Krazy Kevin

G'day Mate. (In case you're wondering, I'm 'talking' like this because this weekend the Aussies are coming to Bahrain) ... Yes, the V8 SuperCars are back in town at the BIC (Bahrain International Circuit).

This week I'll be interviewing some of the drivers (and hopefully even the current Miss V8) in the Radio Bahrain studios during my Radio Bahrain Breakfast Show.

Last week I was lucky enough to have reigning World Champion; Rick Kelly in the studio with me. He's one great guy (as GulfWeekly's -RdS- found out) and answered lots of my questions with that peculiarly Australian dry sense of humour.

The answer that intrigued me most was to this question; "Which part of your body aches the most after a race?"

He replied that all the guys in the V8 are very fit and do lots of exercise to keep their bodies in shape. (Just like me; I keep my body in shape for gruelling breakfast shows, with biscuits, chocolate and doughnuts just like the editor of GulfWeekly).

But he said that because of the constant acceleration and braking, his feet really ache and the soles of his racing boots actually get worn away because of the friction and heat within the car.

I'm looking forward to this weekend down at the BIC, it's going to be great fun with all sorts of activities and entertainment going on. As well as the racing there'll be stilt walkers, bouncing 'kangaroos' and even (my little Hannah's favourite), a bouncy castle.

My wife Wendy is Australian and so I'm obliged to love all things Australian, but I never forget my English heritage and believe it or not, I'm even on the committee for the St George's Society. (Yep they hold the bar pretty low for committee members).

Anyway, on Thursday night we had the Trafalgar Night Ball at the Diplomat Radisson. It was a great success and during the dinner the Bahrain Police Band played its music and (always a highlight) Anjou performed on the Xylophone to great applause. Then, for an encore, on came Tommy and he and Anjou did a fast, frenetic piece together; bringing the house down.

Up next was Aussie songstress Lisa Morgan with Erica Rawles who got everyone involved with some fun community singing.

The girls even roped in society chairman Nigel Smith to help with entertaining the crowd. Next up was a speech by UK Ambassador Jamie Bowdon (to the memory of Lord Nelson) and then on I came to DJ.

After my set I introduced the Latin Jazz Band who performed some great Latin Jazz. Funny that 'eh? Latin Jazz!

I came back on later and did the raffle with the help of Sandy Whitford and Karen Kelly.

For the top prize, Gulf Air had generously donated two business class return tickets to London. I called on their marketing guru Danny Barringer to join me and together we called out the number of the winning ticket.

A couple waddled up and threw in a few derogatory remarks about Gulf Air before accepting the prize. I was stunned and so was Danny! I didn't want to give them the tickets but as they didn't go so far as to refuse them what choice did I have!

Organisations on this island (like Gulf Air) are pretty big-hearted when it comes to supporting charities and good causes. I can't imagine why anyone would want to jeopardise that? Life is sure funny and there's no pleasing some people.

Actually, it's been a bad week for that kind of thing; I also received an email from a kid who didn't think the prize he won was 'worth it'.

Anyway, after the raffle I carried on playing music all the way through till 2.30am and my weary head plopped onto my pillow at about 3.30am!

Wendy let me have a lie-in and when I came down the stairs at 11am she and Hannah were outside playing.

I ambled into the kitchen and prepared myself some bran-flakes with banana and sprinkled some wheat germ powder (that I'd bought months ago and never used) on top for extra energy.

Then, I melted my achy muscles into our comfy reclining chair, had a sip of fresh orange juice and opened my morning paper.

All happy and relaxed I reached for the breaky bowl, and nearly dropped it in shock! There, crawling about on top was a moving mass of insects! (Weevils apparently).

I quickly got up and threw the lot out. Looking closely at the wheat germ powder I saw that it too was 'alive'. Argh! It got dumped in the rubbish bin as well.

That night I was out again working, this time for the Ecumenical Conference of Charity (ECC) Benefit Dinner Dance at the Dilmun Club, and what a great night was had by all.

People were up and dancing before they had even finished their meals.

The Dilmun Dixielanders were also booked for the event and I've worked with them before, but they have a new line up and they rocked the place.

Well done to the whole of the committee for their work and all the charitable things they do. We had a raffle again and I found myself calling out the numbers and reflecting on the previous evening's events.

I made a last call for ticket number 22 which no-one was claiming and guess what - I realized it was mine, (I probably wouldn't have twigged if it hadn't also been my birth date!)

I enter a lot of raffles and never win. So I'm really looking forward to enjoying my prize; a meal for two at the Ritz Carlton (sounds just great to me and it also saves me a bit of money with taking the missus out).

Keep Happy

Krazy Kevin