Well here I am in USA and going home tomorrow! (Hopefully!) Chris informed me that I really should blog one last time before I go so here it is...
Last time I wrote I was in Cairns. Went snorkeling again and it was SPECTACULAR! I kept getting water in my mouth cos I'd say things like "this is soooo beautiful!" out loud to myself with my head under water. Silly. But yes, fabulous. I highly recommend everyone goes.
That night I met with Sam who had been in the Pink Room with me in Mission Beach and we went for dinner. I was planning to go to bed early and pack etc but instead ended up drinking rather a lot of wine and watching some jelly wrestling with a bunch of boys from Bucks. (Wondered if we had any mutual friends until I discovered they were 18! 18!!!) Random, but excellent fun, and I still managed to get up in time to pack and make it to my plane on time.
Flights from Oz - NZ and NZ - USA were relatively uneventful. As ever, Air NZ was true to its roots and provided copious quantities of lamb, kumara (sweet potato), manuka honey and NZ ice cream. Num num num. Had an empty seat next to me on the NZ - USA flight which was good as I got lots of sleep.
Arrived in San Fran and lovely Caitlin was there to meet me. Bit of excitement going through customs as realised I shouldn't have brought some meat products over but somehow managed to charm the customs man and was the only person around who didn't get their bag x-rayed. He was very concerned that I'd brought over a kinder surprise which is apparently a choking hazard, so once I had assured him I had not he didn't seem so concerned re illicit animal produce.
Clakes and I wandered around San Fran a bit and went to cheesecake factory where I had delicious meatloaf (although Shepherd's Pie was also on the menu, please note mummy Mc) but then I got super tired so we went home.
The next day Caitlin and I went to Great America theme park - no Disney but very fun nonetheless.
The next day (no idea which day of the week, I have lost all track - probably Saturday?!) Alex, Shaun and Robert arrived and we picked up the minivan (people carrier) for the trip. Then off we went!
I have no hope of remembering everywhere we went, but here are some highlights...
AMAZING crater lake in Oregon, which was surrounded by 15 foot of snow and super impressive.
Excellent fun night out in Portland, Oregon with all the gang and also Nii who flew over to join us for a couple of days.
Yellowstone park which was also very, very spectacular. Lots of volcanic stuff and a big geyser which we had to wait a crazy amount of time for but was very cool.
Getting a stamp in my passport and a HUGE toffee apple in Canada, other than that I thought Vancouver was super ugly. But we also had delicious greek food mmmm lamb shank.
Shopping rather too much in Seattle, and a posh dinner there.
Ridiculous numbers of games of travel scrabble in the minivan.
All in all, good good times. Alex, Robert and Shaun are off today so Clakes and I are going to see some of the San Fran sights, then home tomorrow (hopefully - unless there are any more volcanic eruptions...)! Been fabulous but am ready to get back to fabulous Blighty.
Will probably blog for one last time when I get home, but until then... xxx
Thursday 22 April 2010
Monday 5 April 2010
I am in Cairns on the final leg of my Ozzie trip! Can't believe it!
So I spent a whole week in Townsville in the end, the hostel was just so chilled and lovely. Met lots of nice people there including a lovely German girl Alex who I went to the beach with several days (and discovered Cold Rock icecream - awesome flavours and then mushed up bits of any kind of topping you can think of mixed in mmmmm) and some more South Londoners (they really get around!) who I went on a monster walk with. Up this massive massive hill and they were rather a lot fitter than me and a tropical rainstorm started halfway up... so that was interesting!
Then headed from Townsville to Mission Beach, proper rainforest. Was chucking it down like I've never seen when I arrived. Got into a bit of a grump so decided to upgrade my room, ended up in a 4 bed girls dorm with all pink sheets and towels and stuff called the Princess room. Obviously I was loving it. Met a nice girl in there so we went out for a few drinks, the bar / club by the hostel was hilariously awful but was nice to get out anyways. She's coming to Cairns while I'm still here so we'll probably go out here too. Good times. While in Mission Beach I managed to use the little bit when it wasn't raining to go on a rainforest walk, was rather exciting. Lots of geckos and spiders and butterflies and birds, and even a squashed snake on the side of the road on the way back. Also saw some wallabies and black parrots while I was there, but still no bloody kangaroos or koalas! Boo Australia lying (lieing?! I never remember that one!) about its wildlife...
Now in Cairns, just been wandering around the town, it's very busy at night and has a cool night market. Can't believe I'm only got 3 nights left! Probably going to go snorkeling on Tuesday although depends on the weather, it'll be okay if it's just a bit wet but if it's as torrential as it was today I'm not sure how fun it will be. We shall see. Then off to USA on Wednesday! Will write more then. xxx
So I spent a whole week in Townsville in the end, the hostel was just so chilled and lovely. Met lots of nice people there including a lovely German girl Alex who I went to the beach with several days (and discovered Cold Rock icecream - awesome flavours and then mushed up bits of any kind of topping you can think of mixed in mmmmm) and some more South Londoners (they really get around!) who I went on a monster walk with. Up this massive massive hill and they were rather a lot fitter than me and a tropical rainstorm started halfway up... so that was interesting!
Then headed from Townsville to Mission Beach, proper rainforest. Was chucking it down like I've never seen when I arrived. Got into a bit of a grump so decided to upgrade my room, ended up in a 4 bed girls dorm with all pink sheets and towels and stuff called the Princess room. Obviously I was loving it. Met a nice girl in there so we went out for a few drinks, the bar / club by the hostel was hilariously awful but was nice to get out anyways. She's coming to Cairns while I'm still here so we'll probably go out here too. Good times. While in Mission Beach I managed to use the little bit when it wasn't raining to go on a rainforest walk, was rather exciting. Lots of geckos and spiders and butterflies and birds, and even a squashed snake on the side of the road on the way back. Also saw some wallabies and black parrots while I was there, but still no bloody kangaroos or koalas! Boo Australia lying (lieing?! I never remember that one!) about its wildlife...
Now in Cairns, just been wandering around the town, it's very busy at night and has a cool night market. Can't believe I'm only got 3 nights left! Probably going to go snorkeling on Tuesday although depends on the weather, it'll be okay if it's just a bit wet but if it's as torrential as it was today I'm not sure how fun it will be. We shall see. Then off to USA on Wednesday! Will write more then. xxx
Sunday 28 March 2010
Laziest yet
Power was back on as soon as I got back. Yay! Since everyone had been stuck in for 3 days 3 girls who'd been staying at the hostel a while and the manager were all going out. Me and the girl I was sharing a room with ending up coming too and it was a pretty crazy night. Hostel manager bought lots of drinks (I spent no money, yay me) and we had some fun dancing etc. Wendy (room-mate) and I ended up chatting to these firemen and long story short ended up back at the firestation (very innocently, don't worry family members!) with them, sitting in the fire-engine, playing with the sirens etc. Super fun times.
Then the next day I was ridiculously lazy, read a whole book, watched the sunset on the beach etc. Lovely. Then next day was the boat trip which was AMAZING. The speed boat was so fun, we were bouncing over massive waves cos it was still really choppy post-cyclone. I ended up hanging out with the sister of the boat's skipper so got to know all the insider info. We did 2 snorkels which were beautiful (and I got my money's worth out of my waterproof camera - took about 100 pics!) and the island / beach we ate lunch on was stunning too. Great lunch also mmmm, and free so no calories obviously.
Then next day I got a bus to Townsville, where I am now. The hostel I'm in is LOVELY, more like a guest house with hardly any people, really chilled and quiet, tv and fridge in room etc. Was on my own the first night, then 2 nice English girls second night, then tonight til I leave there's a lovely German girl. Lonely planet reckoned Townsville was amazing, it's actually a bit hick-ville-esque but I'm enjoying the chilling anyway so staying for 6 days. Having a good relax before Alex begins his regimented schedule for US when I get there in about 10 days. Went to the beach today, going to hit up the botanic gardens and do some walks and stuff, already got through a book and a half. Bliss.
Probably won't blog for a while cos I'm not doing anything! Heading up the coast a bit more in a few days to a rainforesty beachy place, then Cairns, then US! Can't wait to see Alex and Clakes (and pick up my new uggs that were delivered to Caitlin's!!) Miss you all lots xxx
Then the next day I was ridiculously lazy, read a whole book, watched the sunset on the beach etc. Lovely. Then next day was the boat trip which was AMAZING. The speed boat was so fun, we were bouncing over massive waves cos it was still really choppy post-cyclone. I ended up hanging out with the sister of the boat's skipper so got to know all the insider info. We did 2 snorkels which were beautiful (and I got my money's worth out of my waterproof camera - took about 100 pics!) and the island / beach we ate lunch on was stunning too. Great lunch also mmmm, and free so no calories obviously.
Then next day I got a bus to Townsville, where I am now. The hostel I'm in is LOVELY, more like a guest house with hardly any people, really chilled and quiet, tv and fridge in room etc. Was on my own the first night, then 2 nice English girls second night, then tonight til I leave there's a lovely German girl. Lonely planet reckoned Townsville was amazing, it's actually a bit hick-ville-esque but I'm enjoying the chilling anyway so staying for 6 days. Having a good relax before Alex begins his regimented schedule for US when I get there in about 10 days. Went to the beach today, going to hit up the botanic gardens and do some walks and stuff, already got through a book and a half. Bliss.
Probably won't blog for a while cos I'm not doing anything! Heading up the coast a bit more in a few days to a rainforesty beachy place, then Cairns, then US! Can't wait to see Alex and Clakes (and pick up my new uggs that were delivered to Caitlin's!!) Miss you all lots xxx
Tuesday 23 March 2010
Cyclone craziness
Sooo... I said goodbye to Sydney. Another fairly uneventful monster bus, main noteworhty points being the lady across from me crying at intervals throughout the journey, foolishly caught her eye as she was getting off so she felt the need to explain to me why she was crying - because her son was in jail at the place she was going on the bus and she was about to see him for the first time. Cheerful. Had some amazing spag bol at a service station... perfected my sleeping-on-bus stylings by using a pillow and several jumpers, pretty comfy.
Got to Brisbane, checked into hostel. Pretty nice, although very small room. Got chatting to some guy and discovered he was from Peckham rye, much to my excitement of course. Henceforth he will be known as 'Peckham boy' (hope you're reading this, Alan!) Err, what did I do in Brisbane? Can't be bothered to break down into days, but during the 3 days I was there I went to the botanic gardens (especially in search of the 'wedding garden' which I may or may not have found and may or may not have just been another patch of green, all very confusing), looked at (but didn't go on - learned my lesson from the terror of the one in Brussels) the Brisbane big wheel, went to the man-made inner-city beach, 2 art galleries, several tea shops to read my book, shopping, cinema (to see Dear John, great cheesey romcom). Think that's about it. Highlight was a hilarious and very random night out with Peckham boy involving bumping into someone he knew, crashing his friend's 21st birthday party and eating copious amounts of the free food, me then teaching various party-goers the dance to Poker Face (which I only realised as I was doing it that I don't actually know at all but discovered if you dance convincingly enough people believe you know what you're talking about), sneaking everyone back to the hostel, meeting another teacher (not that I'm a teacher anymore!!) from Bucks, and general good silly times.
After 3 days in Brisbane I then (despite all my better judgement / everyone I spoke to telling me not to) got the bus to Airlie Beach (where you get to the Whitsunday Islands from) which was hit by a cyclone the other day. The bus driver scared the pants off everyone by saying we wouldn't be able to buy water / food so to stock up before we arrived, which everyone did, then we get here and the pick-up guy from the hostel was highly amused by this as everything was fine. Of course in typical Jules bungle fashion, I managed to have booked (and paid for) to stay at the one hostel that's very slightly out of town and thus has no electricity still. But it's supposed to be back on today, and the up side to this is that I have a 4-person room to myself which is very luxurious (well, luxurious compared to sleeping with 7 people like I was in Brisbane, not that luxurious compared to the real world, what with the lack of hot water etc!). So have headed into town to get some electricity anyways, also booking a trip to the Whitsundays probably for Thursday on some kind of crazy speed boat so even if it's choppy it just makes it more fun (/ scary!). Hostel seems nice other than lack of electricty, they have a big screen cinema thing every night (assuming elec is on) and quiz night and stuff so seems pretty friendly.
Many apologies to daddy Mc who emails lots and I always forget to credit. Thanks also to mummy Mc, Holls, Trots & Claire for their frequent contact and especially to Chrissy for braving the wrath of the Wood senior by long-distance phoning me.
Back a month today! 2 weeks of sun (hopefully!) and beaches, 2 weeks of fun with Ally and co and then beautiful Blighty. All very exciting. Lots of love xxx
Got to Brisbane, checked into hostel. Pretty nice, although very small room. Got chatting to some guy and discovered he was from Peckham rye, much to my excitement of course. Henceforth he will be known as 'Peckham boy' (hope you're reading this, Alan!) Err, what did I do in Brisbane? Can't be bothered to break down into days, but during the 3 days I was there I went to the botanic gardens (especially in search of the 'wedding garden' which I may or may not have found and may or may not have just been another patch of green, all very confusing), looked at (but didn't go on - learned my lesson from the terror of the one in Brussels) the Brisbane big wheel, went to the man-made inner-city beach, 2 art galleries, several tea shops to read my book, shopping, cinema (to see Dear John, great cheesey romcom). Think that's about it. Highlight was a hilarious and very random night out with Peckham boy involving bumping into someone he knew, crashing his friend's 21st birthday party and eating copious amounts of the free food, me then teaching various party-goers the dance to Poker Face (which I only realised as I was doing it that I don't actually know at all but discovered if you dance convincingly enough people believe you know what you're talking about), sneaking everyone back to the hostel, meeting another teacher (not that I'm a teacher anymore!!) from Bucks, and general good silly times.
After 3 days in Brisbane I then (despite all my better judgement / everyone I spoke to telling me not to) got the bus to Airlie Beach (where you get to the Whitsunday Islands from) which was hit by a cyclone the other day. The bus driver scared the pants off everyone by saying we wouldn't be able to buy water / food so to stock up before we arrived, which everyone did, then we get here and the pick-up guy from the hostel was highly amused by this as everything was fine. Of course in typical Jules bungle fashion, I managed to have booked (and paid for) to stay at the one hostel that's very slightly out of town and thus has no electricity still. But it's supposed to be back on today, and the up side to this is that I have a 4-person room to myself which is very luxurious (well, luxurious compared to sleeping with 7 people like I was in Brisbane, not that luxurious compared to the real world, what with the lack of hot water etc!). So have headed into town to get some electricity anyways, also booking a trip to the Whitsundays probably for Thursday on some kind of crazy speed boat so even if it's choppy it just makes it more fun (/ scary!). Hostel seems nice other than lack of electricty, they have a big screen cinema thing every night (assuming elec is on) and quiz night and stuff so seems pretty friendly.
Many apologies to daddy Mc who emails lots and I always forget to credit. Thanks also to mummy Mc, Holls, Trots & Claire for their frequent contact and especially to Chrissy for braving the wrath of the Wood senior by long-distance phoning me.
Back a month today! 2 weeks of sun (hopefully!) and beaches, 2 weeks of fun with Ally and co and then beautiful Blighty. All very exciting. Lots of love xxx
Wednesday 17 March 2010
Kareoke, buses and beaches
Well, it's been a while! And I can't be long as am very randomly and last minutely meeting up with one of my girls from camp who's in Sydney. But being young and youthful as she is, she doesn't even go out til 10! Which is probably good, as means I'll be sufficiently exhausted to sleep tomorrow on the bus to Brisbane.
So... CSSSSWDCA'10 was of course a lot of fun. It rained and was cold so we spent most of the time sitting in the tent, drinking wine (WD) and playing card games. And chatting and catching up, of course. Happy happy days.
Then got back to Claire's and saw some more of Chip (more sitting around watching TV obv) and then me, him, Claire and some of Claire & Chip's awesome friends went out to fun fun Barry's for cheesey dancing and kareoke. Before which there were more silly drinking games at Snowy's. Including more jenga, equally stressful second time around. As predicted, much much fun was had by all. Claire and I sung Britney and girls aloud. Claire's friend Em is planning a trip to England in 2011 and already we have Christened it GA'11 in honour of girls aloud.
After a ridiculously emotional goodbye to Chip at the club we went back to Snowy's, slept, watched lots of Gavin and Stacey and then Chip came to pick me up to take me to the coach, thus making last night's emotional goodbye somewhat silly. So there was another emotional goodbye with Claire, a less emotional (due to the lesser amount of alcohol) than the previous night with Chip, and off I was on my merry 18 hour bus journey to Sydney. I was disappointed with the lack of stops for red rooster, and going to the toilet on the bus was somewhat traumatic what with the shaking and such, but I managed to sleep a fair bit and got to Sydney in one piece.
Checked in in the hostel and dumped my stuff, then headed out for a wander. Saw the opera house, used the toilet as recommended by my posh-toilet buddy Heffster, saw some other stuff. Went back to the hostel early due to tiredness, chatted to some hostel-folks and had a sleep. Next day I headed to Bondi which was full of attractive people (and lots of naked breasts!) and lazed and then did a walk which was APPARENTLY only 5km but I reckon was more like 10. But it was very picturesque anyway. Then I went to the cinema to see The blind side (sandra Bullock) - was excellent. Then naughtily saw Remember Me (Edward from Twilight) without paying - I figure acceptable since cinemas are ridiculously expensive. Also very good. Then bed. Then today I got the ferry to Manly, more beach action (my tan is getting silly - I keep catching glimpses of myself in shop windows etc and thinking what a great tan that tall lady has and then realising it's me!) and happy times. I have discovered paddle pops - delicious and low fat icecream mmm. Trying to diet after seeing v unflattering photos of my arm / lack of neck from kareoke. Ha. We'll see how long that lasts...
Then as I said, out tonight with Bogey. Will be random but nice to catch up. Not planning a late one but we shall see. Have also just booked my buses and hostels for the rest of my time in Aus which was exhausting but am glad it's now done.
Okay, off to make myself look slightly more presentable and then head on out. Hope everyone is well, I have to say people are lacking on the emailing / facebooking / texting front (noteable exceptions to Trots, Claire and Fruity) so buck up people. Miss you all lots, lots of love xxx
So... CSSSSWDCA'10 was of course a lot of fun. It rained and was cold so we spent most of the time sitting in the tent, drinking wine (WD) and playing card games. And chatting and catching up, of course. Happy happy days.
Then got back to Claire's and saw some more of Chip (more sitting around watching TV obv) and then me, him, Claire and some of Claire & Chip's awesome friends went out to fun fun Barry's for cheesey dancing and kareoke. Before which there were more silly drinking games at Snowy's. Including more jenga, equally stressful second time around. As predicted, much much fun was had by all. Claire and I sung Britney and girls aloud. Claire's friend Em is planning a trip to England in 2011 and already we have Christened it GA'11 in honour of girls aloud.
After a ridiculously emotional goodbye to Chip at the club we went back to Snowy's, slept, watched lots of Gavin and Stacey and then Chip came to pick me up to take me to the coach, thus making last night's emotional goodbye somewhat silly. So there was another emotional goodbye with Claire, a less emotional (due to the lesser amount of alcohol) than the previous night with Chip, and off I was on my merry 18 hour bus journey to Sydney. I was disappointed with the lack of stops for red rooster, and going to the toilet on the bus was somewhat traumatic what with the shaking and such, but I managed to sleep a fair bit and got to Sydney in one piece.
Checked in in the hostel and dumped my stuff, then headed out for a wander. Saw the opera house, used the toilet as recommended by my posh-toilet buddy Heffster, saw some other stuff. Went back to the hostel early due to tiredness, chatted to some hostel-folks and had a sleep. Next day I headed to Bondi which was full of attractive people (and lots of naked breasts!) and lazed and then did a walk which was APPARENTLY only 5km but I reckon was more like 10. But it was very picturesque anyway. Then I went to the cinema to see The blind side (sandra Bullock) - was excellent. Then naughtily saw Remember Me (Edward from Twilight) without paying - I figure acceptable since cinemas are ridiculously expensive. Also very good. Then bed. Then today I got the ferry to Manly, more beach action (my tan is getting silly - I keep catching glimpses of myself in shop windows etc and thinking what a great tan that tall lady has and then realising it's me!) and happy times. I have discovered paddle pops - delicious and low fat icecream mmm. Trying to diet after seeing v unflattering photos of my arm / lack of neck from kareoke. Ha. We'll see how long that lasts...
Then as I said, out tonight with Bogey. Will be random but nice to catch up. Not planning a late one but we shall see. Have also just booked my buses and hostels for the rest of my time in Aus which was exhausting but am glad it's now done.
Okay, off to make myself look slightly more presentable and then head on out. Hope everyone is well, I have to say people are lacking on the emailing / facebooking / texting front (noteable exceptions to Trots, Claire and Fruity) so buck up people. Miss you all lots, lots of love xxx
Tuesday 9 March 2010
Okay, so as I left you I was off to see Chip. As predicted there was some telly and some junk, also some delicious drinks that taste like sweets (or lollies as the locals call them). We went and looked round the touristy town near him and then had a chicken parma for dinner. These are Chip's favourite food and I have to say very spectacular. And exceedingly filling. The next day went we to the (huge) mall (where I didn't buy ANYTHING! Go me!) to buy a shirt for the wedding he was off to that day, where we bumped into seemingly everyone he knew, who was also last-minute wedding shopping.
Then we went for lunch in the BEST fast food restaurant ever. Called Red Rooster and it's like KFC but with delicious roast chicken not skanky fried stuff. Amazing. Then Chip dropped me off at Claire's friend Snowy's where I was planning an afternoon of more telly (are you detecting a theme here?!) but then Snowy's housemate John informed me we were actually playing drinking games (including drinking uno jenga - stressful!) so the telly fell by the waste-side and instead a night of ridiculousness ensued (but very restrained ridiculousness, don't worry mummy). We bbqed (very messily) a lot of sausages and had happy silly times. Oh just remembered I forgot to mention the AMAZING hail storm (see the link Chris found: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_8550000/newsid_8553600/8553644.stm ) which was crazy and apparently made Chip / Claire's friend late for the wedding cos the windscreen of the wedding car got smashed! It was the weirdest weather I've ever seen.
Then the next day Snowy and his other housemate Em and Claire and I went off to Claire's favourite shop in the world, AGAIN I restrained myself (getting worried about not being able to fit my UGGs in my backpack) and then we went to red rooster again. Equally spectacular the second time. We then went to see Wolfman which, although not my usual cup of tea, I rather enjoyed. Had some disappointing strawberry sour belts (not as good as our faves Trots), should've gone for the chcoolate covered raisins. Silly Jules.
So that brings us to Monday, which was mainly spent sitting around watching TV (yet again) and I taught Claire the card game Slam (remember the happy hours spent playing that in the dining room when we should've been working in the library, CHS folks?!) which got rather intense also (who needs a job when you have all these games to provide daily stress?!) and Claire's mum made amazing lasagne so I was very happy.
Today Claire and I are off on the train / bus to the beach at Lorne for CSSSSWDCA'10 (see if you can work that one out, bet you a million pounds no one can). We're camping, which could be disastrous since it's been raining ridiculously heavily every night, but fingers crossed all the rain is now over and we're headed for 4 days of beautiful weather. Hmm... Back Friday or Saturday, then I'm going to Claire's favourite bar / club every (Barry's - featuring 'barreoke'- nice) and then Sunday night I am getting on the FIFTEEN hour bus to Sydney. Probably won't blog again til I'm there, so have a happy week all and I will speak to you from sunny (hopefully!) Sydney! xxxxx
Then we went for lunch in the BEST fast food restaurant ever. Called Red Rooster and it's like KFC but with delicious roast chicken not skanky fried stuff. Amazing. Then Chip dropped me off at Claire's friend Snowy's where I was planning an afternoon of more telly (are you detecting a theme here?!) but then Snowy's housemate John informed me we were actually playing drinking games (including drinking uno jenga - stressful!) so the telly fell by the waste-side and instead a night of ridiculousness ensued (but very restrained ridiculousness, don't worry mummy). We bbqed (very messily) a lot of sausages and had happy silly times. Oh just remembered I forgot to mention the AMAZING hail storm (see the link Chris found: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_8550000/newsid_8553600/8553644.stm ) which was crazy and apparently made Chip / Claire's friend late for the wedding cos the windscreen of the wedding car got smashed! It was the weirdest weather I've ever seen.
Then the next day Snowy and his other housemate Em and Claire and I went off to Claire's favourite shop in the world, AGAIN I restrained myself (getting worried about not being able to fit my UGGs in my backpack) and then we went to red rooster again. Equally spectacular the second time. We then went to see Wolfman which, although not my usual cup of tea, I rather enjoyed. Had some disappointing strawberry sour belts (not as good as our faves Trots), should've gone for the chcoolate covered raisins. Silly Jules.
So that brings us to Monday, which was mainly spent sitting around watching TV (yet again) and I taught Claire the card game Slam (remember the happy hours spent playing that in the dining room when we should've been working in the library, CHS folks?!) which got rather intense also (who needs a job when you have all these games to provide daily stress?!) and Claire's mum made amazing lasagne so I was very happy.
Today Claire and I are off on the train / bus to the beach at Lorne for CSSSSWDCA'10 (see if you can work that one out, bet you a million pounds no one can). We're camping, which could be disastrous since it's been raining ridiculously heavily every night, but fingers crossed all the rain is now over and we're headed for 4 days of beautiful weather. Hmm... Back Friday or Saturday, then I'm going to Claire's favourite bar / club every (Barry's - featuring 'barreoke'- nice) and then Sunday night I am getting on the FIFTEEN hour bus to Sydney. Probably won't blog again til I'm there, so have a happy week all and I will speak to you from sunny (hopefully!) Sydney! xxxxx
Friday 5 March 2010
Telly tubbies, parrots and chicken poo
Well I know it has been a naughtily long time since I last blogged. I am currently at Claire's house near Melbourne (in the very pretty Dangedongs - or something silly like that - mountains / forest). Keep intending to go for a walk to see the wallabies (like small kangaroos) but you have to go at dawn / dusk and I'm too lazy to get up that early and dusk interferes with dinner. Got to get your priorities straight (food / sleep over animals obviously).
So what have I been up to? On Saturday Claire, Zan and I went to her friend's kid's party-themed birthday do, I went as a telly tubby in the end and Zan and Claire went as Bill and Ben. I will put photos up properly soon, or if you're on facebook you've probably already admired my profile pic of Claire and me. Other than that I've been pretty lazy. I went in to Melbourne one day and saw some more sights, also got the tram to St Kilda's to sample the cake shops since both Chris AND the lonely planet recommended them very highly (obviously Chris's recommendation was more important). Cake was indeed good - I had a mousse / chocolate thing. Zan and I also went to the tea room 2 minutes from Claire's where I had another good cake (raspberry cheesecake although the crust was too thick, school boy error I reckon). So lots of tea and cake as usual. The beach in St Kilda was also nice, and I got a lot of sand in Claire and Zan's bed while we were watching Dawson's Creek in it after (less annoying that getting it all in your car Lan?! Maybe not...) Yesterday I didn't get dressed until about 5 because I just watched Dawson's creek, although have also been doing useful / random chores like getting the chickens out and mopping up chicken poo. Ah, country life.
Today I'm going out with Chip (person I met second year at camp who randomly knows Claire too), or probably more likely sit around his house eating junk and watching telly like he did when he came to London. Possibly with his personal trainer friend with the amazing arms, or possibly not. Then Claire and I are going to her favourite shop in the world on Sunday. We're now not going to Sydney because she's a bit broke, we're getting the bus to camp at some nice beachy place nearby so that'll be fun. I'm still off to Sydney but a bit later, hopefully will meet up with some of Chris's lovely friends and also my nanny friend from Belgium Helen who is there at the moment too. I've also changed my flight so I'm going to US from Cairns instead of Melbourne, it seemed silly to have to faff about coming back down, and it only cost me $40 in the end so that was quite a bargain.
What else? Oh Zan and I made fondue which was very successful, only cheese and chocolate in the end cos the oil one we were going to do wouldn't work in the ceramic fondue pot. Got the fondue set for $2 - what a steal! Claire's mum is a great cook so I've also been enjoying lots of tasty baked goods and hearty meals, which is good since I'll be back on crappy easy food when I'm traveling again later. They have a dog that apparently hated Hull when he stayed but loves me, which obviously amuses me, and there are parrots meandering around the garden - very cool. Think that's about it. I'd love to say I've not blogged cos I've been too busy but really I've just done nowt to talk about! Having a lovely time though!
Right, best be off. Zan is trying to persuade me to build a bridge over the creek with him, but I reckon we should just watch some more Dawson's Creek. Keep in touch, still missing everyone lots xxxx
So what have I been up to? On Saturday Claire, Zan and I went to her friend's kid's party-themed birthday do, I went as a telly tubby in the end and Zan and Claire went as Bill and Ben. I will put photos up properly soon, or if you're on facebook you've probably already admired my profile pic of Claire and me. Other than that I've been pretty lazy. I went in to Melbourne one day and saw some more sights, also got the tram to St Kilda's to sample the cake shops since both Chris AND the lonely planet recommended them very highly (obviously Chris's recommendation was more important). Cake was indeed good - I had a mousse / chocolate thing. Zan and I also went to the tea room 2 minutes from Claire's where I had another good cake (raspberry cheesecake although the crust was too thick, school boy error I reckon). So lots of tea and cake as usual. The beach in St Kilda was also nice, and I got a lot of sand in Claire and Zan's bed while we were watching Dawson's Creek in it after (less annoying that getting it all in your car Lan?! Maybe not...) Yesterday I didn't get dressed until about 5 because I just watched Dawson's creek, although have also been doing useful / random chores like getting the chickens out and mopping up chicken poo. Ah, country life.
Today I'm going out with Chip (person I met second year at camp who randomly knows Claire too), or probably more likely sit around his house eating junk and watching telly like he did when he came to London. Possibly with his personal trainer friend with the amazing arms, or possibly not. Then Claire and I are going to her favourite shop in the world on Sunday. We're now not going to Sydney because she's a bit broke, we're getting the bus to camp at some nice beachy place nearby so that'll be fun. I'm still off to Sydney but a bit later, hopefully will meet up with some of Chris's lovely friends and also my nanny friend from Belgium Helen who is there at the moment too. I've also changed my flight so I'm going to US from Cairns instead of Melbourne, it seemed silly to have to faff about coming back down, and it only cost me $40 in the end so that was quite a bargain.
What else? Oh Zan and I made fondue which was very successful, only cheese and chocolate in the end cos the oil one we were going to do wouldn't work in the ceramic fondue pot. Got the fondue set for $2 - what a steal! Claire's mum is a great cook so I've also been enjoying lots of tasty baked goods and hearty meals, which is good since I'll be back on crappy easy food when I'm traveling again later. They have a dog that apparently hated Hull when he stayed but loves me, which obviously amuses me, and there are parrots meandering around the garden - very cool. Think that's about it. I'd love to say I've not blogged cos I've been too busy but really I've just done nowt to talk about! Having a lovely time though!
Right, best be off. Zan is trying to persuade me to build a bridge over the creek with him, but I reckon we should just watch some more Dawson's Creek. Keep in touch, still missing everyone lots xxxx
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