, W.A.

Well folks, I have left picturesque yet sunless Finland, my life in Saariselka as an Elf is well and truly over. It was fun but tough. I made lots of friends and even more memories.

Here I am on a very humid Summer night in Western Australia. I have just checked my flag counter and my latest visitor is from Iran and I had those mixed feelings that must strike every lazy blogger. Pride and Guilt, Proud that somebody from a new country has clicked in and the Guilt of not writing often or well enough.
To all of you that check in on me and my exploits, I thank you, it means a lot...!

I reached Perth in the middle of the night 2 weeks ago and overnighted in a motel. Motels are strange places that always stink of men, I don't know why and I'd rather not know why! The first thing an Irish woman does is check the surroundings for spiders and pull the bed away from the wall in case my arachnoid buddies climb up the wall and into my ears during the night.

Next, check the toilet for more creatures. Bang the lid, flush and check toilet roll holders for reclusive spiders.
Then, see how low can the air con go! I had been in Finland 2 weeks previously at-34c . Australia is far too hot for me but it's a chance to see old friends and make new ones.

I had an interesting week in my next port of call Geraldton where I was the guest of the very hospitable people of the City of Geraldton Greenough. I spent time doing radio/ TV interviews and having a very nice time. I was honoured to help them with their Australia Day celebrations, I was MC for their inaugural Wife Carrying race.

I finally had my dream come true! I went on a return visit to The Principality of Hutt River, there I was greeted by H.R.H Prince Leonard and H.R.H. Princess Shirley and their son Crown Prince Ian and his wife Princess Annette and Sir Steve Baikie ADC and his wife Dame Chris Baikie. I got across the border whilst enduring +43c with the help of Geraldton-Greenough P.R.O. Sue Chiera , together we all entered the Chapel at Nain and went though a ceremony bestowing me with my Damehood "for my service to the State for International Sports". I am now Dame Julia Galvin of the Serene Order of Leonard. It was all very formal, the sword came close to my ears but here I am to tell the tale.


All good things come to an end, I flew back to Perth and experienced city life with friends before flying to my Australian H.Q. in Kalgoorlie. Here, I have the advice and friendship of Ciara and Aaron who help to "ground" this old foreigner and "re-group the troop" and assist me in my next campaign...S.A. and the East!

I have been practicing for my bog snorkelling events here in their lovely garden swimming-pool and watching on the TV the terrible troubles of the people of Queensland, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Many thanks to all that are making my trip so memorable.....2 weeks down...! Beautiful Adelaide next!

Christmas is coming!

Well hello there you patient people! It's been a while since I wrote but I must say it's been a very busy year. I have been to many events waving the flag for Ireland and The Principality of Hutt River. I have skimmed stones in Fenit, I have thrown stones in Corrofin, Wife Carrying in Finland and Bog snorkelling in Wales.

In August, I was bestowed the great honour of becoming Dame Julia Galvin of The Serene Order of Leonard. I would Like to Thank Prince Leonard and Princess Shirley for this great event.

I turned 40 in October and I had a few parties all of which were great fun! I hope to become an Elf this Christmas in Lapland and in the new year I hope to return to Australia to do some wife carrying in Geraldton W.A. for Australia Day. I also hope to return to The Principality of Hutt River my wish is to have my Damehood Honours Medal pinned on by Prince Leonard himself.

Have a plan folks...! And Merry Christmas! Love, peace, health and happiness to you all!

Gerry Ryan R.I.P.

It is with great regret and sadness that I learn of passing of the radio star Gerry Ryan. All my media madness can linked to my first radio interview with Gerry in August 1999. I was quite nervous about talking to this great broadcasting icon but within seconds we were laughing and joking about my plan to represent Ireland at the bizarre sport Bog Snorkelling. That was the start of the craziness and I haven't looked back since! Thank you Gerry and Rest In Peace.

Swing Into Spring!!

Well now! I have been to Finland over Feb/ March and had a mighty time with my friends. I even experienced -36c so, I can now say that I have experienced the extremes now of +39c in W.A. Australia in 2009 and -36c in Vuokatti Finland.

Terrible News for Outdoor Swimmers.

My cousin sent me some bad news...there are terrible plans to get rid of my favouite swimming pool in Brighton, The Saltdean Lido, there is a campaign on Facebook to save it. So folks join the campaign!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saltdean-Lido-Campaign/365408382763?ref=search&sid=588157752.3015787972..1&v=wall#!/pages/Saltdean-Lido-Campaign/365408382763?ref=ts

Have a lovely Easter!

Now...Over and out!!

Julia XXX

Sliding into Christmas!

Hello my lovelies!!

I hope that this finds you all well! With Christmas right around the proverbial corner I hope that you are all on the "Nice" list and you get everything you need from Mr. Claus. My wish to you this year is...

LOVE, PEACE, HEALTH & HAPPINESS!

It is probably not a good time of year to Bog Snorkel in Europe at the moment as it is quite cold.

I want to thank my fans, friends and supporters who have done their best in keeping my 'ship' afloat..especially the people of Llanwrtyd-Wells, Sonkajarvi, Finland, The Australians and Their Royal Highnesses Prince Leonard and Princess Shirley of The Principality of Hutt River.

Some of you may know, I have dual citizenship of both Ireland and The Principality of Hutt River and this year I had the pleasure of becoming The P.H.R. Official Representative For Novelty and Bizarre Sports. (There's a link to the Principality here on the right)

Of course, last but not least, deepest thanks to my main sponsor since 1970... My Dad Frank Galvin!!

God Bless! Julia XXX

Summer Activity Updates

Well now folks....it's high time that I told you that I survived my bee sting and in early May I got home safe and sound. I had a fantastic time on my travels and hope to return to the southern hemisphere again sometime soon. Christopher Sexton carried me in Singleton at the Australian wife carrying race...we finished last...but we FINISHED! that man has unknown strengths! at 75kg he carried me for 253m and I am 122kg! What a guy! and we raised AUS$26,000 for the Australian Children Cancer Institute. A great day was had by all!

Unfortunately, on the day of my home-coming I got the tragic news that I had lost a dear dear friend Mr. Stephen Hodnett...he died in an accident in NYC. (more info)

He was talented at many things, bog snorkelling, Ice swimming, cycling, but it's the memory of his amazing hugs that will stay with me forever. R.I.P my friend.

July saw me compete in the World Wife Carrying Championships in Sonkajarvi , Finand. (watch the video)


http://www.3news.co.nz/News/InternationalNews/Wife-Carrying-Championships-take-place-in-Finland/tabid/417/articleID/111498/cat/61/Default.aspx


In Finland, I represented The Principality of Hutt River as I have been commissioned by Prince Leonard himself to Represent The Principality in all novel sports ... to know more about this Micronation check this out...(have a look in the News Section 2009)
http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/


I came 33/35 in Finland...not bad! 2 mins 22 seconds. Many thanks to Mauri Zahkna of Estonia who carried me ..and is still alive.

Margo Uusorg's 2007 time of 2mins 8 seconds remains the fastest time of carrying me.

I thank all the people everywhere that have fed and watered me in my travels...it is much appreciated.

Julia gets STUNG Down Under

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28th 2009 Tragedy Strikes Twice For Irish Wife Down Under. Julia Galvin, Wife carrying participant in this weekend's Singleton Countryfest has been the victim of bad luck for the second time. Julia Galvin has returned to N.S.W to enter the Countryfest Wife Carrying Race. This is no easy feat as Julia (38) weighs in at a dainty 120kg. Julia had the honour of being carried by local Power Lifter David Vaughan last year. Where the pair raised thousands for The Australian Childrens Cancer Institute. Reeling from the last minute revelation that Paul Sironen withdrew his offer to carry Miss Galvin at the event , Julia, yesterday evening, sought consolation and advice from Australian wife carrying Guru, Anthony Partridge at his family gathering, when disaster stuck again...this time in the form of a bee!! Unknownst to Julia a honeybee from Anthony's garden had climbed up her trouser leg and and stung her. With this the shocked Irish woman soon displayed an impromptu Irish Jig whilst squeeling Irish obscenities into the Hunter Valley night skies. "It was a terrible ordeal...when you travel Down Under your eyes are peeled for spiders and snakes...not a honey bee! I'll just have to 'bee hive myself' I guess?!!" chuckles Julia. Julia Galvin is in high sprits nonetheless, " This was the second piece of bad luck to befall me, I am not disappointed in Paul Sironen, he has an injury plus he's getting on in years..none of these things will will deter me from entering this weekend and I am looking forward to meeting with my new carrier Sydney Strongman Mr .Christopher Sexton." World Champion Bog Snorkeller Julia is fresh from a whirlwind tour of Australia, she has been as far north as Julia Creek QLD where she took part in the Bog Snorkelling event at the Dirt'n'Dust festival and as far west as the Hutt River Province a land locked Principality near Geraldton in W.A. . Julia Galvin is a Citizen of Hutt River and has the Royal Approval of Prince Leonard to Represent His nation at Novelty sports worldwide. Since her trip to Australia Julia has been quite the "media darling" rubbing shoulders with Larry and Kylie on 7's Morning Show as well as appearing on Channel 9's Today Show. You can meet Julia Galvin at Singleton's Countryfest this Saturday May 2nd before she flies back to Ireland next week.