Tuesday 30 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Thirty Six

Tuesday

We got up super early to get to airport. Bill drove us through the heavy traffic and we made it for check in. Sure enough this meant the plane was delayed. It was a bit worrying to watch engineers pour over the flaps on the wings for 30 mins before we got on plane.

We had a very bumpy flight back to Brisbane. We grabbed the car and Kate dropped me at work. Got lots done at work and then walked home.

Had a Skype call with folks and went to bed soon after.

Day Five Hundred and Thirty Five

Monday

Kate and I got up and we drove to suit hire place. I tried on a suit which I'm happy with and as such ordered mine, Rob and Deans suit hire. Another thing ticked off! Kate dropped me at St Leonard's station and I headed into the Sydney office for the day.

Took a train home, Kate picked me up and then it was off to the food tasting at the wedding venue. Food was fantastic and it will be hard to make a final decision.

We came home, bellies full and went to bed.

Day Five Hundred and Thirty Four

Sunday

We got up and after some brekkie drove over to the city to do some wedding shopping. Took a long time to find a parking spot, had to bail out form QVB car park which was heaving, not before refusing to pay 15 dollars for the privilege of driving around trying to find a spot.

after grabbing We bought lots of things related to the wedding and then we met up with Pru and Caroline so Kate could go Bridesmaid dresses. That was my cue to bail and I headed back to Willoughbysome lunch in town.

Spent most of the afternoon watching the cricket, good to see the pommes thrashing the aussies.

Kate came home with good news of finding the dresses, another big thing ticked off the list.

A quiet evening in front of TV and then bed.

Day Five Hundred and Thirty Three

Saturday

We had a lazy morning around the house, sorting out stuff and then had a lunch at a local cafe. Mid afternoon we drove ourselves over to the airport, parked up and hopped on another plane back to Sydney. Bill and Carol picked us up and we then had a nice dinner back at Willoughby. Was nice to have at least part of a Saturday in Brisbane.

Friday 26 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Thirty Two

Friday

Walked to work again, seem to be getting quicker each day. Spent all day writing trail instructions. Almost done all sections now.

Came home and spent time putting wardrobe together, had dinner and sorted some more boxes out.

Tomorrow is the weekend and surprise surprise we are in Sydney again.

Day Five Hundred and Thirty One

Thursday

Walked to work and got on with more maps and section instructions. Team entries are going well so far.

After work I walked down to Harvey Normans and met Kate who drove there and we bought a Microwave. Had a run in with a snotty little Harvey Norman employee who saw fit to jump in front of me in the queue, get in line buddy...

We then drove through dense traffic to Ikea. We had to dodge all the fans coming out of the Gabba after day 1 of the ashes. In Ikea we bought a wardrobe and other bits, loaded it all up and headed home.

Had a late dinner and then bed.

Day Five Hundred and Thirty

Wednesday

Walked to work, busy day drawing up maps etc

Walked home and had a good Skype to the UK with folks.

Quick update today!

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Twenty Nine

Tuesday

Kate and I walked to work, although Kate only walked as far the real estate agent to sign the lease now that she is in Brisbane.

I spent the day at work, we opened the event to registrations and our website is live

http://www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/brisbane/

Walked home and chilled out in the evening

Monday 22 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Twenty Eight

Monday

Walked to work, bit humid I have to say. Good day at work. Walked home again spent evening doing bits and pieces including writing up the blog!

Day Five Hundred and Twenty Seven

Sunday

And so we hit the road again for 700+ km to Brisbane. Not much to say about sitting in a car for 9 hours so I've uploaded a few picture highlights from the trip below...


This is how much of the highway looked all the way to Brisbane


Ah the Northern New South Wales folk, dog in the ute watching the road and catching the breeze.


The world famous big prawn, soon to be demolished. The whole site was fenced off and ready for the wreckers ball.

Oh and the world famous big banana, not very big in all honesty, needless to say we didn't stop.

Coffs Harbour, where we stopped for a nice fish and chip lunch.

And so after a full day driving we pulled into Brisbane. Finally we have everything up in Brisbane. And so we fly back to Sydney on Saturday to do more wedding stuff...

Day Five Hundred and Twenty Six

Saturday

Up and about and drove Kate to final day of her course. I then went and looked at suit hire in Myer and another place. Back to Willoughby to pack and then picked up Kate. We spent some more time packing and then it was time to hit the road to Brisbane....



There are interesting wildlife crossings along the Pacific Highway to let them cross the road without getting squished, pic below



We drove for 2 hours 15 mins or so and stopped at Tea Gardens.

I have to say the hotel was pretty grim and smelt of damp. We signed ourselves into the local country club next door for dinner. Always a bad sign when theres a choice of 3 different cuisines and 22 pages in the menu. Food wasn't up to much, we admitted defeat, retreated and went to bed.

Friday 19 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Twenty Five

Friiiiiday

Took a cab to work as I had large suitcase full of other cases/bags to briung bag to Sydney to assit bringing stuff back to Brisbane in the car. A good day at work, making some chages to the trail too due to various reasons.

Took train to airport and caught the 7pm flight back to Sydnet. Got picked up by Kate and came home and crashed. Tomorrow we drive to Brisbane stopping along the way there

Thursday 18 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Twenty Four

Woke up early, pesky clock fell over again, always good for waking you up. Kate and I walked to work and she took the train from |fortitude Valley to the airport.

Good Day at work including off site meetings with local councillor and another visit to our proposed Finish site.

Came home and spent most of evening sorting out the flat.

Wednesday 17 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Twenty Three

Cycled to work again this morning.

Kate stayed home while Foxtel was hooked up.

Not a bad day at work, got a lot of things done that needed doing. Went out for lunch with the rest of the office stuff (all five of us today).

Cycled home, unpacked more boxes, skyped the folks and looked at some wedding stuff.

Oh yeah and got bored of all the royal wedding coverage on telly.

Tuesday 16 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Twenty Two

I cycled to work this morning. All very quick, no more than about 5 minutes.

13An easy day at work, although our office is freezing, apparently they pump the air con from theth floor down through the building to cool it all, hence if you are on the higher floors its colder and down the bottom its warmer. its pretty chilly on 8!

Cycled home, went for a walk along the river with Kate and then had dinner and watched last of the Rafters.

Monday 15 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Twenty One

We got up at the lovely Hotel Ibis and checked out, that was after some conversations with Power company to get power restored in Teneriffe flat. Took a taxi back to flat and left Kate there to unpack and await electric man.

Off to work and had a meeting at lunchtime with people about buses.

Came home and helped Kate with more unpacking. thankfully the power was back on.

Kate cooked a nice meal and we watched the X factor nonsense here.

Talking of music, the new Kings of Leon album is superb.

Sunday 14 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Twenty

Sunday

We were up by 8.30 looking at wedding stuff on the internet. Kate went over to Newtown for lunch with the girls and I hung out in Willoughby just doing very little which was nice.

Kate came home and we headed to the airport and flew to Brisbane. Flight was good and jumped in a taxi to new flat. Upon checking the post on arrival there was a particularly unhelpful card informing us the electric had been disconnected on Friday. Not much we can do about it at 7pm on a Sunday night so we've decamped to the hotel IBIS in the city. I know e should have been more proactive about signing up the electric, at the same time you don't expect to get cut off with no notice!

Day Five Hundred and Nineteen

Saturday

Drove Kate to Royal North Shore Hospital for the third session of her course. Back to Willoughby and then I went to Chatswood Westfield for a bit of shopping. Picked up Kate and in the evening we had a BBQ (and the worlds largest steaks). Skyped the UK and then off to bed.

Day Five Hundred and Eighteen

Friday

A morning spent driving around Brisbane Forest Park in a 4x4 looking at alternative routes. In the afternoon it was back to the office and the sending of our first TW email to many thousand previous walkers to communicate the event. It's all go now.

Took the 6pm flight home and was picked up by Kate and back to Willoughby and sleep.

Thursday 11 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Seventeen

Thursday

Got up early waiting for the Foxtel installation, realised they were not going to show up and phoned them up and vented my disgust. They are coming Monday now.

Paid up the outstanding monies on Newtown flat, can recover the costs through work as part of relocation package which is a result. Glad to be rid of it all now, apparently new tenants move in on Saturday.

Took the hire car back into the city and then went into work and spent lots of time working on permit applications.

Knocked off and walked home. it's 1.9km and took me 21 minutes. If I do it there and back everyday then that's just shy of 20km walk each week which cant be bad.

Watched telly in evening, hard to unpack without Kate here and us jointly deciding where to put furniture.

Finlly this is quite funny, a bloke got stuck on a train in Bondi yesterday, hardly headline news, but his email abou ti has gone viral which is quite funny reading..

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/sydney-mans-email-detailing-five-hour-ordeal-trapped-on-train-goes-viral/story-e6freuzr-1225952255724

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Sixteen

Wedneday

A good morning in the office. I then went and met removalists at flat as stuff arrived. They took about 2 hours to deliver it all in.

Spent rest of day unpacking and sorting out furniture.Skyped folks then Kate.

Day Five Hundred and Fifteen

Tuesday

Got up and dropped Kate at work, I then drove over to Newtown to drop keys back for old flat to real estate agent. Came back to Willoughby and Bill drove me to the airport. Took yet another flight to Brisbane and collected hire car.

Drove straight to new real estate agent and collected keys to new flat here in Queensland. Drove over there to do inspection.


After that I went into the office for a bit and then went and stayed at the Brunswick apartments one last time.

Below are pics of our new pad - empty. It transpires there is also a Sauna on site too..all very Finnish!



Entrance Foyer

Looking back to Kitchen

Loooking forwards to window (obviously)

The pool

More pool

Bathroom

Bedroom - open topped

Wardrobes

The hall

Kitchen

Monday 8 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Fourteen

Monday

My last day in the Sydney office. Got lots of stuff done, including permits for the event with some of our stakeholders.

Had good news that a tenant has been found for Newtown flat, so they should move in Saturday meaning we don't have to fork out anymore rent!

Did get accused by the strata of our removalists breaking a handrail which was nonsense and I refuted it with agents, shocking accusation as it was broken a week ago.

The weather in Sydney tonight is shocking, a thunderstorm has been overhead for about 3 hours!

Day Five Hundred and Thirteen

Sunday

items out, it was A busy day with lots of wedding stuff. In the morning we visited the gift list supplier to pick somelike Christmas.

We made our way into the city after that and put a deposit on my wedding ring - very happy with my choice.

We bought some other wedding things, and then went to Newtown to do the final final clean before key hand back.

Drove back to Willoughby and put deposit on our wedding band and caught up on paperwork

Spent the evening at home and had a very good Skype call with the folks back in blighty.

Day Five Hundred and Twelve

Saturday

thing. We then made our way back to We made our way over to Newtown to do some final cleaning and picking up last of our stuff. Bill and Carol kindly helped us. In the afternoon we waited for the carpet steam cleaners to do theirWilloughby.

In the evening Kate and I drove out to the Acer Arena at Homebush to catch Powderfingers last ever Sydney gig. It's a nice venue seating about 21000 people but had about 15K that night.

I've added some pics below and a vid of the end.












Friday 5 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Eleven

Friday

We got up at 6.30am and did the final packing and taking apart the bed etc. Kate went off to work at 8am and I waited for the removal people to arrive.

They came at 9am and complemented me on how ready we were. They were all done by 11am. I spent some time sorting what was left for taking up in the car to Brisbane in a few weeks time.

Jumped on the train to work for a few hours and then back to pick up the stuff.

Headed over to Willoughby and done very little this evening. We can have a welcome lay in tomorrow!

Thursday 4 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Ten

Thursday

A day in the Sydney office, got a few bits done and they had a goodbye morning tea for me with homemade cake which was nice. I'll be in and out of the Sydney office anyway so doesn't feel like I'm really leaving there.

In the afternoon headed down to the Deloitte building nr Circular Quay for the TW Sydney Awards night. It all seemed to go off quite well.

Came home at 8pm and then Kate and I worked until about 12.15 doing the final packing up before the removalists arrive first thing tomorrow.

Today is also the day the Qantas Airbus had a huge engine failure, grounding them all for now. Hopefully it's all resolved come February time.




we own too much stuff

Day Five Hundred and Nine

Wednesday

Another early morning start with a site meeting at Mt Coot-Tha at 8am. Once that was all done it was back to the office to carry on work.

We had a lunchtime meeting nearby, then back ot office and then took the hire car back. Few more hours work and then off to the airport and back to Sydney.

Kate met me after a bumpy flight and we headed home to carry on with the packing for Friday

Tuesday 2 November 2010

Day Five Hundred and Eight

Tuesday

Yet another early start, I thought Queenslanders were meant to be laid back.
This time I was outside Walkabout Creek - The Brisbane Forest Park headquarters at 7.50am to go out on site visits with two of the park rangers. Was good fun driving around the bush in a 4x4.


Back to the office for more meetings. In the afternoon the office (like the rest of the country) stopped for Melbourne Cup (Aussie equivalent of Grand National). Anyway I won 35 dollars in office sweepstake by picking out both the winner and the second place horse. Not sure it made me very popular before I started but hey that's the luck of the draw.


Knocked off about 4.30 and swung by our new flat to check out parking situation, not very exciting but a pic below of our parking area.


Watched a good episode of Packed to the Rafters and off to bed.


Day Five Hundred and Seven

Monday

ideal. On arrival Up early and to the airport to fly to Brisbane, pesky plane was delayed by 30mins which wasn'ttook the airtrain to work and straight into meetings. In the afternoon wondered into town and hired a car for next two days.

A quite evening alone stuck in the hotel. Have spent much time in discussion, well email discussions with real estate agent about the crap service we have received from them.