Jo

No – Marty Pellow hasn’t decided to move in BUT the rain did arrive yesterday as promised!
I did my long run with the training group this week again and this time we went to somewhere along the Yarra – that’s about as specific as I can be (Kew?)!! It was FAB!!! Started off along a nice bit of singletrack (can you ride an MTB along there – it would be great??!) which reminded me of somewhere like Derbys – rocky! It was a great run in a lovely loaction as I felt totally fine after Saturday’s race. I obviously DIDN’T run hard enough on Sat as I could have done another 3km apart from the fact it was absolutly hoofing down with rain by the end!! We couldn’t have got any wetter but it was still good. Feeling better about Sat now although I haven’t seen the individual results so don’t know how I compared to the other ‘old ladies’. Maybe I’m better not knowing And thank you so much for your comments about Saturday – I have a fragile ego too, Em!
After my run on Sunday, we rounded up Martin and Jennie and headed into the city to be tourists for the day.

We went and looked at my new office block (ooo, the excitement is never ending!), went on trams, trains and the big wheel at Birrarung Marr. In the UK we would probably have got a couple of turns on this thing and it would have cost twice as much. However, in Melbourne it was cheap and went on for ages and ages. It also went really fast!!! Ed had to prise my fingers from the bars for the first couple of turns!! We also went to Crown Casino and made a profit on the Roulette table before heading home so I could collapse in a heap on the sofa, sorry couch!
Ed’s gone swimming on his own tonight as I feel a bit pooped and might have a little cold so I’m resting up and pretending it’s not there.
Our furniture should arrive in the next 7 days!!!!!!!!! I’m so excited about sleeping in a bed again and eating my dinner at a table Oh, and mountain bikes too
And here are some photos from a couple of weeks ago:
Ed’s birthday book – How to identify Killer Spiders!!

Can we have a kanagroo please?? Pleeeeeeeeze??

Even the trees are bigger here!

And here’s a few more

Warning #1 – this is just about running so if you’re not interested in running, you probably won’t want to read this.
Warning # 2 – this is a whinge
I’m gutted about today’s run (AV Winter Series Cross Country relay at Jells Park). It started well. The weather was great despite all the dire rain warnings and it was warm and sunny. The course was great, undulating, dry and interesting with lots of places for supporters to shout at you. I was running the final ‘glory’ leg for the Sandy O40 team and felt really up for it. I started off steadily so I didn’t blow up too early and was nicely picking people off. Only 1 female went past me and I went past quite a few. I managed to keep the pace steady on the 2nd lap and did 2 identical laps times so at least my pace judgement is sound. I finished strongly and once I stopped I just knew I hadn’t run hard enough and when I saw my lap times I was SO disappointed. Oh well, it was the first race in a long time and I know I’m race rusty and maybe I’m not as fit as I thought I was
Anyway, I perked up when I was told that we were 3rd and had won a medal!! We got the medals, had our photos taken and were feeling quite chipper when they came and took them away from us again!! There was a mistake in the calculations and we were actually 4th. Still a good result but on top of feeing I had let myself down with my run I now feel very deflated.
I feel like I’m acting like a spoilt child and not a reasonable mature (hmmm….!) 42 year old woman!!!
Don’t worry, I will have gotten over it by tomorrow and will bounce back but I just needed to have a gripe.
There, that’s better
BTW, the medal thing? The other team won fair and square – they were quicker. It’s only on top of feeling I hadn’t run my best.

Ooops – wrote this a couple of days ago but it ot stuck somewhere!

Well after just 2 days in my new job – I got a day off!! Hooray for Anzac Day
The new job is going well although I haven’t actually done very much yet. The office is very nice though, on the 33rd floor with 360 deg views of Melbourne. I think I might be spending a lot of time gazing out of the window. Oh yeah, that’s what I normally do anyway
Hit the track with Em on Tuesday night for a 600’s session. I was very pleased with the session too and managed to keep them all consistent although we were getting more recovery than we should have I led (the 2nd group!) on most of them with a few youngsters snapping at my heels. Looking forward to the first XC on Sat
Today is Anzac Day which means a/ a day off work b/ loads of stuff on TV about war veterans and c/ a Dunkirk re-enactment on Hampton Beach! Well, there were a few kids being ferried about in boats in the bay. Still, we met some friends on the beach for some Anzac biscuits so it was a pleasant afternoon. Oh, and I squeezed in 12km this morning. I’m going to take it easy now in preparation for Sat.

Busy old morning this morning. After the body pump class (the instructor comes from Crowthorne and her parents live in Camberley – my home town!!!) I was under orders from his nibs, who’s still swanning around in the Danadenongs, to go to a house auction to see what happens. In the UK, auctions are usually reserved for reposessions or somewhere in dire need of modernisation. In Australia it appears to be a family morning out!! The auction was conducted in the street with buses going by and attended by about 50 people, their kids and their dogs! I hid behind a tree in fear of a nervous twitch which would result in me buying a $1m house by accident Anyway, there only seemed to be about 2 people bidding and when one couple dropped out and got in their car, one of the auction guys chased them down the street. Hilarious!! I can see why people go now – very entertaining. I managed to escape with our bank balance intact and thought the place was overpriced.
Then I went for a 10k run along the coastal trail and saw my pelicans again – what fantastic birds. They are HUGE! Following several people’s recomendations I thought I would try an ice bath afterwards. If it’s good enough for Paula R, then it’s good enough for me. However, I did take the slightly soft option of sitting in an empty bath and letting the water in gradually. I missed the ice out this time too – one step at a time Anyway, I think my legs do feel better. I did feel really guilty about the water though, especially as I then had a shower. The cold water is still in the bath so I’ll either use it again tomorrow or chuck it on the (mostly dead) garden
Oh, and it rained but not enough to even cover the ground. I never thought I would say this, BUT I wish it would rain – a lot! It’s got to. And soon…………..
Oh, and we went to the free comedy thing in Fed Square last night. It was a very strange experience. There was only one act that was good (the American escapologist) – the others were embarrassing at best! I guess that’s why it was free but it was still a nice evening with the city lights all around.
OMG – I’ve just looked out of the window and it’s raining!! Properly

Ed’s on a residential training course (a ‘jolly’ to you and me!) in the Dandenongs so I’m home alone for the first time since we arrived.
I spent the day shopping!! As some people know I’m not the world’s best shopper – I much prefer the internet but I actually had a good time today! As I start my new job on Monday I had to get some work clothes, having spent the last 6 working years pretty much in jeans! Things are more formal here. I found a factory outlet place and got LOADS of stuff so I’m all ready for Monday – I even got my contract today. I seem to remember it took Cambridge University 2 1/2 months to get a contract to me by which time I had been in the job about 2 months!
Then I toddled off to the track for training which was pretty knackering after Tuesday but I think I managed to pull it off (just). I just hope I can stay healthy.
Anyway, my dinner is almost readay and Lost has just started (we’ve borrowed a HUGE telly!)

I accepted a job today working in the city 4 days a week (sweeeet…) for a superannuation co in some verrree swanky offices!!! OMG, I’ll have to buy some swanky clothes to go with it. It’s an admin job but a new role – a bit like an office manager so I’m quite happy.
It’s also Ed’s birthday so we’re just off for a meal with some friends and a bottle of Piper Heidseck (sp?) – sorry, but had to be French tonight!
Also just done a hard hill session which was ace (I think?) and the lights in Melbourne looked really good tonight with the two big wheels along the Yarra (why are they there – Cirque du Soleil??). I love this place!!!

Noooooo – not a Land Rover! A new class called Body Pump. OK not that new but I tried it today for the first time as an alternative to my pet hate – the gym. It was great, much more motivating than going to the gym even if I was a bit unco-ordinated at times, ahem ! I think I need to increase the weight slightly next time as I was using very light discs but even so, I could feel the lactic in my legs during the lunges and squats.
We then pootled off to get our Medicare cards and I managed to squeeze in bit of shoe shopping! Why waste the opportunity when in a shopping centre?
Off to the Comedy Festival tonight to see Shappi Khorsandi. The tickets for the Muppets were too expensive!
Ed’s just mumbled someting about going to look at houses this afternoon! I’m in shock – we’ve only just moved in here!!! Think I need to have a few words with him

PS, I almost forgot! One the jobs I had an interview with last week has asked for references!!! I have emailed my ex ‘boss’ at Cambridge Uni to prime him and request he doesn’t mention my inability to work with anyone in a cooperative and pleasant manner!! Hee hee….

I was offered a job this week! However, I have turned it down as it’s not the right job for me but it’s an encourging start as this was the first interview I had! I had another yesterday and one today and both of these jobs are really good and I would like either/both of them!! I’d like to get something soon now as the weather has got a bit cooler and the beach isn’t so appeaing anymore. Although, I had a windsurfing lesson today and actually managed to stay upright (mostly!) and sail!!! It was fab – even if did hit a boat. It was only a small bump honest
Then I went training on the track with the group from Sandy AC. I was really pleased with the way I ran (800 – 3.04, 4 x 400 – 82, 82, 82, 79) as these times are very similar to what I was running a few years ago in Southampton. Not bad for an old lady like me and they are a really nice crowd to run with too! I’m dreading tomorrow though as I’m sure I won’t be able to walk!
We’re hoping to get to the Comedy Festival this weekend and maybe a picnic somewhere for Ed’s birthday (on 17th for any who’ve forgotten!)
We’ve also now got wireless broadband at home so we’re back online alhtough my email server has been down for the last 12 hours – c’mon Mailsnare, sort yourselves out!!
That’s it – tired after all the sportiness today so going to bed now……………..zzzzzzzzzz

We have been in Australia for 4 weeks today now! That’s the longest we have spent in a country outside the UK together and the longest Ed has ever been overseas for! Now we have got our Australian drivers licences we are feeling like ‘fair dinkum’ Aussies too People are even asking me for directions to places so I must look like a local. Seeing Hot Fuzz last night didn’t make me homesick at all (especially the scenes filmed in the rain!) but maybe if I saw it in a few months time I would feel differently.
Off to the beach now!

And what a lovely weekend it’s been – one of the best Easter’s I’ve ever had I think, helped by having some great weather. On Friday we went for a walk at Ricketts Point, a marine sanctuary a bit further along the bay before going to Mordialloc for a sandwich on the beach. At one point I said ‘we haven’t seen any pelicans recently’ and three of them promptly flew overhead!! Spooky or what. Does that mean that whenever I want to see something I just have to mention it?? ‘I haven’t seen a kangaroo recently’, ‘I haven’t seen a koala recently’ and I haven’t seen $10, 000 recently’!! We also met up with someone from Ed’s work (the bloke that interviewed him in Cambridge in fact) and his girlfriend for a coffee and then rounded the day off with ‘another’ BBQ on the beach but missed the sunset as it’s getting too early now – about 6.00pm? Oh and I think they’ve talked us into a kite surfing lesson!
Yesterday we drove around the bay, which is a day trip (although I have been roped into a bike ride in Oct which goes all the way around – eek!) It was great weather again and involved a trip on the ferry across the bay (a rubbish whale watching trip – didn’t see a single one!  ). We headed to Bells Beach to try and catch some of the World Surfing Champs but there was no surf so nothing was happening when we got there. We did see some guys out on a beach on the way there though so at least I can say I’ve seen some proper surfing in Australia now. Is it me, or is it a bit dull?? Lots of lying about on the board waiting for a wave big enough to surf on? We then hit the road again and went to the You Yangs (some hills near Geelong) to see what we could see and saw a great sunset while sitting on Big Rock (a granite outcrop) above the trees listening to the birds putting themselves to bed. AND we nearly hit a kangaroo in the car as it hopped out in front of us!! Oh and some REALLY noisy cockatoos – what a racket!
Today I decided I wanted a windsurfing lesson but they were closed. Australia is a very civilised country and everything has been closed over the weekend instead of the usual shopping frenzy that seems to go on in the UK. It really is treated as a proper holiday here. So we set up camp on the beach instead to try and lose some of the UK winter prison pallor – Ed being more successful than me with those Italian genes! We went to the cinema after that and saw Hot Fuzz which was very funny – Ed’s raucous laugh echoing around the cinema had to be tempered occasionally!
And that’s Easter so far although there is still Monday to go – swimming tomorrow I think.
Running-wise, I went down to Sandringham track on Thursday and chatted to one of the people down there who does the coaching and it looks like I will probably join them in time to start the winter season. It’s a bit more expensive then the 20 quid I used to pay to Royston Runners though! Hopefully joining a club will restore my motivation a bit and it will certainly be easier to train with other people again although I did manage 16km on my own today.
Job-wise, I haven’t heard back about my second interview last week yet but I have two more interviews next week so plenty of options. I like the sound of these two much more than the other one anyway.
And the sofa saga ended with the delivery last Thursday…….