Farewell To Melbourne
Though the weather hasn’t been the greatest whilst here (Whoever said that the sun always shines in Oz??) I do think that Melbourne is a terrific city, safe and easy to get around. I feel that I have met some really nice people who I hope I will keep in contact. I hope that when any of them ever come over to England I am able to make them feel as welcome as they have made me feel.
Julie and Craig have really made me feel welcome and introduced me to their friends who have also been lovely…and then of course there is Karen – I have to say a real big thank you to Karen and I’m really going to miss our hectic weekends, and meeting you friends, it has just been the best - It’s a shame that it doesn’t look like you’ll be able to meet up with me on my trip down the East Coast – Hey your not allowed to go to England whilst I’m in Oz! (OK so we have a plan already to solve that!!)Then there is Scott(Stuarts friend from BBQ) I’m sorry that we never managed to catch up again, your offer of company sightseeing was appreciated! Oh yeah someone else I could not forget, Kelly, who I flew over here with, even though our keep fit campaign sort of went by the wayside 3 weeks ago its been fun – I’ll let you have the last bowl of pumpkins soup any day!! Gosh hadn’t realised quite how many people there were. I’m even going to miss our lift to and from work helping with English lessons with my favourite Brazilian lads (when I say favourite don’t tell them I don’t know any other Brazilian lads!), Rodolfo and Eduardo. Oh and Carlo, if your checking my blog, cool meeting up with you, look after yourself.
Now for my Big trip…Adelaide first stop… England 12th July…
Wed 31st May, Last Lunch :(
Last lunch with Karen and Kelly, we went to the Toyko Garden and sat on the floor!!
Tues 30th May, The Zoo
One of the cities most popular attractions – Even though one of the last I visited! Established in 1861 it I the oldest zoo in Australia and the 3rd oldest in the world.
Also went out to Lygon Street for a meal in the evening - Saw a Possum in the park!
Newbury Webcam!!
Well it took quite a while and a couple of long phone calls but finally got to see mum and dad on the Newbury Webcam...why do computers always run slow when you most want them to be quick..the photos are not very good but at least I know its them...Barley and Brandy are quite easy to spot!! :)
Photos of the office....
Well just a couple of photos of the office - So you can see that I've had no idea what sort of weather was going on outside!! No windows..though when it was raining you could hear it on the roof...
Viewing My Photos!!
Just in case you never realised, if there are any photos that you want to look at full size, all you have to do is hover over the photo so the cursor turns into a hand then double click your mouse!! :)
Sun 28th May, Brighton Beach
Late breakfast then off to Brighton Beach – Famous for its brightly coloured beach huts!
Sun 28th May, Albert Park
We stopped briefly in the park so that I could take some photos of the skyline -and also one picture from the centre of road that is part of the Grand Prix race track.
Sat 27th May, Toyko Teppanyaki
In the evening I went for Teppanyaki with Karen and Therese. Really good fun! The Japanese food is cooked in front of you on a hot plate. Very interesting watching them prepare the prawns etc. Also “played Games”, hence the photo of me with my head thrown back catching fried egg! I even managed to catch the bowl of rice when the chef threw it at me, all part of the meal. After Teppanyaki went out to a few bars (Chapel St) – Imperial, Tryst…I took the evening easy!! quite an early night home.. about 2 I think or maybe a little later…
Sat 27th May, afternoon
I caught the train to Williamstown for the afternoon to catch up with Craig, Julie, Sandra and Jimmy at the Stags Head - Gillian and Stuart came along later. It was an enjoyable afternoon and the last time I would meet up with on this trip. I made certain that I didn’t drink too much as going out for a special meal in the evening and also knew I had a busy day ahead on Sunday. Here are a few more photos!
Photos From MCG Friday
The first game of Australian Rules Football was played at the MCG in 1858 and in 1877 the first test cricket match, between Australia and England. It was where the Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies took place this year.
Photos from Australia V Greece Match
As I didn't have tickets for the match there photos were taken by Karen
Friday 26th May
Sat in an internet cafe as I'd hoped that I might find someone online..Hi Niki!! And a brief chat with Lisa :)
Any way..no photos to go with this entry yet but I will be updating it on on Monday and have loads of pics..if you also look over a couple of my old posts as I will have added pics to them....
Went to the MCG tonight, what an amazing experience, the stadium is just awesome..how cool..massive..and I think that the crowd tonight was around 69,000..again I'll confirm Monday as we took a photo..I went along with Karen..I am an Aussie Rules fan..and might even say a Collingwood supporter..so if someone is reading this that is a real big Collingwood fan..please please..buy me a scarf!! :) You know who you are!!!
Australia 1 Greece 0
Friendly match held at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) – Attendance 95,000 people. The stadium looked amazing on the screen - No way of getting tickets!
I went to Federation Square to join in the atmosphere! For large events they are shown for free on large screens at the Square…
Work Update
Well it looks like I won’t be staying any longer than the initial 30 days work – Unfortunately the project is running behind schedule and the work we were brought out for is unlikely to be starting before July, and that is still probably being optimistic. So far the work Kelly and I have been doing hasn’t been that interesting. They have said we can stay HOWEVER they have changed terms of our employment too much. I’ve possibly been offered a role in the National team but it is still very uncertain so…I’ve made a decision…my visa expires on the 12th July and after my last day of work, Monday 29th I’ll stay in Melbourne a couple of days then go travelling – The website I’ve been looking at is called : www.ozexperience.com. The Knobs & Bells Pass, Adelaide to Alice Springs then to Cairns, so I can visit the Great Barrier Reef and down the East coast, in Sydney late on the 3rd July. I have booked myself a ticket to see Darren Hayes at the Sydney Opera House on the 5th July…so…anyone know of any jobs starting mid-July let me know! Lol. I will try to use internet cafes whilst travelling but may not be able to pick up emails every day and will update my blog as much as possible. If anyone would like a copy of my itinerary let me know as I can send it through by email.
I've re-arranged my flight to the UK for the 11th July - Land in the UK Lunchtime 12th July...
Sunday 21st May
I met Karen for breakfast by the Victoria Market. A very lazy day even though I had originally planned to go to the zoo – The weather in Melbourne is so changeable, lovely and sunny in the morning but cloud turning to rain mid afternoon. Here are a few pictures I took, including Federation Square
Friday 19th May
Well….not much to tell about this weekend, really didn’t do that much! Friday night went to Hardware Lane for dinner with Karen. It’s a lovely little lane that comes to life at night. Tables outside, reminded me of a postcard of France. We then went on another bar in Federations Square with Karens friend, Ava. A fun evening where we drank far too much wine and didn’t get to bed until gone 3am!! Hence Saturday being a bit wiped out…
My apartment - Until the end of the Month
My lounge and bedroom
Kitchen and front door!
Sunday 14th May, St.Kilda
Well after a late night finally managed to get up to go and collect Karens car, raining again. We then went to St.Kildas. Had a late breakfast (It was nearly 2pm!). We wandered along the craft stalls then along to the beach and along the pier. It is a very pretty with all the yachts and view of Melbourne skyline and a long sandy beach. In Summer the area would be packed.
Saturday 13th May, shopping & BBQ
Shopping trip! I caught the train to Karens on the Broadmeadows line. We went to Factory outlet shopping centre. Bought several new tops for what worked out about £5 each! Also got a new pair of jeans – They will need to be taken up as you cannot buy petite length trousers in Australia.
Stuarts Leaving BBQ – One of the lads I’ve met in the office is off to Germany to live with his girlfriend, so had a party…. Arrived about 6.30pm. Several people from work went along so it was a good evening. Here are just a handful of photos! He had a Lemon tree in the back garden which has fruit all year round. Oh I also tried a bit of kangaroo meat, which was actually really nice.
The FA Cup final was on TV, midnight, so we did watch a little of it…! Not that I am a footie fan.
The View from my apartment!!
Or lack of...!!
