Jo

It’s been a very busy few days and we seem to have done so much.
We had a day out with Martin & Jennie at the weekend and drove up to the Dandenong Ranges where we had a cream tea (for elevenses!) in a Victorian (as in 1900) tea shop themed on Miss Marple!! It was full of Chinese. Next we headed into the bush for a bit of wildlife spotting but didn’t see much except some parrots, although Martin had us taking a short cut vertically up a gully at one point. Once back safely at the car we set off on a kangaroo hunt and where better – Kangaroo Ground!! Amongst the cattle and horses grazing were……………kanga/wallabies/whatever!!! Dinner was back in Williamstown where we had the fastest service in Australia including a 5 minute risotto! Ed was still chewing his last mouthful when his plate was taken away by a Paris Hilton lookalike. We are certainly having some funny moments! It was a fantastic day out though.
Ed and I put our reputations on the line on Sunday by entering a local road running race! I ran shockingly but under the circumstances can’t complain too much. Ed finished with a sprint finish which I couldn’t keep up with to finish 15th in his age group (out of 31) so pretty respectable. I won my age group (out of 108) and was 13th female overall. It was good fun although I missed the photo exhibition in Federation square which Ed managed to look at on his way through!!!
We went out to dinner at Nathan and Sue’s (ex Cambridge-living Aussies now re-patriated) on Monday which was another funny evening. I think they think we are a bit bonkers.
And Ed has had 4 interviews this week (it’s only Wednesday) with a very hot lead resulting in a second interview and them asking for referees and a further teleconference this afternoon I travelled into the city with him and spent my time hanging around in various coffee bars and shops waiting for him. Everytime a picked a nice skirt or hot top, he would phone to say he had finished!!! Didn’t get to buy anything except an iPod when he wasn’t looking
Off out with M & J again tonight for our last night meal before flying out to Hong Kong tomorrow for a couple of days. Back in sunny Blighty on Sunday morning

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Ed had his interviews on Tuesday but I don’t think he was overly imressed. However, he has another 2 lined up for next week and a few more irons in fires etc .
We went out with Martin and Jenny again on Tuesday evening so it looks like we have made some friends already! Martin has been giving us loads of tips about job hunting and general stuff (like the tax in Australia is quite different and very high too!). Tuesday was the hottest day here so far at about 36 deg C but it got a lot cooler (low 20’s) on Wednesday which seems to the norm for Melbourne.
We went to the Mornington Penisula on Wednesday and had a great day. Lunch in Mornington and then on to to Arthurs Seat Park where we saw a wild kangaroo!!!!!!! (or was it a wallaby – what’s the difference?) But I SAW A KANGAROO!!!! Also clocked 2 kookaburras, some parrots and various other birds. It was fab! Our best day so far. It was great to see some country and wildlife. The views from the top of Arthurs Seat were fantastic with the CBD (city centre to you!) in the distance, about 50km, across the bay. We drove on to Sorrento where we sat and watched the sunset on the ocean beach before getting some fish and chips, eating them on the bay side of the peninsula on a bench – just the two of us and 50 seagulls! There were even 3 pelicans which swam past too.
Today we went to Williamstown, although we nearly didn’t as I thought I had put diesel into the unleaded car!!! This was just after I realised I had left my drivers licence back at our apartment so Ed has to do all the driving! You have to carry your licence with you here. He wasn’t very impressed with me
Williamstown is lovely and I want to live there. It’s got everything – harbour, beaches, great view of Melbourne, ferry to St Kilda, loads of restaurants and a lively music scene. Only problem would be the commute to the city so it’s unlikely we will end up there – boo Next we pootled around the coast to Altona (which seems to be pretty industrial – refineries etc) but found loads of guys kite-surfing off the beach. It was very windy but these guys were were brilliant. Just found something else I want to try!!
Things are just getting better and better and it feels like we already live here – it’s going to be weird going home next week. But at least I SAW A KANGAROO!!!

Well now I am finally over the jet lag I can update you on things! The weather has now shot up to over 30 deg C but our house is very cool.
Ed spent Friday applying for more jobs and ringing people but we had a break and went out in the car to Sandringham which is just down the coast. It was lovely (a bit like Virginia Water in Surrey) and probably a bit rich for us. On Saturday we went to Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary and saw the usual collection of Australian animals although most of them seemed to be asleep! We followed a man around who kept farting though! I drove back so had my first taste of driving an automatic in Australia. I didn’t crash so it was a success
On Sunday a triathlon friend of mine from Cambridge (he is Aussie and lives here now) was doing the St Kilda tri so I went down to say hi. It was lovely to see him and his wife again and we’ve wangled a dinner invite too!! We spent the rest of the day with a ex-collegue of Ed’s and his wife who moved out here 9 weeks ago. It was a great afternoon and they gave us so much information about moving here (another dinner invite too!) They are a really great couple and loving it here.
Melbourne is growing on me now. I’ve managed a few runs, including a 10 miler along the waterfront at St Kilda and around the Grand Prix circuit in Albert Park. Like Sydney, there are always loads of people out walking, running or cycling and loads of sports facillities and clubs around. The cafe lifestyle here is great too. They are everywhere and the food is fab! I’m getting fat The public transport is really good here too (and quite cheap, compared to London) although the trams take forever to get where you want to go. At least they are all air conditioned. However, the flies are TERRIBLE!! My love of animals does not extend to flies!!!
Ed has got 2 interviews tomorrow so fingers crossed that things go well. We’ve just been out to suss out where he has to go tomorrow. He has been getting a good response from most people he has talked to so far and there is another possible interview in the pipeline
I hope none of the above is too boring but we are trying to spend our time living like we would if we were living here (and saving some of the good stuff for when we actually move). Some trips out are planned over the next week though

Well the flight was bouncy to say the least (not too mention an hour late due to inclemante weather!). We arrived to 7 degrees C, gales and hailstones. There was also snow in some parts of Victoria and Tasmania had it’s coldest November day on record!! What a welcome
Anyway, we picked up the hire car (from a Welsh Lancastrian) and drove to our apartment which is lovely – it has a fire! Unfortunately, we are both still suffering from jet lag although I’m starting to get over the weird motion/swaying feeling a little now. We staggered down the road and picked up a take out pizza and a bottle of wine from the bottle shop last night as that was about all we could manage.
Ed had an appointment with a recruitment agency this morning in the city so we took the train in and I went shopping (for some running tights as I’ve only brought shorts with me and it’s too cold for those at the moment!) while I waited for him. Nothing to report on the job front at the moment though.
First impressions of Melbourne – a bit disappointed actually. I think the weather doesn’t help and Sydney was so stunning that that it might have raised my expectations too much. The weather is due to improve over the weekend back up to 20+ deg C, and it will be good to explore a little further afield than where we are at the moment. We are in the inner suburbs which is a bit of a culture shock for a country girl like me!!
How’s the weather in the UK?? Sunny?

The flight from HK was uneventful (thank God!) although neither of us slept so were feeling very ragged by the time we got here. We managed to stay awake all day though. As we arrived first thing in the morning, we had the whole day to explore. We walked around the Botanic Gardens, Fingal Wharf and then went to the Aquarium in the afternoon. The Botanic Gardens are fantastic and the birds amazing. The Aquarium has Duck-billed Platypuses which were ace – really cute. We finished off last night in an Indian Resturant and finally keeled over at about 10!
I went for a run this morning around the Botanic Gardens and couldn’t believe how many people were out running and walking. It was a stunning morning, with views to match. The harbour was a lovely blue with the Opera House and the Bridge in the background. I ran through the Tropical section and all the parrots and cockatoos were kicking off. I felt like I was in a tropical rainforest Later, we went and had a look at the Opera House before heading over the bridge to North Sydney to meet a friend of Ed’s for lunch. From there we went on to the zoo and got the ferry back.
Off out to dinner tonight with Ed’s friend and his wife and tomorrow we fly to Melbourne
Transport used so far, aeroplane, car, bus, train, cable car, boat and monorail!!!
Must go and pack for tomorrow now. I will be glad to get to Melbourne and unpack properly and but sad to leave Sydney. It truly is beautiful.

Due to monumental security queues at Heathrow, will missed our appointments in the Virgin Lounge! Ed will never know what the ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ I’d booked for him was!
The flight to HK was fine although not much sleep. I couldn’t believe the amount of alcohol they ply you with – and yes, I did manage to abstein. Mainly ‘cos we’d already had too much in the lounge
We went over two fantastic bridges to get to our hotel which is in the New Territory area of HK. The hotel was great and the locals are incrediebly (sp?) helpful. They are all just so nice. We spent this morning lounging around the pool with the intention of getting a decent swim in but sunbathing got the better of me! For the runners amongst you, you’ll be pleased to know that there is a full size athletics stadium right next to the hotel so guess what I’ll be doing on the return trip!
Everything has gone according to plan so far and we are throughly enjoying ourselves. Just got the night flight to Sydney to go and we’re finally in Australia. We had to keep pinching ourselves when we arrived here so can’t imagine what it’s going to be like tomorrow morning. Hmmmm, breakfast in Sydney Oh yeah!!
Must dash, beers getting warm………………..

Check in was very long, despite going through first class (priority!) but we are safely ensconced in the Virgin Lounge enjoying champagne and salmon
No upgrade to first class but at least we have good seats in Premium Economy. Am feeling very full (not to mention a bit sozzled!!) as have eaten soooooo much today.
Hopefully an update from Hong Kong will follow
Bye, hic………………zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hi again
I took this offline for a while as I didn’t have time to update properly, except the training diary.
Anyway, we are just about set now for the ‘Great Antipodean Adventure’!! We fly from Heathrow on Friday at 21.30 to Hong Kong where we will spent one night before flying on to Sydney for a couple of days, then on to Melbourne for 15 nights
We’ve got a few things lined up already (job interview for Ed, Greek meal with some Brits in Melbourne and meeting up with a few friends in Sydney and Melbourne, oh and a race!!) The diary is starting to fill up
I will update this as often as possible (using dial-up, yuk) while we are away and I will also try to upload some photos – just to make those in the British winter jealous!!
See ya possums…………………….
PS We went to see The Feeling last night at the Corn Exchange. It was VERY LOUD! Ed put his sunglasses on halfway through when they put the strobe lights on – it was like sitting next to Stevie Wonder!