Day Three Hundred and Fifty Three

Monday

A usual day at work, found a really good volunteer to help me in the office which should speed things up a bit.

Came home and did very little this evening.

Short blog tonight!

Day Three Hundred and Fifty Two

Sunday

A relaxing day spent mostly at home. We went out for brekkie/lunch at the cafe next door to the flat. Did a few bits and pieces around the house, Kate watched the football, close game but swannies continued their losing streak.

Semi related to the football and our wedding, apparently Jude Bolton a Swans player got married at the Sergants Mess. I've found a video of it on you tube, which I've added below. There's a second video too showing pics of venue. For those who are thinking of coming it gives you a good idea of our venue plus the superb food. (Shame about the bridesmaids dresses colour).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dEgnaRP8iI

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3k2BW819zk

Spoke to folks on Skype followed by a lazy Sunday night in front of TV.

Day Three Hundred and Fifty One

A year ago today we had our leaving do at Rehab in Colliers Wood. Not quite sure where a year has disappeared to but there you go!

This morning we visited the bridal expo over at Fox studios, was interesting to see all the numerous services available to compliment the wedding.

We had lunch over there at the Cine restaurant.

http://www.cine.com.au/about_us.html

In the afternoon we did some shopping and bought our selves the 'Paranormal Activity' DVD to watch in the evening. Have to say it was quite scary but finished quite abruptly. 8/10 from me.

Also just found out The Ting Tings will be playing the Enmore in July...excellent!

Day Three Hundred and Fifty

Friiiiiiday!

A laid back day at work, everyone seemed quite chilled out and chatty.

Left early, hey it's Friday and took train to Newtown to go to Post Office to pick up our delivery from Blighty. Folks (God bless em) sent over some really cool stuff including a big slab of Cadburys Dairy Milk, the proper full on British version, none of this Aussie imitation rubbish full of sugar!

Kate went to the movies tonight with friends from work.

Tomorrow we hit the Bridal Expo over at Fox Studios, should be good fun although I expect we'll get the hard sell.

Have a good weekend all!

Day Three Hundred and Forty Nine

Less rain today!

A normal day at work, still busily recruiting volunteers for the event in August.

Came home, drove to Willoughby and had dinner.

I thought it would be useful to show exchange rate, I'm not counting my chickens but maybe the downward trend is starting to reverse. Below is pic of last years exchange rate..


Source xe.com/ucc

Also some cool activity in Sydney tonight

http://www.smh.com.au/multimedia/entertainment/art-and-design/vivid-light-spectacular/20100527-whhu.html

Day Three Hundred and Forty Eight

An absolutely soaking day in Sydney, it rained non stop, proper downpours all day.

At lunchtime I went out to visit the wedding photographer to put down a deposit. That was a train ride over to Edgecliff.

An event spent at home, Skyped with folks too.

Day Three Hundred and Forty Seven

A usual day at work, although went into town shopping at lunchtime, handy being only 2 minutes on train to QVB. Came home and waited for Kate who had been at her own events all day.

Kate was at the launch of this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_It4Mu650g

Caught up on web with things happening at home, this news is a bit of a shame

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10154682.stm

We did a few more wedding related things in the evening and caught up on Spooks season eight which the old fella sent over on DVD recently.

Still cold here.

Oh and excitingly the exchange rate seems to be turning back in our favour, 1.72 when I looked a minute ago.

Day Three Hundred and Forty Six

Monday...

Usual day at work, got lots done and allocated a whole load more volunteers to roles.

A quiet evening at home

Short and sweet blog today!

Day Three Hundred and Forty Five

A day of catching up with ourselves

- Did a big shop (as they used to say, we did a big shop)
- Checked out some flats/apartments folks had found on web for when they come over for wedding to see if they were any good
- Emailed a 4 marriage celebrants
- Reviewed our wedding budget
- Spoke to the folks on the Skype
- Did a load of other outstanding things

Realised the weekend had disappeared again!

Monday tomorrow...

Oh and it's still rainy and everyone in UK is bleating on about the glorious weather!

Day Three Hundred and Forty Four

Saturday

Up late, finally dragged ourselves out of bed at about 10.30. Got ourselves ready and met Caroline at St Peters station and took train to Central having met the boys and Louise on train at Erskinville.

We walked from Central to the game via the Bourke St bakery. This place is mad, a tiny little shop on corner of Bourke and Devonshire and has a constant queue of about 50 people outside. Does pretty good pastries etc.

Walked to game. Half way through it started to rain, a proper downpour, although the ponchos helped it was pretty miserable.

Bill gave us a lift home and we've just done very little tonight.

It's funny to see the Brits all come alive on Facebook talking about the lovely weather back home!

Day Three Hundred and Forty Three

Friday

A good day at work, got 25% of my allocations done of those that have applied.

Came home and Kate and I went out drinking with John, Michael, Adam and later Caroline. We only went to the union which is about 5 minutes walk away up King St.

http://unionnewtown.com.au/

Managed to get home at about 2am after being kicked out the pub at 1.45.

Day Three Hundred and Forty Two

Thursday

Short post today, a normal day at work. Came home and drove over to Willoughby for dinner with Kate's folks.

Not much else to report, it's stopped raining.

Oh and for history sake the Aussie dollar seems to be sliding against other currencies.

Day Three Hundred and Forty One

Wednesday

Had a quick Skype with folks at 7.30am which was all good!

A fairly normal day at work. Got some problems with pension (or superannuation as it's called here) with Caritas which I'm trying to sort. How they didn't discover it earlier I don't know but there you go.

Tried to nip home at lunchtime to get paperwork but as I sat on the train which was about to leave Central I realised I had left my keys at the office so just manged to hop off train before it went and gave it all up as a bad idea.

Came home and met another photographer here at flat. It was good to get a comparison against the one last night who we think just had the edge.

That's it, glad we are over half way through week.

Day Three Hundred and Forty

Back to work for a Tuesday

It's absolutely pouring here in Sydney, has been all day. Came out of work and it was dark, wet and horrible, very reminiscent of winter in England.

Met Kate at Central and we took train to Edgecliff to meet a photographer. It went very well we think. We meet another tomorrow. Had a quick Skype call with the old fella and that's about it for today.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty Nine

Rubbish start to the day

Had to run for train and just made it, then had hassles trying to buy a ticket to Parramatta form Redfern where I changed. As I was trying to walk down the stairs at Redfern on the right someold bloke (probably about 70) took exception tome walking down the wrong side, lowered his head on the way up the stairs and proceeded to headbut/charge me full on the stomach.

He then ranted about using the left hand side of the stairs. Idiot. I pointed out there were no signs saying keep left in my best British Accent and he grumbled and wen ton his way.

Had he been younger he may have had an unfortunate trip on the stairs.

First Aid training was rubbish, it was run by cowboys out to make cash as quick as possible, anyhow I have a certificate now and don't have to do it again for three years.

Finished early having done the exam (I got 36 out of 40).

Came home and did some ironing (sorry Bill) and attacked the massive build up of washing up.

Tomorrow back to the office and seeing a wedding photographer in the evening.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty Eight

We got up and went for a good walk around the Sydney Park. We were very pleasently surprised at the fantastic park we have no more then 3 minutes from the front door.

We also took a walk to paper shop to buy three copies of the Sunday Telegraph. Chris, Hannah, Kate are in there as C & H's wedding pics have been published.

Cooked a stir fry for lunch.

In the afternoon we've been looking at Wedding invites, making a few test ones with different papers/cards etc.

Had a spag bol for dinner and catching up on TV this evening.

Tomorrow I'm on a first aid course in Parramatta. Spent half the day doing the preparation workbook too which has not been fun.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty Seven

Saturday

be crazy busy for the return of Jessica Watson. You may We got up and checked out. Had brekkie at Starbucks on York St. Sydney was allegedly meant toremember me bleating on about her leaving 7 months ago to sail round the world when she is only 16 . Anyhow she sailed back into town today, although the city didn't grind to a halt unsurprisingly.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/im-no-hero-says-humble-jessica-20100515-v54u.html

We headed home and Kates folks came over in afternoon to watch the AFL.

After that we went shopping at Broadway and came home for dinner. Had a decent Skype call with folks which was nice.

As I write this I'm about to start watching FA Cup final, although it starts at midnight which is a bit surreal and I prob will fall asleep before the end.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty Six

Friday

Today I got up just after 6am, took the car to Parramatta to drop it off for its 90K service. Took the train home form there and was back home by 8.30. Spent the day chilling out at home. Walked to the post office in Newtown to pick up a parcel. Had a lovely delivery from Caro in UK of a housewarming card and some Percy pig treats.

In the afternoon got back on the train to pick up car. Took for ever to get it finalised, problems with the garage nit understanding the warranty terms, I came out on top in end in that discussion. $1432 dollars later (900 quid for a major service...eeek) and I was on my way home.

Came home to meet Kate who was already home.

Kate then surprised me with a night away in Sydney to celebrate our three years together. A bargain from lastminute .com saw us staying in the Amore hotel in Sydney

http://www.amorahotels.com.au/jamison/

We walked down for dinner at Wolfies, always a classic meal. Was nice eating watching the harbour and opera house.

We wondered back to hotel through the craziness of Sydney on a Friday night.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty Five

Thursday

Got into work a little late after last nights Luanch Night.

Spent a normal day at work and came home. Had a fish and chip supper (how English and up north do I sound).

Day off tomorrow.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty Four

A hectic day at work, re-organising volunteers that were not needed for our launch event and then the usual stuff.

Mid afternoon we headed down to the venue and set up. Before we knew it over 250 people had arrived and the Launch night was underway.

All went off very well I think.

Today is Kate and I's 3 year anniversary of our first proper date. We went drinking around Leicester Square if anyone is interested.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty Three

All the 3's 333

Tuesday, another day at Oxfam and during day had a quick trip out to the venue we are using tomorrow for our launch night. Did manage to get driven briefly down a one way road the wrong way. We wondered why the large bus heading straight towards us was flashing and beeping!

Came home and nipped to MM to get some dinner stuff, cooked a nice lamb and veg dinner.

Got Alvin running around in UK for us, handy having such a helpful father other side of the world. Whilst trying to help friends with their visa application we realised we had no idea where our paperwork was, seems it was in loft in Yateley. Reminds us of the whirlwind we left in.

Tomorrow is launch night for Trailwalker Sydney, should be interesting, may have up to 400 people there.

Wedding sub blog...

We are organising seeing 4 photographers over the next week or so.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty Two

Monday

A busy day at work, still up to 180 plus volunteers now. Came home, although was planning to meet Kate on train, anyhow she ended up on it and I didn't. She came back to meet me at Central, what a little legend.

Dinner at home, and we ploughed through our to do list a bit.

I'm going to brave the RTA experience again this week and try and get a NSW driving license.

Oh and spoke to folks briefly, trying to track down some of our paperwork which might still be in Blighty!

Day Three Hundred and Thirty One

Sunday

Mothers day here in Australia, so we took Carol out for Brunch over in Narumbern. Went to Willoughby and watched the AFL and later in day came home. Dis dome Skype calls with both Hazel and folks and watched TV in evening.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty

Saturday

Slept in a bit which is unusual for me at the weekend but was still up before 9am. Spent time around the house in the morning then we went out and did some shopping. Bought myself a new tee shirt and Kate got some clothes too.

Came home and we cooked a spag bol and had a quiet night in front of TV.

Really starting to feel chilly here in Sydney now.

An interesting post here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/nickbryant/2010/05/can_britain_learn_from_austral.html

It's funny how many of the Aussies said to me they could not understand not voting on a Saturday. Also its complusary here to vote, something Blighty could learn from.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty Nine

I spent most of the day (having got into work early as apparently I was rostered on Kitchen duty) watching the election results unfold on the BBC website. It was good watching results come in, it was neck and neck for a long time through the early hours of UK time.

Got lots of work done at work which was good.

Came home and had some dinner. Then went to Bunnings at 8pm to get some bits. Came home and then went out again to pick Kate and her mum up from the Opera House (they went to see Coppelia).

Drove to Willoughby to drop Carol off and then we've headed home.

Tomorrow is Saturday and we are doing a whole load of nothing.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty Eight

Thursday

Not too much to report, fairly standard day at work, did do an hour and forty minutes on phone to Melbourne.

Came home and drove to Willoughby for dinner. Interesting to see the house now all the trees in front garden have been chopped down.

It's interesting watching the coverage of the general election in Blighty form afar. My prediction form the other side of the world is the Tories will sweep back in, lets see. At least I can track the results and announcements in real time form here tomorrow, rather than sitting up to the early hours.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty Seven

Happy Birthday to my wonderful father.

A slower day at work with not much to report.

It's turned bloody cold here in Sydney and both Kate and I managed to forget our jumpers today. Wont make that mistake again.

Came home and did some wedding planning and we had a great Skype call with folks. Watched Dad open his presents on video, thankfully they made them there in time (we were worried about Volcanic Ash holding up deliveries).

Off to bed now!

Day Three Hundred and Twenty Six

326

Up early and into town on the train. Went to a meeting with the principal sponsor of Trailwalker - Statestreet. Meeting went very well and they are covering one of our checkpoints in it's entirety from a volunteer perspective. makes my life that much easier.

http://www.statestreet.com.au/index_flash.html

Walked back to the office from there (Pitt St). I should say my office is located here

Link

After lunch had a meeting with my Photographer Coordinator which also went very well, again he will do much of the work for me so again, life is made easier.

Came home and met Kate on the train at central.

Had some dinner and not done much else this evening.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty Five

Monday morning again, struggled to get up!

Made it into work just after nine and did lots. Got mu volunteer count up to about 140 now which is all good.

Came home and then Kate, Caroline and I went out for a quick bite to eat at the Botany View - our local.

Booked a hotel for our trip to Kakadu in June when Hazel is over. We are staying in a crocodile shaped hotel.

Lots of meetings tomorrow at work.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty Four

Sunday

Up early and off to shops before heading to Willoughby to help cook lunch for Carol as its Mothers Day next weekend. Why today then, well Chris and Hannah are in town this weekend so it was celebrated early.

Spent afternoon helping clear junk form house and stacking it out in street for council to collect.

We came home and had Skype calls with Hazel and then the folks which was all good.

This evening we have been watching the Logies, a bit like the Baftas in blighty but more cheesy, basically if you are in a soap opera or sitcom you are likely to get an award. Quite cringe worthy some of the scripting on the nomination speeches.

We are just waiting to see if Alf Stewart from Home and Away wins the Golden Logie..it's edge ofthe seat stuff...no really...

Day Three Hundred and Twenty Three

Woke up early, I always seem to be wide awake on Saturday mornings and not in the week. Caught up on some Ade telly while Kate was asleep until she stirred at about 9.30.

Late morning we drove over to Pymble to catch up with Steve Winnick and his wife Val at a big BBQ which was great. We headed home late afternoon and then took train over to SCG for Swans V Brisbane Lions game.

Was an exciting game and a good result putting Swans at top of league table.

Still managing not to let the two 5 years old's that sit next to me get to me too much!

We all went to a pub near the ground afterwards for a post game drink and then we've just got home at midnight.