The Last Two Weeks

Time seems to have flown by and I can't believe two weeks have gone past without me updating my blog. So what have I been up to? Well work wise I had a launch for a new luxury limited edition beer last week at Cafe Sydney, which was very swish and nice to be able to enjoy a three course lunch at one of Sydney's top restaurants and not have to pay for it!.

Last weekend I met up with a friend and spent the afternoon at the Surry Hills food and music festival, wandering round the different market stalls and soaking up the atmosphere. Then Sunday Sam and I thought we would have a coffee and wander round Paddington, but the weather got the better of us and we got absolutely drenched on the way home.

In fact the last two weeks have been overall quite wet and miserable. Yet I am refusing to buy a coat as can't see the point of shipping loads of stuff back. So instead I am wearing a hoodie and waterproof to walk to work in. Very classy!

This weekend I went up the sky tower to admire the views of the city (as surprisingly it was a nice day on Saturday) and then yesterday I did the Coogee to Bondi coastal walk with a couple of friends and a lovely little terrier dog. However Bella (the dog) decided that after walking to Bondi and getting drenched along the way, she was too tired to walk back. No taxi driver wanted to take our wet dog back to Coogee so in the end Dan ran back to collect the car and Sam and I decided to get the bus home. We didn't expect the bus drivers to also refuse a wet dog too and only eventually, with a lot of persuasion, did we eventually get home.

I also went out with a few girls from work on Friday night which was nice, for a free cocktail and pizza evening, being held in a trendy bar in Kings Cross. Although there wasn't enough free booze for our liking. That said by the time I got home I was feeling quite merry.

Last night I went to the opera house to see Paul Potts (winner of has Britain's Got Talent). I managed to get some great seats and Paul was amazing. Although he did get quite nervous during his impromtu chats between songs.

The Zoo and Red Bull Flugtag

Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th April

I decided to make the most of the weather and head out on the ferry to Taronga Zoo on Saturday. The zoo is in a fantastic position, with views right across the Sydney harbour. When you arrive you are taken up to the entrance by cable car over all the animal enclosures, which is great. I spent most of the day wandering around and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't overrun by little kids. All the animals looked so happy in their spacious surroundings (especially the penguins and seals in their brand new enclosures). I am not sure what my favourites were, probably the dingoes or the meerkats, but they were all lovely.

Sunday Sam and I met with some friends from New Zealand and headed to the Botanical Gardens to watch the Red Bull Flugtag, where contestants attempted to create their very own flying machine. Needless to say the majority immediately nosedived, but it was fun to watch. Although I think everyone had the same idea as apparently there were over 50,000 people crammed into the gardens to spectate. By 2pm Sam and I had had enough and decided to treat ourselves to a spot of lunch on the harbour instead. Oh its a hard life!

Mum and Dad

Friday 28th March-Tuesday 1st April

I had a lovely few days with mum and dad. I treated them to a night at mine when they first arrived which dad was especially excited about. So much so that I couldn't tear him away from prostitute watching out the window. Kings Cross (where we went out for dinner on the Friday night), was nothing in comparison to the view from my bedroom!

Saturday we headed off to the Blue Mountains. Being economical I booked the three of us into a room at the YHA as I had heard that it was quite nice. The room consisted of a double bed and a single bunk on top. Dad got more excited about this than the prostitutes (yes I know it's hard to believe) and insisted on sleeping in the top bunk (providing of course that someone made his bed!).

We spent the whole day walking round the major attractions such as Echo point and the Three Sisters, before going back up the valley on the scenic railway. Everyone had warned us that it was like a dodgy fairground ride, which took you almost vertically back up the cliff face. I thought they were exaggerating, but it was really quite unnerving.

The next morning after a full breakfast we set off en route for Wentworth Falls. Well that was the idea, however the train driver managed to over shoot the stop and by the time we realised it was too late. As the trains back were only every hour we decided to change plans and head to Glenbrook instead and search for the kangaroos. It was a long walk but worth it as we saw two of them (plus a joey in the mums pouch). We also saw a 6ft (well it was huge) goanna. Dad got some good pictures of it, but I was more interested in the Roos I'm afraid so haven't got any to show you.

Monday we decided to be real tourists and took the sightseeing bus around Sydney. After we finally got on the bus (after realising that from Paddington to Bondi they only go 6 times a day) we had a lovely day. Lunching in Darling Harbour, mooching round the rocks and observing the bats in the botanical gardens.

It was hard going back to work on the Tuesday but even harder saying goodbye. But I am so pleased they came over and experienced my life in Sydney. At the moment, as I write this they are about to go snorkelling off the Great Barrier Reef (Well mum is. As dad can't swim he will be staying firmly on the boat.) I look forward to comparing photos when I get back.