Day One Hundred and Ten

Update: As my sister is'nt happy with the picture of her i've added below, im obliged to put a link to another blog showing her wonderful shop...

http://www.flowershopstories.blogspot.com/

A family day to the seaside. When we were kids we spent many a happy day on the beach at Swanage in Dorset. We decided to head there today to see how it was.

An earlyish start and we all piled in the car and drove down. We caught the Sandbank's Ferry across and were down there in less than 2 hours.

We parked up and walked into town along the beach, had a nice lunch in an Italian place and then walked along the beach.


On the hills

We stopped inthe arcades and messed about and then carried on walking along the beach. Crystal even got her feet wet in the sea. We walked back by the hotel we used to stay in as kids.

We drove to Corfe castle for afternoon tea and then home.

Hazel, Kate and Crystal then went ofr cocktails at the Four Seasons Hotel nearby.


Crystal & Alvin

In the sea

Family fun

Sibling larking about

Day One Hundred and Nine

Tuesday

Spent most of the day around Basingstoke. We then headed up to London on the train to meet John. We had to catch up with him to exchange keys, he needs our keys for flat in Sydney and we need his for flat in London.

We'll stay in Earlsfield for a few nights over next week. John and Rhian fly to Sydney tomorrow and stay at our. We'll hook up with them when we get back.

We had drinks on Southbank and then dinner in Ping Pong (dim sum place)

There's an interesting cardboard tower near Festival Hall and while we have been away it appears someone has stolen a pod from the London Eye...


Looking up inside cardboard tower


Someone stole our pod

Day One Hundred and Eight

A quiet day in and around Basingstoke. We had lunch at Wagamamas and then did some shopping. Cooked Mexican for dinner and chilled. Really not much to report.

Day One Hundred and Seven

Sunday...

We awoke and went down for breakfast in the hotel, was nice to catch up with Anna and Mike and we wished them well. they fly for their honeymoon to the Maldives on Monday...very nice.

We packed up and headed home. We had a slight detour and I took Kate around where my parents grew up, the lovely Sheerwater doesn't change much!

Had a lovely family BBQ (with usual family 'discussion' about cremating everything on the BBQ) and caught up with Pat and Graham.

Was a very nice day but did get chilly towards the end.

This week we intend to catch up with London folk and others, we are still trying to slot everyone in, so apologies if you have not heard from us yet!

Day One Hundred and Six

Saturday

Today we had a wonderful day attending the weddings of Stu & Cate and Anna & Mike.

We were up and about at a normal hour and got ourselves ready for the weddings. We did run a bit late in Basingstoke due to alack of hot water but made up time by a good run down the M3 towards Winchester.

Stu and Cate got married here

http://www.avingtonpark.co.uk/weddings.htm

It was great to catch up with friends from Yateley, nice to meet new people and partners too. The weather was superb and after a nice ceremony and photos we sat down to great food, speeches and conversation.

Alas as weddings do, the day flew by and before we knew it we had to make a quick exit so we could head to Anna & mikes wedding.

After a drive towards London and navigating some very dark country lanes we found their venue. It was here

http://www.devere.co.uk/our-locations/hartsfield-manor.html

We arrived at about 8.40 and it seemed the day was behind a little. The speeches started at about 8.50 which was great as we could catch all of that part. We saw the first dance and cake cutting too.

We had a few drinkies and finally crashed out at 1.30ish.

I have to say both couples looked amazing and had wonderful days and we are grateful for the invites. It also gave us some ideas for our wedding too! Was great to catch up with everyone.

Day One Hundred and Five

Damn... woke up at 4.45 am, and Kate woke up soon after...we did talk for half hour and then both fell asleep again. Woke up at 8.15 which was cool. Think we may have cracked jet lag almost!

Went for lunch with Rob in Odiham and then came back to hazels via Yateley to pick up suits for wedding. Chilled out rest of day and will go to bed soon.

tomorrow is Stu & Cates and Anna & Mikes weddings. There will be no update tomorrow night as we are away.

Day One Hundred and Four

We went to bed at 10 o clock and woke up today at 6.15, quite a result on the jet lag front!.

We sorted ourselves out and then went shopping for the engagement ring! I took Kate to the 'family jeweller' well i say that, its here my sister got her rings form and the folks give him a lot of business. If you ever need decent jewellery I recommend Richard Herold in Farnham.

We spent about 2 hours looking at various rings, I have to say I have quite a bit of knowledge now of diamonds, shapes, fluorescence etc!

2 hours went by in a flash, and I'm happy to report we have a ring. it needs a minor re-size next week but I'm happy to say Kate is very happy and always smiling when she looks at it.

We went to Basingstoke shopping in the afternoon, and then had a great dinner at sisters in evening. We crashed at about 9 o'clock at Hazels.

Day One Hundred and Three

Wednesday

A day of planes and delays...

We left Sydney late and then had a fairly uneventful flight back to Dubai. We landed OK and effectively walked from one plane to the other. We were all ready for a smooth departure and sat there patiently and then we were informed of a technical problem with the plane. After sitting there for best part of two hours we were off loaded back into departures.

To cut a long story short we had crap customer service and left about 4-5 hours late.

The flight to London was again uneventful, we got a bit of kip and then were met by my mum and sister at terminal 3 Heathrow which was chaos, thousands of people.

As I write this jet lag is kicking in and after a call to Sydney andshower we'll be off to bed.

Thankfully we managed to avoid the dust storms in Sydney today...

Day One Hundred and Two

A day spent packing and cleaning the house. We then got picked up by Bill and carol and went to the airport. It was pretty quiet there strangely.

we checked in OK, had a drink with them before they left and went through to departures. Alas we were late leaving due to strong winds, our plane was coming from NZ and made it thankfully, others had been diverted to Brisbane.

Left Sydney about an hour late...for the start of 14 hours of fun on the plane...

Day One Hundred and One

Woke up stupidly early today, a week of getting up before 7am has trained me to wake up early. Kate was even awake at 7.30 and up by 8.00am.

Did four loads of washing today in preparation for our return to blighty tomorrow. Unbelievable we fly back to UK already.

Had many messages of congratulations on our marriage plans, thank you all, it means a lot.

Spent day sorting out house and then we went out for dinner with Caroline in Newtown.

We went here (in tradition of Ades good food guide to Sydney this blog has a theme for)

http://www.eatability.com.au/au/sydney/botany_view_hotel/

Tomorrow we pack before we fly back to blighty in the evening.

Day One Hundred

100 days in Sydney

Wow where has the time gone, I guess most of it job hunting, shopping, and sorting out our new lives together.

We caught an early ferry back from Fraser Island and had a full on brekkie in Hervey Bay. we then headed back to the airport, caught the flight back and met Kates folks at the airport.

We had Champagne in Willoughby to celebrate our engagement and then made our way home to Glebe.

Had a really good video call with my folks and celebrated virtually with them, we can do it all properly in a few days when we are back in blighty.

With a slight change of plan to our evening we ended up going back to Willoughby for Thai takeaway.

Back to Glebe and zzzzz's.

Day Ninety Nine

Today I asked Kate to marry me.....she said yes! What we should have done yesterday after missing whale boat as per my careful planning we did today instead! After lots of thought and planning today was the day I popped the question. We got up super early to ensure we made the whale watching boat. I happened to be out on our balcony waiting for Kate to get ready and looked down to see this fella sitting by the room below...we think it was an Eastern Brown Snake


My pic of the snake

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_brown_snake

Quote 'The Eastern Brown Snake is the second most venomous land snake in the world after the Inland Taipan.^[2] Their venom is very toxic, and can be fatal; even juveniles have caused human fatalities. The venom contains both neurotoxins and blood coagulants.^[3] Eastern Brown Snakes are also highly aggressive. Compared to most snakes that will flee when ever possible, Brown Snakes are much more likely to stand their ground, heightening the danger in an encounter.'

We phoned the reception/rangers to let them know of our sighting and off to the boat for the whales. We went with these guys, if you ever get to Fraser Island I thoroughly recommend you go with these folks... http://www.herveybaywhalewatch.com.au/

As you can see from the pics below we got really close up, but we didn't chase the whales, we just drifted and their natural inquisitive nature brought them close.


Under the sea

Splashing around

A tail!

Mother and calf

Close to the boat

Once we had finished the cruise around lunchtime we grabbed some lunch in the Sand Bar and picked up the 4WD. We made our way over to Lake Mckenzie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fraser_Island_a05_lake_mckenzie.jpg

and found a quiet spot on the beach (as shown in pic below). It was at this moment I took a deep breath and asked Kate to Marry me. We were stood in the shallow waters of the lake.


The exact spot

I'm happy to report she said yes and made me the happiest man on the planet. We spent next hour or so just wallowing in the moment before making our way back to the resort. We also managed to see a Dingo on our way back to resort.


Yet more wildlife

After getting ready we had a lovely dinner outside at the Seabelle restaurant with some champagne to celebrate.

Off to bed on what is one of the most memorable and happiest days of my life.

Day Ninety Eight

Friday

Today's plan was to go whale watching, followed by a trip to Lake Mackenzie and dinner at Seabelle restaurant at the resort. Plan was all going well until we managed to miss the whale watching boat by about a minute. I got on the jetty to watch it sailing away..gutted.

We went back to reception and hoped we could transfer to whale watching cruise on Saturday. Luckily after an hour or so we had places for Saturday. We then managed to re-organise our 4wd and hit the road (or sandy track as it were).

Negotiated our way across the island 18km and then drove 55km up the beach to Indian Heads. Parked up and climbed up the the peak and looked at stunning views as seen below. We then drove back and went to a dinner in Seabelle. Really good food!

Off to bed for yet another early start whale watching tomorrow.


Wreck of the Maheno


Wreck of the Maheno


Looking North from Indian Heads


Looking South from Indian Heads (our 4wd is parked just above bus in pic)

Day Ninety Seven

Thursday... Today I surprised Kate with a trip to Fraser Island. It was supposed to be complete surprise but last Friday she had organised a weeks worth of work which had to be changed so she knew we were going away but not where.

After an early start we grabbed the tram and train to domestic airport (40 mins door to door). I told her the flight time and she looked on departures board and figured out where we were going. After a good flight to Hervey Bay we then had to wait around for the ferry to the island.

We had a nice lunch and sat in the sun before hopping to the island on the boat. We were all checked in, we then hit the beach and watched the sunset. Below are a few pics. We had a quick dinner in the Maheno restaurant in the resort then off to bed.

http://www.kingfisherbay.com/

Day Ninety Six

Quiet day at home followed by drinks with Oxfam team celebrating the event. Was only a short do and then came home and had dinner with Kate.

As I write this it's exactly a week until we land in England, cant wait!

I may or may not be writing much to the blog over next few days, all will become clear when I'm back writing..it's all good though!

Day Ninety Five

Short update today.

Kate was at work again and I went into town to do some shopping. Got a few bits and pieces and headed back to Glebe. Had the misfortune of trying to explain the tram system to some lost French tourists.

Hung out around the house this afternoon and evening. Heard form sister and folks their plane is delayed in Portugal, reminds me it's a week until we hit the airport for blighty.

That's it!

Day Ninety Four

Unpacked the last box today!

Spent all day putting together CD shelves, unpacking 3 large boxes of CD's sorting them out and putting them on the shelf.

Kate was at work.

Starting to plan our trip back to blighty, we'll send a few emails out, we don't have long so we might not catch everyone this time alas.

Tomorrow I'm going into the city to sort a few things out.

Day Ninety Three

A good day, we headed over to Chatswood so Kate could go shopping with her mum. I headed to Ikea and gave them 800 more dollars, still now have all the furniture we could ever need. Headed back to Willoughby, met Bill and caught up with Kate and Carol for lunch.

A bit more shopping and then we had tea in Willoughby before coming back to Glebe. Spent much of the rest of the day putting together cd towers and other ikea stuff.

Chilled out for rest of evening.

Cracking weather today, 31 degrees in Sydney, a September record apparently!

Should be a good week this week....

Day Ninety Two

A busy day sorting out our spare room. We have people staying in a few weeks time so we have been getting it ready. Did mean lots of time trawling round Freedom both at Broadway and Moore Park (freedoms equivalent in uk would be habitat). Got most things we need, put up new blind and cleared out all our junk form room. It's looking quite good now.

Had a skype call with folks, not long til we see them now.

Went to Bill and Carols for dinner, cracking roast chicken. Watched a load of recorded TV and wondered home at midnight.

Strong stench of smoke in Sydney in the air, they are back burning ahead of the bush fire season, things you never think about in Blighty, but regular activities here.

Oh and found a massive dead spider in the spare room, a huntsman - apparently harmless but bloody huge all the same.

Day Ninety One

Quick update today.

Went into Oxfam to help with some more bits and pieces, wondered back through town and caught a band busking in street. they were superb so I bought their CD for 25 dollars. very much like the levellers/outcast band.

Check them out here

www.myspace.com/thewishingwellband

Came home, waited for Kate who was working with her mum today and then we went out for Mexican. That was full with a 40 minute wait so we went to the Otto cafe instead in Glebe.

Off to bed now as we are both knackered.

Day Ninety

Another day at home, we walked to the local post office to send a few bits and pieces off to UK, it was a nice walk, weather seems to be picking up and they are predicting 29-30 degrees at the weekend, might have to hit the beach.

We spent afternoon doing a few housey things, nothing very exciting, I attacked our 'front garden' well the 4ft of weeds mainly and hacked it back a bit. I was quite brave I think, who knows what could have been lurking in there in the way of spiders, snakes, sharks, crocs etc.

We went to the Rose for the quiz night, was good fun and we came second, another 50 dollars behind the bar as a result.

Not much happening here in Aus news wise, although that dodgy DJ (read earlier posts) has been suspended again for making jokes about concentration camps on air.

Oh and in shocking headline news on the telly Scooby is rescued

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/860211/boys-deaf-pooch-trapped-in-cave

Day Eighty Nine

Spent some of the day at Oxfam today, was helping them tag all the pictures of teams on the Trailwalker event, pretty mundane, but I guess some poor African child is benefiting from it!

I'm going back in on Friday to help them out with event wrap up etc.

Apart from that not much else to report really. It wont be long til we are back in blighty, well 2 weeks to be precise so we'll start to organise meet ups with people!

Day Eighty Eight

Two fat Ladies ..... Eighty Eight

A day at home mainly apart from some food shopping out. We did housey stuff, Kate did some sewing, taking up our bedroom curtains. I sorted a few bits out. We had our regular postal delivery from UK with updates from folks. Nice to hear all the news and check out pictures.

Not much else to report really. Oxfam phoned me and asked me to go in tomorrow to help out which I'm happy to do.

A funny video Alvin sent me, the Aussies will find this amusing!

It may need to play through once and buffer up properly, suggest you watch it a second time if its stuttering

Day Eighty Seven

A quiet day around the house, not really very much to report. Did some food shopping this morning, looked at a few jobs, emailed the people I interviewed with on Friday to say I wasn't interested.

Had a massive thunderstorm early this evening, fork lightning everywhere, rivers running down the street. Still it filled our rainwater tank up a bit I'm sure.

Had a long call with folks on Skype, talked them through Adelaide pics (on facebook).

Chilled out this evening.

Day Eighty Six

Another great day in Adelaide, we got up and headed out to the hills. There was a great view over the city from up on high. We then drove to Harndorf (not sure spelling is correct!) which is a German settlement, had a quick lunch, then back to grab our stuff and to the airport.

Chris and Hanna saw us off (thanks for great weekend) and before we knew it we were back in Sydney. We had Poh from Masterchef on our plane, some D list celeb over here but everyone seemed to be falling over themselves to speak to her...yawn. Got picked up by Carol, had some dinner and its bed time! Below are few highlight snaps form weekend, full set will be on facebook during tomorrow.

Oh and I found this cool link on t'internet, great to think this was 10 mins from my folks house...

http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/blackbushe.html


Overlooking Adelaide


Beach Sunset 1

Beach Sunset 2

The Tap Inn

Day Eighty Five

Saturday in Adelaide

A busy day today, we got up had brekkie and then went to the Haighs Chocolate Factory, we did a tour and hit the shop.

http://haighschocolates.com.au/

After that we dropped Hannah and Kate at the Bridal shop for dress fittings (Kate will be Hannah's bridesmaid in March). Chris and I went shopping for hard disc to copy a load of stuff they have so we can take it back to Sydney.

We then went to the Tap Inn for lunch, a golf themed pub. Was very good

http://www.tapinn.com.au/

We came back to the house to check in for flights and then we drove out to Glenelg beach to watch the sunset.

A trip home, grabbed some food and then the others hit the Spa in the garden. A movie and bed.

I'll add pics here tomorrow when we get back to Sydney.

Day Eighty Four

Friday...

Got up and packed for Adelaide and then wondered into town for the job interview. It's funny you can tell people who have no experience of interviewing people and I had two people like this interviewing me. Were not listening to what I had to say rather jumping straight to next question.

Had to do some practical stuff too.

Will give it some thought over weekend as to whether I want this role, my gut says its not right (of course it hasn't been offered yet!).

Got picked up by Kate and Bill and We drove to the airport. We have flown to Adelaide to see Chris and Hannah and celebrate Chris's birthday.

I'm amazed that you can check in for a flight (domestic), then anyone can wonder air side and effectively get in a plane. they do not check photo ID against boarding cards, so anyone could be on any plane...not like Europe. guess that's the Aussie way but I'm sure it will come back to bite them.

Met Chris and Hannah at Airport and went to their house. Its great. We then went out for dinner in town here

http://www.mapo.com.au/

We ate far too much but the food was superb!

Adelaide is a very low rise city and generally very flat..

Came home and chilled out before bed.

Day Eighty Three

A fairly uneventful day. We did a load of housework and then hit the shops briefly. I did speak to that company about event management contract job and have an interview in the morning. It's only a 7 week contract and I did mention I would be away some of the time but they still want to see me so could be a good sign. Fingers Crossed.

We went over to Willoughby this evening after a Skype call with my folks. Had a Thai takeaway which was all good.

The weather has gone a bit pants here, rained most of the day. It's funny I was reading BBC website, in particular this...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8183365.stm

It seems there more coverage in UK about it, not heard any mention of it in the media over here, of course I may have just missed it. Incidentally, not been anywhere near the Opera House yet!

Blog updates may be a bit intermittent over next few days.

Day Eighty Two

Wednesday Wednesday....

We had a good trip into the city today, took the tram which only 5 stops later, less than 10 minutes drops us on the north side of Darling Harbour by the bridge. A quick walk over and you are at the QVB.

We shopped for new bedding, we've been hunting down some specific stuff which is end of line. A few department stores later and we struck lucky and fund all the bits we wanted. Cost us 450 dollars but that was reduced from over 800...result.

Prior to shopping I sent a CV in for a contract event management job i was tipped off about by the Oxfam gang. I just made closing date and hopefully I can interview thus week. it's advertised as starting next week so lets see. !3 days in UK might be a problem!

Ah and one other nightmare, some bugger had dinged our car, much like the 206 in London someone had put a knock in it an driven off...Mighty annoying, still thats third time its happened to me/us this year so hopefully thats it.

Had superb swordfish from fish market for dinner.

Day Eighty One

Today I went back into Oxfam Office to see the team and go for a celebration lunch and debrief the event. It was good, although it was a fully vegetarian meal at a Japanese place. It was good but I know I'm not a veggie!

We put together the spare bed in our spare room trying to get that room sorted as we have guests staying in 4 weeks time.

Came home from Oxfam and waited for Kate who was out. We had some dinner and dint get much else done. The days seem to fly by despite being unemployed!

I have just knocked up a plylist in Itunes of some of favourite tunes if anyones interested. (This list changes over time, some are current, some come and go to the top list!)

One Day Like This Elbow
Rule the World (Radio Edit) Take That
Make You Feel My Love Adele
You Are My Sister Antony & The Johnsons
Topaz The B-52's
Concrete Sky [Acoustic] Beth Orton
Wonderful Life Black
Warning Sign Coldplay
Closer Corrs
Perfect Blue Buildings Counting Crows
the blewers daughter Damien Rice
Life on Mars? David Bowie
Chocolate Girl Deacon Blue
Warwick Avenue Duffy
Today Tomorrow Sometime Never Echobelly
Munich Editors
Song For Guy (Single Version) Elton John
Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley
Safer Gabriella Cilmi
You Look So Fine Garbage
Who Said This Was The End? Gene
Another Man's Cause Levellers
Nothing Else Matters Metallica
You Can't Uneat the Apple My Life Story
Dream Catch Me Newton Faulkner
The Master Plan Oasis
The Circle Ocean Colour Scene
Porcelain Gods Paul Weller
Dear Mr. President Pink
Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) Pink Floyd
Kings Of Medicine Placebo
Roads Portishead
Find the River R.E.M.
No Surprises Radiohead
Golden Touch Razorlight
Parallel Universe Red Hot Chili Peppers
Angels Robbie Williams
Mary Scissor Sisters
La Ritournelle Sébastien Tellier
Diamond Road Sheryl Crow
1979 Smashing Pumpkins
Chasing Cars Snow Patrol
Maybe Tomorrow Stereophonics
When I'm Thinking About You The Sundays
Underdog (Save Me) Turin Brakes
Walk On U2
Ultraviolet (Light My Way) U2
One Tree Hill U2
Cries Too Hard The Whitlams
Simple Philosophy Will Young
Fisherman's Blues [Live] The Wonder Stuff
In the Waiting Line Zero 7