Another Aussie Expat in the UK

Are you Grind fit?

2007-08-05T16:30:00.000-07:00

Arh Vancouver has been good to me so far. After a lovely big warm welcome from mum last Monday evening, we have enjoyed glorious weather all week, walking along the beach, sipping drinks on sunny balcony’s overlooking the water, picnicking everyday, walking around in shorts and t-shirts till late at night, and would of been swimming most days if there was no strikes on and the seaside pool was open! – Yes I have finally found summer here in BC and am loving it. Even my tan is getting a solid go, and you could hardly tell I have just arrived pale skinned from overcast London. Superb.

What else have I been up to, since I no longer have to spend an hour and half each day commuting on public transport to work five out of seven in office job? Well….besides sleeping in, cooking up some great feasts, , watching fireworks from the lounge room window, shopping around some great little local shops on Granville island, and going to the movies downtown to see ‘my best friend’ and ‘knocked up’ – two decent movies just out, and today, together with mums Canadian friend Susan, we finally bit the bullet and decided to climb the mighty Grouse Grind over in north Vancouver – a rigorous 2.9 km and 853m ascent straight up the side of grouse mountain, where parts of the trail are up to 40% steep. It is Vancouver's most famous hike, often referred to as Mother Natures Stairmaster. And I couldn’t agree more. At times I didn’t know if I wanted to keep going, but in the end it was very satisfying arriving at the top, and not so satisfying waiting another hour and half for mum and Susan to finally clear the final corner, none the less it couldn’t have been a better view to look at whilst waiting.

And now we are relaxing once again as the sun begins to set on another beautiful evening. My, I couldn’t be happier than how things have turned out so far, and ive got another whole 22 days of it to enjoy. I am super grateful.

And I hope everyone else is happy doing whatever they are doing right now too!

the end of an era!!!

2007-07-29T02:43:00.000-07:00

Today is the end of an era! It is my last day in the UK, marking 15months of eating breathing, living, working, hanging around London and travelling around Europe and the British countryside. So now it’s time for some reflection on the era just gone!

I can’t believe how fast it has gone, and how much I’ve done in that time. More than I ever could of expected.

I didn’t really have any big goals on coming here, unlike many who plan to do as much travelling as they can to many wonderful destinations that they have been dreaming of for years – or to earn a fortune so they can go home and buy and house; - I had none of these goals, I didn’t really know what I wanted to achieve, except that having finished uni, it seemed like an exciting option a bit like a big long extended holiday, prolonging the need to ‘get a real job’ and start the rest of my life. Because at that point, even with a degree under my belt, I still didn’t have any idea where my life was heading and I didn’t want to face it either. So with that my only aim in coming over here was to ‘experience living in London and see what became of it’ and hopefully leave a few bad habits behind by starting afresh.

To that end, despite sometimes feeling hopeless, scared, lost and thinking ‘what the hell am I doing’; the amount of happiness, laughter, that I’ve felt with the people I’ve met, and sense of achievement from travelling on my own and creating good jobs and homes for myself through the power of intention, I really have gone beyond my own expectation. And to top it off, I’m even leaving with a strong sense of knowing the direction I want to take with my life – career, location, and everything else that goes into one’s lifestyle – and can’t wait to get back to make it all happen.

Very exciting stuff. I’ve never felt more clear in my life – it’s great. In fact that’s one of the biggest thing I’ve learnt whilst being here, I know it sounds a bit silly, like everyone knows it about themselves – but I’ve finally discovered many thing that I actually feel passionate about and enjoy – and also have become aware of those things that I couldn’t care less about, but which I felt I should enjoy despite this.

So anyway the last month, particularly this last week has been quite sad, for if there is anything I’m going to miss it my workmates and colleagues – the fun and laughter, and the encouragement and support as well as the stressful and less exciting times and everything in between that made the good times all the more sweet. I will remember them as the most significant part of my London experience, which I look back on fondly and laugh at and smile about.

It was a pleasure and honor to be part of the Legion family – they were all a bunch of genuinely kind and funny people, (albeit some slightly unusual...and all the better for it!!). Amongst them all I now have a broad cross section of wonderful friends from the UK..........

The top ones being in the secretariat of course!
· Janine - the true Essex tart- and my best mate there and the first to fall pregnant this year
· Danny – the 'I work at home as I have a bad back, but if there are drinks on at work, then “ ohh its not that bad”…' Scotsman
· Andrea - the devoted Chatham mum, (of her child and desk!) And second to fall pregnant this year
· Tam – the lady who could only wear 10 foot high, high heels, and would only ever catch a taxi, no matter how short the distance, not surprisingly; who could charm her way around anyone or thing to get what she wanted; was always just about to buy a million dollar car and a million pound house……none of which we actually saw….but all the same she was the friendliest and fun fellow PA, who looked after me like a mum for whom I am very grateful. And she made a prime suspect fro Janine and I too laugh at, well mostly with actually as she could laugh at her own lifestyle, thankfully.
· Gareth - the rather odd, but lovely facilities/handyman guy who leads a double life as an up and coming Welsh dj and fills in as a great standup comedian when called for eg Legion Christmas parties!
· Alan - the slightly boring Scotsman, but one who has the most organized office I’ve ever seen – never a piece of paper out of place…ever.
· Stuart – the baby faced, but sparkly Director of Corporate Communications, who came over regularly to do ‘homework’ with my boss and together they look like two little schoolboys! And who was also kind enough to buy me flowers on my last day as he could not make the drinks. Bless!
· And last but not least my boss Joe – the mighty Maltese Colonel, who was the top boss of all the above; and who could put on a stern face and frighten anyone when he wanted something done, but is really such a sweet, family kind of guy with a wicked sense of humor once you get to know him. I wouldn’t want to of worked for anyone else.

And so on that note – farewell London, hello Vancouver………………and shortly it will be G’day again to Sydney……woohoo :)

Planes, trains and the wild rocky mountains

2007-06-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

OK, so I a lot happened since I last posted, so much I think I’m probably going to forget half of it. Let’s hope not cos it’s mostly been all so bloody good as you can see in the photos!

my uncle bob and I

an elk near our cabin in jasper

a not so cuddly black bear

an elk or cariboo

our mate Mortimor the raven in Lake Louise

After staying in a 5 star hotel in Bournemouth over the bank holiday weekend, bludging our way through 4 days of annual conference, 2 formal, 3 course meals (although slightly boring if I must say, hearing all about the Legions better feats again) and swimming for the first time in ages in the heated outdoor pool, I left England behind once more and boarded my flight for Vancouver BC, for another trip of a lifetime in Canada.

The flight didn’t go as smoothly as hoped, before I was even checked in there was speculation that the airline had folded overnight, as so many low cost airlines do – and then there was the hour long delay on the runway, followed by the host of flight attendants who barely spoke English, the dodgy mash they call food, and the uncomfortable seats so I didn’t’t really sleep…..and then finally somehow we landed in Vancouver on time and in one piece, thank heavens.

Without going into too many boring details that other people’s travels can be, I basically spend three wonderful weeks with my generous aunt, my cracker of an uncle, and my brilliant mum, on the road, across Canada. We started on Vancouver island in the sweet little coastal town of tofino where we almost died from hypothermia deep sea fishing, although caught lots of halibut for dinner; and made up for the pain the following day taking a luxury heated yacht out bear watching up the channels where not only bears were on parade scavenging on the rocks, but otters, eagles and sea lions were hanging about too. It was marvelous.

We left tofino, and our simple beach cabin (come army barrack as bob fondly referred to it) ferried back to the mainland and made our way out of Vancouver on the lane ‘for more than 2 people’, racing past the huge backlog of single car drivers. Something I’d never seen before, but now I’m told you get that in Sydney too….of well, I still thought it bloody good at the time!

After camping out in a few middle class motels, and experiencing the wonderful delights of small town diners in the riverside towns of Hope and Clearwater, we entered the Rockies and Jasper National park eager to see the ultimate Grizzly bear with a eagle on its head and salmon in its mouth……we didn’t manage such a spectacular shot, however the number of black bears, elk, caribou, owls, squirrels and chipmunks that we did see roaming around the shore of many of lakes and grazing right along the roadside more than made up for it J

And as if I had not put myself through enough water sport pain already, in a bash at overcoming the miserable weather we were having, Bob, Mum and I took to the ice cold waters of the melting snow, white water rafting down the river. Not a good idea when your hands get so numb you can’t hold on to the paddle………

The mighty scenic Iceland Parkway leading to Lake Louise was a magic drive, even if we had to stop at every corner, viewpoint, lookout, bend in the road for the ‘would be’ photographers in the group to take arty pics, and so the trip only took all day, even though we were just a couple hundred miles down the road. It was another miserable day though so I can’t complain.

Our accommodation was something that improved at every place we stayed and our suite in Lake Louise ‘Paradise lodge’ was top of the range. brand new, fully stocked up kitchen, flat screen mounted TV, snugly fittings and fixtures, a wood fire, well almost anyway, and the most important thing was it came with our own massive pet raven that sat and eyed us up from his perch on the balcony, who I called Mortimer. During our time in Lake Louise we had a couple of huge walking/hiking days, on particular one was through snow and sludge, up steep mountains and scrambling over rocks totaling about 14kms all up on one day. The morning was spent hiking up to Lake Agnus teahouse above lake Louise and near the towering ‘’beehive’’, and in the afternoon it was straight into the consolation lakes walk near lake Murrain, where we made friends with the only hoary marmot we ever met.

In Banff we shopped in the Banff Springs Resort, toured the golf course to satisfy bobs withdrawals, checked out Bow river falls, and completed the Gus pilgrimage to Sunshine Valley, (where my cousin used to work) and waited for what seemed like hours for the perfect moment to take a picture postcard photo of a train winding round through the mountains in the background and river in the foreground. Needless to say the train didn’t’t come that time, but boy did we all turn into train enthusiasts a few days later where we got a full does of the Rocky Mountaineer going through the spiral tunnels, then pulling up right next to us in ‘Field’ where the train actually stopped and the driver waved the cars to cross in front of him! Man, I had never before even entertained the thought that I could get excited about trains before this trip…….

On the way back home we stopped in to check out the Kicking Horse ski resort from across the valley, then 1 night in Kamloops, and then cruised on back to mums gorgeous little house on west 12th ave, listening and singing away to many a Canadian tune for our final night together as part of the touring team. It was an extremely fun, sparkly and adventurous holiday, and I was so sad that it had to end and we had to say goodbye to out truck, complete with DVD player, where I spend many hours in the backseat learning about the remote and wild Inside Passage of Alaska and the painstaking, but feel good team work of the those that designed and built the Boeing 747.………..especially interesting is how the decided on the color of the cockpit, and the time consuming design of the cup holders, and soundless toilet seat .…hmmm. Arhhh the things you remember most about holidays…………

Anyway so now I’m back in London, have just spend the weekend down in the Cotswold’s doing a course on Huna and lomi lomi massage, and am now preparing for my return to the homeland, yes that’s right, my time in London has come full circle and I’m coming home, via Canada, at the end of august. Yippee, I can’t wait.

The English Countryside at its Best.

2007-05-13T04:45:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a differenece a few hours on a train makes when you live in London. Ive just spent 6 days in Devon, in a lovely little village called totnes, out on Farm in the middle of rolling hills, contented cows and lush green grass at the Holistic Cooking and Devon Shiastu School.

Even The train trip down there blow me away, its amazing how narrow my mind had become when living in London and thinking it was the same all over England. How wrong I was. I passed miles of exquisite ocean views of the south west coast, and of course more and more lush fields and quaint cottages before catching a taxi to the lodge on the farm that I was to call home for the week. I was in love and felt like I could move there in an instance. These feeling were of course helped by the beautiful sunshine that shone for most of the week, the relaxed lifestyle that I lead each day, walking through the fields, and enjoying the outdoors; the extremely interesting and fascinating holistic cooking course I did called ‘looking after your health’ based on macrobiotics and oriental diagnosis; the delicious food we cooked and thoroughly enjoyed eating, and of course the friendships that I made with the others on the course. And on the final day I had a fantastic shiatsu treatment by a experienced professional this time and I was able to release the lid a some built up emotion inside me. - which im now going to continue with a body work therapist in London. Needless to say on my first day back at work I was diagnosing everyone using face diagnosis where different areas of your face correlate with different organs in the body and various emotional responses, and thus by reading your face one can determine body imbalances and recommend how to balance them through a simple, but wonderfully tasty balanced yin/yang diet.

my friend Fran and I

All in all I didn’t want the course to end have to come back to reality - the hectic pace of London, and back to the daily grind of work. That’s what it feels like now that im back anyway. I am steadily loosing interest in my job and in London and as much as I wish I was still really liking it here, the novelty has mostly worn off I think and im ready for a change - a move to the countryside would be ideal, but what comes with that is finding a new job and id probably need a car to get around. Still I will continue to dream, as id love it to come true.

Anyway, after loving being out of London so much I joined a local group called the Backabush crew on a day trip to the South Downs and Ditchling Beacons yesterday where we hiked for a few hours across more rolling green hills, and although it extremely windy, it was still great to be out on London once more. We ended the day with a stroll along the pier at Brighton in afternoon sun, and arrived back in Hammersmith at about 8pm, just in time for me to get home and whip up a lovely home cooked balanced macrobiotic meal - oh I am really loving spending a lot of time cooking and nourishing myself with wonderfully delicious and healthy foods, its never been such a pleasure to spend so much time in the kitchen, and knowing the supreme benefits one gains from living this way is marvellous. There is so much more theory and background to macrobiotics than most people would know, and it all makes so much sense and is connected to every part of our lives, not just physical health and diet.

And it is now lunchtime so im off to cook once again!

Soph xo

and some more ...

2007-04-24T13:35:00.000-07:00

a few pics from the ranch

2007-04-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

Aventura Ecustre

2007-04-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

Hola amigos!

I hope you are all doing well, for I am over here in London, well mostly anyway. All in the name of adventure, last week i spent 6 days in Espana on a working holiday at a stables on the beach in Tarifa, -a small costal town on the southern most tip of the country, and after what started rather shakily I thankfully made it through the week and back again in one piece. Albeit a bit battered, bruised and burnt.

On Monday I managed to miraculously catch the right buses from Malaga, down through the Andalucían countryside to the isolated strip of beach that I was to call my home for the next week, where it turned out more German was spoken above any other language, followed by bits of scattered English, French and even less so some Spanish! I met my fellow Finnish and German stable hands and guides and settled into my room, which just happened to be right next door to one of the stallions……nice.

Tuesday was my first day of work and which set the presedence for the following few days, where we worked 9-10 cleaning out the boxes and feeding the horses, 10am breakfast and then at 11 and 12 midday we prepared for and took either beach or mountain rides, then lunch, an afternoon siesta, more rides at 6 and 7pm, feeding the horses gain, feeding ourselves, then free time and bed. This would have been a fairly easy schedule if the weather was sunny and calm and the horses cooperative; but I had no such luck, oh no, not really at all. My lack of pre-holiday research on Tarifa left me ignorant to the winds that make the place one of the leading windsurfing towns in Europe, and lucky for me on Tuesday we had the strongest winds of the year, that of course only occur once a year, which made doing anything outside extremely difficult and exhausting and so my hopes of relaxing and sun baking on the beach were blown out the window very early in the piece, in fact they were probably blown across to Morocco, which you could see on the horizon from my bedroom.

Hence after just one day I was seriously considering moving on to either Cadiz and Seville!……………I thought I was coming to rejuvenate in the sun, and escape the misery of London, only to find out London experienced better weather than Spain the whole week I was away! So no, the weather was not great...1 out of 5 was peaceful, calm, sunny sunshine, and the rest was overcast, windy/ wildly breezy although still somewhat warm, which left not much beach action besides the rides, I'm afraid. And then on the day I left it was raining so i was happy to be on the go again.

During the week i met a lovely English couple who were staying at the hotel next door with a little 18month year old whom it turned out live not far from in London, so it was good to chat with them and take the pony out for the baby to get excited about each day. The horse rides were ranging in quality.....my lack of experience really showed more than i thought and most of the time i did not feel in control, and almost fell off once and was quite shaken up. i think i was expecting to be shown alot more 'how to' rather than just jump on take the rains and hope for the best. thankfully my last ride was good and i really enjoyed galloping along the beach as the sun was setting - that is something i could not complain about.....even if my legs are bruised from the saddle rubbing against my jeans as i half smoothly glided in the saddle, half bopped up and down like a car on a very pot-holed, dirt road!

Anyway I have to say that, although my body feels physically battered and bruised from the physical labour i did each day, and the wind and sun, and the riding...oh and the not so soft mattress.....i do feel stronger and healthier for being out in the elements.....its just not something i could do for a long time, even though they want me back when I'm finished with London! all in the name of adventure.....sometimes i really do wonder what I'm thinking!

Thankfully this week I’m not working too hard at all - was back in the office yesterday - am on a first aid course for the rest of this week - then back there on Monday, and then down to Devon for the rest of next week for my holistic cooking course...............then Canada 3 weeks later! yes its good to be me just now :) And I had a nice little surprise a couple of weeks ago when I randomly ran into Piney and Pom and have since been enjoying the warmer weather in London with them, drinking on the Thames, and reminiscing about good ole uni days.

View from Dons back homeward bound

Me on Don

The Office

Irmi and Ulla

RUMI and mystics

2007-03-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

“Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about. Ideas, language, even the phrase 'each other' doesn't make any sense" Rumi

Monday nights talk at Alternatives was by two of the greatest Rumi scholars in the uk who performed a beautiful hour and half of Rumi poetry, including a very captivating and charming account of his life story. It was something ive never really encountered much before but the evening was blissful, and really gently moving and im now inspired to listen to more of his great work.

Last weekend was miserable weather again, and so I spent it watching the movie ‘becoming jane’ at the Clapham picture house, which effectively fitted in just perfectly with the Jane Austen marathon being shown on tv over the last few weeks. I really enjoyed the movie, but not so much waiting on the street in down town, rough and ready Brixton that night for the bus home….oh well I got home safely and that’s the main thing.

This week at work has sort of being happening in reverse as on Monday we all got our new salaries letters incorporating our individual pay rises depending on our yearly review, which im pleased to say I scored very well! However today I had to have an interview for my same job, so effectively was given a pay rise before the job! Anyway what that means is that I am now a permanent member of staff, rather than on contract - hence the reason for the interview, and looks like ill stay here till the end of the year, all going well. And with the weather warming up and the sun shining brightly during the day now that might just suit me.

In other plans im off to the very most southern most tip of Spain, the coastal town of Tarifa, in April to work and rest on a horse ranch right on the beach which im hoping will bring a well deserved break out of London and city living, in the sun and on the back of a horse which I think is going be fabulous and relaxing,….the work may be awful at times but im looking forward to riding again and reconnecting with nature.

Then its down to Devon for my holistic cooking course in May, learning to balance my yin and yang and cook some tasty healing meals and then a couple of weeks later over to Canada and catch up with the family.

and ive also decided to develop the more spiritual journey of mine through exploring the traditional art of Huna - the healing art of living and creating of the ancient Hawaiian shamans, which includes all sorts of releasing processes and body work over three four day weekends in June, august and November down in the powerful countryside of Gloucestershire. Hmmmmmm I can hear you all just thinking what is she on??! Fear not, my soon to be urban shamanism abilities may just be what your looking for when I return J ……. think of all the shamanic journeys to retrieve your lost soul that I could take you on one day! Food for thought.

Warmer weather is almost here

2007-03-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

its sunny again in London, and my god what a difference it makes! today was a beautiful spring day, all day long, winter is finally on the way out.....fingers crosses.

a few weeks ago i started volunteering with a group called 'alternatives' who run, funilly enough a series of 'alternative' workshops and evening talks from a beautiful old St James Church near where i work. its been a bit up and down, some have been good, and others disappointing, and it has taken up a fair bit of my time lately, which is actually nice cos its all stuff im interested in and every time i always meet someone new who i connect with.

Last week we had Candice Pert - in international quantum physics scientist, who may have the cure for aids..and before her was Dr Ali, Prince Charles physician who is also an integrative medical doctor. This monday is a speaker on shamanic dreaming.

Meanwhile at work Janine and I did a trial run of the annual Poppy Walk, where we had to walk all over London guided by a set of directions and set of questions. We walked for 2 hours straight, before finding a hitch in the directions, and feeling a bit lost we decided to cheat and take the tube for a while……and hence we never did finish the walk….however it was a delightful afternoon out of the office.

My trip to Canada in June is now booked and I can’t wait, it will have been a whole year since I saw my mum, and more than probably 10 years since I have seen my auntie and uncle who will also be there at the time, so lots to look forward to there….

other than not much has been happening really...

Long live the Pig

2007-02-21T09:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese new year everyone!

i went up to Trafalgar square and china town on Sunday to watch some of the celebrations. needless to say it was a silly idea. China town was madness, streets blocked off everywhere and masses of people with no where to go, all amidst lots of red lanterns and blow up pigs.

so i ventured into the national portrait gallery for some peace of mind and had a look at some very good exhibitions. There was one on 'exceptional youth' which i loved; and now i have grand visions of my portrait appearing up there soon!! Well one can dream can't they......

i also went to Richmond theatre and saw 'treats' a play with Billy Piper - (who disappointed me) and Kris Marshall, who didn't. He was funny, witty and easy on the eyes. The play itself was OK, nothing special, but Richmond was nice, except for when i got lost in the dark walking back to the station. Never mind a lovely local girl found me and guided me safely to my train, Bless.

and that's another weekend over.

Friday Follies

2007-02-11T04:03:00.000-08:00

It was my friend, Michelle's 30th birthday on friday night and now we all are 'Volupte Virgins' no more!

Volupte is a unique experience, so sometimes there is slight confusion from Volupte Virgins, which is completely understandable! Is Volupte a bar? A restaurant? a show?... So many questions so little time, so here's the deal my friends…

Volupte is a Burlesque Bar down the back streets of Chancery Lane in London and put simply, Burlesque means "imitation" - to satirize or parody. Burlesque is a style of live entertainment that encompasses pastiche, parody and wit. The genre traditionally encompasses a variety of acts such as dancing girls, chanson singers, comedians, mime artists and strip tease artistes, all satirical, tongue-in-cheek, and usually with a saucy edge. The striptease quotient of Burlesque is not akin to modern day strippers; one is theatre, the other is not.

the show we experinecd was burlesque, vintage cabaret, comedy and general mischief. It was all about Indulgence...Burlesque Starlet Gwendoline Lamour froliced with a rather large shoe, Lady of the Manor Vicky Butterfly became quite enamoured by a beautiful cream cake, and Miss Polly Rae showed us all what happened when she overheated.

Needess to say it really was a fantastic night, something very different that I would highly recommend!

Not a White Chritsmas, but a White Australia Day

2007-02-01T08:38:00.000-08:00

Well its been quite a while because my new internet connection is highly temperamental, and since my boss has left for the afternoon and I’m all up to date with work I thought I would use my time effectively and update everyone on what been happening since last year!...and get paid for it J

I moved down south almost two weeks ago now, down near Clapham Junction, and although the first day was all a bit strange and I questioned whether id made the right decision, it has since been going really well. I now have a massive room where I actually have to get off my bed to walk to the other side which is a bit of a novelty; with plenty of space to my things and spread out. I am no longer living in a cramped shoebox, and I certainly feel more peaceful for it!

I am now a lodger, along with a 23 yr old Saffa called Elouise who is just lovely, in a really relaxed and friendly home where Clare and Dave, (the couple that own the place) offer us more glasses of wine than anyone could care for and are really chatty and great fun to be around. It turns out they loved just down the road in down town McGregor in the ACT back in the70’s so we have spent many times so far reminiscing and laughing about suburb names – they find ‘Bruce’ and Tuggeranong’ the funniest, and swimming at ‘big splash’ and ‘pine island’. Oh they were the days, back where there was plenty of year round sunshine……

Not that the weather has been too bad here lately, we even woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow last week, it covered houses, streets, cars and trains, I wasn’t expecting it at all so it came as a delightful surprise I must say. And miraculously my train was only delayed by a few minutes….I must have been one of the lucky few! Needless to say I took lots of photos but this annoying blogger site is so dam difficult to upload photos too, I doubt any of you will get to see them anytime soon! Every time I try it takes forever and then it doesn’t work anyway…………

Australia day went off at work, i missed the hottest 100, (very sad) but we finsihed at miday so all the aussies and the wanabe aussies could celebrate! Nice.

I’ve seen a few movies lately – ‘Marie Antoinette’, ‘Venus’ and ‘Bobby’ – all were reasonably good and worth seeing if you get the chance, and we are all going to a Burlesque bar next week for a friend’s birthday…which will be interesting to say the least.

Work is still as good as it gets, well maybe that’s an overstatement, but it suits me fine for now…..the annual pay rise should be heading my way anytime now, not that it will make much of a difference since transport prices almost doubled at the start of the new year, but alas, it’s a pay rise all the same!

I’m currently working hard on my holiday plans for the year…..nothing confirmed just yet, maybe the Canadian Rockies in June to see Mum and an Uncle and Aunt who will also be over there….and maybe to make friends with some big grizzly bears too, who knows. Maybe even Hawaii… and then Thailand and Bali on the way home….they are the hot favourites this week anyway!

Argos + Randoms + Pub = Jenga

2007-01-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

The weekend just gone was very chilled, quite unlike the busy-ness of the past few weeks.

Whilst my very kind housemates were showing my room out to lots of eager and willing potential replacements for my room, I broke the world record (or so we decided) playing Jenga in a pub in camden with two guys who i randomly met in Argos that same day, when i was exchanging my hair dryer that blew up on me. Thats what you get for buying the cheapest appliance in a budget focused store. Hence i payed a few extra pounds and stepped up to the second most cheapest this time round. And I can report, so far so good. Being careful and not getting your hair caught in the motor helps too.....

Today was also day 1 of a two day course im doing for work on being a PA, where Janine and I have decided that so far the highlight has been the extensive lunch menu. Hmmmmm

Bella Italia

2007-01-05T13:28:00.000-08:00

Well i did make my flight on time and floated up the picturesque canals of Venice just before sundown on boxing day, with just enough light to find my way to my cute little Venician hotel located around a million corners that all looked the same and down a small alleyway off unrecognisiable piazza in the middle of a very confusing city. Well thats what it seemed like and although i got lost more times than i care to remember, around every new turn there was something new and quaint and beautiful to discover like the gondolas riding on the blue green water, the sparkling christmas lights up every cobbled street and the mnay but ever so delicious chocolateries. As i was only there the night i spent most of the time just wondering around without any real agenda. I people and pidgion watched in Piazza San Marco outside St Marks Basillica and the Camponile, visited the Rialto Bridge and surrounding markets, scored a free ride on a vaperatto up the Grand canal and discussed the ins and outs of venetion life with two different Italian guys, both called Tony.

The sun shone brightly in Venice, but unfortunatly lost much of its warmth in Florence, where the icy cold hit my skin hard. Thankfully Florences many wonderful sights, and open spaces were a lovely contrast to the cramped feeling of venice, and where climbing the dome in the Duomo, mosiing around San Lerenzo markets, and over Pont Vecchio a thousand times, and the friendly hostel apartment type thing where i stayed, provided much needed shelter from the cold as well as interesting sight seeing. When the sun did come out, a trek up to Piazzale Michelangelo, and a 2 euro bus trip up to the tuscan hilltop town of Fisole were in order to offer a spledid panorama of the city, followed by a walk around the old Olterano quarter, picnicing in Piazza Signoria with some of the most famous statues including Giambolognas 'rape of the the sabines' and the not original David. I think now it would of been worth the 10 euros to see the real David in the Academia, but at the time i was getting easily tired of renaissonce art and so decided against it. Much to the dissapointment of Leonardo, my host, (and Mum no doubt!) who later queried me on 'what did you actually do in Florence' after i also mentioned i opted out of the Uffizi gallery as well. Well, i dare say i saw alot, walked alot, thought alot about the sun, and soaked up the seducing energy of one of Italys most beautiful medievil towns in one way or another, and thoroughly enjoyed almost every minute of it. and although im sure the summer sun will draw me back again some day, it was time to move on to yet another, completley different Italian city just 3 days later, which gratfully was futher south, and just that much closer to the equator to make a significant difference in temperature...well almost anyway.

so 4 hours on the regional train later i am walking out of Roma termini, heading for my final hostel destination. My highlights of Roma were definitly my hostel and the mix of fun, firendly travellers i met there where i shared many stories, jokes and tales from the road with two australian girls from where i grew up in sydney; lined up for the vatican city on the last sunday of the month which meant it was for free for only 2.5hours with Jennys mum from New zealand; talked, laughed and played yahtzee on new years eve with a young couple from Perth (whilst the streets become a manic scene of craziness and smashing bottles) and spent mnay a relaxed evening in the chilled out lounge with Ingham the resident cat, who could pass very well for a seal if it wanted too.

After what can only be descibed as a bit of a anti-climax at the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, i then solidered on and walked all over the city in one aftrenoon for fear of missing out the next day as it was to be the public holiday of the the 1st of january, when many attractions would be closed. Hence, I visited the wide open space of San Pietro Piazza, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, down to Piazza Venezia and the Wedding Cake; I rambled through the Foro de Roman, up Palatine Hill and around the Colosseum, then over to the Trevi Fountain and across to the Spanish Steps, before the sun dissappeared in the sky and my weary legs slowly carried my back over the hill to Place de Republicca and safely back to the comfort of the Beehive, my cosy, atmospheric hostel.

the following day, the first of 2007, i followed a much more relaxed programme, got up late, farwelled my sydney friends back to australia, then started off on a treasure hunt, thanks to Louise, my friend from the legion who spent 3 months in rome not long ago and who gave me a list of all her favourite haunts and sights for me to discover at my own pace and will. Here i found the sweet turtle fountain, bernini's elephant, an all natural gelato place in Trastaverre, and Castel Sant'Angelo, the bridge with all the beautiful angel sculptures. Unfortunatley i didn't manage to find La Bocca della Verità, the mouth of truth, but i did stumble across the the talking statue who apparantly dishes out advise to those who seek it earnstly enough. That afternoon I was exhausted so spent it with on the couch with the cat, talking with Jenny and her mum and listening to very chilled music in the the hostel cafe. a great end to a very tiring day.

and before long i was catching up on sleep on the plane home, waiting for lost luggage at gatwick, unpacking my bags in my room in london and back at my desk at the legion surfing the net searching my next holiday destination. Well I sure don't know where ill be travelling next, however i do know that ill be moving south of the river in 2 weeks into my new home in earlsfield, near wimbledon. its a lovely, big family home with a wonderful garden, bbq area for those hot summer days that im hanging out for already, and a big bathroom and conservatory, in a quiet, residential villiagy area much better than the noisy, busy road i currently reside on. I am so excited, its going to be great.

So that my friends is where i am at. what about you? id love to hear from you sometime so send me an email and tell me what you are all up to when you get a chance :)

My Delightful Orphans Christmas

2007-01-03T13:25:00.000-08:00

Christmas is over for another year, man the year has gone fast. it feels that it wasn't that long ago that i was only planning this whole big trip, and now ive been gone for over 8 months.

So we had three chrstmas parties at work, each one was progressively better than the last, culmintaing in lots of party games, good ole rocking dancing, office shananigans, and even a passing out, but not before making a few odd confessions and wearing his dinner followed by an expensive taxi ride home, from one of the temps. Way to go Ian. Needless to say Ian did not show up for the last two days of work. I was just glad it was not me, as most of you know ive been there only a few too many times in my day.

The festive spirit continued brightly after my boss officially kicked everyone out of the office half way through our last day, with our orphans chritsmas. It started off with ice skating and dinner in kesington on the 23rd, followed by another big dinner with lots of other fellow aussies on christmas eve before heading back to my friends place in acton and preparing last minute presents and snacks and settling in for a cosy night in freezing london.

Christmas day was a huge success thanks to Michelle and her sister Rachel for cooking up a massive feast of a roasted ham and roasted chicken and lots of exotic vegetable dishes, followed by chirtsmas pudding and brandy custard and chocolate brownies and lots of mulled wine...needless to say the food was endless and we even got our own name placards and silver menus. She went to so much effort, it was the best chritsmas lunch you could have away from home :)

the afternoon was spent chatting, lazing around and watching a variety of movies..and eating more delicious chocolates, as well as opening our secret santa presents and just taking it easy. I scored a lovely scarf/throw over thing from santa, as well as a gorgeous bag and some really sweet odds and ends from both my mum and dad.

unfortunatly for me it wasn't as all chilled out as it sounds because i was going to Italy on boxing day, so spent much unnessecery time that day stressing that i wouldn't make my flight in the morning due to limited public transport, and fighting not think about all the many things that could go wrong on the trip......none of which did of course.

and Italy will be my next post - i did just spend hours writing it all but managed to deleted it somehow god dam!!!!! really annoying i tell you.

c'est la vie

2006-12-11T14:06:00.000-08:00

i can now say I have been to Paris, and what a weekend it was. It started well with a wonderful trip on the eurostar (i love train travel) and i found the hostel easily from the station; but the moment i gathered my confidence and begun my little adventure out on the streets of this famous city, I was hassled and hasseld by these black french guys wanting me to 'just be their friend', who were probably harmless, but freaked me out no end as one in particular wouldn't leave me alone until a older Parisian walked by and demanded they stop. Thank God for him. So anyway I continue on my journey, up the steps to the Sacre Coeur, where i meet another odd charcater who decides that because i gave him a smile and said hello he thought i wanted to hold his arm and accompany him to the top. No Sir. I quickly wave goodbye and run to the safety of tourists and magnificant view out over Paris at the top, and try not to let both incidences get to me or spoil my first day here.

so i sit quietly in the Sacre Coeur and then wonder around the local area of Montmarte before meeting yet another male who trys to start conversatiopn with me, and which i quickly ignore at first, but to which somehow turns into a trust, and although i wonder what the hell i am doing, i let him show me his 'programme' of Paris. He seem friendly and not sleazly like the others, and as he was studying to be a chef he had the weekend free from work and was open to spontanitey and wanted to practice his english - C'est la vie he kept telling me. So I let him. we went from Picassos home and studio to where Amelie was filmed, then into a brasserie for a quick shot of cafe to waken me up and down underground on the metro. He was a perfect guide for me as he liked to do things 'economic' - ie on a budget, so i saw everything i needed too of the Pompidau, the Louve, the Notre Dame, the Seine, Place Verdone and finally the Moulon Rouge without costing a fortune or getting bored with too much art/culture (sorry Mum) and he took lots of photos for me and got my water bottle filled up at bars along the way so i didn't have to purchase any, and we walked a bit more than usual to save money on the metro and because we had good company so walking wasn't so bad. He did actually want to take my to a Parisian party that night, but i was really tired and didn't want to give the wrong impression and i didn't think it would be entirely safe so i went back and hung out with a bunch of Aussie girls and Candadian siblings at the hostel which was really good fun .(although i think Stefan was a bit dissappointed and didn't quite understand, oh well you win some, you loose some). At the hostel we cooked and talked and it turns out the girls are from near where i lived in sydney and the candians will be in rome for new years like me so we might catch up there.

Friday was not so as randomly smooth without my guide. I wondered the streets alone with the gale force winds and miserable rain, i tackled the eiffle tower, which was closed due to the wind, discovered the fresh but not very lively markets of Rue Cler, sought shelter in the Musee D'Orsay, followed by a walk around the national military museum, over to St Germain and the Latin Quarter and back home that night. Saturday I slept in, farewelled my roommates and climed the Arc de Triumphe before strolling down the Champes Elyeese, and eating roasted chetsnuts in the gardens in front of the Louve. As I soaked up as much warmth from the sun as possible on a brick wall near the glass pyaramid, another male tried for my number after a 5 min conversation, so i got up and left and managed to fit it the Conceirge and the Saint Chappelle before my time in Paris was at an end and i jumped back on the cosy train back home to an icy, but familar London.

So did i enjoy Paris, yes and no, i saw a lot, more than i expected, but im not sure id rush back there anytime soon. but thats ok, cos now ive got Italy to conquer and god only knows what sorts of unwanted attention i will get there! Yet, i am quite excitied about Italy too, i think it will be better than Paris.

feeling the love...

2006-12-05T08:47:00.000-08:00

Its been a little while since I have updated on here as ive been fairly busy during the week Christmas shopping, making Christmas cards, struggling through my weekly singing group, stretching it out in some yoga classes and releasing lots of energy during these really cool active meditations in the swanky Primrose Hill area. Most of which ive been enjoying – except not so much the singing, it just seems to be harder and harder each week to make a decent sound come out of my body, no matter how wide I open my mouth, or how much I try to breath deep in to my belly, or how much I try to make the sound resonate through my eyes…………its just always hard going for me. Anyway such is life sometimes and on a brighter note, this past weekend was not so hard going, in fact it was rather deliciously, scrumptious.

I went to this place called Osho Leela in the beautiful and peaceful Dorset county side for a super special weekend of dancing, partying, dressing up, more dancing socialising, a bit of gardening and cooking and actively meditating and more dancing. It was marvellously enjoyable and I formed some fabulous friendships, where 3 of the people who were there actually live within walking distance of me in Camden and Hampstead heath, and coincidently out of everybody on the whole train on the way down there the only two people going to Leela was myself and the lady I sat next to; although we didn’t realise until we got off of course! I was on a natural high all weekend

And no sooner have I returned from this wonderful place, I am setting off again on Thursday on the Eurostar bound for the romance capital of the world, Paris. For another exciting weekend of French pleasure and indulgence. Hmmm I can’t wait to shop with my nose at all the vibrant and delicious fresh food markets, after which I think I might head to the opposite side of town (literally and physically) and experience a tour of the lovely Parisian underground sewers and catacombs….just to be different.

Abiento

Amsterdam

2006-11-25T11:01:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I spent exploring the beauty of Amsterdam with my housemate and her friend Pat. Although it was wintry cold, the sun shone brightly most of the time which meant that I could meander around the cobbled streets, getting myself lost and somehow stumbling on everything I planned to see., without following a map. Which is not to say I didn’t try, it was just hard to follow so I gave up and it all worked out anyway thank God.
After being told out flight was over sold and we didn’t have a seat we were luckily upgraded to business class together with a rare beef salad and champagne and real cutlery, which was a nice surprise. And it was probably lucky we did for upon arrival at our hostel we had to ascend a very long, steep, narrow climb to our room as seen in the pictures to follow!
We checked out the local pub scene on Friday night where we met a lovely Dutch lad called Tristan who kindly offered his assistance in planning my itinerary, and ate dinner at probably the most dingiest, dirtiest Chinese diner that ever was, where we debated the role of cup holders/ashtrays in the toilets and where Rochelle got food poisoning. Great start.
Following the seedy dinner, we continued the seedy theme and took a stroll around the red light district expecting to be shocked, stunned and somewhat appalled, however it was actually disappointing very tame….. Well what we saw that night was anyway, what I managed to stumble across on Sunday afternoon was a different story….
taking a more cultural role, on Saturday I visited the Anne Frank museum which I loved, I had no idea the family lived in hiding for about 18months and that Anne, being only 12 yrs old was so wise for her years. I also wondered all round vanderpark and pondered the artworks of Van Gough before sitting and people watching for a while in the musuem shop, while my legs recovered. Then it was onto the hip university area of De Pijp for some market browsing and then back up to Centruum where I was determined to find somewhere nice to eat, this time possibly the best Asian cheap eat restaurant there is, and then I climbed back up the mile long staircase and collapsed into bed. Sunday was spent Christmas shopping, checking out the Rembrandt memorial and waiting for santa to arrive up the main street.
The to top it all off I mistakenly assumed my flight home was the same as Rochelle’s, but alas it was not, it left an hour before we even arrived at the airport which meant it would normally of cost me 350 euros for anew ticket, but the flight was full so I was stuck……until the friendly check in guy said his manager understood my situation and kindly put me on an early flight into Gatwick, so after all I got home at a reasonable time whilst Rochelle’s was delayed….hmm someone as definantly looking out for me that weekend :)

The Festival of Remembrance

2006-11-17T00:08:00.000-08:00

the royal box

floor to ceiling shot of the hall

the captivated audience

Last weekend was the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and it was absolutely marvellous.

Although Janine and I spent two days down inside the basement in the production office and didn’t see sunlight for 48hrs, and we worked long house running around for everyone and were knackered by the end of it, it was well worth it a million times over and id do it all again if I had the chance.

Some highlights from the weekend include dining with a very young and very camp opera singer Nicky Spence and the actor from Coronation Street William Roache; pinning poppies on Chris de Burgh; pushing pianos around for the All Angels; delivering ironing boards and irons to Jams Fox and Hew Edwards with just seconds to spare before they went on stage ; chatting with the sweet Catherine Jenkins in her dressing room; checking out all the charming and mostly tasty military boys in their uniform; and last but not least marvelling at the final evening performance of the Royal bands, especially the Marines and the Ghurkhas; and becoming awash with heart felt emotion during the service to remembrance those who lost their lives at war. I don’t think ive ever seen or felt anything so moving.

And then of course as seem to be a common thing for me these days was the attendance pf the Royal Family, prior to which I had to hand deliver uet again a program to the Palace, and as well to Prince Charles in St James Palace where we got to go inside and check out his abode from the other side! At the Hall also got we had a personal tour of thei Royals own separate entrance, waiting room and royal box, all which gets a fresh coat of paint before hand; and they even get their own toilet; which was nothing spectacular I guess, carpet, but no gold seats!

So all in all I had a wonderful weekend and im certain im in for another one as I head off now to catch my plane for Amsterdam….

The London Eye Ride

2006-11-15T13:48:00.000-08:00

view from the london eye
of Westminister Abbey and the amazing red sunset

good ole times and festive spirits....

2006-11-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

I had a lovely surprise last week meeting up with everyone from Canberra who is over here, at a club in Leicester square, it really felt like the old days back on ress, someone even suggested we head to Mooseheads afterwards! Good times.

This week at work we had the launch of the Poppy Appeal in Covent Garden, the Legions biggest fundraising event, which runs along side the Festival of Remembrance next weekend. Its all very exciting as my friend and I will be watching the performance (after two long hard days in the festival office), from some posh box in the Royal Albert Hall, somewhere near the Royal family. Well they may not be right next to us, but they won't be far away. Its one of the biggest annual national events here so I feel very lucky to be involved. I imagine it will be quite moving. And seeing so many people walking the streets wearing there little poppies on the chests is quite touching for me, for I am part a charity that means so much to the British people and makes such a positive impact in the community. I never really expected such a fabulous opportunity for me to arise in coming over here.

Last weekend I spent the whole weekend browsing market stalls,- namely Christmas shopping at Spitalfields, and food shopping at Borough markets, and also went to check out the impressionists exhibition at the National Gallery. To my disappointment there weren't too many Van Goughs or Picasso’s, however that’s what Amsterdam is for! Only two weeks away....

Temperatures dropped rapidly to freezing this week, calling for me to wear almost all my wardrobe at once to walk to the tube in the morning, before overheating whilst underground. Unfortunately I feel the bizarrely warm autumn London weather has finally closed its doors and gone back to where it belongs, and left us with icy cold chills in the air. Its not so bad though, as the sun still shines during the day and the clear skies at night are strangely beautiful against the festive Christmas decorations on Piccadilly Circus and regents street, so when I trot home in my big jacket and scarf I feel very European.

This weekend I think I might go for a wild ride on the London Eye, between meandering the streets of Camden with Erin, watching the fireworks on firecracker night and finalising my accommodation in Venice for boxing day and maybe going to a punch party with the rest of the Ressies crew……… except we are not at ress anymore …so I guess that’s a no then.

another week goes by..

2006-10-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

For anyone that is interested i had a great birthday last weekend, by celebrating lunch with my small circle of close friends, which now consists of about 5 aussies, 2 english, 2 german, 1 welsh, and 1 swiss which is quite a lovely mix i must say, at a spanish bar in Camden followed by cocktails and beer....mmmm mmmm, and as I haven't had much to drink lately, the short trip home took more concentration than normal, but all the more fun :)

This week has been busy at work preparing for a big meeting next week, however my hard work on wednesday and thurday paid off as my boss granted me a half day on friday which i thouroughly enjoyed after a late night out at the British Film Industry London Film Festival, the night before. We saw 'Candy', an emotionally charged and engrossing Australian story of a couple in love who also share a love for heroin...it was very confronting and had me skwirming in my seat at times, but another great film all the same. Outside the theatre was all fenced off and lots of security were around but again, like in Canne, there was no sign of anyone famous unfortuntaly. I am seeing another one next sunday, this time an austrian film called falling which im also looking forward too.

also this week i ventured out to the bargain shoppers paradise, - Primark for the first time only to be highly dissappointed by a lack of sizes other then 12 -16, and so came home with a £4 bag and some fashionable black patterned stockings for 3 quid instead of a nice cheap warm winter jacket and some more pants like id hoped!

this weekend has been wet and miserable outside, and besides spending the day in Fulham yesterday and sharing a drink with friends in Shephards Bush last night, oh and getting soaked doing the daily shop down the high street today, I have stayed in looking up sunny holiday destinations on the internet ..... and dreaming of when i will soon be there in person :)

a stroll through the english countryside

2006-10-12T13:54:00.000-07:00

Connie and I at the roman baths
connie, bobbette and I at Stonehenge

so i finally have taken a trip out of london, out into the wonders beyond this big city, and with a couple of wonderful strangers at that. It began on Saturday when i ventured down the pristine Thames on a boat to Greenwich under the precious sunlight that was shining that day, and on my return i met this great canadian lady, Connie, who invited me to join the tour she was doing the following day to Windsor castle, Stonehenge and Bath, and i thought well, why the bloody hell not and so i did. unfortunately it meant getting up at the crack of dawn to be met by the tour pick up bus at euston at 7.20am, even though we didn't leave victoria until 8.30 but i guess rising early just adds to the excitement and makes me feel like ive achieved more!

so once boarded i finally meet up with Connie again, who was sitting next to Bobbette, a lawyer and law lecturer from Brisbane, and we became three random but good friends. we laughed at our crazy, slightly insane and very nutty tour guide who rambled on about useless topics and inappropriately belittled our fellow foreign passengers unconsciously....she was a strange one, Priscilla, batty, with a glass eye and a need to keep telling us to stop talking like we were 5 year olds just so she could put us all to sleep with her nonsense. I think she only became a tour guide so she had people to talk too....or at least talk at....

anyway Windsor castle was Windsor Castle, Stonehenge was very powerful despite the crowds it was an amazing place, and Bath was fabulous....such a spectacular city with all the roman architecture and superior baths. we just didn't have enough time there though, because Priscilla had us running scared she would take off without is if we were 1 second late!!

it was a long 13 hour day and i was knackered by the end of it but i still managed to go to dinner and the theatre with Connie on monday evening, i have no idea how i stayed awake but i did. We saw the play 'woman in black' which again only ok, but good special effects.

Last night I saw Volver, which i really loved and tomorrow im off to see 'the history boys' before having a birthday lunch with a cross section of newly formed friends - a welsh boy, an perth comedian, an aussie accountant, 2 girls from work, the smith boys - (family firends) and my house mates. Then Im going to a comedy night with the girls i met last weekend at the Slug and Lettuce. Then I will be 24 and will farewell age 23 with both sadness and pleasure for it ended as great year, full of challenges and triumphs and which had led me on a path toward a very exciting future. Thanx age 23 for hanging in there and sticking by me :)

and now I am going to bed...

A very Aussie weekend

2006-10-03T14:06:00.001-07:00

Things have been plodding along nicely in London Town lately, nothing huge has happened, just a few samll experiences that have flowed well with the rythym of life. Like this last weekend. I have been taking quite a bit of quiet time out lately, exploring different areas of the city on my own, but last friday i was really feeling like some good solid fun like in first year on ress at the lighty, and so I created for myself almost just that. On saturday I met loads of other australians in the same boat as me at the Slug and Lettuce in Soho for an Aussie meetup. Was supposed to be BBQ, but due to poor weather conditons it was a pub gathering instead. which i had no qualms about, except for the slow service of 1 poor barmen for the 50 or so people that came!

Anyway after talking to a wide range of fellow antipodeans I realsied i have actually done quite a bit since being here and have done well with the job situtaion etc and seemed to have lots to talk about which was all very good and made for fine lunchtime company. So to continue the aussie theme I then headed off to see the Vegemite Tales which was very very funny and bought back mnay many good memories from ressies days.....in seems life in a antipodean share house in london can be very similar to living with a bunch of crazy kids on new ress. Its great! The only concern was that instead of Blair from neighbours starring in the lead role it was Connor whom didn't really fit as well as one could of due to a bit of extra weight and the irish accent, but never the less it was a good laugh. Also would of been better if I had a direct view of the front of the stage, rather than from a the far most edge you can possibly get, but still then i wouldn't of met the 3 wild saffas sitting next to me, who i joinjed forces with and went forth to carry on the theme at the local Shaftsbury avenue 'Walkabout' where we watched replays of the superb AFL grand final, sang out loud to the counting crows and drank south african cider and snake bites and talked about maybe even going all out and heading to the 'Church Bar' (another famouse asutralian pub in Kentish Town) the following day for some hard aussie drinking, chanting and bonding. Somehow i never made it there.....why doesn't that surprise me?

In conclusion i had a memorable weekend of laughter, fun, new people and good times, just like the old days in L3 and would reccommend seeing the vegemite tales if you are ever over here anytime soon, in which case you should also come and si heelo to me and share a beer or two.

and if anyone cares i would also recommend seeing the films 'little miss sunshine' and 'the Queen' at the movies, two great flicks i saw last weekend; but do not reccommend seeing 'the black dahlia' or 'the devil wears prada', two very average films that i also had the joy of sitting through in the past 2 weeks :)

partying by the seaside.....in Brighton a few weeks ago...

2006-09-23T03:10:00.000-07:00

I'm becoming more Royal all the time!

2006-09-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

Well the time has come to update again, this time from the very swish keyboard of my new laptop that not so long ago seemed like only a dream. Arhh the power of manifesting. More on that later.

First things first. I have finally moved up in the ranks of office slaves to the position of PA to Head of policy, Planning and Coordination at the Royal British Legion, which means I no longer have to constantly feel like I want to hit someone with the phone, or less than attentively listen to long winded explanations of why an ex-serviceman need help. Being on the switchboard was a cruzy job yes, but answering phones is definitely not my passion so I am overjoyed to have been offered my current promotion. I even had to have a formal interview and all and even without any PA experience I still got the job. Must be my amazing charm.

So exactly two days into the new role I get to go on my first ever all expense paid business trip. It may have been only 1hours train trip away, but away into the heart of England’s countryside all the same. I had Friday off to help set up for the annual County Chairman’s Conference in Staverton Park, a swanky conference venue in the south Midlands, where I got my own room, complete with massive bath and double bed, and drinks and meals for paid for. It was not only a great opportunity to meet more old people!! But to my surprise it turned out to be really fun and exciting and a great bonding session for me and my new boss, who is actually quite a laugh, and who has already let me in on all the office politics of the head trustees. I also have a day off in leiu for being away on Saturday even though I did not have to work. Very happy about that.

And the job just keep getting more exciting. Today I had to hand deliver a letter to Buckingham Palace. Whilst all the crowds could only look through the gates, I got to walk right up to the door and put one foot inside, before the letter was taken from my hands to be duely distributed. It was a great honour. There aren’t too many people in the world who can say they have done that!!

And I get to organise the staff Christmas party for our floor, and on the 11 November I’ll be helping out at the festival of Remembrance for two days where we get fed, wined and dined and put up in the classy Kensington Palace Hotel, and see the extremely moving and remarkable performance at the Royal Albert hall that night. And it wasn’t so long ago that I sat on the steps and pondered if Id ever see inside it.

Away from the job seen I’ve been attending a few talks and workshops in and around central London and Fulham about karma, abundance, energy healing and spiritual enlightenment and meeting lots of strange and wonderful beings. I’m going to do a workshop on Astrology and the hopefully the Mayan calendar in October, and also plan to journey into the mysteriously attractive land of Barcelona in November, and spend Christmas touring the Scottish highlands with countless other lost and lonely, but jovial souls on a Haggis tour where we spend Christmas eve in a castle!!

House wise we are all getting along pretty well, have our ups and downs but last night we all went out for a pint down at our lovely, cosy, local pub 2mins down the road and bonded once more in the beer garden.

So I think its safe to say thing are running smooth. I’m having lots of fun and growing more each day. Miss you all,

Soph x

PS – more photos to follow soon

in and around Lauterbrunnen & Montreaux

2006-09-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

another sweet swiss animal grazing near our hostelour view of the Jungfrau from our hostel window, it doesn't get much better than this!
our hostel from the back
the pristine wilderness of Montreaux

where we spent the night before heading into the alps

it was so stunning, the lake, the flowers and the mountains

Switzerland snaps

2006-09-02T11:08:00.000-07:00

a rainy day in Lucernelooking out over the "top of europe"

a gorgeous jersey cow waiting to be milked

more photos: skydiving & the Swiss Alps

2006-09-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

high up in the swiss alpsskydiving, just landed...

flying in the sky...
taking off..
the beautiful swiss countryside
sunning it up in Nice

and more photos

2006-09-02T10:22:00.000-07:00

the nice beach in Nice :) on a very scenic, but very hot walk along the coast near St Tropez
drinking million dollar cocktails at the Carlton Ritz in Cannes
the luxury beach facilities for the rich and famous and wannabe stars!
filling up at a traditional fountain in a mountain top villiage near the gorge

more France photos

2006-09-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

loaded up on arrival in France

the blue blue water in the Verdon Gorge
me walking on route on day 1 of our hike
cycling the canals of Carcassone
starting out on the walk, confident and happy....

An eventful week....

2006-09-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

The latest news is that on Tuesday night I experienced the infamous Camden club called Kokos for the first time with a few mates, to see the very talented DJ Shadows. Well I guess Shadows wasn’t quite what I was expecting, much more mellow and gangster/ in the hood style than I’m used too, but he did have a good animation and light show happening which kept me interested, as did the guy in front who engaged his whole body in lots of gangster style dancing in the very tight space surrounding us. Arhhh the joys of mosh pits… although I have to say the venue was loads wicked, like a old theatre inside with balcony seating and the like with the biggest disco ball in the UK worth £10000 squid. We all agreed we could make a much better one for much less, well one for much less maybe, but probably not better….

On saturday I went to the theatre and saw the musical called the last 5 years in London Bridge, which was really enjoyable and fun, followed by a rumage through the Borough fresh food markets and on Sunday we ventured out to the Notting Hill Carnival, which you are warned to only attend on Sunday when its family day, to avoid gangs and stabbings apparently. It was something different, lots of urban beats and ghetto blasters pounding from the surrounding flats, and lots of bbq chicken and coconut milk! I had a wonderful time leaving, forced to walking with the parade for an hour to avoid gang fights, before I came into sight of any transport links, followed by a further hour on a hot sweaty bus. Mmmmm, still a good afternoon though!

Funnily enough now that a few collegues have returened from holidays and there is another aussie temp in working near me I am now really enjoying working at the Royal British Legion. And all going well am in for a promotion on monday to do PA work for one of the Head honkies. Which in actual fact doesn't mean a whole lot of extra work, but more cash for my pockets which is the best of both worlds really. Last week was busy as the Director General retired and the new DG was instated. That meant a sad farewell with bagpipes and all on thursday, and staff drinks on friday to welcome the new one. I even got a personal goodbye....he was so nice. Its things like that which make it feel like a really warm place to work.

The other big thing that ive made a commitment too which is quite a step for me, is I have enrolled in a 12 week singing course starting at the end of september. It sounds really good, they work with visualisations, mediataion and self-confidence as well as singing so I am quite excited. And its in a group too so I should make some interesting friends, if they can put up with my amatuer voice that is!! Next thing you know I will be performing on broadway.......look out world!

photos from france...

2006-08-26T04:34:00.000-07:00

a hilltop village red red rock
another hilltop village...
in the medertarinian for the first time!

our hire car out on the carmage in the south of france

small medievil towns and tasty french delights

London Life…..

2006-08-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

Hi ya all,

Last weekend was rather self indulgent as I spent it lazing around the house, relaxing and chilling out whilst we got sky and broadband connected and the cleaners cleaned our flat. The I went off to do some exciting London sightseeing of the Tate Modern down on the Thames on Saturday, which I found alright, I really liked a small percentage of the art there, but not all of it. However Id been meaning to go there ever since I arrived so I have now satisfied that urge and that feels good. On Sunday visited the Natural History Museum in Kensington, where there are lots of dinosaurs, fossils, rocks and interesting science displays in this great big spectacular building. I think I was more interested in the building than the actual exhibits……. Hence we only stayed about half an hour!

Then it was round down the road to the inspect the Royal Prince Alfred hall, gaze at his rather large and over the top gold memorial and sit on the steps there to watch the passers and by and ponder life, and dream about one day actually seeing the inside of the grand hall.

On the job front, I’m still at the Legion, but now acting as a Ltd Company so earning a small amount more, nothing significant though. My colleagues are ok, when they actually turn up to work, and full of rather interesting stories, albeit mostly depressing. In fact often its only me up in the secretariat running the show………..well it feels that way sometimes cos everyone is either filling in for someone else, sick, part-time, working from home or on holidays, or…..the latest is that one has just been asked to leave for good…..oh yeah they are a happy, inspiring bunch here!! I am so ready to move on and expand my horizons now 

In other news of about my journeys over here I have been on two blind dates and met two random friends through the infamous gum tree website. The dates were fun on the initial meeting, but then incredibly boring and flat on subsequent meetings… however they were something new and different for me, and that’s what I’m here to experience.

My two friends are Anne and Sam. Anne is german and really similar to me in lots of ways, we are walking similar paths so to speak. And she is in her third year studying shiatsu massage and I am going to be her case study for her thesis. This means not only do I get to learn about shiatsu and various eastern philosophies , but she will be doing sessions and treatments on me for a few months as well, which I am really looking forward too. In fact I had the first one last night and it was so so good. It was just amazing the way they put out what seems like very little physical exertion, yet so much energy was transmitted to my body that I could feel it healing throughout 

And I don’t know how but this Friday I have been roped into watching the BB 06 final instead of going out….but might be going to watch a mate play a gig in Hounslow on Saturday so hopefully make up for it then. Then next weekend all the fun starts with the bank holiday weekend and the ‘party in the park’ at Clapham Common with lots of Dj’s and bands to bounce along too. Then on the following Tuesday, after I will have just recovered, we are off to see the apparently ‘really awesome’ ‘DJ Shadows’ at Kokos in downtown Camden, which means once again I’ll be able to struggle home without much effort, unlike every other time when getting home is always the hardest part of the night. So I’ve got lots to look forward too…

Take care all of you xox

two months on

2006-08-07T08:55:00.000-07:00

Hiya all,

Once again I’m a bit behind, I think that’s just going to be the norm from now on.

So my housemates moved out and a friend from downtown kangaroo valley moved in which is great, and we have a Swiss girl called Marion who is also lovely. Its become a real girls house now, and its feeling very homey. The word is that we are going to decorate it and kit it out with classy IKEA products soon… and some nice arty posters and prints. hence, I’ve really taken a liking too the flat now. And I’ve mastered the buses which makes a hell of a difference!! I can now get myself around everywhere with no hassles……talk about freedom!

On the job front, I am currently the chirpy switchboard operator, come slave labour admin clerk for the Royal British Legion. The pay isn’t anything to write home about, but the people are generally friendly, a lot of old men, but the job is pretty stress free and its in the best part of London, where I can sit outside in St James Park for lunch and can see the London Eye an all the great old London buildings from my patch on the grass. It really makes me feel like I’m living in London!

Other fun and eventful activities that I’ve been doing include the Fruitstock Festival in Regents Park on Saturday was epic. We saw Arrested Development amongst millions of sweaty fans for free and then was able to walk home!!! And that is a rarity in this huge town.

I went to Brighton last weekend for a crazy house party and chill on the beach the following day which was really good, not as sunny as its been but being by the seaside was a good feeling all the same.

Anyway, will right more soon, but must leave the office now, off the movies now

finally another entry of here!!

2006-07-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

HI all!

How are we?

Well switzerland was bloody fantastic. I just loved it there. So pristine and clean and beautiful compared to france. We spent 5 days up in the alps doing lots of walking and adventuring and exploring and I even skydived out over what I would say was the MOST SCENIC vista anyone could possibly skydive over. I feel very lucky.

Now on to my life in london. I have officially been here for a month now and slowly, slowly things are starting to take shape. I am living in Camden, although its a long way from the tube so i will probably move soon i think, and now that i'm getting a feel for the areas that i like i think i would like to live elsewhere anyway!

My housemates are nice. An english brother and sister who are great, but unfortunbatly are moving out soon, and an older south korean/german guy who i get along with, but don't exactly want to become best buddies with i guess....but despite that it is a sweet place to live so far.

On the job front i have tried a vraiety of different roles from selling paintball, which was awful, to admin at a very crazy and chaotic IVF clinic, to a very cushy temping job with the government, which i should never of given up in favour of other options, and which I will hopefully start a similar one on tuesday. Good pay, good hours and in the city. fingers crossed!

The weather has been unbelievably superb most of the time...almost too hot really, but at least it has meant there has been an onslaught of bbqs which i have been invited too, with lots of lager, pims, laughs, good company, and generally good times.

I have also been to kent with family friends, and have been invited on a weekend trip to Wales in 2 weeks time, which if the jobs pans out i will join for sure. I am slowly meeting lots of different friends and people and have even seen the queen once which was by accident really! and i also randomly ran into the boys from uni, who were on route to germany for the world cup, on my first day in london, and so shared a beer with them in a classy american pub. It was really cool to see them, but it did make it feel like we were in Canberra a bit....

I love londons parks, especially hyde park and regents park, and I feel i have conquered the underground, however my skills catching buses has seen me caught in some very scary situations and hence is yet to be desired.

Anwyay, I will try to keep you all posted on whatever else happens a bit more often in the future. I should have a computer soon, and hence it should be a bit easier to do.

Love you all and I hope winter is not too harsh in Oz, as its just so bloody warm over here.

til next time xoxo

Glitz and Glamour, Pristine Wilderness and the Cote d'Azure

2006-05-22T01:17:00.000-07:00

Ca va everyone,

Sorry its been so long again but a lot has been happening and writing emails has been a top priority i guess! but here i am to update u on my travels...

So right now we are in Nice staying in a fabulous hostel up on the hill with lots of crazy Canadians, Americans and fellow Aussies, oh and two Finnish that i know of. they supply free Internet hence i am trying to make use of it! If any of you are going to Nice, I would definitely recommend this place, it has a great atmosphere for young travellers, and they provide you with all the info and services you'll ever need and they are really friendly!! Its called the Villa Saint Expuery.

Yesterday after eating lunch on the rocky beach and almost getting blown away, although still very hot, we caught the bus over to Monaco and Monte Carlo and watched the city prepare for the Grand prix that's on next weekend. The race track is already blocked off but from the top of the mountain where the Palace is we could see most of it and definitely hear it all!! I think i would go crazy if i lived there as its a whole lot of noise and petrol fumes, albeit very exciting atmosphere, for about 2 weeks.

Staying with the festival theme, on Thursday we tried to mingle with the rich and famous at the Cannes Film Festival. Well definitely passed lots of rich people, and lots of people trying to be famous, but unfortunately we did not come across anyone actually famous, although others have said they spotted Penelope Cruz and Samuel L Jackson. Despite this I really enjoyed it there, again the atmosphere was fantastic and just because we could we had cocktails at the ritzy Carlton hotel.....at 11.30am which i have to admit left me chair bound for a good hour afterwards......which was fine with me as we enjoyed just watching all the all assortment of people wander by, the glitzy, the glamorous, and the not so glamorous. It was also amusing what happens when one journo gets there camera out, everyone stops for ages in a tiny hope that someone famous is about to pass by so the crowds gather round and the excitement builds....and then an hour later everyone is still waiting.....and then they leave cos nobody is going to show. its not such a bad thing to do...We did it for a good 40mins outside the Miramax Party on the beach........it was fun!!!

Also on the famous Cote d' Azure we spend Friday walking around the coastal resort towns of Saint Raphael and Frejus marvelling at the exquisite colour of the Mediterranean against the deep red rocky outcrops and occasional strip of sand!! We had planned to travel down to St Tropez and admire the million dollar yachts, mansions and people but unfortunately we didn't get that far before wee had to drop the car back in Nice on Saturday. So that will be on the cards for the next trip i do out this way!!

Last week with the car we were able to access many hilltop villages and tiny hamlets up in the mountains that otherwise we couldn't have. This was a great way to see Provence however despite Mums enthusiasm for historic medieval towns jutting off cliff faces, and roman architecture and inventions, I think I have seen enough for the time being, so this funky youth hostel in Nice where the clientele are mostly my age and the sun shines brightly on the beach has been a welcome change!!! There is even a guy here from Stanwell Park...that's only about an hour or so from Kangaroo valley so that's pretty crazy.

One place that absolutely blew my mind where we stayed in a Gite d'tape, that's a hikers hostel, was the Verdon Gorge. For all you adventurous outdoors types this is a place you really should visit at least once. It is the deepest gorge in Europe on the Bluest river you will ever see, and photos and postcards do not do it justice!! The landscape is extraordinarily dramatic, sheer cliff faces edge the road you drive around so much so that its scary being in the car, well its scary when your in a car and the driver is still not quite altogether with the whole driving on the wrong side of the road and in the left front seat etc, and I'd guess there are lots of those types on the this narrow winding road as it very popular route for taking photos. This fear of mine is worsened by crazy french drivers who just stop anywhere anytime that suits them best on the road, off the road, facing the wrong way....it does not matter....road rules hardly apply here i swear!! Anyway, i must congratulate mum as she drove and she did do very well....despite the bloody stress of it all sometimes, particularly in the big cities, which is pretty much every city as there is no such thing as a small city in France i have become to believe. But back to the Gorge...we were going to do a big long all day hike, but in the end we just did a shorter 3.5 hour one down to the bottom in a less deep area and up the other side, which was really beautiful. If we had more time and more money I would have loved to go white water rafting down the 8kms route that they do and would also love to go back one day to do the full hike, it would be well worth it i think.

Other places we have been include the Carmarge which is down on the coast from Arles, and is a sort of wildlife sanctuary where we saw lots of flamingos which were stunning! It was also in the close by, seaside town of Saint Marie del Mar that we had our first travel illness experience.....Mum was pretty much bedridden for the whole day and me being me thought she would die....its really scary being in a foreign country, with your mum in agony and not being able to communicate to get help. Mum was sure it was not typical travel gastro or anything and as she is the nurse and everything i believed her.......of course in the end after a very stressful morning it was only gastritis, and 60 Euros, a home visit by the doctor and lots of drugs later...she was totally fine, as is always the case!!

We have also done a few day walks around, where we of course have been lost and in one particular case ended up 18kms from our final destination. That was in vineyards just outside Avignon, and lucky for us a danish couple who spoke English just happen to be happy to drive us back to somewhere near the city, because someone had offered them help when their car broke down not long before. So they were passing on the helping hand which i will be eternally grateful for! In the Vauclose area we also walked through lavender Fields and visited an abbey in the middle of nowhere, and wandered amongst the red red ochre rock of the Colorado region. The walks have been great, however whenever we do one now its always a bit like hmm I wander where we will end up this time despite following a map and directions and all.... !!

Well i think that just about brings us up to today, I can't remember everything so Ive probably left stuff out, but i'm pretty sure ive covered all the main points!
Today we are off to the beach again cos the weather is just so beautiful, so my tan is looking a treat still!! We head to Switzerland tomorrow morning which i am very excitied about, and then its on to the Uk again. One thing ive got in the pipeline which i hope will fall into place is this car rally in august ...ive been in contact with a few guys about putting a team in! It sounds like a awesome adventure. you can check it all out at www.ramshacklerally.com

oh and i promise when i get a chance to upload photos i will, its just really hard to do at the moment so when i get back to london next month i will!!

Take care til next time,

bonjourne!!
(have a great day!!)

London, Toulouse, and the middle of nowhere........

2006-05-06T07:32:00.000-07:00

Finally I am online again.....Sorry for the wait but its been quite a week for us, and very little in the way of internet access, particularly in France. Also if there are any grammar errors its because of the weird keyboards here...I'm not actually dyslexic or anything!!!

so I made it through the bloody long flight over here with out too much pain, and checked out some of the touristy sights in London like the eye, bridge and Westminster abbey on the Saturday and then explored the crazy crazy crazy Camden place markets with Rochelle on Sunday....very overwhelming...I have never seen so many people before!!!

we left for France super early on Monday morning and hence did not get over the jetlag for some time, and arrived in a very dead and quiet downtown Brive later that day....due to it being a public holiday...bad move, but never,ind!

After a hell of ti,me working out transport options and attempting to speak french we made it to the tiny medievil villiage of Martel on tuesday, and of course it was quite dead too due to their afternoon siesta....mum and i spent the afternoon decifering menus and wondering where we would leave our excess baggage so we could start the hike, as both train stations listed in our guide as places to leave luggqge did not actually store luggage, which was a bit of a problem, and the Madame in our hotel wasnt taking very well to our amatuer french conversation and foriegn frendliness it seemed, so we didnt want to ask her!

yet somehow mum got through to her or so we thought, and we set off for our little adventure through the rolling picturesque countryside of the dordogne region, not reqlly knowing what we were in for.

it started off nicely and the first 20kms were managable. we passed many a barking dog, small beautiful hamlets, and green pastures, and i discovered the tasty bois 'perrier', which i have consumed alot of since!! howeevr our path seemed to go on for ever and we were still wondering at 5pm, withou the first stop over in sight. our packs seemed to get heavyier the more we walked, and my feet and hips were in severe pain. so as a cop out as it may seem, we hitched a ride with a couple of friendly painters on the their way home from work, the last little bit. i think i would have passed out from exhaustion if we had not.

......story to be continued soon, but my 3 e of internet time are almost up......and euros are as precious as gold when you are living on aussie dollars!!!

So to cut a long story short, our 5 day walk ended on day 1 and we spent the next few days on various forms of transport collecting excess luggage and getting ourselves over to Provance. Saying Au revoir to Brive and Bonjour to Carcassone, our next port of call was the best feeling I'm telling you!! and the thought of the hire car was better yet.....

Almost Ready.....

2006-04-23T04:18:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, welcome to my travelblog. I am starting it early just to get into the swing on things... and make sure I can update it whilst on the road!!

We leave Australian shores on Friday and are busy packing up the house and I am madly trying to fit everything in my pack. I really thought somehow there would be plenty of room for clothes, but unfortunately, surprise surprise that is not the case and somehow I must get by on the bare minimal until we get time to hit the shops, which will hopefully be in either London on the weekend, or Toulouse next Tuesday. I fear I am going to be a bit of a dag until then...maybe longer.....and it is when I'm in France too.....only the most fashion conscious nation there is...

Anyway as you can see I have uploaded some photos from my farewell party. They turned out great!! Thanks to everyone that came and celebrated with me, I had a ball and am going to miss you all very much :)

In other news in preparation for our hike I put the pack on my back and hiked up a what I would call a mini mountain up behind our place at home and on the way down I was immobilzed and bought to the ground from spasms in my calves...not a great start for my adventures in the south of France, but nevermind I'm getting a massage out it so its all good!

Well thats it for now...stay tuned for day one and the triumphs and trials of the 23 hour flight to Heathrow......