Long time no post

Wow, last entry on the 21st. of January. A long time ago.

I'd say sorry for the time I haven't spent updating, but it's maybe more apposite to apologise for the length of this compensatory post. Maybe there's no need to apologise. Like, whatever.

Last time we met, Jo and I were living in a hotel. Or maybe an hotel, if you're posh or grammatically obsessive. It was a lovely hotel and we liked it very much, but it was, without doubt, a hotel. Or an hotel. In no way was it the home we thought would be easy to sort out. After all, we were young (-ish) and free (apart from the constant requirement to fill in forms) and had money (a bit left from SF). Three weeks and a bit later we moved into our new place, after seeing every flat in a 3 mile radius, being gazumped, and finally realizing things just ain't like what they are at home. If travelling broadens the mind, then ours were surely squashed flat by the experience.

Despite my whingeing (I am a Pom, with certain contractual obligations) we have a great flat in a location noticeably different from Hackney. We live on a quiet little street in a little block backed by a Nature Reserve. We awake to the call of lorikeets, minah birds and cockatoos. This would be fine if we weren’t trying to lie-in. At night the air fills with swooping fruit bats.




If you have Google Earth (it's all the rage I understand) I could tell you exactly where we live, if only it showed up properly on this blog. E-mail if interested.


We can walk to the beach in 20 minutes (so that's a 5 minute drive, then) and walk to work in 10.

We have a pool in our block and a barbie (called, somewhat confusingly, Sindy) on the balcony where we throw our shrimps.

We are happy here and invite you to come and stay in our spare room. Unless you're reading this by chance after accidentally coming across this site - you can piss off; and why haven't you got anything better to do?

I have a job. It is not too bad at all.

Jo does not, but is hoping for some forward movement in this regard following many applications and interviews.

A couple of weeks ago we decided that one home is just not enough. It must be our fancy London ways. As a result we drove some five or six hundred miles up to the Gold Coast where a mysterious Oriental gentleman invited us in to sip strange herbal concoctions (or tee, as I believe he called it) and barter for a small piece of mobile real estate. We proceeded fruitfully in our negotiations and I enclose photographic evidence of our new second home.






As for other activities, we have spent our time as best we can. But, apart from drinking wine (hellfire, it's bloody good) we have also filled up the non-drinking hours with:

Football!

Yes, indeed. Strange as it may seem, Sydney FC is our local football team. Like, with feet, and a round ball. We saw them a couple of times, before they qualified for the A-league final. Bizarrely, we went off to buy to tickets for the final and it was sold out. Bloody glory-hunters. They won 1-0 (a certain D. Yorke was man of the match, fact fans).

Shakespeare!

Oh yeah, baby. The bard rocks our world.

Summer's here and outdoor plays are all the rage. We saw "A Midsummer's Night Dream" in the park; Ozzie style. Bottom as an Ocker farmer, if this means anything to you. Safari suits (Egeus), wholesome country girls (Helena), surfing dudes (Lysander) and plaid clad nerds (Demetrius) all playing a part. There was a worrying amount of fake fur, which we won't discuss further.

Diving/snorkelling!

24 degree water, 20+ metres viz. This is either incomprehensible, or makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. I shall say no more. Apart from Woo-Hoo! And, Yay!

Ethnic Art!

We went off to Wollongong for a Tibetan Art festival. Hey, we have a VW camper and hippy stuff is part of the deal. Nice sand mandala's by the Tibetan monks and art from Karma Phuntsok. Good stuff, with possible purchases should we get rich.

So, enough about us.

Thanks for your e-mails and news of events at home. Congratulations to Sophie & Xand; Rachel & Dan; Ant & Kukka. Sorry to miss out on your exciting events. Did I miss anyone? Hope not.

Best wishes, and thanks for listening,
Seán