Christmas (kind of)

Well that is my first Ozzie Christmas been and gone.

Some of the highlights of the season :-

Waking up in Gloucester on Christmas Morning, after staying in a riverside cabin on Christmas Eve. The scenery is beautiful (even though it is was cloudy!)

Playing Beach Volleyball with an Olypmic Gold Medallist on Manly Beach.

Serving Haggis to my Managers when we invited them over for drinks.

Brad cooking an amazing Christmas dinner for my Managers (He's the best!)

Swimming in the Pacific on Boxing day. It was my first "proper" swim since we got here. It was so much fun (except for the sunburn)

and of course Christmas pressies from home. Thanks everyone!

photo's

A selection of pics taken since we moved to Newcastle

Newcastle Pics

AUSTRALIA - the movie

We went to see the much hyped movie AUSTRALIA last week. It has been in the press for months with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman permanently on TV screens promoting the film.

The film is now the back bone of Australia's tourism commercials and there are high hopes that this will encourage an increase in visitor number to the Country.

My verdict- good film but a bit too long - it did however deal with issues such as the "stolen generation" nicely.

It releases in the UK some time soon and it is worth going to see.

zoom zoom zoom

goes the familiar advert....

Yes we eventually succumbed to the inevitable and have bought a car. After 3 months of hiring cars every weekend, the decision was made that we should really just buy a car - and with the market the way it is, what better time to buy.

 

One week ago, on a rainy Sunday morning (it has been really rainy recently) we hit the Newcastle car showrooms (well we went to Mazda and Toyota before getting fed up) and test drove a Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla. Although the Corolla was quite a nice car, cheaper and with the same spec, the Mazda one the toss.

But the expected "credit" problems then start. I am in a full time permanent job but am not a permanent resident. Brad is only working on a casual basis so probably wouldn't get credit for a car. We spent a couple of hours on Monday going into banks to sound them out. Most were a no straight away and the NAB would consider the finance but the interest rate would be really high. I even applied for a loan from the UK and was approved straight away (but again this would have had problems with exchange rates). Brad's parents even offered to guarantee.

 

I did however want to talk to the dealer as I have had good finance deals in the past. I went along on Wednesday morning to talk about finance - that didn't happen. 2 sales men tried to get me to sign a contract and they were even asking what colour of car I wanted to order. I got stroppy, refused to sign and walked out. Next morning, the garage manager is on the phone trying to make amends. As it turned out, they were able (with a lot of persuasion) to get us finance and as the market is desperate for buyers, secured a pretty good deal on a brand new car.

 

All agreed on Thursday and there was no hanging about - we picked up the car on Saturday morning (We chose red as there was that or grey!)

back to school

I had been putting this off from the day I started work but I knew I would have to go "back to school" and sit my Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course. It is a legal requirement in NSW that all persons who work behind a bar have to complete the course. I need to become the licensee for the hotel and needed the certificate before the licensing committee interview me next week.

Having sat the licensee courses in Scotland and England, I was not looking forward to more of the same. But it was worse. I booked my course just as the HSC exams are finishing and every school leaver wants a job in a bar. It was me and 59 eighteen year olds!!

The course was the same old stuff with a few notable exceptions. The trainer blamed Australia's drinking problem on the English (there was no alcohol in the country until Captain Cook arrived in 1788 and used rum as currency). I have been interested to observe the drink driving culture over here. Most of my "classmates" have just passed their driving tests and have to drive on P plates for a number of years. Amongst other restrictions, there is a no tolerance to drink driving. Most seem to accept this but would happily smoke a "bong" (if that is what you do with a bong) before driving to a night club.

I have been surprised at older people drinking and driving though. There are numerous "drive-thru" bottle shops and although illegal, most will provide a long neck bottle of beer, opened and in a paper bag that is then drunk whilst driving! I have been quite horrified at the number of work mates that will have a few beers after work and then drive home! Everyone can also tell you what a standard drink is, how many you can have before driving and how long the alcohol takes to leave your system!

The other main difference is that there is no Weights and Measures Act. Drinks can be served how you like them. Most spirits are 30ml but can be free poured, draught beer is served in Scooner glasses and wine by the glass is wherever the server decided to pour too.

So after 8 hours of being told how to do what i have been doing for a number of years, I sat the exam and walked out with the certificates. (The exam was open book and we could ask for help if needed). Reality is it was $80 for a piece of paper but when I become licensee next week, I feel my staff will need some UK style training...

more visitors....

Last week, my 2nd visitor from the UK arrived. An old school friend, Matthew is currently on a months holiday and is touring the Eastern coast of Australia and "dropped" in for a very short visit to Newcastle. Apart from catching up and showing him the (limited) sights of Newcastle, it was great and also a but strange to hear a Scottish accent. It made me realise how quickly I had become used to hearing the Ozzie accent.

One of the hardest challenges since starting work has been communication with employees, guests and suppliers. When on the 'phone, I am very conscious of my accent and have had to learn to speak a lot slower whilst pronouncing all my words properly. In the office, I need to look at people directly before speaking or they only catch every second word.

Matthews visit did however present an opportunity to spend the weekend in Sydney and we were looked after very well, staying in the Junior Suite at the Novotel overlooking Darling Harbour - the perks of the job are nice all over the World!

The race that stops a nation......

For over a month, I have noticed pubs and hotels advertising hospitality events, fashion shows, free food, package prices and really whatever comes to mind, all leading up to Tuesday 4th November and the annual "Race that stops a nation" - The Melbourne Cup (or should I call it the Emirates Melbourne Cup!)

The sweep stakes started and everybody was asking - "which horse are you backing?" In Victoria, it is a Public Holiday and an unofficial holiday everywhere else. Shops close early and offices shut down all in time for the race.

We watch the pre-race parades through Melbourne whilst the internal sales stats tell me that the Accor Hotels are raking in the money as the demand for rooms has soared (what recession?)

At Ibis Newcastle, a couple of regular guests have arrived early from Canberra in time to watch the race. They eagerly round up all the staff whilst buying a couple of bottles of Champagne for the occasion. We head into the bar where the commentators are eagerly announcing the start of the race. Being Channel 7 though we jump straight to an Ad break and get back just before the race begins. The excitement was building (well that is what I was told) and we spent a long 2 minutes watching a dozen or so horses chase round the track. I was waiting for the jumps as I thought it might add some excitement but no. That was it 2 minutes and it was all over.

Personally, I can live without it and I found the following day for more interesting. I had the TV's on again and was eagerly listening to the American election results. Maybe no champagne this time but this was one race where the results matter a lot more...

hitting the red carpet

This week saw Ibis Newcastle sponsor the hit blockbuster of the 2008 - NEWCASTLE.

I was approached by Icon a month or so ago and in return for a couple of free rooms, we could sponsor the movie. With 10 red carpet passes, VIP tickets, adverts at the start of the film and lots of promo stuff in the cinema.

Reality was not as glamorous - the movie was better than I expected though and we did get a bit of PR.

hot or cold....

I think the weather is confused.....

A couple of weeks ago we had weather in the mid 30's and it was so hot. I dared not venture out of my nicely air conditioned office as I could see the buildings were radiating heat. When I eventually went home, I put a damp towel in the freezer and then sat with it on my head to try to keep cool....

Then we have had a few weeks of nice, mid 20's weather with sunshine most days and the odd thunderstorm.

Today however it feels like winter. It has rained all day and we had lows of 10deg (I know that is quite warm for the UK but we have no heating or double glazing!) There are snow reports just west of Sydney.... It is nearly summer.

Olympic glory.... (not)

This week saw me hire a people carrier and take 7 members of my staff to Olympic Park in Sydney to compete in the Accor Cup. An annual event where hotels compete against each other at touch football, volleyball and soccer (I get in trouble for calling it football!)
With Ibis Newcastle shirts on, and absolutely no training we thought we were champions. Until we realised that it was taken seriously and lots of other teams had been in training for weeks.
Oh well, we had spirit and at least I learned the sport of touch football. We didn't come last but were not far off. Maybe some training required prior to next years competition. Beers and hot dogs after the event went down well.

Country wedding

Last weekend, we were up on the farm in Gloucester for Brad's mums wedding. Spring has well and truly spring and we couldn't have asked for a nicer day. There was not a cloud in the sky (although I did feel a bit warm wearing a suit and was a bit red on Sunday morning!).

All of Brads family had jobs to do to help get ready. Brad had been up for a few days during the week to help, his sister and brother were doing the catering (well his sister did most of it) and I was just pottering about (as usual). Bev (Brads mum) asked me to take care of the cake cutting part of the ceremony and I spent most of the time helping prepare platters (or skiving off into town for coffee or shopping!)

The ceremony was outside and Brad give his mum away. It was shorts and sweet, with a few reading and photo's at the end. The bar opened and everyone chipped in to serve finger food. Then came the cake cutting. Well by this points I had consumed 4 or 5 glasses of white wine and champagne and one of my learning curves from work is that the further I go from Sydney, the harder it is for people to understand me. So here I am, on the microphone trying to get everyone organised. he he what a laugh. Anyway it was all good and after proposing a toast and getting the cake cut, my part was done.

It was a nice day with most people camping on the farm or surrounding properties and there were a few sore heads in the morning!


Click to see the photo's

Leaving Sydney

We are now moved and getting settled in Newcastle.

Saturday was the big day. I hired a 3 tonne truck and drove down to Sydney. Not the most comfortable drive but I made it. With a bit of guidance from Brad, I managed to reverse the van in to the back of the flat in Sydney. It was Brad's last day at work so we went straight out to meet some friends for leaving drinks and dinner.

About 5am I heard a radio sound and voices from the lane below the bedroom window. I thought that sounds like Police and they were talking with a women about the Europcar van. A bit of a worry but I was too lazy to get up and check. At 6am we got up and started to move. All went well until we tried to get the bookcase down the stairs. It is an Ikea flat pack which we didn't bother disassembling. But it didn't fit on and we got stuck half way down the stairs! he he after much pushing we got it back up into the flat and decided to drop it over the balcony. I stood below and caught a 6 foot case. Not a scratch! So we got loaded up and then Brad found a note on the front of the truck advising that I had driven into my neighbours car, the police had been called and to call the number to sort it out. Her car had been damaged but she just presumed it was the van. I had been no where near her car and eventually she accepted that it was nothing to do with me (the van was already covered in dents and scratches so that didn't help) Oh well.....

It was a stinking hot day. Over 30 degrees so it wasn't nice to be carrying all the belongings. I remembered very quickly why I used a removal company on my last move. Never again. We arrived in Newcastle about 4pm, got keys etc and proceeded to move in. The flat is on the top floor of a converted warehouse and thankfully there is a lift. After 2 hours we were in.

The flat is fantastic, 2 bedrooms (one on a mezzanine level) 2 bathrooms, modern kitchen with s/s benches, large lounge and dining area although no balcony. It is south facing (so no sun) but at least it will be cool in the summer. We have a problem though in that we don't have enough furniture - easily solved though and we have ordered a new suite and bed :)

Spring has arrived

ok as I write this, there is a huge storm looming however this weekend saw the shorts and trainers dusted off and a trip to the beach. It reached 31degrees in Sydney on Saturday and wall to wall sunshine. After a morning walk along the coast, it was a picnic lunch in Centennial Park. (we were joined for lunch by "sparky" a small but annoying dog who liked the smell of our chicken salad)

Sunday was nearly as warm but with a bit of cloud cover so we took a walk over the Harbour to North Sydney, met friends for lunch and chilled out in the afternoon.

A quiet relaxing weekend.... oh but we were supposed to be packing the flat up as we move out next Saturday. I reckon I will just go back to work tomorrow and leave all that to Brad.!

on the move

House hunting in Newcastle has been a lot easier than the Sydney experience. One of my assistant managers put me in touch with a property manager whom I called and had modern flats to let in a converted warehouse. A quick drive round and we were shown a really nice property and told that, providing our references were ok, we could have it.

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, modern, nice kitchen etc etc and all for the same price as the shoe box we have in Sydney. Nice. (just not the city living that we have become used to though - I think we may have to invest in a car so we can actually go places!)

and as for work - my hotel is currently 2nd top for sales for the month in New South Wales and I have had a congratulations from the director already. Not bad for 3 weeks,,,, he he

Culture shock over....

What a week......

3 full days of handover followed by 2 days of training in Sydney. In between, my boss visited to talk budgets and business plans and we re-wrote the plan for next year which is also due at the moment. It is now month end and I have emails and figures coming out of my ears. (and I keep thinking how good the sales are then remember that I am working in $ now - although the sales are still pretty good)

On top of that, I have had the usual HR problems - Chef wanting to dismiss someone with no evidence of poor performance, staff sickness, night manager resigned... same shit different country!

I did however get the chance to sample the local trendy bars and had a very sore head on Wednesday morning.

Back to work

Well my first week back at work is over (well it was more like 3 days)

My first day involved a whistle stop tour of the Head Office for Accor Asia Pacific in Sydney. That was pretty interesting and nice to meet all the team. Then whisked out to Sydney Olympic Park where my boss is based for lunch and to meet the Regional Support team. I was handed budgets and business plans and advised that we are in the middle of preparing next years submissions and to get reading! In the evening I was invited to a tenure dinner at the 5* Sofitel in Sydney which was a really pleasant way to end my first day on the job.

The next morning I had an early start to catch the 7.15am train to Newcastle. The train was pleasant enough until a realised there were 2 people in my carriage who can only be described as social outcasts. After about 10 minutes they started to shout and swear at each other. This carried on for a good half an hour, then they decided to shout and swear at other people on the carriage. They were heading to Brisbane but got as far as an hour out of Sydney as they were removed from the train. This is apparently quite common and I should get used to it. Lovely.

The hotel and staff are great though and not a great deal of difference in the way we operate in the UK. My weekend has involved telephone calls advising me that a Duty Manager has come across a nest of Red Back spiders in one of the fire exits. That is a new problem for me and as long as I don't have to go anywhere near them I will be fine!! (Pest control were called and took care of them so all is good).

I have had the weekend off (back in Sydney) and will start looking for new flats duriing this week.

Olympic outrage

The news headlines claiming shock and awe and the British Olympic Team are ahead of the Australian team in the medal table. This has not happened for many, many years and it is all I have heard and read today.

he he quite funny as well but take a look at the story in today's Sydney Morning Herald.

Changes are coming...

At long last, I have managed to get myself a nice little job. After what seems like an eternity of applications, interviews, testing, flying down to Canberra, driving up to Newcastle, contacting reference back in the UK etc etc, I have finally been offered a job - and it is one that I want to do,.

I will now be working for Accor Hotels as General Manager for the IBIS hotel in Newcastle. Take a look at the hotel here by clicking on this link IBIS NEWCASTLE A modern 3* hotel in the centre of Newcastle. After nearly a year of doing my own thing, I can't wait to get back into work mode and am looking forward to starting on Wednesday.

On top of that, we have now given notice on the flat and Brad has to resign from his job - which means he will now be the one looking for work in Newcastle and finding us a nice (nicer than the flat we are in as well) place to live.

All very exciting....

Anyway as we will be moving away from Sydney, here is a link to read a bit more about Newcastle.

Newcastle New South Wales

Olympic fever

Friday night was spent at a friends house watching the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. It was an amazing ceremony. (Let me know if any of you watched it in the UK or were you all working?). It started at 10pm here so there was plenty of time to get into the swing of things... Chinese take-away followed by a host of treats bought from China Town earlier in the day. Cup Cakes with Olympic logo's iced on top to the more bizarre black lotus seed biscuits and of course a few glasses of Australia Wine to wash it all down.

Well the first hour was interesting and quite amazing but the 2 hour procession of the Athletes was pretty boring. I'm not fussed about the sports so can we skip to the closing ceremony now and get back to TV as usual....?

Chook Raffle

Last night we were invited to go to a "Chook Raffle" at an RSL (Returned Services League) Club in North Sydney.

I wanted to go, firstly because it sounded hilarious and secondly to see what the club was like as there are loads of RSL clubs around the area.

The chook raffle was more like a meat and hamper raffle. Brad and I bought $10 dollars worth of tickets and we one a hamper full of chocolate and other treats and a tray of "chook" and other meat. Not bad for $10. Our friends won nothing. We are planning a BBQ with them next weekend though to share our treats.

The club was quite modern yet full of pokey machines and other ways of scamming money out of people. Interesting experience though and I am tempted to go back next Friday as the Chook raffle also includes a 37" plazma tv....

Film of the year

We saw this week. Fantastic....

Super Thursday

Sydney has descended into a "mass" (ha ha get it) of young people. Nearly half a million pilgrims have arrived to celebrate World Youth Day 2008. The publicity surrounding the event has been at the front of the City council's communications for months now. Road closures, parking restrictions, plea's for City workers to take holidays all leading up to this week.

We are now on what has been dubbed "Super Thursday" and Brad and I are sat in the house. He has had to work from home as he can't get across to North Sydney (and I just sit at home anyway) as the Pope's official welcome and tour of the City start today. We have just watched the live scenes from the City Centre where the Pope will parade in the pope mobile later today. He is also visiting the tomb of Mary MacKillop (who could be Australia's first saint) and then leading a cavalcade of boats around the harbour before getting into the Pope mobile and touring the City.

I ventured into the City yesterday afternoon to take in the atmosphere (and nosiness got the better of me) and there was a carnival type atmosphere wherever I went. From the South American's dancing in the Hyde Park to the African Gospel Choir on the steps of the Opera House, the City is awash with colour and song. Everyone is friendly and there are many shouts of "where you from?". There are flags from nearly every country in the world proudly on display although I have yet to spot a Scottish flag. ( I did see a lone guy wearing a SRU top but I left him alone as he looked a bit weird!)

I was extremely skeptical of World Youth Day, questioning what benefit it would or could bring to the city but half way through the week, it seems that I am being turned and agree with the view that Sydney can only benefit from hosting such an event and the City types that are complaining should have taken a weeks holiday!

Mass in Barangaroo

another funny ad

this one is also funny

Funny Advert

This is currently showing on TV - it's funny!

I've found the Loch Ness Monster

I think the monster decided to emigrate. I found it just North of Bondi Beach on a cold winter's day......

Still Job Hunting

The search goes on. I am now registered with just about every agency in Sydney. It is quite an experience and gives me a good idea of how recruitment agents work. Some are very pro-active, calling every couple of days to advise what they are doing (or not!) and what they think might come up in the next couple of weeks. Other just don't seem to bother and call out of the blue expecting that I can jump at a moments notice.

It is not without it's rewards and I have turned down a couple of jobs, waiting for the right one to come along. More interviews in the coming week so fingers crossed.

Queen's Birthday

It was a bank holiday weekend this week in honour of the Queen's Birthday.....???

Banks, Schools and other businesses shut down for the day whilst cafe's and restaurants stuck a 10% holiday surcharge onto the bill. (whilst the staff were probably not getting paid anymore) all in honour of the Queen.

This from a country who's Prime Minister has openly said that he will put a referendum forward to the Australian people that the country should be a republic with an elected "President" as head of state in the next couple of years.

 

I wonder if the Australian people are a bit more attached to the Royal family than they would like to admit. They are certainly much more prominent in the news here than in the UK.

Well the holiday was quite nice none the less.

Showing the way

I was walking back from the shops today and saw a blind lady coming towards me with her guide dog.

I stepped out of the way but she stopped and asked me where the Bourke Street Bakery was. I lifted my arm and pointed her the direction of the shop and then wondered why she was standing waiting for the answer.....

oops he he

Reasons to live in Australia

Apart from the weather and the "supposed" better lifestyle. (I think that Scotland provides a better lifestyle but I am biased), have a look at the blog by the BBC Sydney reporter. Very interesting and while I watch and listen to the news about economic meltdown and credit crunch around the world, Australia's parliament is budgeting for a surplus of $21 billion in the next financial year.

And the price of petrol is sky rocketing here to an expensive $1.50 per litre (that about 75p!)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/nickbryant/2008/05/postamericanism_australia_and.html

Not much happening

I was just thinking that I hadn't updated the blog for a couple of weeks and that is really because there is nothing much to say....

Life is now feeling quite normal (with the exception that I am still job hunting) however the excitement of the new city and "all that is different" is gradually wearing off and day to day life is just quite normal and similar to back home.

The job hunting is going well and I hope I should be working within the next week or 2. It was quite funny to be interviewed by a Scottish guy who knows a lot of the people that I know from the industry in Edinburgh and Glasgow. I am sure that will work in my favour!! I have though put my CV out to a lot of companies but everyone seems to go too slow for my liking (or I am just being impatient) Brad and I did stay in a 5* last week as part of an application so this is not without it's perks....

And of course the weather is getting cooler by the day although I know that I am not a tourist when I am out and about with trousers and a light jacket (20 degrees) and there are loads of British kicking about in shorts and flip-flops......

another willy willy

It happened again....

This time I had some laundry hanging on the balcony of our flat and before I knew what was happening, my shirt had taken off and was halfway down the lane. It was a bit embarrassing running after down the street.....

Once trailer

Just saw this film - it is fantastic. Hire it and watch it......

Visa news

At long last, I have a visa and can stay and work in Australia.

I had been pestering my case officer at the Dept of Immigration as my tourist visa expired on the 5th May, and although she was going to allow me to work, it was going to cost to get a permit to work on top of the bridging visa that she had already authorised. I called her on Wednesday to check that she had received my additional documents that I delivered by hand the week before. She said she would prioritise my case.

The day after she called to ask who I left the envelope with and what was in it.... (I was not best impressed as it had been lost) however within half an hour she

called back to say it was found and everything was in order and that she was granting me my visa..... I had the biggest smile.

So now I need to go and get a job. I have jumped the gun a bit with that and already had a couple of interviews. Watch this space as I am hopeful I will have more positive news soon....

G'day mate.......

Can you guess where I am

Here is another Clue

Hugs and awkward moments

Australians are a friendly bunch! They all seem to want to hug each other on meeting and on departing and my instinctive Scottish manliness makes me want to jump back and shake hands which has led to a few awkward moments.

I am now nearly relaxed enough to hug anyone that I have met on more than one occasion. I think that is a good rule to go with. (Oh I am talking male or female but seem to be meeting more males than females mmm I wonder why that is...?)

That rule was working really well until I met Brad's ex this week. I had met Mike before in the UK and he was now across visiting family in Sydney. Brad and I went out for dinner with Mike and a few other friends the other night. It was quite social (and Mike is quite a nice guy) however at the end of it all, when we were saying our good bye's, Mike came to give me a hug and I promptly pushed my hand in his hand, gave him a firm Scottish handshake and wished him well. he he that was him put in his place I think... Anyway Brad found this hilarious.

Another "friend" of Brad's tried to kiss me on our first meet. I turned away that quickly that he very nearly had to kiss my ear! That was quite disgusting however this man was quite a sleaze and thought it would be appropriate to grope me under the table when we were having drinks. He was letting me know how he "appreciated" me however I also let him know that if he ever tried that again I would rip his arms out of their sockets. A bit forward for me but sometimes that is how it has to be. Anyway he also grabbed Brad's arse on the way out of the pub and after I enlightened Brad on my "experience", the friendship has now ended. (Oh his name is Malcolm and he really is a dirty old man... - apparently he was not this bad before Brad came to the UK)

So at the end of this ramble I think I am starting to fit in quite well. Happy to hug and even more happy to tell people to back off when required....

& the other news it that I have been back at the gym for 2 weeks now and can feel my man boobs disappearing already....

oh and we are having our first visitor this week. A mate of mine from Edinburgh had holidays to take and decided 2 weeks ago to come to Sydney. He arrived on Saturday so I have 2 weeks of sight seeing to look forward to....

Immigration

We have had out interview with the scariest women ever at the Department of Immigration. Looking back at it, she is actually very good at her job but at the time she had us both in a fluster trying to find the evidence that we had gathered.

Everything was in a lever arch file, indexed and each document was in a plastic sleeve so it was easy to find. We turned up at the office on time for our interview and we were seen straight away (I was glad as there were hundreds of people milling around waiting in queues etc). Then the interview began.....

After taking our passports, and other official documents and setting up a file on her PC, she proceeded to look at Brad and ask what he had done 2 days ago. I clicked straight away that she was referring to my Birthday so told him that was what she meant. I was shot down and told that if she looked at me she was asking me a question, and if she looked at Brad, she was asking him a question and not to speak unless spoken too. So on it went - question after question, checking how much we knew about each other along with different questions about our time in the UK and travelling. Oh she did keep referring to the UK as England which annoyed me (I kept trying to correct her in the nicest possible way though!) She kept asking for different bits of evidence and at one point we had paper everywhere. So much for the filing system. Brad was in a fluster trying to sort everything out and I gave up and just kept talking too her! It would have been funny to watch had it been recorded. (Oh and my credit card was declined when I went to pay the fee..... he he. UK banks keep blocking my cards at the most inappropriate times so that was more stress as we got the block removed!)

So at the end of an hour and a half, I was given a bridging visa which allows me to stay in the country beyond when my tourist visa expires (5th May) and I have to produce a couple more documents from the UK within 28 days. It was quite promising though and she seemed to indicate that the visa would be granted. That being the case I can start applying for jobs on the 6th May.... (Just in time for winter!)

More photo's

There are some more photo's up loaded to the Sydney Album. Go take a look...

Sydney Pictures

The new flat

At last we have moved in, the boxes are (almost) unpacked and we are just about settled.

I have had a chance to explore the neighbourhood and even made friends with the coffee shop owner (she makes great coffee) and with the owner of a household / hardware shop that I have been in every day!

Surry Hills is a really nice area. Not far from the city centre but we are just a minutes walk from Moore Park (just a big park!), we are close to Fox Studios which has an entertainment quarter (cinemas, bars, restaurants etc) and there are plenty of Supermarkets etc around the area as well.

All in all I quite like the area (& the flat is growing on me even if it is just a bit on the small side.....)

Willy Willy

I have been in my first "willy-willy" - no it's not rude!

We were visiting Brad's family in Gloucester last weekend. We were sitting outside and the wind suddenly picked up and then without any other warning, everything took off, including some important papers. We had to grab the table and cups etc and hold on until it passed. We then spent the next half an hour trying to find everything.

So a willy willy is a mini tornado..... (quite exciting!)

New Photo's

Click on the Sydney and Canberra links opposite to see new photo's

Canberra - The Capital City

Canberra was quite a surprise. I knew the city was a lot smaller than Sydney but it is quite unlike any city I have visited before.

Canberra has a population of about 300,000 people which is around 200,000 people less than Edinburgh however the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) is the size of the Lothians and Borders areas put together!

The city is also very young. It is a "purpose" built city which housed the first Federal Parliament building opening in 1927. It then expanded out however the cities primary "function" is to facilitate the Government and very much lives and breathes as the Parliaments sits. There are of course the "usual" shops, museums, restaurants etc but it is very different to any other Capital city.

It is also unusual not to see old buildings (the first Parliament is the oldest building was designed like Westminster but on a smaller scale), The roads also seemed extremely quiet and apparently, traffic jams just don't happen.

 

The recent drought was very evident in Canberra. There were water restrictions in place and electronic signs advising how much water residents had used, along with target levels for the month. The grass was brown and the hills bare as we drove through the region.

It was though a great weekend and I look forward to spending more time in Canberra.

This used to be a lake before the drought

Easter in Oz

Easter celebrations are very different to how we celebrate in the UK.

Along with being one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar, Easter is also the end of summer and the last chance to get away before Autumn sets in.

Unlike the UK though, everything shuts down for the long weekend. Supermarkets, shops, transports etc all stop for Good Friday and the streets are pretty much empty. The roads, rail and airports are packed though as people desert the cities for the beaches and places like the Gold Coast and Bondi fill up for the holiday.

Of course there are hot cross buns, and lots of chocolate so maybe it wasn't that different to home after all.....

Our flat

Now that I am getting excited about having our own flat, I thought I would try and link a map of it so you can see where we are living.... Not that exciting really but it passed some time for me trying to work out how to get it into my blog.

THE Opera House

After last weeks ranting and raving, I have had a much improved week.

We found a flat of our own. In a suburb of Sydney called Surry Hills. It is a 20 minute walk from Central station so about as central as we would like yet it is a quiet part of town, near a park and surrounded by lots of Restaurants and cafe's etc. I have to admit that the flat is not as nice as my flat in Edinburgh but as I am not paying any rent etc then I can't really complain. We only signed a 6 months lease so hopefully move to a nicer place later in the year. We move in on the 31st March.

We also scored a free night at the Opera House on Friday. Gus (the friend I was complaining about last week) managed to get us tickets to see the Sydney Symphony Orchestra perform West Side Story. It was a fantastic night (it was Brad's first time to the concert hall in the Opera house as well).

and we had a week of sunshine with the temps over 25deg every day!

and last but not least, I have got an appointment to see Immigration on the 10th April. Hopefully have a job by the 11th April....

Am I in the Big Brother house?

After 4 weeks of living with Brad's friends I think I have had enough.

I miss my own space, I miss having a wardrobe (our clothes are just piled up on top of our "hosts" computer in the room we are in), I miss having a comfy bed, I hate finding long hair in the bath, I miss being able to fill the fridge with my own food, I hate finding that the bread and milk goes faster than if I was at BB camp (oh and the fact that I seem to be the only one shopping for both these items on a daily basis) rant rant rant moan moan moan.

Oh I forgot to mention that we are staying rent free and we were made to feel welcome.

Then last weekend when Gus decided to have a heart to heart with Brad and tell him all the faults that she has observed with me. I think that was after I pointed out an Audi A3 similar to what I had at home and was showing them pictures of my flat that I have on the laptop. So now the atmosphere is not the best. She doesn't actually know that Brad has told me about the conversation (apparently I look down on them both!) but 6 days have now passed and we have talked very little. She is out most of the time so that is actually quite nice.

The positive though is that it has spurred me on to finding us a place of our own. I have been working tirelessly calling agents and arranging flat inspections. The market is extremely tough (I have seen up to 50 people at 1 inspection) however I am sure we will get a flat soon.

Or I might find a tent and go camp in a park somewhere.....

Mardi Gras

Last night saw the end of the month long Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival. The World famous parade started at 8pm and millions of people - both locals and tourists lined the streets to watch the 150 floats and hundreds of performers parade up one of the main streets in Sydney. People jostled to get the best views with the hoards 10 deep in places and people standing on 1 or 2 or more milk and bottle crates just to get a view of the multi coloured floats and costumes adorned by the performers.

The Mardi Gras parade now in it's 30th year started as a protest. Homosexual people demanding equal rights as well as tolerance within Australia. Now it draws a world wide crowd and people walk proudly up Oxford street for the same reason, to express openly who they are and what the gay community stands for.

I am not sure that Brad and I meet the mould. We don't feel the need to dress up in the tightest speedo's we can buy, adorn ourselves in glitter, strap some fairy wings to our backs and head out to march for our beliefs. That is not who we are and I don't believe that the vast majority of people who were out and about last night were "who they are as well".

http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/2008/03/01/1204227053034.html

Check out the photo's

My soap box feeling for the festival is that it is great for tourism in Sydney. (It must bring in millions of dollars) however it seems (to me) to have lost the point. Yes there still is a lot of discrimination (and probably no more so than in Australia) however if we dress as fairies, we will be treated as fairies and that is what a lot of people were saying last night.

Brad and I turned up too late to find a good spot (well we actually didn't see any of the parade as we couldn't get anywhere near the road). Instead we went to a straight bar, had a few beers, bought some pizza and walked home. We had quite a good night although I also fear that we could be turning into grumpy old men.....

OK I'll get off my soap box now.....

Hail and Thunderstorms

I know I keep going on about the weather, but look at this picture, taken in the city centre. Where is the sun.......

house hunting......

My first experience of house hunting and what an absolute shambles. In the short term, we are looking to rent. I thought it would be quite simple but no. They are lots of properties available so today we thought we would go along to a viewing.

Having found the apartment (and quite nice it looked too) we queued with about 20 other people for the midday showing. The agent turned up but had the wrong set of keys. He said that he would be back at 3pm with the correct keys. So we walked for a few hours, had lunch and pitched up at 3pm. Only about 10 people showed so that was good. We waited a while and then discovered that he was not coming back after all. What a waste of time. Brad however (being experienced in Australian rentals) said this was quite normal and took our paperwork back to the agent to put in a note of interest.

Brad is now working so I am spending most of next week trailing round the flats looking for a suitable place to live! It is one way to get to know the city I suppose.....

Sunday Roast - Ozzie style

We had our first Ozzie roast last night. Kangaroo!! It was really nice and a pleasant change from the usual.

With only 98% fat, Roo is actually (apparently) good for you. It was cooked just the same as Roast Beef and was tender and tasty. It is also a lot cheaper than beef as there is plenty of roo's to eat.

The only problem was the I had dreams that Skippy was chasing me all round the world, boxing me for devouring his family...

Tasty.....

Living in the suburbs

We have just had our first "full" week living with Brad's friends in an area called Petersham which is about 10 miles from the centre of Sydney. They have a small 2 bedroom house a minutes walk from the suburban train station and near the centre of town.

Petersham seems to be the Portuguese area of Sydney. There are Portuguese shops and restaurant. My favourite though are the cafe's which sell the most delicious coffee and Portuguese tarts. yum yum. Saturday morning involved a short walk to the cafe where we picked up the weekend newspaper, a flat white and a tart. A very civil start to the weekend I thought!

Unfortunately there is no Supermarket so it means getting on the train to get Groceries (or pay a fortune at the local shops) I miss having Asda within walking distance.

We are staying with Augusta (Gus) and Trevor. They are old friends of Brad's who have kindly let us move into their spare room until we find a place of our own. Gus works for the Australian Film Industry but her real passion is the Theatre. She is a fairly well established director and also reviews other plays for the local press. We have already had free tickets to a Sydney Fringe Festival show called Short 10's and we are going to another show (free of charge) this week. Great :-) Trevor is Canadian and is completing a PHD at Sydney Uni (something to do with plants / botany but I am not sure what. All I know is that he got very excited the other night when a program about the first ever flower came on the TV).

It is now starting to feel a bit more real. We are now doing our own laundry (it is great to hang clothes out on the line and for them to be dry within an hour!). It is also nice to have home cooked food and shop in Supermarkets.

Summer ?

This is supposed to be the middle of summer and temperatures should be somewhere between 25 and 35 deg with little or no rain.

I have worn jumpers everyday and jeans in the evenings and I am wishing that I had my rain coat (which I posted to Brad's mum from India).

Everyone seems happy as the country has been in drought for about 10 years but I would be quite happy for just some sunshine and for it to be warm enough to wear shorts all the time - I have about 5 pairs of shorts but only 1 pair of jeans and I don't want to go shopping!

Fat galah's, dogs and deadly snakes

We just spend the long weekend with Brad's family in Gloucester which is about 4 hours drive north of Sydney. The family own quite a bit of land (over 1000 acres in all) and have farmed it for many years. Brad's mum has just bought some more land and is gradually opening the farmhouse as a B&B and is currently building lodges. Take a look at www.damitgetaway.com.au

Being in the middle of nowhere, the house is home to many animals. From the cows that graze in the pastures to the parrots and galah's that come down and eat from the bird tables. Then there are the deadly tiger snakes. With 5 minutes of meeting Brad's mum, I was being given a "training" session on what to do if I came across a snake. (run!) and I was shown the different kinds of snakes that they have seen around the area.  Not to forget Roley the extremely large golden lab & the 2 cats who pad about the farm all day

The weather has been really bad for summer. It has rained most days and I have been wearing jumpers in the evenings. The temps have been quite high compared to Scotland but after travelling anything under 20 deg is feeling quite cold! Our box of clothes, sea mailed from Mumbai arrived in Gloucester when we were there so we have got extra clothes to wear (hurrah!).

The pool and spa and the B&B

Life in Sydney

Hello and welcome to the Australian life Blog.

So much is similar yet there are so many differences to life at home.

Day 1 has been spent getting a mobile phone Sim card and exploring the city centre.

1st observation - people in the shops are so helpful and friendly. Lots of smiles and friendly conversation. (sometimes that hard sell though)

2nd observation - there is food everywhere. Australia has a huge obesity problem and I now know why!

3rd observation - what is a post pay and pre pay mobile phone contract all about and why can't I just get a Sim card for my own phone.