July

** updates are in blue text - last update Monday 31st July**

Thursday 6th July

For once got up earlier and walked around the long way to the ferry, past the beach, which was a nice treat. Too often just run down the hill the short way and skip all the good bits.

Had to phone someone in New York tonight - which with the time difference I had to call about 11pm to get him at 9am... Funny to think I can go back into work tomorrow morning and phone him again and the same day for him is just finishing at 6pm.

Friday 7th

As usual my daily exercise involves running for the ferry in the morning and at night. On way to work, its 8am, and again there's the jazz band (double bass, saxophone) playing on the street corner. Sit up top on the Jetcat - makes sure you wake up before you get to work, as its pretty crisp at that time in the morning at 15 knots! Still feels like we are on holiday (albeit with having to go to work)...but it still doesn't feel like you live here.....despite the bills and the taxman!

Holly is a riot. Funny, cute, cheeky and mischievous all rolled into one.... one minute she's posing at the mirror practising her facial expressions, the next she is trying to stand on her head or put her head between her ankles, and then she's giving you a cheeky look as she runs away with the remote control. The hard bit is trying to tell her off, when you're trying to hold in the laughter as her antics are pretty hilarious.

Monday 24th July

Found a butcher in Allambie Heights (10 mins away) who does "Scottish Fare".... such as "Square Sliced Sausage, Potato Scones, Haggis, Black Pudding, Snowball Cakes, Large Steak Pies, Clootie Dumpling..and more." Between that and real Irn Bru (albeit re-constituted from syrup in Australia rather than shipped over complete!)... oh and a pub that serves proper Bulmer's Cider.... I could just have some home-from-treats ... Break Glass In Case of Emergency.

Also, found some Australians things I like... such as Neenish Tarts and the coffee houses all do a thing called a Chai Latte..... Whereas a Mocha is hot steamed milk and espresso coffee poured on top of a thick chocolate syrup, instead of a chocolate syrup, its a blend of Chai leaves, Cinnamon and Cardamom

http://www.2basnob.com/chai-tea.html

Adios... off to bed...will try and keep some kind of updates coming... its been a bit busy lately!

Monday 31st July

Got up a bit late and somehow managed to get from bed to shower to ferry (fully clothed and shaved) in 15 mins! Still dark in the morning when you get up but its getting lighter as the days get longer..... Been a bit lazy getting the faster Jet Cat into work, which saves 10-15mins off the journey but its not as relaxing as the "slow boat" which takes the full 30 mins... Once you get on the slow boat there is nothing you can do but just sit and wind-down after work, and listen to the rhythmic "boom-boom" of the engines as you trundle out the harbour....

Back in the house, wee Holly is starting to say some more words, and what she doesn't say she makes up for with facial expressions (usually a cheeky wee smile!) and poses as she looks at herself in the long mirror at the end of the hall. Sheryl is having fun with her Mum being over, as she is here until the end of September. Her Dad comes over for the last 3 weeks in Sept and then they go home together.

Tomorrow (1st June) we will have been here 6 whole months !! How time flies.....