Australia Weeks 1 & 2

Well, too much of a good thing and you obviously forget to write about it!

Shirley Visit
This week I've had a distant relative staying with me, she's a really fascinating lady and we're related somewhere way down the line (7th generation to be exact!) She's bought along a massive professionally produced book on the family history - it's been quite fascinating. Shirley is 72 and full of energy - she can walk and talk for Engalnd and her visit has bought some interesting sights - including dinner in the local Jewish club, complete with tango-ing biddies and Shirley forcing the poor little 18 year old bar'man/boy' to allow us to drink our own bottle of wine in a licensed venue. Bless the boy, who tried to open the fizz with a corkscrew and tehn just tried to pull the metal and cork out - he got the shock of his life when it burst out forcefully and hit the ceiling. Nothing like being discreet. Think he though he was going to take someone's eye out and loose his job in one fowl swoop!

Blue Mountains
We also took a trip to the Blue Mountains, they are gorgeous. I wasn't sure what to expect, as several people have given me the old 'once you've seen one Mountian you've seen them all' line. But they are amazing. Unfortunately we only got there about lunchtime, so didn't have long there, but we did manage to get to a couple of look-outs and tTe Three Sisters. The 'blue' mist wasn't overwhelming because of the weather - so I'll defo go back again. I'd like to do a couple of the walks around as the scenery was awesome. The weather in the blue montains is so changable that whilst we were there we had sun, mist, wind and even snow! At the 30 mins that we spent at The Three Sisters, the mountain range there was consnatly changing colour, one minute it the mountains had a golden glow and the next really deep grey. It was so changable.
At one point during the day I was on a Red double becker (unusual in Aus) London bus and it was snowing - It was so home from home!
Running away from The Three sisters to try to make sure we didn't miss the bus, i must have been juggling a million things in my hands - becasue when I got back ont he bus - my purse was no longer amoungst them. Which was a bit of a nightmare and ended up costing me $140 to get a locksmith out - not the perfect end to the day!

Leura Villiage
We made time to stop in Leura Village on the way home (the next town to Katoomba) where we vistied the tea-pot shop. It was ace. It's a house/shop that holds the largest collection of teapots int he world (3,800). The shop is completely crammed, packed tot he rafters of 'stuff' (antiques, pottery, old clothes, jewellery, trinkets, everything!) Every surface, shelf, unit is packed with the most gorgeous stuff. Then in the back (also surrounded by teapots, teapots and stuff0 is a little quintessentially English tearoom - where we stopped and had a cream tea served to us but a formally dressed waiter. It was delicious! But felt so un-Australian.

So they are the highlights of Shirley's visit. the otehr fabulous visit I had in Novemebr was from Emma and Nik. The first weekend Em and Nik got to Sydney, we jumped on a plane and headed off to Port DOuglas.

Port Douglas
Port Douglas is 70k north of Cairns and is the closest gateway to the Barrier Reef. The shuttle that you get from Cairns airport to Port Doug drives along the most amazing coastal road – we some stunning views. No matter where I am I never seem to get boared of the ocean views that you get in Australia.

We stayed just out of the main town in the Oaks Lagoon resort – lovely. We had a fab 2 bedroom apartment, with living room, dining area, kitchen and even a balcony with a hot tub in! The swimming pool was gorgeous and warm, with little Jacuzzi sections (which we kept making Nik get out of the pool to switch on!). Being out of the town centre meant that we had to make use of the ‘public transport’ – kind of difficult when Port Douglas doesn’t have any! The towns public transport is run by 2 rival companies and is basically 2 mini buses running around town! They stick to no timetables, have no set route and is generally the most bizarre transport situation you’ll ever see. You get to a bus stop and just wait and wait and wait! The bus driver then takes requests a go-go and practically drops people of at their doors – it’s crazy!

Friday was spent having a having a look around, after checking in, we headed into town for Lunch. We ate a the most fab restaurant, gorgeous food and the most stunning location – it was right on the beach and beaut. Fed and watered we went off to book our trips for the following 2 days.

Saturday we spent on the Barrier Reef – it was brilliant. Definitely an Australia highlight. We sailed out about 2 hours to the outer isles of the barrier reef (apparently better for snorkeling) and the snorkeling didn’t disappoint. I even conquered my fears and had a go at diving. This I failed spectacularly! Although not because I was too scared, but because I couldn’t equalize. All four of us persuaded ourselves and each other into having a go and all of us failed (well Nik bless him didn’t – but by the time he’d waited underwater for us all to get in – he’d run out of oxygen!). I’ll definitely have a go again. On the third stop we got to snorkel again though and I saw the most huge Stingray – which was cool (it was far enough away from use to be cool rather than scary!)

We managed to get some relaxing and sunbathing in though on the boat on the way back! That evening we headed over to another hotel (Hilton or something) for a seafood banquet! There was every sort of seafood imaginable there, cooked in every variety of ways you could imagine and nobody else in the restaurant apart from us!! Wait made it even worse was that not only had we phoned up to book (and make sure we got a place) but we then called to advise them that we’d be late (oh yes, the good old reliable public transport again!) And boy, when we finally got there, it really was like the Pikey’s had come to town! First we pretended that we were guests at the hotel to try to get a free dinner! Then on getting rumbled we insisted on having about 12 course – a bit of virtually everything, heaps of which we left, then proudly produced a 2 for 1 voucher and proceeded to order only tap water to drink!! We stuffed ourselves so much (with Em and Nat both snaffling sweets in napkins in their handbags for the next day!!) that we virtually had to roll home. Oh, apart from we had to wait 1 hour for the public transport to find it’s way to the hotel to take us home!

Sunday we spent the day in Mossman Gorge. It’s part of the Daintree Forest is one of the biggest rainforests in the world, with the highest number of rare (or threatened with extinction) plants and animals in the world. It’s nice, but didn’t blow me away as much as some of the other Australian beautiful sites that I’ve seen whilst here)

Well 5 months in and it's flying!

Japenese
Had a realatively quiet week ethis week, worked late a few nights, had a night in and went out for Japanese with Nat on Weds. Great to catch up with Nat, who's just back from China, where she had a hairy experience with a third world hospiatal visited! We went to the most beautiful looking Japanese restuarant in Kings Cross, where the chef/ kitchen was actually in the restuarant. We sat on a high bench opposite him - so we had front row seats of him preparing / chopping up copious amounts of dead fish - gross! Had a nice meal thou - I guess tempura veggies are fried the same in any Japanese you go to!

Weekend 5-7th July
Spent Saturday mooching around Bondi, buying yet more birthday pressies for you folks at home! Also treated myself - naturally! thoought I should start getting my photo's sorted out - before it becomes completely out of hand, so spent over an hour in the Kodak store printing them off! Now having a break from trying to get them in order and get them in the album.

Out tonight for Vietnamese in Surrey Hills for my friend Anna's birthday, then out tomorrow in Woolarrah to The Lord Dudley (typical English pub) for Coxy's birthday.

Then before I know it it'll be back to work!

Well The Lord Dudley happened, although it was a massively quiet affair as most of us (well, Nat, Zhaleh and I) were rather hungover! For a change.!

Whake Watching Weekend...
This weekend, I'd organised to go whale watching with Charlie and Oli. We'd planned to go out on the Friday night, because Charlie had to go to one of her friends engagement celebrations in Double Bay. The evening started off all very civilised, with Charlie, Oli and I going for a delicious Thai meal and a couple of bottles of fizzy in Bondi. We then jumped in a taxi to Double Bay - where we met Jac and Matt. More wine and chat followed until we had to leve the Sheaf as it was closing. A minor fight erupts at this point - as Charlie had literally just bought an expensive round of drinks and then within 2 minutes we were being asked to leave because the place was shutting. Rude. Athough the bouncers didn't relly give a monkey's and just wanted us gone. As my complaints were falling on deaf ears, I managed to get the landlords name of the plaque and her number (impressive in my inebreated state!)and was definately, definately calling to complaint! Obviously that never happened!

Phantom
Friday evening Sam and I went to see Phantom of the Opera at Lyric Theatre in Start CIty. Star City is a hugh entertainment centre, with squillions of restuarants, huge casino and theatre in it. Because we booked the tickets a fair old while ago, we got a really lovely surprise when we went to go in and instead of being in the Gods, like I generally am whenever i go to the theatre, we were 4 rows back from the stage. It was awesome. It's definately on a par with Les Mis. The costumes, the singing and musical score and the actors were just amazing. I'd recommend it to anybody, in Sydney or at home. It was just the best.

Well, what Can I say, I've missed a whole month and been incredibly slack, I'm back on it now, so this could take a while!

All sorts of things have been happening, working hard, partying hard and generally trying to have a great time.

Had my first Aussie birthday, which was nice (but strange). Went out with friends (Me, Jac and Matt, Alex and Jono - The ultimate kangaroo hunting, yute riding Aussie couple, Zhaleh and Dave (The Derby Crew), Nat (The leicester crew!) and her lovely Aussie boyfriend Ashley, Sam, Laura (Notttingham girl through and through!) and Jasmine the Kiwi.) to a crazy little all you can eat, keep it coming, BYO Italian. Headed out for a 'few' drinks after. Tried to get into the most lovely but quite pretenious bar 'the Piano Bar' in Kings Cross. But just like home, half of us couldn't get in because the dress code and all that rubbish. Found a cheesy cheesy bar to hang out in instead, where we consumed far to many beers. Jac couldn't handle it and the poor love was unwell - bless her!
Got some lovely pressies, although most of which were late! Which made me quite sad on my actual birthday, but I got over it and then quite liked it as it stretched my birthday on for a whole week! Thanks to everyone who sent me something. I really appreciated it.

The Opera House Last weekend Jac and I went to see my fair lady at the Opera house, my birthday treat to Jac. It was cool. We did the touristy thing and had our pictures taken outside, all glammed up with Champagne. The show was great, even If i never end up going back again - at least I've done the Opera house thing! We left there and then went for some drinks, it all got pretty messy and we didn't end up getting home until about 8am the following morning! SOmehow we found a crazy 24 hour bar in Kings cross! The next thing I know, we're ordering a final round of drinks (one for the road!) at 7.15am! It was crazy, especially because it was light outside when we got the taxi home! We ended up completely bashing the plastic and spending a fortune, but it was fun! Both treat ed ourselves to new pashmina's inthe day, which we somehow lost (or had stolen!!) in a drunken haze!

Work Is incredibly busy, I didn't ever imagine working life ovefr here being so tough!! This week has been hardcore, I've beenin at 7.30am-8am and leaving in between 6 - 8pm. I've got so much to do, that I can't ever seem to catch up. Currently trying to restructure the department - which is hard, as it keeps getting really personal towards people, but if we had more and the right staff - the team would be so much more effective - which would help ease my workload completely.
Had my first free case of wine tho - which makes things slightly better! and I've found out that work have budgeted for me for another year, so I think we might start the sponsorship conversations soon!

Watch this space!

Had a busy, busy week this week, completed my first full week at work and also been a social butterfly. I'm really feeling like i'm settling into Sydney life and the legwork I've put in with regard to work and meeting people is really paying off, which is fab.

Weeks 1 & 2 at The Wine Society
Successfully completed my first working week in nearly 4 months! Blimey I'd forgotten how tiring working was! Things are going well tho and it already feels like i've been there for longer than 2 weeks! Not sure if that's good or bad?! I work in a terrible office building, old and a little grotty in a place called Woolloomoolo, which is a couple of minutes walk from the imfamous Kings Cross and it's colourful sights! You should see some of the things I pass on my walk back to the train station at night! ( Don't worry mum, i'm completely safe!). However we move offices to a lovely listd building in a couple of months, lovely building, less perfect location (for me at least - will add an extra 10/15 mins onto my journey), the new building will have a cellar door (Shop), proffessional tasting facilities and a terrace on the roof for bbq's and staff drinks, which will be cool.

My Team
Back to the present tho - I sit in a team of 7 people in a marketing office with extremely bright lights - it's a pain! By 3pm, I am gasping for some natural light. The team are nice enough a mixed bunch really, 3 of whom have been at the society for at least 10 tears. There's quite a lot of long termers in the business, which creates a bit of a challenge when you are trying to change things to move them forward, I think they'll be a bit of resistance to my role to say the least. Lucky i'm happy to play the policital role!

My Role
My role as acquisiton manager is all about increasing the number of members in the Society and I've spent lots of the time since I've been there pulling the strategy together for how we should do it. This has shown the my role covers a lot of different areas of the business, The web and online, the ttores that we have, the corporate sales arm of the business, advertising and PR. Chief Exec (my direct line manager) has given my full support, so that shouldmake things a little easier.

First Wine Dinner
Already been to my first "Wine Dinner", a three course meal at a lovely restuarant with wine tasting. I felt slightly uncouth tho, as having an uneducated pallette such as mine, tasting 12 different Pinot Noirs, was slightly challenging. The differencs in some of them to me were so subtle, that that they were really hard if blimming impossible for me to detect! However I can tell I'm turning a bit of a corner and tasting things and being able to articluate them, that I couldn't have down 2 weeks ago - but still got a whole mountain to climb!!! Not mentioned to my work yet, that I drunk goon (cheap wine from the box) whilst travelling!!! and certainly not that I mixed red wine and coke!!!!

Huntr Valley
Also had 2 away days at the Hunter Valley (the largest Winery in NSW) which was fun and eye opening in equal measures! The 2 days were about the management team presenting the 3-5 year strategy to the Board of Directors. (Because we are a co-operative we have a board that sit above us to 'give direction'). To give you an inclining of the Board.. the youngest is probably 55 and the oldest 74! The longest time served on the board is 18 years and the average time is 10 years! They are all male and completely old school, think Australian Dinosaurs! I think you might have got the picture. It was quite tricky trying to prove that I ws a professional of value and not just a little blonde plaything, but I think I succeeded in the end... I hope! The days were hardcore, lots of thinking, presenting and mentally quite draining, but we did get rewarded with beautiful accomadation, great food and lots of good wine! When the CEO went to square the corkage bill, I think between us all we'd consumed 48 bottles! The following morning before we reconvened to get the boards feedback, I went over the Hunter in a Helicopter, that was awesome. It was a little 4 seater and a little scary when we took off - it's bizarre how it just goes straight up, but cool. Would do it again and I'd defo recommend.

On the whole, really pleased with my job, it's exciting, challenging and has great potential for me.

Social butterfly
Had a good mix of being social and having early nights - to recover from the stress of working again!!

Discovered a couple of new restuarants around Kings Cross/Darlinghurst. The Victoria Room with my friend Nat and The Gazebo with my friend Zhaleh, how very bizarre that they are from Leicester and Derby respectively!! 12,000 miles away and i've got my own Midlands gang!! Victoria Room is an amazing bar restuarant, lots of dark wooden victorian pannelling, plush leather sofa's, mis matched elegant furniture, low lighting and an amazing wine, cocktails and tapas list. Certainly not cheap tho! Mind you, Zhaleh and I made up for that at the Gazebo, a lovely bar with a really sweet outdoor area - when they mis charged us by $100!! Get in!

Then on Friday, I went out with my workmates, to a gorgeous, gorgeous tapas restuarant in Kirribilli (another typical Oz name!!), I think it goes down as my second favourite meal thus far in Sydney. A girl at work's boyfriend owns it and the food was simply stunning. We had the degustation menu, which was basically a small sample of lots and lots of little dishes. The first dish that came out was tuna tartare with pickled cauliflower - my very 2 worst foods - and it was amazing! I'm not completely converted to tuna and cauli yet, but please be extremely proud of me eating and anjoying them!

Had a girlie night out on the razzle on saturday in Paddington with Nat, Leanna, Jasmine, Ruth, Jac and Maggie. It was fun, got a little messy and ended at 4am! I was unable to join the girls in busting moves -as I had got the most ridiculous pair of beautiful but grossly uncomfortable shoes on!!! When will I learn?

Then on Sunday, I popped over to Charlie and Oli's in Manly to pick up the final lot of my cargo, a bit of a pain dragging aheavy suitcase on the 1.5hour ferry, bus and walk home - but at least it's done and then finished Sunday off with a relaxing girly, completely obvious Chick Flick - 27 dresses. And yes I new the outcome of the film befor eI even put it on - of course the girl and boy were going to end up together!

Any how - this entry is nearly as long as my dissertatin (and far more interesting - I hope!!)

Love H.xxxxx

Big News
I'm employed!!! Yay! Following my second interview on Friday morning, I was called back Friday afternoon and asked to go for an interview with the chief exec on Monday. Little bit random, as we meet in a coffee shop, but at least it was quite relaxed and informal. After a complete sleepless night (most unlike me) on Monday, they called on Tuesday to offer me the job - Acquisition marketing manager for the Wine Society (how apt!). I'm really pleased as it's by far the most exciting job that I've seen since being out here and could be a really great opportunity for me, plus it's another step up for me, which is great on the cv and for my development. Just fingers crossed that I'll be amazing at it and haven't bitten off more than I can chew! I'll also be on the compnay books rather than paid through the agency, so it should be I'll get the employee benefits, like holiday pay and sick pay, that usual contracters don't get.
Have to go in this afternoon (Friday) for a company meeting and so I can be introduced around and then think I'll start on Monday. So no more I weekday lie-ins!
I also had by first piece of mail / delivery to my new home, which ws some lovely flowers, from Pip to congratulate me on my new job. It was such a nice surprise and so nice to have something delivered to my home.

Weekly activities and Social
Had a quite quiet week this week, trying to conserve the pennies - before I start work. Went out for a lovely, lovely Thai meal with my housemate, complete bargain a less that 10 pounds each and had my friend Sam round for tea one night, other couple of nights I've been completely lazy and stayed in with Stacey to watch TV or read my book. Books are so expensive out here - that I've taken to buying the biggest, thickest books I can find! Current one has 1400 pages!!
Been jogging a few times, and also done the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. I'm now in training for city to surf - so I don't get completely anhiliated by Jackie and Matt! Although it's Autumn here, this week has been simply stunning, really glorious weather, so it's been nice to get out for walks and runs. Although the next 2 weeks are forecast to rain pretty much daily.

xx

Interview
Had my secnd interview at the Wine Society, it went really well and I've been invited back to meet the CEO tomorrow. Eek. At a coffee shop!!
I think the role is between me and one other, who is a permenant resident of Aus and also more senior than I am, but the HR manager told me she loved my energy, passion and enthusiasm...So I'm not sure which way it will go. I'd love to get the job, but I guess we'll see tomorrow. Fingers crossed for me please!

Girly weekend
Just come back from a girly weekend in Terrigal (which is a lovely, lovely seaside town about 1.5hrs north up the coast.) Went with my friend sam and 4 of her work friends and it was such good fun. We stayed in the most amazing apartment that I've ever stayed in (http://www.stayz.com.au/property/gallery?property_id=12226&position=5). Got there Friday afternoon, supermarket stop before getting home, had a chilled night with in, bbq'd steaks and watched a movie. Really lovely and relaxing. Saturday, turned into a bit of an all day session out in Terrigal. Anna, Zharlee (from Derby!) and I didn't even make it home to get changed. It was all very, very messy. But great fun!
Had a bit of a chilled one again today, up late for hangover breakfast, into Terrigal to feed the Pelicans(!) and fish and chips dinner and then a snooze in the park for an hour!
It has been a really lovely weekend, with great company and the right mix of relax and razzle.

xxxxx

House move and shopping trauma
Successfully moved house, yay! Jac and Matt dropped me off and I was amazed at how much stuff I'd managed to accumulate in the time I've been here. (Mostly shoes!!). Got everything in and took a trip to Bondi Junction to get some new bed linen and a 'dooner', $460 dollars later and a chin that was on the floor, I left Target with purchases in toe. I didn't really think through the logistics of trying to get kingsize quilt, pillows, 'European cushions' (because I really needed them!), duvet, sheets and 7 huge picture frames home. Needless to say I looked a complete sweaty horrible mess struggling through the crowded shopping centre - luckily everyone avoided me, which helped the journey considerably!

Housemate
I've settled in really well to the new pad (will put soome piccies online!) and my housemate Stacey is really lovely. (Despite being the tinest girls I've ever seen and constantly on fad diets, that she doesn't need to do!!!)

Being a 'Bondite'
I've also taken up running again and it is weird! Back home I'm used to running at 6.30am, in the misty grey around the Trent and Victoria Embankment, switching it for running along the coast from Bondi to Tamarama beach is just amazing. As you look out, all you see is the sea, sand and waves crashing against the rocks, it's awesome and a sight I could never get bored off. I'm in training to do the City to Surf run with Jac and Matt in Aug. However it's 14km, which is about 12km too far for me and I'm slighly worried about it!!!

Social Side
Still managing to get out and about a bit, it's bizarre, being unemployed still, my day begings as people are getting home from work!! Although I've been doing the ladies that lunch thing during the days!!!
On Tuesday I caught the ferry over to Manly, to Charlie and Oli's for dinner and to collect some of my cargo that I shipped over. Opening the cargo was like Christmas, because I packed it 5 months ago, I just couldn't remember what was in it and what the hell I'd packed, I got some lovely little surprises as I was going through it! However it does all stink, after being boxed for a months, shipped for 10 weeks, quaranteened for 2 weeks, and waiting at Charlie and Oli's for 3 weeks!!! So I've gone from having the bare minimum for 3 months to an abundance of clothes to pick from now!
On Wednesday I met my friend Jasmine aftr work and we went to the NSW Art Gallery for 'Art after Hours', we had the most gorgeous Salad (I've changed!!!) and then went to the free cinema in the Gallery Theatre. Saw Netwrok, with Robert Duval. Extremely long, but worth watching, if you want a film to make you think.
Thursday, I met my friend Ian for a couple of coffees in the afternoon and hung in with housie nd her fiance for the evening. (However by hanging in, generally means we all sit on our laptops, Daniel, the fiance and self confessed workaholic working, Stacey emailing and things and me writing this and doing random online things! whilst the tv is on. I'm sure you can imagine the scene!!!)
Tomorrow (Friday), I'm going to Terrigal (about 1.5 hours up the coast from Sydney) for the weekend for my friend Sams birthday, really looking forward to a girly weekend... Will Update...

Job Situ
Fully into the work hunt now, it's becoming too expensive to entertain myself daily now the weather has changed! Inerviews so far include... Westfield, got the job, but then all went quiet as the role changed. Weightwatchers - horrendous interview with the most awful sourfaced woman, no job offer, feedback - I looked good on paper!! That made me feel great!!! Then on Tuesday I had an interview for the Wine Society, for an acquisition manager role, the job looks amazing. There is very little marketing expertise in the team and if I get the role I'm sure I can get stuck in and really make a difference. I had really positive feedback and have been invited back tomorrow for a second interview... figers crossed...

I'm off now... Will update on interview and girls weekend, next week.

H.xxxxxx

Another fairly busy week in the life of the unemployed! Although Sydney is showing it's nastier side now and raining non stop - so I feel like I being kept a prisoner in my house! It's just not the same going out and doing things in the rain!

Had a job interview on Tues with Vodaphone, went fairly well, interviewers were sound and we had quite a giggle. Not to sure about the jobs, one I think I'm slightly overqualified for (she actually said to me in the interview I could do it with my eyes closed!) and the other one is quite technical, so I'm not sure I've got the right skills for it. We'll see. Meet Hudson recruitment agents on Thurs and they were quite positive, although their contract market is a little slow, but are still going to market me out. Also managed to get an interview witht The Wine Society on Tues (Get In!!) for acquisition manager, the role looks really interesting tho - so fingers crossed.

Jac an I have been eating out at an alarming rate this week, which I really shouldn't be doing! Tues, Weds and Thurs so far this week!

Went to Art after Hours on Wednesday night, at the museum of NSW, we got there just in time for the free cinema showing, Jac loved it that much (Good night and Good Luck - directed by George Clooney) that she fell asleep half way through!!

Then last night, Jac, Jasmine (a kiwi friend) and I went to the Comedy Store, the first comedian died a bit of a death - but the second was completely hilarious, that I was laughing out loud the entire way through!!

Off to meet a friend for lunch in Manly this morning and then the big move on Saturday...

tbc...

Love Me.x

Can't believe i've been here 10 weeks already!

The fantasy bubble I've been living in to date has burst this week, as I've seriously been looking for houses and a job!

Househunting in Sydney is a nightmare! After having looked at around 18 apartments (all shared) and seeing some of the worst accomadation that I've ever seen, I've finally found a somewhere to call home for the next few months - Yay!! It's a really beautiful apartment in Bondi, sharing with a kiwi girl, called Stacey, who seems really nice. And what's the best is from the princley sum of $300 a week, I get a lovely fully furnished bedroom, with built in wardrobes, my own bathroom and a my own balcony with a couple of sun loungers on it! Get In! The rest of the apartment is basically one big room, with living area, dining area and kitchen area in. All of stacey's furniture is lovely and the apartment is really moderna nd stylish. Hopefully I'll be very happy there.

Been out and about a little this week with friends. Had a lazy Monday and Tuesday, spent them at home with Jac and Matt, although Tues was my first and only miserable day, I think the whole horrible house thing and a lousy job interview both contributed! I meet the stoneyist (is that a word!) faced lady at a job interview for weightwatchers, who didn't smile once and seemed to have very little interest in me!Got over my sulks tho after an early night!

FOr the rest of the week, my days have been filled with staring at the pc, at lists of properties and job sites. I can't believe how long it takes to sift through house ads! and my nights have been filled with viewing houses and going out with friends.

On Thursday, Jac, Jasmine and I attempted to go to comedy - it didn't quite work out and we ended up going to the most lovely pizzeria and out for drinks.

Friday, I went out to Chinatown for a meal with a friend Claudia, who I'd met at my photography course and Saturday, Sarah and I went to a my friend Sam's birthday party, at an exclusive bar called Hugo's. Definately worth a second visit!!! It was so lovely being able to get glammed up to go to a bar, as that's the first time I've been properly dressy since ariving in Sydney!

Lovely lazy Sunday - watching Dirty Rotten Scondrels - which is just the funniest film!

And onto week 11...

What a crazy day tour The Great Ocean Road was... Set off with no problems, first stop Bells Beach, which is the beach where the biggest surf competition in the world takes place - the Rip Curl Pro. The beach was so not what you see on television, The waves were tiny (although I think that was too do with being late in the season) and big patches of the sand were black. So not what the surf programmes show you!

We then had a pit stop at Split Point Lighthouse - where 'Round the Twist' the kids show was filmed!!

As you drive along the twisty, windy cliff edge road - it is amazing, that all you can see along one side of you is ocean, along the other side of you you drive past the occassional town, many of which have the most fabulous glass fronted houses all cut into the rock. They must be awesome to live in (although a little loney I'd guess!) The house were especially impressive in Lorne (the most expensive place to live along The Great Ocean Road). We stopped here and went on a walk to search out koalas, saw several in the trees and then as Laura, James and I rounded the corner, I saw the most massive koala, sitting on the floor about 3 ft away from me happily munching on eucalyptus. It was the coolest and I got some great piccies.
From here we didn't go anywhere fast as the bus broke down!! The rest of the group got transferred onto another bus - bar James, Laura and I and the 3 yankie, tattoo'd, cool boys that were proud as punch when they announced to me that they were Roadies, not so proud when they had to admit they were roadies for Disney on Ice!!
We then managed to get another bus organised to take us to the 12 Apostles, wich is an awesome limestone rock formation, that has been washed away from the rocky shoreline by the sea. Really sad that it won't be there forever as gradually the tide will erode it.
We then met the bus driver from hell... Imagine an upmarket executive style tour, full of older americans and Chinese people and then our lot at the back of the bus like the B team! We'd gone from a cool and funky bus driver, who was a mine of information to the oldest most boring man I've eve met, that insisted on giving us step by step guidance on the most mundane things - like how to order our dinner in the cafe! Buying goon at the first opportunity and getting samshed on the bus - helped us through!

Definately like to go back down the great ocen road and spend a few days there, perhaps stopping and staying at some of the towns along the way.