Day Two Hundred and Seventy Three

Friday

A day at work, kept myself busy and talked about what more there was to do there. Dropped down to 3 or 4 days a week for next 2 weeks and then finish up. Works for me and them.

Came home via almost all the estate agents in Newtown and Glebe to collect the rental lists. We've found a few possibles to view in the morning.

Cooked omelettes for dinner, spoke to Kates folks and off to bed now.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy Two

Thursday

Not a great deal to report, got up and went to work and then picked Kate up from work and made our way over to Willoughby for dinner.

Spent some time researching properties on line, will probably go and view some rental places on Saturday.

Writing this in Willoughby, will head home soon.

Corey Haim of Lost Boys fame pegged it today, shame, is one of my favourite movies.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy One

Wednesday

A quiet day at work, not a great deal to report really. They were having a cake sale there all day and I resisted everything.

Came home at about 5 and waited for Kate.

Kate came home, we had dinner and spoke to folks on Skype.

Not much else, in headline news in Sydney, the elephant at Taronga had another baby, despite them saying it was deceased 2 days ago...

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/just-outstanding-miracle-baby-elephant-takes-first-steps-20100310-pyun.html

Day Two Hundred and Seventy

A quiet day at work, will have to think about how longer to keep it going. Nipped to post office on way to work to pick up a parcel for Kate.

After work came home and started cooking the dinner. Kate came home and opened her parcel, it was a present form Pru for her birthday. In there was also some Percy Pig sweeties from M&S for me, Pru is a legend.

Any other readers are welcome to send UK confectionery this way! (sweets are known as lollies down under by the way)

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Nine

Back to reality

Back to work for Monday, not really a great deal going on, just a few admin things and writing some proposals on how to build the event next year.

Drove to the North shore to pick up Kate from work and we did some food shopping at WooliesNorthbridge for a change.

We came home, had some dinner and chilled out.

Spent time reading the pack form England and admiring the latest postcard Alvin has created.

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Eight

Sunday

We awoke fairly early and got up and headed to restaurant for brekkie. We came back to room and sorted all our stuff out and checked out. We drove back to Hopewood to meet Kate's folks and Chris and Hannah.

We helped with the final clear up after wedding and then all drove over to Hannah's parents house for Brunch/Tea.

It was nice to have a post wedding catch up.

As the afternoon disappeared we drove back to Sydney and back to reality. We had a good Skype call with folks and talked them through the pictures on facebook (on Kate's account) and then relaxed and went to bed fairly early.

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Seven

Chris and Hannahs Wedding Day

The big day finally arrived. I got up fairly early and had a cooked brekkie in hotel restaurant. Sorted myself out and headed over to Hopewood to spend a bit of time with Kate's family, I helped Chris and Ryan set up the sound system in the reception room which was a laugh.

Ryan, Chris and I then headed into Bowral for lunch, we took Chris for his last lunch as an unmarried man!

I left them in Bowral and headed back to Hotel to change. Just before three I joined the other wedding guests staying at Briars at reception to catch the bus to the wedding.

We were delivered to Hopewood in good time and I spent time taking pics. Soon enough Hannah arrived and the ceremony was underway, all the girls looked fantastic and the boys scrubbed up well too.

Ceremony done it was onto photo's in the garden, this was a nice break and a chance to catch up with the Colhoun clan.

we then had the reception which was lovely, food was excellent and onto speeches. I had the responsibility of video the speeches which I hope I did well enough.

Then there was dancing, chatting and all round good times.

Chris and Hannah made their way out and we all headed home (well Kate and I went back to Bill and Carols cottage for a nice cuppa) we then drove back to hotel for well earned rest!


The beaming parents and Bridegroom

The Happy Couple

Our turn next.... T- 1 year

Barbara, me, Kate, Bill, Carol

Colhoun clan

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Six

Friday Up and about early getting stuff ready for Bowral and the wedding. I dropped Kate at the hairdressers and drove to Oxfam in Surry Hills briefly to drop back the sandbags I had borrowed from them for the Caritas events. Talked briefly about the job and that's all looking good, just paperwork now.

Picked up Kate and we came home and picked up our stuff and headed south. We picked up the other Kate (chief Bridesmaid) and headed to Bowral.

We arrived in time for the wedding rehearsal which all went well. The wedding reception was held at

http://www.hopewoodcountryhouse.com.au/

After the rehearsal was over and Kate and I went our separate ways, Kate went to Hannah's parents house and I checked into our hotel

http://www.briars.com.au/

Later in the evening I joined a family dinner with Bill, Carol, Chris, Jan (Carol's sister), Kevin (Jan's husband), Ryan (best man), Edward (Hannah's cousin) and Kathryn (Edwards partner).

We went to a local restaurant in Bowral

http://www.miettas.com.au/Australia/New_South_Wales/Bowral/Onesta_Cucina.html

Food was good and company excellent. We all went our separate ways for early nights before the big day.



Table decoration

Reception room

Practice...

You stand here...

Mastering the steps (Ryan and Kate)

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Five

A superb start to the day, I managed to slip and slide on my arse down the stairs, coming to a stop by my big toe hitting the wall at the bottom. Nothing broken but pride a little knocked. I always said those stairs were dodgy. of course carrying the washing basket down with both hands and with my PJ's sagging under my feet probably didnt help me too much.

Went to work and didn't do too much, phoned an estate agent about a flat we'd seen but they wont show it until Saturday so we'll prob miss it, I'll call agent on Monday in case no one signs it up after inspection.

Came home, and then drove to Chatswood to meet Kate and her mum who were having their nails done for wedding on Saturday . We picked up a few other bits and pieces then headed back to Willoughby for dinner. Had a phone call with Chris and Hannah who both sound very relaxed which is good.

Came home at 10 and have been ironing and sorting out stuff for wedding. We drive to Bowral tomorrow.

There may well be some interruption to blog service until Sunday I'm afraid dear readers.

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Four

Wednesday

A fairly quiet day at work, nothing too stressful. Grabbed some shopping on way home and then cooked a dinner of sausages and salad. Caught up with TV and then went to bed.

An interesting video can be found here about Trailwalker which will take up much of my life over next six months (working on not participating in)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yQFjuAJ_yc&feature=player_embedded#

and

http://vimeo.com/7846485

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Three

A regular day at work, did a lot of heavy lifting sorting out all the junk at work, seems no one has ever done it since they have been in that office for over 2 years.

Had a call from recruitment agent to let me know I hadn't got the Can Too job, well it had been offered to an internal candidate and it was likely they would take it.

Ive spoken to my buddies at Oxfam and lined up a six month contract starting in April. Still need to do the paperwork so it's not in the bag but looking very good. The Irish Girl who did the job last year emailed me to say she had heard I had taken the job so that could have only come from the Oxfam folks themselves so I think we are good.

Spoke to Caritas and they want me to stay on as long as poss, so happy days, money coming in ad job lined up until September.

Came home and then jumped on tram to Pyrmont Bay. went to meet a load of ex Symbianites which was good, was nice to catch up with people, but I have to say I don't miss it at all. Pic of those there is below....


L-R Hamish Willie, Joe Branton, Michael Bruce, Bruce Carney, Steve Winnick

Day Two Hundred and Sixty Two

Monday

Not a great deal to report, a quiet day at the office. Weather in Sydney has got worse, it's now officially Autumn.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/march-marks-clear-change-from-sticky-days-of-summer-20100301-pciq.html

Some shopping on way home and chilled out this evening.

Tomorrow night I'm catching up with ex colleagues who are attending this

http://www.nokiadevcon-au.com/index.php

Day Two Hundred and Sixty One

Awoke late due to 3am bed time. We all got up had brekkie and showered and then decamped to Willoughby. Had a nice family lunch in the garden.

Kate and I headed home late afternoon and did very little for rest of the day. Had a nice Skype call with folks and then Hazel.

Should get a peaceful nights sleep as road is closed out front for roadworks round the corner.

Oh and we managed to avoid the predicted Tsunami headed our way.

Day Two Hundred and Sixty

Saturday

An early start for a Saturday getting ready for Chris and Hannah's Bucks (Stag) and Hens nights. dropped Kate at Broadway and grabbed cash and put some air in the tyres and then back to Glebe. Was met by Tim one of the Stag party in Glebe and we drove over to Willoughby and picked up Chris.

We then drove the go karting track, about an hour north of Sydney

http://www.butterflyfarm.com.au/indy800.html

We met the others and got the driving underway, we did 15 minute sessions, it was hard going and as I write this a day later I'm aching. Had one big crash where I hit Tim full speed head on as he had spun and I had no where to go.

We finished up and headed back to Willoughby for a shower. The girls where in Glebe so we stayed away.

We drove back to Glebe to drop the car and then took the tram to Pyrmont Bay. Although we hopped off at Casino to fare dodge as the conductor was taking ages.

Seems there was drama in Darling Harbour at the same time.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/sydney-monorail-crash-injures-four-20100227-pa0z.html

We met the others at Hurricanes

http://www.hurricanesgrill.com.au/

Food was really good, highlight was watching Tim eat a 1kg steak.

After dinner we headed to the pub, we couldn't get into or wouldn't pay to get into some of them. We ended up in the James Squire

http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/E/V/SYDNE/0010/38/25/

We drank lots and them were met by the girls at 12.30ish and then headed home after 1am. Took ages to find a cab due to Mardi Gras.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Nine

Up early and on a tram by 7.28am. Got into town to find the hire company dismantling the marquee already with the exhibition still in it.

We got in and took our stuff out in under 2 hours. Once that was done I came home for a shower, it was super muggy in town today.

Went to office for a few hours then came home. Picked Kate up form Central, grabbed some food in Broadway and came home and chilled.

We are both knackered as Kate had a big event day with PCFA in town too.

Skyped with folks and off to bed.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Eight

Thursday

A day at work, not a great deal to report, things are a bit slow at moment. Still waiting to hear on last job interview, phoned the agent but she was off sick today.

form Came home and picked some stuff up for Kate and headed over to Wiloughby. Had dinner there. Kate is staying there tonight as she has to be in work early in St Leonards which is only five minsWilloughby.

I've come back to Glebe as I also have to be in work early, I have to be at Martin Place at 8am to start bump out of Exhibition.

It's quite apt as its exactly a year til we get married, in day terms a year away tonight we would be apart anyway so it's good practice!

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Seven

Wednesday

A day at Caritas, it's calmed down a bit there now so there's a bit less to do, will see how we go and figure out how long they need me. Came home and waited for Kate to get home.

We had dinner and ten Kate drove me over Newtown/Enmore to the Enmore Theatre. I went to see Placebo play, not many British Acts come through so I bought a ticket off Ebay. Tried to get Kate one but had no luck. The Enmore is a great venue, a cross between Shepherds Bush and Brixton. I had a ticket for the front section so was no more than 10-15 meters from front.

Placebo were on fine form, they get better with age I think, I must listen back to their older albums but I can thoroughly recommend their new one. I texted Rob while I was there, reminiscing about how we saw Placebo in the Sheffield University Students Union in 1995 and there was only about 15 people in the crowd then.

Some pics...

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Six

A really bad nights sleep, woke up at 3am in the midst of a horrid night. Read all about it here

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/sydney-sweats-through-hottest-night-in-13-years-20100223-p07b.html

Couldn't get back to sleep until about 4am.

Got up and did a day at work. Nothing too exciting day, reviewing the event and some excitement of envelope stuffing...not.

Cooked Chicken and special fried rice tonight.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Five

Not much to report today, had to drive truck into town during day and then back to office. Came home and cooked a spag bol and we've chilled out this evening.

Day Two Hundred and Fifty Four

Got up and relaxed during the morning at Bill and Carols. Around lunchtime we headed over to Glebe and then Broadway. We parked at Broadway (after some idiot took the space I was waiting for, I had a word and saw him off) and walked over to Vic Park for the Fair Day. This was the launch of Mardi Gras week in Sydney.

http://www.mardigras.org.au/mardi-gras-2010/fair-day/index.cfm

Fair day was a cross between a festival and fete kind of thing with numerous Drag Queens etc hosting side shows. It was good to see but very hot and sunny so we didn't hang there too long.

We went back to Broadway, had some lunch and did a bit of food shopping for the week.

We've spent rest of day chilling out at home and speaking to folks on Skype.