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!
Monday, 8 November 2010
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.
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.
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!
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Day Five Hundred and Six
Sunday
We spent all day packing. Almost everything is now in a box, or destined to go to Willoughby. Still a few things to do but we are in good shape for when the removal people come on Friday to collect it all. Can't believe we have so much stuff!
I fly to Brisbane at 9am tomorrow and back Wednesday night.
We spent all day packing. Almost everything is now in a box, or destined to go to Willoughby. Still a few things to do but we are in good shape for when the removal people come on Friday to collect it all. Can't believe we have so much stuff!
I fly to Brisbane at 9am tomorrow and back Wednesday night.
Day Five Hundred and FIve
Saturday
house Got up and drove Kate to Royal North Shore Hospital for the second session of her course. Drove back to Willoughby and loaded up the car with all our stuff. The followed Bill over to Barbara'sin the Rocks to help her sort out her Internet problems on her new laptop. Around lunchtime drove back to Newtown, traffic was a nightmare across the city at weekend with roadworks everywhere.
In the afternoon started packing up for our move to Brisbane. Bill & Carol picked up Kate and drove her over back to Newtown. We spent a good few hours packing boxes altogether.
In the evening we carried on and made a good start on our packing.
house Got up and drove Kate to Royal North Shore Hospital for the second session of her course. Drove back to Willoughby and loaded up the car with all our stuff. The followed Bill over to Barbara'sin the Rocks to help her sort out her Internet problems on her new laptop. Around lunchtime drove back to Newtown, traffic was a nightmare across the city at weekend with roadworks everywhere.
In the afternoon started packing up for our move to Brisbane. Bill & Carol picked up Kate and drove her over back to Newtown. We spent a good few hours packing boxes altogether.
In the evening we carried on and made a good start on our packing.
Day Five Hundred and Four
Friday
Drove into work from Willoughby and spent day working on preparation for next weeks visit to Brisbane. Drove back to Willoughby in the evening, relaxed in front of TV with a Thai takeaway.
Drove into work from Willoughby and spent day working on preparation for next weeks visit to Brisbane. Drove back to Willoughby in the evening, relaxed in front of TV with a Thai takeaway.
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Day Five Hundred and Three
Thursday
Took the train to work, spent most of the day working on map book plans for Brisbane event. Also booked all my flights to Brisbane and back during the day, now have three more trips back and forth in next three weeks.
Also booked our Dubai accommodation for our trip/honeymoon when we fly back to UK after our wedding. Staying at same place as last time, cant wait!
Drove to Willoughby for dinner and staying here tonight.
Funnily noticed last night they have started putting the framework back up on the harbour bridge for the New Years Eve display that hangs on the side. We must be nearing Christmas!
Took the train to work, spent most of the day working on map book plans for Brisbane event. Also booked all my flights to Brisbane and back during the day, now have three more trips back and forth in next three weeks.
Also booked our Dubai accommodation for our trip/honeymoon when we fly back to UK after our wedding. Staying at same place as last time, cant wait!
Drove to Willoughby for dinner and staying here tonight.
Funnily noticed last night they have started putting the framework back up on the harbour bridge for the New Years Eve display that hangs on the side. We must be nearing Christmas!
Day Five Hundred and Two
Wednesday
Usual day at work in the Sydney office and then drove over to Willloughby to see Kate. Had a nice dinner and then I drove back to Newtown and stayed there to prep for viewings on Saturday.
Usual day at work in the Sydney office and then drove over to Willloughby to see Kate. Had a nice dinner and then I drove back to Newtown and stayed there to prep for viewings on Saturday.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Day Five Hundred and One
Tuesday
Today felt like Wednesday, don't know why but there you go. Was in work by 8.40 and spent most of the day profiling the topography of the trail. It's a hard course, when the material is more public I will post it here.
Took the train back to Newtown, collected some overnight kit and drove to Willoughby. Kate is recovering slowly, still got a bit of swelling which does not seem to be going down but she is being well looked after here.
Dinner and bed.
Today felt like Wednesday, don't know why but there you go. Was in work by 8.40 and spent most of the day profiling the topography of the trail. It's a hard course, when the material is more public I will post it here.
Took the train back to Newtown, collected some overnight kit and drove to Willoughby. Kate is recovering slowly, still got a bit of swelling which does not seem to be going down but she is being well looked after here.
Dinner and bed.
Monday, 25 October 2010
Day Five Hundred
500 days....
Well 500 days in Australia, I'm not sure I have any deep and meaningful words to share though! Does feel like we are progressing well with settling down, I'm into a job in events I'm really enjoying and we have a fresh start in Brisbane just around the corner. It gives Kate an opportunity to do something she wants to do too.
Back to the realities of Monday though...Kate was up at 6am and was driven to the hospital by her folks for her wisdom teeth extraction. I headed over there at 9.30ish to be there when she wok up from the op. All seemed to go very well and we had her on the way home by 12.15.
It's always scary when loved ones go under anesthetic but thankfully she came out OK.
In the afternoon I left Kate in the very capable hands of her folks and went back to work.
Drove back to Willoughby in the evening and as I write this about to have dinner and then I'll head back to Newtown tonight.
Well 500 days in Australia, I'm not sure I have any deep and meaningful words to share though! Does feel like we are progressing well with settling down, I'm into a job in events I'm really enjoying and we have a fresh start in Brisbane just around the corner. It gives Kate an opportunity to do something she wants to do too.
Back to the realities of Monday though...Kate was up at 6am and was driven to the hospital by her folks for her wisdom teeth extraction. I headed over there at 9.30ish to be there when she wok up from the op. All seemed to go very well and we had her on the way home by 12.15.
It's always scary when loved ones go under anesthetic but thankfully she came out OK.
In the afternoon I left Kate in the very capable hands of her folks and went back to work.
Drove back to Willoughby in the evening and as I write this about to have dinner and then I'll head back to Newtown tonight.
Day Four Hundred and Ninety Nine
A relaxed day in Newtown, it rained constantly all day. We just took a bit of a break form everything to relax, there's lots of busy weeks ahead so we took a chance to throttle back. I loaded the plant pots in the car for taking to Willoughby later in the evening.
We packed a few things for Kate to stay at her folks for most of the week, she has her upper wisdom teeth out in the morning.
We drove to Willoughy early evening and had a charcoal charlies chicken for dinner. Went to bed at 11ish, Kate scared the hell out me by almost screaming when I slid the bedroom door shut as there was a monster Huntsmen spider lurking behind the door. Thankfully harmless but about 8cm in size it was a bit of a mission to chuck it outside.
We packed a few things for Kate to stay at her folks for most of the week, she has her upper wisdom teeth out in the morning.
We drove to Willoughy early evening and had a charcoal charlies chicken for dinner. Went to bed at 11ish, Kate scared the hell out me by almost screaming when I slid the bedroom door shut as there was a monster Huntsmen spider lurking behind the door. Thankfully harmless but about 8cm in size it was a bit of a mission to chuck it outside.
Day Four Hundred and Ninety Eight
Saturday
Up early for a Saturday in Willoughby and I drove Kate over to the Royal North Shore hospital so she could start her education course. Came back to Willoughby and then hit Bunnings (UK equivalent is B&Q) with Bill and Carol for some stuff for thier garden.
Came back and installed some Trellis on the fence and helped them trim back the shrubs/bushes in the garden. It was super warm and sunny, I reckon about 27 degrees.
Had a nice lunch and soon enough I picked up Kate at 3.30. There was a massive storm in the afternoon and it properly rained.
We stayed for dinner which was a lovely spag bol.
Drove home in the evening after watching the movie 'The Other Man' I don't recommend it, it's pants.
Seems our open house inspection happened as there was evidence such as wardrobe doors being slightly open. Hopefully someone will want to rent it.
Up early for a Saturday in Willoughby and I drove Kate over to the Royal North Shore hospital so she could start her education course. Came back to Willoughby and then hit Bunnings (UK equivalent is B&Q) with Bill and Carol for some stuff for thier garden.
Came back and installed some Trellis on the fence and helped them trim back the shrubs/bushes in the garden. It was super warm and sunny, I reckon about 27 degrees.
Had a nice lunch and soon enough I picked up Kate at 3.30. There was a massive storm in the afternoon and it properly rained.
We stayed for dinner which was a lovely spag bol.
Drove home in the evening after watching the movie 'The Other Man' I don't recommend it, it's pants.
Seems our open house inspection happened as there was evidence such as wardrobe doors being slightly open. Hopefully someone will want to rent it.
Friday, 22 October 2010
Day Four Hundred and Ninety Seven
Friday
A good productive day at work profiling the Brisbane trail. Lots of numbers, i.e. 4000 GPS data points along the trial but gives a good profile and data for our materials.
Drove to St Leonards and picked up Kate from work and we then came to Willoughby to stay. Kate starts a 5 week course at North Shore Hospital tomorrow so easier to get to from here.
Interesting news from UK, seems like the Symbian thing really is sinking now fast. Many of my ex colleagues at Nokia Cambridge where I once worked were served notices yesterday on the doorstep, doesn't look like the Cambridge office will survive.
The head of the Symbian Foundation has left.
Nokia is focusing on other ways of development.
Lots of interesting stories here
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/22/nokia_layoffs/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/21/nokia_layoffs/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/20/symbian_ceo_quits_what_now/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/19/symbian_chief_steps_down/
Its a real shame, so many people put lots of years of effort into building Symbian and we really were the market leaders for a long time, now alas it looks like all that work is wasted and good people will be out on the street. From a selfish point of view I'm so glad Kate and I jumped ship when we did with the package we got, I think we got the best deal redundancy wise, no one else will get what we got offered.
Now let me go and buy an Iphone...
A good productive day at work profiling the Brisbane trail. Lots of numbers, i.e. 4000 GPS data points along the trial but gives a good profile and data for our materials.
Drove to St Leonards and picked up Kate from work and we then came to Willoughby to stay. Kate starts a 5 week course at North Shore Hospital tomorrow so easier to get to from here.
Interesting news from UK, seems like the Symbian thing really is sinking now fast. Many of my ex colleagues at Nokia Cambridge where I once worked were served notices yesterday on the doorstep, doesn't look like the Cambridge office will survive.
The head of the Symbian Foundation has left.
Nokia is focusing on other ways of development.
Lots of interesting stories here
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/22/nokia_layoffs/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/21/nokia_layoffs/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/20/symbian_ceo_quits_what_now/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/19/symbian_chief_steps_down/
Its a real shame, so many people put lots of years of effort into building Symbian and we really were the market leaders for a long time, now alas it looks like all that work is wasted and good people will be out on the street. From a selfish point of view I'm so glad Kate and I jumped ship when we did with the package we got, I think we got the best deal redundancy wise, no one else will get what we got offered.
Now let me go and buy an Iphone...
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Day Four Hundred and Ninety Six
Thursday
Stayed home early to let the removal man come in and quote for moving our stuff up to Brisbane. All went well.
Went into work and ploughed on with map books etc for Brisbane event. Not got long left in the Sydney office now.
Came home and we had dinner at the Botony as we both couldn't be bothered to cook.
Stayed home early to let the removal man come in and quote for moving our stuff up to Brisbane. All went well.
Went into work and ploughed on with map books etc for Brisbane event. Not got long left in the Sydney office now.
Came home and we had dinner at the Botony as we both couldn't be bothered to cook.
Day Four Hundred and Ninety Five
Wednesday
Another busy day at work. Came home and we had a quiet night in front of TV and a Skype call with folks.
There was a great pic on front of Australian Paper yesterday,I've added link below showing water running down Uluru
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/waterfalls-add-to-ulurus-mystique/story-e6frg6nf-1225940925691
Another busy day at work. Came home and we had a quiet night in front of TV and a Skype call with folks.
There was a great pic on front of Australian Paper yesterday,I've added link below showing water running down Uluru
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/waterfalls-add-to-ulurus-mystique/story-e6frg6nf-1225940925691
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