Farewell to Sydney

In less than a week I will be saying goodbye to Sydney. I can't quite believe how quickly the last three months have flown by. I have absolutely loved living in this amazing city and who knows one day I might well return.

The last couple of weeks have been extremely busy at work as I have been organising a series of beer and food matching masterclasses and last Wednesday and Thursday I flew down to Melbourne for the first two. They went really well (although I am glad they are over), plus I also got to stay in a lovely boutique hotel and enjoy a morning off taking in the sights of St Kilda . Wasn't too chuffed about my flight home being cancelled due to industrial strike action though and having to get up at 5am to get an earlier flight. Especially as was up drinking until gone one. Nevermind at least I made it back to the office in time to post my bottle of beer to the queen. I even made a friend with her chief clerk inthe process. Lets just hope it arrives in one piece.

Last weekend I went to visit the northern beaches, spending the afternoon at Palm Beach or Home and Away's Summer Bay beach as it is probably better known. Unlike a British tourist attraction it is very peaceful and not built up at all, just acres of golden sand. Although I did find Alf's beach club and take a few photos. Well you have to really. It was a bit run down though and could do with a lick of paint to say the least.

Yesterday Anouk and I went over to Manly and did the 10.5km walk to Spit. The weather was glorious and the scenery was beautiful. I am not surprised that it is one of Sydney's most spectacular walks. I was quite tired afterwards though and have decided to take it easy today. Plus really need to start thinking about packing everything up, as leave next Saturday for Bryon Bay. So my next update will be beach side from Bryon. Fingers crossed the weather is ok as it is officially the first day of winter today!

Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks Market and Bondi!

Yet another busy weekend in Sydney. I went running on both Saturday and Sunday in the Botanical gardens which made me feel very virtuous after a boozy Friday night, although am not convinced that you can see any difference. Afterwards I headed over to the Rocks market soaking up the live music and pottering round the stalls. Bought a few prints which I now need to ship home somehow. Well it seemed a good idea at the time.

Afterwards I walked over the Sydney Harbour bridge and went up to to the lookout. I did debate briefly doing the bridge climb but after I didn't really enjoy the one in Auckland I couldn't see the point in wasting $200. Plus you can't even take your camera up with you. Saturday night I headed out to China town with Anouk and was going to test out the rides at Luna Park but the weather wasn't great so gave it a miss.

Sunday was a lazier day as spent the day have a leisurely lunch with friends in Bondi before curling up on the sofa to watch 27 dresses. I did get a fright though when the police rang the doorbell interrupting mid film. The girls across the way thought that they had been broken into, but it transpired the wind had blown the window off the hinges and smashed the glass.

Sydney Update!

Ok, so I have been pathetic of late with regards to updating my blog, namely because work has got busier what with liaising with celebrity chefs, attending photo shoots, commissioning desk gardens and trying to arrange delivery of a luxury lager to the queen - oh the world of PR is so glamorous!

Anyway the last few weeks the weather has been much nicer after the dreaded downpour finally ended so I have been able to get out out and about.

Over the Anzac weekend (bank holiday weekend to celebrate those who fought in the war) I went to the aquarium with a friend which was actually quite impressive as far as aquariums go, especially as I managed to blag a couple of free tickets from work. The shark tunnels were definitely the highlight. Took the monorail there which wasn't worth the effort, but felt it should be done nevertheless. I also saw Billy Elliott at the theatre again which was fantastic and nice to see it in happier circumstances.

Finally got round to visiting Manly and spent a lovely day walking round the Cabbage Tree nature reserve to Shelly Beach and then to North Head, before catching the ferry home. I still need to go back though and do the Manly to Spit walk before I leave.

I have also visited all the local bays over the last few weeks. I caught the bus down to Watson's Bay and had fish and chips at the infamous Doyle's (the take-away not the restaurant) which was lovely, even though a seagull did nick a chip right out of my hand, catching me unaware. I have also been to Rose Bay, Double Bay, Rush Cutters Bay and Elizabeth Bay. To think there are that many bays within half an hour from my house is quite remarkable. However it has kept me fit, especially now that the local pool has closed for the winter.

Unfortunately I have also had not such a nice experience whilst living in Sydney as I was burgled a couple of weeks ago whilst in the flat. Although I was really scared it was only afterwards that I realised what had happened. I was late home from work so came straight in and started making tea for Sam and I. All of a sudden there was a huge bang in my bedroom and the radio alarm clock came blaring on. I went in to discover the alarm clock, lamp and all my books had fallen off my bedside table. I thought it was a bit weird but put everything back and carried on making my tea. Sam came home ten minutes later and noticed that they had climbed in the bathroom window knocking all the contents of our shower unit everywhere. Fortunately they didn't take much, just my English phone (so apologies if you have sent me any texts which I have ignored), Sam's camera and her tobacco and randomly my hand towel. The police were lovely though and the window has now been fixed so hopefully they won't be back anytime soon.

Seen a couple of great girly films lately which has been a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon and can highly recommend both Made of Honour and Ps I love you. I have also visited Sydney's trendiest new bar The Ivy - much more contemporary than the English equivalent and definitely more of a place to drink rather than eat. Also went to a dog show in Kings Cross with some very interesting costumes (I mean actual canines rather than some of the rough looking prostitutes). We didn't stay for long but nevertheless it was very amusing. Speaking of prostitutes there doesn't seem to have been as many of late lurking outside our flat and think there may have been a police crackdown.

I have also booked my trip round Oz and leave at the beginning of June. I am going up the east coast before flying from Cairns to Darwin to see Kakadu and then going all the way down the red centre via Ayres Rock and Uluru to Adelaide. Then I will do the Great Ocean Road to Melbourne before flying home via Singapore. It will be just over 7 weeks in total and I can't wait. Unfortunately I don't have enough time to do Perth or the West Coast but I can always come back I suppose.

Anyway better get on with some work now but will write again soon I promise x

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.

Sydney!

Apologies for the lack of blog updates but the last week has been manic. Since arriving in Sydney we have successfully found a place to live and moved in! Its a cute two bedroom furnished flat in central Sydney. The housing market is crazy here which means there is very little available and wanting something furnished for only a three month let is all the more difficult. Still we did it and besides the prostitutes who reside outside it's very nice.

As for a job I got offered a two month contract position for a PR agency 15 minutes walk away, starting Tuesday. I'll be working on Sony, Fosters and a new gym. I do need to spend time reading up on all the media now plus get some work clothes.

Sydney is a great city and I am sure I will love it. So far I have been to Bondi Beach, seen the Opera house, Harbour bridge and botanical gardens but have yet to do any more sightseeing. Mum and dad are over next weekend though so am intending to cram a lot in then, including a trip to the Blue Mountains.

Will update my blog with more news soon xx