We had a brilliant Christmas, whipped up quite a storm and managed to cook a roast which neither of us could finish!
We followed dinner with a nap and a walk on the beach in the sun - It is so wrong to be sat in the sun on Christmas day!
Boxing day we embraced the Aussie tradition of shopping!! What a bizarre thing, I have never seen so many people milling about the shops
They actually open the stores from 5am… We of course did not get up at such an antisocial hour!
We had great fun speaking to everyone on Christmas day I think all in all we spent more than 3 hours on the phone! By the end of it we were absolutely exhausted..
It was hard being so far away from all the people we love, especially on Christmas I think going to church on Christmas morning ands knowing so many of you were at Midnight Mass at the same time was a lovely thought, and we were both quite emotional as the vicar talked about remembering all those that were dear to us.
Apart from a reasonable amount of upset we both managed very well and on the weekend we actual went for our first proper swim on St Kilda Beach. The waves were pretty impressive and we got pretty bashed about. El took great delight in watching me fall over repeatedly!
Sunday we went our separate ways El fancied shopping and I was very excited about a day of reading. I now have quite a selection Secret Santa at work purchased me one and I got 2 very exciting reads from Nan and Grandad.
Sarah and I are on to the second of our Austen Book club Having chomped our way through Emma we are on to Mansfield Park so I find myself reading 3 books at once ( just the way I like it ) The only problem is that when I start I find it almost impossible to stop and could quite happily remain in my bookish state for a week! El returned from her shopping and reminded me that regardless we did have to eat! We tried a new eatery on Fitzroy and it was quite delightful.
Last night marked the end of our holiday and so as to make the very most of our free time we rented a movie. I have to tell you that if you have not already wasted 2 hours of your life watching 'The Happening' don’t.
I do not know how they managed to call a film where absolutely nothing of interest happens the Happening but there we go.
I watched a modern day production of the wizard of Oz called Tin Man. It was brilliant, but 6 hours is slightly full on … poor El I thought she was going to explode with frustration. After the first 3 hours she really thought we were done. But no, the next night we had 3 more hours to enjoy…
Tonight ( Monday ) I have got to hours overtime at the job from hell.. But the money is good and it all counts towards our adventures..
Well I shall leave you there,
Hope you are all well and had wonderful Christmas breaks
Much love
Leah and El
Monday, 29 December 2008
Friday, 26 December 2008
Christmas
We have just watched the Queens speech and sadly it means we are now celebrating boxing day
We have had a great day and have recorded the above Christmas speech for you.
If it sounds rehersed that is because it is! we recorded it when slightly tipsy, and although we could have easily recorded another one, we like it.
Love to you all
xx
We have had a great day and have recorded the above Christmas speech for you.
If it sounds rehersed that is because it is! we recorded it when slightly tipsy, and although we could have easily recorded another one, we like it.
Love to you all
xx
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Christmas time -
What a wonderful weekend,
Getting away is always good for you. We really did have a nice time
Ballarat is a funny little place, there really isn't a lot there to interest a person,
We stayed by the lake as I mentioned and it was entirely dry, the town is a little worn around the edges and
You can easily see that it sprung up to accommodate the needs of the gold miners and was not designed to look pretty or win any competitions.
Sovereign Hill was a wonderful experience, the whole place is created to look just like it would have all those years ago
And it was so real that you really believed you had travelled back in time.
We took the underground tour of the mine and actually walked the ground where the miners would have trodden collecting the quartz to find the gold.
Panning for gold went well, we have a little bottle of real gold which we are both most proud of!
We had a roast dinner and we were both left feeling a little sad at the thought that both our mums, and
My grandmother make such lovely roasts and we are far to far away to enjoy them! Next time you tuck in please think about us
Living in a land where a good roast is as unlikely as a white Christmas!
After so much concern over the lack of Christmas spirit I am finally feeling festive and excited about Christmas.
We are preparing our food list tonight and El ( who is working 5 hour days ) is going to do the shopping tomorrow.
We have found a church for the Christmas service and will be busy wrapping our stocking presents this evening.
It will be odd speaking to everyone - Those in England will at least be celebrating on the same day, Simon and Rachel and Mum
However are a whole 17 hours behind so we will be well into boxing day before I get to wish them Merry Christmas.
I do hope the snow has let off, I was reading a report online about how the roads are completely snow blocked, and I worry that they will never make it from Illinois to Indiana - I have my fingers crossed that I am very much mistaken.
Well with Christmas in mind I would just like to wish you all the very best Christmas, may it be full of wonderful things.
If we do not speak to you we shall certainly be raising a glass of something bubbly on Christmas day and toasting to Absent friends,
You will all be well remembered.
All our love Leah and El
Getting away is always good for you. We really did have a nice time
Ballarat is a funny little place, there really isn't a lot there to interest a person,
We stayed by the lake as I mentioned and it was entirely dry, the town is a little worn around the edges and
You can easily see that it sprung up to accommodate the needs of the gold miners and was not designed to look pretty or win any competitions.
Sovereign Hill was a wonderful experience, the whole place is created to look just like it would have all those years ago
And it was so real that you really believed you had travelled back in time.
We took the underground tour of the mine and actually walked the ground where the miners would have trodden collecting the quartz to find the gold.
Panning for gold went well, we have a little bottle of real gold which we are both most proud of!
We had a roast dinner and we were both left feeling a little sad at the thought that both our mums, and
My grandmother make such lovely roasts and we are far to far away to enjoy them! Next time you tuck in please think about us
Living in a land where a good roast is as unlikely as a white Christmas!
After so much concern over the lack of Christmas spirit I am finally feeling festive and excited about Christmas.
We are preparing our food list tonight and El ( who is working 5 hour days ) is going to do the shopping tomorrow.
We have found a church for the Christmas service and will be busy wrapping our stocking presents this evening.
It will be odd speaking to everyone - Those in England will at least be celebrating on the same day, Simon and Rachel and Mum
However are a whole 17 hours behind so we will be well into boxing day before I get to wish them Merry Christmas.
I do hope the snow has let off, I was reading a report online about how the roads are completely snow blocked, and I worry that they will never make it from Illinois to Indiana - I have my fingers crossed that I am very much mistaken.
Well with Christmas in mind I would just like to wish you all the very best Christmas, may it be full of wonderful things.
If we do not speak to you we shall certainly be raising a glass of something bubbly on Christmas day and toasting to Absent friends,
You will all be well remembered.
All our love Leah and El
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Welcome to Ballarat
hello guys, greetings from Ballarat, El and I took a road trip, thus far we have experienced
Christmas songs sung in an Reggae style, automotive disaster ( number 2 ) and the beautiful lake on which the Olympic rowing took place on has dried up !
I am not complaining - far from it we spent the afternoon at a wildlife reserve and hand feed kangaroos, we got within inch's of koala's and even saw a 15 foot croc. We have the delight of
Sovereign Hill tomorrow and we shall fill you in.
So whilst Mum, Simon and Rachel hit the snow covered Chicago Christmas market El and I will make the most of the sunshine and go and enjoy a beer or two before dinner
Love to you all xx
The battery went flat on the car, but it was all OK because a lovely man and his dad swung by with a set of jump leads... Brilliant luck!
Christmas songs sung in an Reggae style, automotive disaster ( number 2 ) and the beautiful lake on which the Olympic rowing took place on has dried up !
I am not complaining - far from it we spent the afternoon at a wildlife reserve and hand feed kangaroos, we got within inch's of koala's and even saw a 15 foot croc. We have the delight of
Sovereign Hill tomorrow and we shall fill you in.
So whilst Mum, Simon and Rachel hit the snow covered Chicago Christmas market El and I will make the most of the sunshine and go and enjoy a beer or two before dinner
Love to you all xx
The battery went flat on the car, but it was all OK because a lovely man and his dad swung by with a set of jump leads... Brilliant luck!
Monday, 15 December 2008
Monday evening
El and I have just blitzed the flat, and let me tell you it needed it.
We have now collapsed in a heap and I am off to bed shortly, but not before I make the most of the wonderful Internet and type a quick blog to you all.
I feel I must update you to the post peril.
Firstly I must say I have not been disappointed, such great volumes of post have been flooding into the mail box and I am busy replying to each. It is a great pleasure to sit in the evenings and pen my response. Today however brought a new dimension into the postal world.
The post box had flooded.
Very bad design, it's a small ( and I mean small ) grey painted metal box with a hinge lid, a number 4 on the front and a small slit for the postman to post through. As the actual box sits on the inside of our gate it is difficult for post poachers ( though not impossible) to steal the post.
Such is it's design, when we had the torrential rain on Saturday it filled 15cm of the box with rain water, and short of drilling a hole in the bottom ( or using the soup ladle ) there is very little I can do about it.
Tomorrow I am going to buy a sponge.
I wished dad was here, he'd have a solution worked out in a jiffy, El suggested I syphon it out with a straw.....I think she is just taking the mick as she knows I have become slightly post orientated since our arrival... I enclose below an actual email that was sent to me at work, it had ,me in floods of hysterical tears, more so because not a single other person got the joke...
Maybe it is just me...I think my mum might be tickled by it!!
Enjoy xx
Sent: Thursday, 4 December 2008 4:21
Subject: Level 4
To all MSC staff,
The hole outside the lifts on level 4 is currently being repaired.
You can still access the floor, lifts and toilets but please be careful around the workman and his equipment.
Thanks
MSC Administration and Facilities Supervisor
We have now collapsed in a heap and I am off to bed shortly, but not before I make the most of the wonderful Internet and type a quick blog to you all.
I feel I must update you to the post peril.
Firstly I must say I have not been disappointed, such great volumes of post have been flooding into the mail box and I am busy replying to each. It is a great pleasure to sit in the evenings and pen my response. Today however brought a new dimension into the postal world.
The post box had flooded.
Very bad design, it's a small ( and I mean small ) grey painted metal box with a hinge lid, a number 4 on the front and a small slit for the postman to post through. As the actual box sits on the inside of our gate it is difficult for post poachers ( though not impossible) to steal the post.
Such is it's design, when we had the torrential rain on Saturday it filled 15cm of the box with rain water, and short of drilling a hole in the bottom ( or using the soup ladle ) there is very little I can do about it.
Tomorrow I am going to buy a sponge.
I wished dad was here, he'd have a solution worked out in a jiffy, El suggested I syphon it out with a straw.....I think she is just taking the mick as she knows I have become slightly post orientated since our arrival... I enclose below an actual email that was sent to me at work, it had ,me in floods of hysterical tears, more so because not a single other person got the joke...
Maybe it is just me...I think my mum might be tickled by it!!
Enjoy xx
Sent: Thursday, 4 December 2008 4:21
Subject: Level 4
To all MSC staff,
The hole outside the lifts on level 4 is currently being repaired.
You can still access the floor, lifts and toilets but please be careful around the workman and his equipment.
Thanks
MSC Administration and Facilities Supervisor
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Sunday -
It is sunny, this is a shocking result as the last few weeks have not been good.
Yesterday it rained, it rained and rained and rained...in fact Melbourne have just recorded the highest rainfall in 7 years. It is most bizare, after all we are now in the height of summer here.
Oh well.
Lucky for us it was sunny on Thursaday evening - as I mentioned El booked us in for the outdoor cinema, it was abslutely delightful and we enjoyed a pic nic and a bottle of fizzy wine whilst watching Vicky,Cristina,Barcelona, it was a Woody Allan movie, so although not totally brilliant, it was engaging and just right for a summer evening. The most amazing thing about this evening however, was not the film but the fact that half the cast of Neighbours turned up and sat down next to us... very odd.
Yesterday we finished our Christmas shopping and spent the Evening in a new favourite bar, hidden behing our flat and fitzroy street, it was a wonderful night but one too many conctails has left me with a lightly wooly head! We are off now for our special Sunday lunch cooked by a gourmet Aussi Chef.. will up date you later...
We now have the internet at home, Dad has managed to get the lap top, and the dongal all the way to St Kilda ( not before the post office had searched and detained the package however!)
So we shall be better equipped for blog writing and emailing.
Speak soon
Much love Leah and El
Yesterday it rained, it rained and rained and rained...in fact Melbourne have just recorded the highest rainfall in 7 years. It is most bizare, after all we are now in the height of summer here.
Oh well.
Lucky for us it was sunny on Thursaday evening - as I mentioned El booked us in for the outdoor cinema, it was abslutely delightful and we enjoyed a pic nic and a bottle of fizzy wine whilst watching Vicky,Cristina,Barcelona, it was a Woody Allan movie, so although not totally brilliant, it was engaging and just right for a summer evening. The most amazing thing about this evening however, was not the film but the fact that half the cast of Neighbours turned up and sat down next to us... very odd.
Yesterday we finished our Christmas shopping and spent the Evening in a new favourite bar, hidden behing our flat and fitzroy street, it was a wonderful night but one too many conctails has left me with a lightly wooly head! We are off now for our special Sunday lunch cooked by a gourmet Aussi Chef.. will up date you later...
We now have the internet at home, Dad has managed to get the lap top, and the dongal all the way to St Kilda ( not before the post office had searched and detained the package however!)
So we shall be better equipped for blog writing and emailing.
Speak soon
Much love Leah and El
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Well what a delightfull thing, work is over for the day and El has just called to advise that she has booked us tickets to the open air cinema this evening and we are going to sit in the beautiful sunshine with a bottle of white wine and a pic-nic and watch a movie. it is right in the heart of the botanical gardens and so should be an absolute delight.
I have booked us a table for a seven course sunday lunch and so between us we are doing very well at finding nice things.
The weather is finally picking up and I can gladly report there is not a single cloud in the sky today.
With that thought I shall leave you, one more day to go till the weekend - and I really can't wait.
Love to you all
Leah and El
I have booked us a table for a seven course sunday lunch and so between us we are doing very well at finding nice things.
The weather is finally picking up and I can gladly report there is not a single cloud in the sky today.
With that thought I shall leave you, one more day to go till the weekend - and I really can't wait.
Love to you all
Leah and El
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
The tale of the terrible Monday
1st December
Well we had a good weekend, followed by a rather traumatic Monday (I’ll get to it)
We left the safe St Kilda shores for a weekend jaunt to Philip Island; El had managed to book us a car, a motel and tickets to see the tiny penguins that live there. It’s about 3 hours away and so we got to see some great scenery on the way and apart from a rather tricky diversion around Frankston we made it there unshaved. The motel was pretty nice and in the middle of Cowes (twinned with our Cowes) and we barely had time to layer up before heading the 10 km down the road to the penguin parade.
It’s a funny old buissness these tiny (30 cm tall) penguins swim to the shoreline before running up the beach to their nests. They each have there own little route back and there are over 1000 of them. El managed some illegal filming so we will be able to blog them for your eyes only. It was however bloody cold !! with jumpers, scarf’s, more layers than a lasagne and fleece blankets I was still quite glad of the complimentory hot chocolate and the warmth of our Italian restaurant where we had dinner when it was all over. Exhausted from a busy working week and excited about the plans for the day ahead I promptly fell asleep and left poor old El watching telly by herself!
We got up early and went to the most haphazard market I have ever come across in my life… you could buy anything ( not that you’d want a lot of it ) and we amused ourselves looking around. We then headed for Amazing things © If you are familiar with Ripley’s believe it or not museum in Blackpool then you are probably on the same page.. It is a collection of seemingly impossible things that turn out to be true.
Very entertaining. As with all these theme park esk things we have some delightful pictures ( you know the ones that cost a small fortune and come in their own brightly coloured cardboard frames ) so we’ll get them scanned in for your entertainment.
We headed to the beach next, El went for a surf whilst I settled for a swim and a spot of R and R on the sand, turns out I got quite burnt, and still bare slight resemblance to a warning beacon or a lobster.
With a 3 hour drive home we set off, stopping at a chocolate factory we stopped of for some takeaway, parked the car and within an hour were fast asleep, it’s amazing what the fresh air does for you.
Great weekend.
Not so good Monday – Got up for work, got to work, finished work, came home. Not so eventful. El however had a slightly different day She got up to drive the car back to the rental shop, only the car wasn’t there – why? Because the night before we mistook a towaway bay for a parking space, oh yes the hire car got towed. Poor old El had to go back to the rental shop and explain that we’d lost the car, pay $75 for the weekend car hire and then $370 to get the car back….
So there we go tonight we went for a beer each £100 down but united in out hatred for car tow people and united in the fact that we had a brilliant weekend and are looking forward to the next mini adventure ( and a better awareness of the Australian parking system )
Love to you all,
Leah and El
Well we had a good weekend, followed by a rather traumatic Monday (I’ll get to it)
We left the safe St Kilda shores for a weekend jaunt to Philip Island; El had managed to book us a car, a motel and tickets to see the tiny penguins that live there. It’s about 3 hours away and so we got to see some great scenery on the way and apart from a rather tricky diversion around Frankston we made it there unshaved. The motel was pretty nice and in the middle of Cowes (twinned with our Cowes) and we barely had time to layer up before heading the 10 km down the road to the penguin parade.
It’s a funny old buissness these tiny (30 cm tall) penguins swim to the shoreline before running up the beach to their nests. They each have there own little route back and there are over 1000 of them. El managed some illegal filming so we will be able to blog them for your eyes only. It was however bloody cold !! with jumpers, scarf’s, more layers than a lasagne and fleece blankets I was still quite glad of the complimentory hot chocolate and the warmth of our Italian restaurant where we had dinner when it was all over. Exhausted from a busy working week and excited about the plans for the day ahead I promptly fell asleep and left poor old El watching telly by herself!
We got up early and went to the most haphazard market I have ever come across in my life… you could buy anything ( not that you’d want a lot of it ) and we amused ourselves looking around. We then headed for Amazing things © If you are familiar with Ripley’s believe it or not museum in Blackpool then you are probably on the same page.. It is a collection of seemingly impossible things that turn out to be true.
Very entertaining. As with all these theme park esk things we have some delightful pictures ( you know the ones that cost a small fortune and come in their own brightly coloured cardboard frames ) so we’ll get them scanned in for your entertainment.
We headed to the beach next, El went for a surf whilst I settled for a swim and a spot of R and R on the sand, turns out I got quite burnt, and still bare slight resemblance to a warning beacon or a lobster.
With a 3 hour drive home we set off, stopping at a chocolate factory we stopped of for some takeaway, parked the car and within an hour were fast asleep, it’s amazing what the fresh air does for you.
Great weekend.
Not so good Monday – Got up for work, got to work, finished work, came home. Not so eventful. El however had a slightly different day She got up to drive the car back to the rental shop, only the car wasn’t there – why? Because the night before we mistook a towaway bay for a parking space, oh yes the hire car got towed. Poor old El had to go back to the rental shop and explain that we’d lost the car, pay $75 for the weekend car hire and then $370 to get the car back….
So there we go tonight we went for a beer each £100 down but united in out hatred for car tow people and united in the fact that we had a brilliant weekend and are looking forward to the next mini adventure ( and a better awareness of the Australian parking system )
Love to you all,
Leah and El
Friday, 28 November 2008
28th - another day in the office?
Hello all,
Am just typing a quick update in my lunch break, it's funny I entitled the blog another day in the office to be ironic, today is just another day in the office....
Lucky it's Friday, my head is full of numbers and codes and I need a weekend really badly.
El and I are off to Philip Island tomorrow, we've booked somewhere to stay so we can explore on the Sunday too.
I am sorry for not including the link to the flicker photo account, I typed the blog on the lap top and then go to the internet cafe to publish it, I was surposed to set up the flicker account at the same time but I forgot!! I will do it this weekend and then send the link over.
Work is OK, El is busy trying to increase sales and find job agency people who will take back packers and I am busy chasing errant payments on ford cars. It is pretty dull to tell the truth.
Today at work we have international food day, this means that everyone is meant to bring in food from their country of origin. I made cake. Not very English but tasty none the less.
They are crazy we have enough food to feed a small army including 2 xx lasagnes, 2 x curries 2 x salads 1 noddle dish and cakes and biscuits coming out of our ears.
Tonight we are off to the big bad city, I may try and surprise El with Wicked tickets, if not a quick beer and then a walk arround the south bank.
Promise to blog better soon,
Love to you all xx
Am just typing a quick update in my lunch break, it's funny I entitled the blog another day in the office to be ironic, today is just another day in the office....
Lucky it's Friday, my head is full of numbers and codes and I need a weekend really badly.
El and I are off to Philip Island tomorrow, we've booked somewhere to stay so we can explore on the Sunday too.
I am sorry for not including the link to the flicker photo account, I typed the blog on the lap top and then go to the internet cafe to publish it, I was surposed to set up the flicker account at the same time but I forgot!! I will do it this weekend and then send the link over.
Work is OK, El is busy trying to increase sales and find job agency people who will take back packers and I am busy chasing errant payments on ford cars. It is pretty dull to tell the truth.
Today at work we have international food day, this means that everyone is meant to bring in food from their country of origin. I made cake. Not very English but tasty none the less.
They are crazy we have enough food to feed a small army including 2 xx lasagnes, 2 x curries 2 x salads 1 noddle dish and cakes and biscuits coming out of our ears.
Tonight we are off to the big bad city, I may try and surprise El with Wicked tickets, if not a quick beer and then a walk arround the south bank.
Promise to blog better soon,
Love to you all xx
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
22nd November
I am sorry for the lack of blog work my end, it’s been a bit busy. I guess I got a little bit enthusiastic, what with being employed and all.
As you know we took a tour last Sunday up the Great Ocean Road, and despite our best efforts we are struggling to get the pictures on the blog so we have opened a flicker account, This is just a way of sharing photos online, so I have listed the instructions below for you to view them.
It was an amazing experience and the coastline is truly fabulous. I can’t really explain how beautiful it is, I was talking to mum the other day about BVI and how stunning some of the scenery was, and unless you stand in front of it words just don’t seem to do it justice. I am a firm believer in the fact that we are very fortunate in England with some amazing stretches of coastline and early on the tour we came to Bells Beach. It is a surfing spot and as far as Australia are concerned it is where Surfing started, just up the road they have the surf museum and Original Quicksilver Shop. It is a beautiful beach but in my mind Cornwall, Devon and The Seven sisters have as much to offer. As we kept driving however we saw the 12 apostles, walked through the rainforest and viewed the shipwreck coast. I could have stayed at one of the beaches for days, it was so idyllic. If any of you manage to make it out to see us, we will gladly take you there and you can see if you have the words to describe it better than I.
Monday came all too quickly and after such a long day we really were tired. I was at the school as you know and I spent Tuesday and Wednesday day there too. I was really sad to leave truth be told, the people were lovely and it was so nice to get up each morning knowing I could do a good job but come home without having the worry of what I had forgotten, or the concern that tomorrow was going to be awful. The one thing that the week and a half working there has taught me is that although I loved my job in Brighton dearly and I could not imagine doing anything else the way in which I had to work in order to get the job done was not acceptable. I never felt truly relaxed as I was always worrying about something. I feel like I have time here to actually contemplate the future, as well as just enjoying the moment, and I do.
I started at ford Credit on Thursday, It is not the dream job that a girl aspires to, but the people seem friendly and the work is not complicated and it is near the flat so only 15 minutes or so to get to work.
I will see what becomes of the position over the next few weeks, but I may have a surprise or two up my sleeve….
Friday came around fairly quickly and last night El and I went out for a few beers, she kindly beat me at pool twice in a row ( that is about as much as I can take ) and we went for a cocktail…. It was the most amazing thing I have ever tasted chocolate and cherry Martini – Yummy at $14 I only had the one El had a vanilla and mint Mohitto and due to the 15 minutes of silence that occurred after she had tasted it I can confirm that that was also pretty good!
Tonight we are treating ourselves, now that we both have jobs, we are off to the cinema, not just the regular cinema though oh no.. we are going gold, Big comfy seats cocktails and dinner whilst we watch the new Bond. And then we are going to check out the casino. Don’t worry we’re only taking $20 each!!
We had planned to drive up the coast but the weather is very hit and miss, this morning it hailed and I have never seen anything like it, then it rained, now it is like a summers day except for the bitter wind, they weren’t kidding when they said it’s 4 seasons in one day!
I raised my glass to Simon yesterday – how can my 7 year old brother, the one I dressed as a girl, my best childhood friend suddenly be 23 years old? I forgot at the time Chicago are in fact 17 hours behind us so I was a little premature, I managed to speak to him today however and he was just off out for an Italian. Dad is safely in the US and enjoying shopping and eating by the sounds of things. It is nice to know that they are together. It’s easier to think about people when they are all in the same place!
I must thank you for my letters and cards, I actually got two in one go the other day!
Thanks Nan and Grandad, and Auntie Julie. I don’t actually have postal addresses for the Baker clan so if you could all email them that would be brilliant. wishiwasfunny@witty.com
I feel quite smug going to the mail box now and I have brought a new stash of airmail letters.
Well El should be back from work any minute so I had better finish up. I promise to be more consistent with the Blog from here on in, Dad is posting me back my lap top. I am told that Uncle Mark preformed some incredible life saving surgery on it and I must say I am amazed and delighted as I really thought it was dead. Thank you Uncle Mark, I shall be popping a little something in the post to you shortly. ( as long as you send me your address!)
Hoping you are all well all our love Leah and El
I am sorry for the lack of blog work my end, it’s been a bit busy. I guess I got a little bit enthusiastic, what with being employed and all.
As you know we took a tour last Sunday up the Great Ocean Road, and despite our best efforts we are struggling to get the pictures on the blog so we have opened a flicker account, This is just a way of sharing photos online, so I have listed the instructions below for you to view them.
It was an amazing experience and the coastline is truly fabulous. I can’t really explain how beautiful it is, I was talking to mum the other day about BVI and how stunning some of the scenery was, and unless you stand in front of it words just don’t seem to do it justice. I am a firm believer in the fact that we are very fortunate in England with some amazing stretches of coastline and early on the tour we came to Bells Beach. It is a surfing spot and as far as Australia are concerned it is where Surfing started, just up the road they have the surf museum and Original Quicksilver Shop. It is a beautiful beach but in my mind Cornwall, Devon and The Seven sisters have as much to offer. As we kept driving however we saw the 12 apostles, walked through the rainforest and viewed the shipwreck coast. I could have stayed at one of the beaches for days, it was so idyllic. If any of you manage to make it out to see us, we will gladly take you there and you can see if you have the words to describe it better than I.
Monday came all too quickly and after such a long day we really were tired. I was at the school as you know and I spent Tuesday and Wednesday day there too. I was really sad to leave truth be told, the people were lovely and it was so nice to get up each morning knowing I could do a good job but come home without having the worry of what I had forgotten, or the concern that tomorrow was going to be awful. The one thing that the week and a half working there has taught me is that although I loved my job in Brighton dearly and I could not imagine doing anything else the way in which I had to work in order to get the job done was not acceptable. I never felt truly relaxed as I was always worrying about something. I feel like I have time here to actually contemplate the future, as well as just enjoying the moment, and I do.
I started at ford Credit on Thursday, It is not the dream job that a girl aspires to, but the people seem friendly and the work is not complicated and it is near the flat so only 15 minutes or so to get to work.
I will see what becomes of the position over the next few weeks, but I may have a surprise or two up my sleeve….
Friday came around fairly quickly and last night El and I went out for a few beers, she kindly beat me at pool twice in a row ( that is about as much as I can take ) and we went for a cocktail…. It was the most amazing thing I have ever tasted chocolate and cherry Martini – Yummy at $14 I only had the one El had a vanilla and mint Mohitto and due to the 15 minutes of silence that occurred after she had tasted it I can confirm that that was also pretty good!
Tonight we are treating ourselves, now that we both have jobs, we are off to the cinema, not just the regular cinema though oh no.. we are going gold, Big comfy seats cocktails and dinner whilst we watch the new Bond. And then we are going to check out the casino. Don’t worry we’re only taking $20 each!!
We had planned to drive up the coast but the weather is very hit and miss, this morning it hailed and I have never seen anything like it, then it rained, now it is like a summers day except for the bitter wind, they weren’t kidding when they said it’s 4 seasons in one day!
I raised my glass to Simon yesterday – how can my 7 year old brother, the one I dressed as a girl, my best childhood friend suddenly be 23 years old? I forgot at the time Chicago are in fact 17 hours behind us so I was a little premature, I managed to speak to him today however and he was just off out for an Italian. Dad is safely in the US and enjoying shopping and eating by the sounds of things. It is nice to know that they are together. It’s easier to think about people when they are all in the same place!
I must thank you for my letters and cards, I actually got two in one go the other day!
Thanks Nan and Grandad, and Auntie Julie. I don’t actually have postal addresses for the Baker clan so if you could all email them that would be brilliant. wishiwasfunny@witty.com
I feel quite smug going to the mail box now and I have brought a new stash of airmail letters.
Well El should be back from work any minute so I had better finish up. I promise to be more consistent with the Blog from here on in, Dad is posting me back my lap top. I am told that Uncle Mark preformed some incredible life saving surgery on it and I must say I am amazed and delighted as I really thought it was dead. Thank you Uncle Mark, I shall be popping a little something in the post to you shortly. ( as long as you send me your address!)
Hoping you are all well all our love Leah and El
Monday, 17 November 2008
The Great Ocean Road
Well,
At last I have something blogworthy to report.
Yesterday El and I went on a road trip, not just up any road I'll have you know but the great Ocean one ..
It's the first touristy thing we have done in over a month and I have to tell you it is one hell of a drive. El managed to book it through her work so it was half price and took a whole 13 hours door to door. We have more photo's than you could shake a cat at and more flip video footage than the internet could accept and we are working on a joint colabaration for your blogging enjoyment so watch this space - later this week you shall have the whole tale.. withwords and pictures!
I'm back at school today, I really do like it here, I think the next job may come as a bit of a blow to the side of the head after this, none the less I am enjoying my time here and will embrace the change.
A friend of a friend of El's is in town tonight so we may go out for a beer after work, not often we get to interact with other people.... Talk to you soon
Much love Leah and El
At last I have something blogworthy to report.
Yesterday El and I went on a road trip, not just up any road I'll have you know but the great Ocean one ..
It's the first touristy thing we have done in over a month and I have to tell you it is one hell of a drive. El managed to book it through her work so it was half price and took a whole 13 hours door to door. We have more photo's than you could shake a cat at and more flip video footage than the internet could accept and we are working on a joint colabaration for your blogging enjoyment so watch this space - later this week you shall have the whole tale.. withwords and pictures!
I'm back at school today, I really do like it here, I think the next job may come as a bit of a blow to the side of the head after this, none the less I am enjoying my time here and will embrace the change.
A friend of a friend of El's is in town tonight so we may go out for a beer after work, not often we get to interact with other people.... Talk to you soon
Much love Leah and El
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Well another day has come and gone, can you believe that we left over a month ago? I can't - it seems like yesterday that I was sat on my bed panicing quietly about packing.
We are finally settling in, both have jobs, have started to think about paying the rent on Rupert, and trying to estimate the electricity bill! We have found most of the local things we need and mum sent me a card so I have even had the privalige of using my letter box.
All things considered we have done pretty well and I think from next week we'll start having more to report on the weekends, we are planning to be a little more adventurous and really make those days off count.
So for now I shall allow you to get back to your days, I would like to advise that the heat is becoming increasingly annoying, I don't know if I'll make it through the summer, I was up till nearly 2 am because I just couldn't sleep because it was too hot - and currently it's spring!!
Love to you all
Leah and El
We are finally settling in, both have jobs, have started to think about paying the rent on Rupert, and trying to estimate the electricity bill! We have found most of the local things we need and mum sent me a card so I have even had the privalige of using my letter box.
All things considered we have done pretty well and I think from next week we'll start having more to report on the weekends, we are planning to be a little more adventurous and really make those days off count.
So for now I shall allow you to get back to your days, I would like to advise that the heat is becoming increasingly annoying, I don't know if I'll make it through the summer, I was up till nearly 2 am because I just couldn't sleep because it was too hot - and currently it's spring!!
Love to you all
Leah and El
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Yey
I blog you from the office!
Well at least a pretty swanksome reception desk at St Michael's Grammar School where I am on temporary assignment.
The people here are lovely and I am very much enjoying myself, wish it was a permanent placement but such is life.
On the up and up I got the Ford job today as well so I start there next Thursday.
Job's are funny - first you have none then you get 2 at once!!
Well best chip
Will blog soon
Love to all
xx
Well at least a pretty swanksome reception desk at St Michael's Grammar School where I am on temporary assignment.
The people here are lovely and I am very much enjoying myself, wish it was a permanent placement but such is life.
On the up and up I got the Ford job today as well so I start there next Thursday.
Job's are funny - first you have none then you get 2 at once!!
Well best chip
Will blog soon
Love to all
xx
Monday, 10 November 2008
7th November
Well not much has happened, nearly got a temp job this afternoon at a school but at the last minute they decided to cover the reception themselves. Damn them.
Still up for a job with Ford – so hopefully I will hear later this afternoon.
It is raining here, and it is actually pretty cold, thought that might make you all feel better! I am safely reading on the sofa and relaxing having spent the morning tidying and cleaning the oven.
El has one more day left with her manager and then she’s on her own so she only took a 10 minute lunch today, I think she is panicking slightly and quite needlessly as she is a very competent individual and will do well to remember that! I shall tell her repeatedly until it sinks in!
Tonight we are going out for a bite to eat and a drink, it is Friday after all and in all fairness it will make a refreshing change from cooking. This weekend we are heading into the big bad city, I need a new swimming costume due to the fact that whilst swimming lengths earlier in the week I had an unfortunate flashing incident.. Luckily the pool was quite empty but none the less I would rather not bare my breasts to the world! El must acquire another pair of jeans (apparently for work) any excuse me thinks! And we may invest in another oven dish, oh I know it’s almost too exciting to bare. Not as exciting as receiving 3 bits of post… admittedly one was a water bill, one was my tax file number and one was from the job agency, but none the less – I was delighted.
I don’t know how well the US election was covered in the UK but I watched a whole day of it here and it was really quite remarkable, I felt real excitement for the states and for the rest of the world as I watched it unfold and quite moved by the individual stories that were told. I really am constantly amazed at how connected we are, email, television, telephone, speaking to people as if they were in the next room, or following events on the other side of the world, I don’t think I’ve ever really appreciated technology as much as I do currently.
On a slightly less deep note, Soapy has been back, I took the bins out this morning – and upon re-entering our front gate she slinked through. I believe that El has promised her chicken. I am not best pleased at having to lock her out in the rain, but Rupert really is no place for someone else’s cat. I miss the presence of troublesome Steve and Lovely Tonic, soapy would be a poor substitute but none the less we did discus cat napping last night and where we both stand on the issue – so watch this space!!!
Much love to you all
Leah and El
PN – I am only joking about the cat napping ….
8th November
Well since El is at work this morning I decided to have a beautiful lie in! which I very much enjoyed, I spent the rest of the afternoon working on the pirate book for Sarah, for those of you are not aware about this, I promised to make Sarah a pirate story book as a leaving present, not just any story book, no, a rhyming, fully illustrated pirate book… It is actually nearly finished and even if I do say so myself it is pretty damn good, with Sa’s permission I may post the odd page.
Any way, El finished work and we headed to Chapel street to buy swimming costumes, after the first shop middled out about $120 we were very pleased indeed to find a $20 discount rail and 2 perfectly fitting bathing suits and headed to the sea baths. Having a swim in the salts baths is really cool apart from the fact that it is actually 3 times harder to swim when you are floating automatically you have to concentrate on not floating… There is a hydrotherapy pool, I have to be honest, it is really hard to motivate yourself to swim lengths when you could be sat in 38 degree heat with a spa jet working on your shoulders!
We actually attempted a sneaky beer to watch the sunset in the bar next door to the sea baths, (it’s right on the beach) but the wind was unbelievable, so we moved on to a slightly more secluded spot and ended up in the GPB a very trendy underground bar, good trendy not ‘I’m so up my own arse that it is difficult to drink my $25 bottle of specially imported beer trendy’ and we settled in for a few beers, we managed to get home though and whip up a rather basic dinner.
Sunday 9th
We managed a lovely breakfast this morning in our favourite little café
El headed into the big bad city to go jean shopping – I elected to stay out of that whole affair and waited for her return before heading to the sea baths, you can’t say we’re not getting into the Aussie lifestyle. A quick coffee and a walk back to the supermarket for supplies we got back to the flat and are settling down to watch a movie with a glass of wine.
We are building quite a selection of DVD’s as all the video shops sell them off for about $5 a time so it’s cheaper to buy than rent!
Hope everyone is well, I’m waiting for that major influx of post, as yet, nothing.
Love to you all
Leah and El
Lazy posting I know four days in one hit - just had a call from the agency still waiting on the ford job... off to post Simon's birthday pressent, Sarahs care package and Gemma's new baby something stylish pay money into our Aussie accounts buy milk and bread (and some more cloths) and then I shall go home and make the house nice before whipping up a butternut squash and carrot risotto for tea.
Missing you all x
Well not much has happened, nearly got a temp job this afternoon at a school but at the last minute they decided to cover the reception themselves. Damn them.
Still up for a job with Ford – so hopefully I will hear later this afternoon.
It is raining here, and it is actually pretty cold, thought that might make you all feel better! I am safely reading on the sofa and relaxing having spent the morning tidying and cleaning the oven.
El has one more day left with her manager and then she’s on her own so she only took a 10 minute lunch today, I think she is panicking slightly and quite needlessly as she is a very competent individual and will do well to remember that! I shall tell her repeatedly until it sinks in!
Tonight we are going out for a bite to eat and a drink, it is Friday after all and in all fairness it will make a refreshing change from cooking. This weekend we are heading into the big bad city, I need a new swimming costume due to the fact that whilst swimming lengths earlier in the week I had an unfortunate flashing incident.. Luckily the pool was quite empty but none the less I would rather not bare my breasts to the world! El must acquire another pair of jeans (apparently for work) any excuse me thinks! And we may invest in another oven dish, oh I know it’s almost too exciting to bare. Not as exciting as receiving 3 bits of post… admittedly one was a water bill, one was my tax file number and one was from the job agency, but none the less – I was delighted.
I don’t know how well the US election was covered in the UK but I watched a whole day of it here and it was really quite remarkable, I felt real excitement for the states and for the rest of the world as I watched it unfold and quite moved by the individual stories that were told. I really am constantly amazed at how connected we are, email, television, telephone, speaking to people as if they were in the next room, or following events on the other side of the world, I don’t think I’ve ever really appreciated technology as much as I do currently.
On a slightly less deep note, Soapy has been back, I took the bins out this morning – and upon re-entering our front gate she slinked through. I believe that El has promised her chicken. I am not best pleased at having to lock her out in the rain, but Rupert really is no place for someone else’s cat. I miss the presence of troublesome Steve and Lovely Tonic, soapy would be a poor substitute but none the less we did discus cat napping last night and where we both stand on the issue – so watch this space!!!
Much love to you all
Leah and El
PN – I am only joking about the cat napping ….
8th November
Well since El is at work this morning I decided to have a beautiful lie in! which I very much enjoyed, I spent the rest of the afternoon working on the pirate book for Sarah, for those of you are not aware about this, I promised to make Sarah a pirate story book as a leaving present, not just any story book, no, a rhyming, fully illustrated pirate book… It is actually nearly finished and even if I do say so myself it is pretty damn good, with Sa’s permission I may post the odd page.
Any way, El finished work and we headed to Chapel street to buy swimming costumes, after the first shop middled out about $120 we were very pleased indeed to find a $20 discount rail and 2 perfectly fitting bathing suits and headed to the sea baths. Having a swim in the salts baths is really cool apart from the fact that it is actually 3 times harder to swim when you are floating automatically you have to concentrate on not floating… There is a hydrotherapy pool, I have to be honest, it is really hard to motivate yourself to swim lengths when you could be sat in 38 degree heat with a spa jet working on your shoulders!
We actually attempted a sneaky beer to watch the sunset in the bar next door to the sea baths, (it’s right on the beach) but the wind was unbelievable, so we moved on to a slightly more secluded spot and ended up in the GPB a very trendy underground bar, good trendy not ‘I’m so up my own arse that it is difficult to drink my $25 bottle of specially imported beer trendy’ and we settled in for a few beers, we managed to get home though and whip up a rather basic dinner.
Sunday 9th
We managed a lovely breakfast this morning in our favourite little café
El headed into the big bad city to go jean shopping – I elected to stay out of that whole affair and waited for her return before heading to the sea baths, you can’t say we’re not getting into the Aussie lifestyle. A quick coffee and a walk back to the supermarket for supplies we got back to the flat and are settling down to watch a movie with a glass of wine.
We are building quite a selection of DVD’s as all the video shops sell them off for about $5 a time so it’s cheaper to buy than rent!
Hope everyone is well, I’m waiting for that major influx of post, as yet, nothing.
Love to you all
Leah and El
Lazy posting I know four days in one hit - just had a call from the agency still waiting on the ford job... off to post Simon's birthday pressent, Sarahs care package and Gemma's new baby something stylish pay money into our Aussie accounts buy milk and bread (and some more cloths) and then I shall go home and make the house nice before whipping up a butternut squash and carrot risotto for tea.
Missing you all x
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Early mornings and catty kidnap
Hello Peeps,
I am almost over the pain of the lack of fireworks.
I had to get up early today as I had to be in the big bad city for 9am - dear me it was a shock to the system .. I had an interview with yet another agency but it went well and hopefully work should be mine shortly.
It is so odd not working, you'd think it would be enjoyable, thing is you just worry the whole time about not having a job so you can't even enjoy it!!
I am off home now to clean, hoover, put a wash on, unload the dishwasher and make a fresh batch of soup.
I really really want a job, domestication really is not for me, and those who know us are well aware that El and I, although only two people, create enough mess for at least 6.
Nothing cool to report I am afraid, oh except I cooked a roast yesterday and it was delightful, or so El tells me, by the time I'd finished cooking the idea of eating seemed strangely alien so I had some ice cream instead.
Also there is this cat Soapy who lives on our road, very cute, grey and very friendly, I always give her a Little pat as I walk by - El however decided that Soapy would make a nice addition to Rupert, Yesterday she brought him home! she claims he just followed her, but I'd put $100 on that she walked down the road going "come on soapy, come on " ... it's a shame really because I'd love it if we could steal her, only I know how annoyed I'd be if someone stole Tonic, and to a slightly lesser extent Steve ( I'm joking) so I fear I must keep an eye on El or she'll have that cat in a cupboard before I can say Kibble.
Hope you are all doing well
Love to everyone ( give all the cats we love a little stroke )
Leah and El
I am almost over the pain of the lack of fireworks.
I had to get up early today as I had to be in the big bad city for 9am - dear me it was a shock to the system .. I had an interview with yet another agency but it went well and hopefully work should be mine shortly.
It is so odd not working, you'd think it would be enjoyable, thing is you just worry the whole time about not having a job so you can't even enjoy it!!
I am off home now to clean, hoover, put a wash on, unload the dishwasher and make a fresh batch of soup.
I really really want a job, domestication really is not for me, and those who know us are well aware that El and I, although only two people, create enough mess for at least 6.
Nothing cool to report I am afraid, oh except I cooked a roast yesterday and it was delightful, or so El tells me, by the time I'd finished cooking the idea of eating seemed strangely alien so I had some ice cream instead.
Also there is this cat Soapy who lives on our road, very cute, grey and very friendly, I always give her a Little pat as I walk by - El however decided that Soapy would make a nice addition to Rupert, Yesterday she brought him home! she claims he just followed her, but I'd put $100 on that she walked down the road going "come on soapy, come on " ... it's a shame really because I'd love it if we could steal her, only I know how annoyed I'd be if someone stole Tonic, and to a slightly lesser extent Steve ( I'm joking) so I fear I must keep an eye on El or she'll have that cat in a cupboard before I can say Kibble.
Hope you are all doing well
Love to everyone ( give all the cats we love a little stroke )
Leah and El
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Bonfire night
I would say without fear of exaggeration that one of my most favourite days of the year is November the 5th Fireworks, bonfires, burning that poor effigy of Mr Fawlks, toffee apples, candy floss, knowing that carnival time is in full flow, the fair is over the back of the house, Dad is nailing Catherine wheels into a fence, and friends are calling to coordinate fireworks and frivolity. For 25 wonderful years I have watched fireworks in many parts of our fair country, I have watched the flaming tar barrels in Ottery St Mary, I have sat in a cold field in Exeter, I have got hopelessly lost with my dearest friend Sarah whilst trying to find devils dyke with a selection of snacks in a plastic bag. And 2 years ago I watched the spiralling plumes and beautiful sparks from my airplane seat on my way back from Hong Kong, the whole of London shimmerered and shifted before my very eyes. You can imagine then my pure incomparable excitement at seeing the Australians put their spin on it. Try and feel my immense disappointment, try and sense the agonising blow that I feel in my heart upon learning that our charming host nation do not actually know of Bonfire night let alone celebrate it
And this is how I found out….
Me – So what do you guys do for Fireworks night
Shop keeper – What ?
Me – Bonfire night
Shop keeper – I don’t know what you mean
Me – 5th of November “remember remember the 5th of November, Gunpowder treason and plot” …
Shop keeper – Nope, don’t know what you mean, but you folks know about the Melbourne cup right?
Me (secretly in my head) Would you all just get a grip it’s a two minute bloody horse race. You do not need to shut every shop, every school, every building, have a national holiday, dress up, and then spend at least a fortnight talking non stop about horse hoofs, horse injuries, horse drugs, tiny jockey’s, overweight jockey’s, evil Jockeys.
How can you even bother about this silly race when you are not even aware of the travesty that was inflicted upon our parliamentary house, you are not interested in the way we have taken this heinous crime and turned it into a spectacular of lights and wonderment I can’t even begin to understand you let alone finish this conversation as I am heart broken and disappointed at your lack of knowledge and or consideration, for my feelings.
Me – (And now for my actual response) Yes should be a fun old day
I do not know what to say, of course I am sad, I am also feeling a little silly, El pointed out that of course it was a British thing and as it only really effected our government it was probably never going to be a worldwide phenomena.
No November 5th – that’s the upshot of all this, I mean obviously the day will come and go but it will not be the same. So grab a sparkler on my behalf, and write my name in the air, eat a toffee apple for me, and ohhhhh and weeeeee and yeahhhh as you enjoy the evening that has been stolen from me and El ( mostly me as El seems fine about it )
Much love Leah and El
And this is how I found out….
Me – So what do you guys do for Fireworks night
Shop keeper – What ?
Me – Bonfire night
Shop keeper – I don’t know what you mean
Me – 5th of November “remember remember the 5th of November, Gunpowder treason and plot” …
Shop keeper – Nope, don’t know what you mean, but you folks know about the Melbourne cup right?
Me (secretly in my head) Would you all just get a grip it’s a two minute bloody horse race. You do not need to shut every shop, every school, every building, have a national holiday, dress up, and then spend at least a fortnight talking non stop about horse hoofs, horse injuries, horse drugs, tiny jockey’s, overweight jockey’s, evil Jockeys.
How can you even bother about this silly race when you are not even aware of the travesty that was inflicted upon our parliamentary house, you are not interested in the way we have taken this heinous crime and turned it into a spectacular of lights and wonderment I can’t even begin to understand you let alone finish this conversation as I am heart broken and disappointed at your lack of knowledge and or consideration, for my feelings.
Me – (And now for my actual response) Yes should be a fun old day
I do not know what to say, of course I am sad, I am also feeling a little silly, El pointed out that of course it was a British thing and as it only really effected our government it was probably never going to be a worldwide phenomena.
No November 5th – that’s the upshot of all this, I mean obviously the day will come and go but it will not be the same. So grab a sparkler on my behalf, and write my name in the air, eat a toffee apple for me, and ohhhhh and weeeeee and yeahhhh as you enjoy the evening that has been stolen from me and El ( mostly me as El seems fine about it )
Much love Leah and El
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Leah's thoughts
The post problem
Well – I am a little miserable, I blame you all for this, and here is my tale;
Each day I wake up – make a cup of coffee, think about my daily tasks, plan my job hunting route, eat a piece of toast with bonne maman Raspberry jam ( yes even the unemployed do not make comfiture compromises ) and after a shower and the obligatory dressing I go to the mail box….
My heart beats that little bit faster as I approach, I can see through the slight slit a glimmer of white paper, could it be, that most coveted of coveted things, a letter?
I go slowly down the path, barely daring to hope, and slowly extending my arm I lift the metal lid.
No, nothing.
So far I have had several near misses a water bill, a pin code for my Australian Debit card, El’s pin code for her Australian debit code, (great find) the free weekly TV guide, a flyer for a weird hippy esk market, a steam cleaning companies advertising rubbish and an invitation the cinema (before 5pm on a Friday for only $5)
From you, my nearest and dearest, nothing, not a whisper, not a bean.
Now I do appreciate that letters are a dying art, that mail is a commodity that most associate with the 1960’s and that you are all intolerably busy, but this is me. I can’t think of anything better than finding the familiar hand writing of a loved one, or friend placed with care in my mail box by the kind postman ( who thinks I am either a) Crazy or b) in love with him ) due to my adoring looks as he passes in the afternoons with his heavy bag
This is an appeal - the lost art of the letter, please, please put pen to paper for me, regale me of your trials and tribulations, of your working days and your weekend highlights, tell me of your love life, your lack of love life, your family celebrations, your pets, your parents, send me the current contents of your fridge but please write to me. I’ll write back, and you will experience the joy of post.
I’m waiting………
Love to all xx
Ps I still do not have a job but I did cook a cracking rack of lamb today as well as whip up a cottage pie for tea, clean the flat from top to bottom (including the bathroom) watched a cookery program for future inspiration and improved my CV as well as typing a rather dashing covering letter even if I do say so myself.
Will keep you posted, as long as you keep me in post.
Well – I am a little miserable, I blame you all for this, and here is my tale;
Each day I wake up – make a cup of coffee, think about my daily tasks, plan my job hunting route, eat a piece of toast with bonne maman Raspberry jam ( yes even the unemployed do not make comfiture compromises ) and after a shower and the obligatory dressing I go to the mail box….
My heart beats that little bit faster as I approach, I can see through the slight slit a glimmer of white paper, could it be, that most coveted of coveted things, a letter?
I go slowly down the path, barely daring to hope, and slowly extending my arm I lift the metal lid.
No, nothing.
So far I have had several near misses a water bill, a pin code for my Australian Debit card, El’s pin code for her Australian debit code, (great find) the free weekly TV guide, a flyer for a weird hippy esk market, a steam cleaning companies advertising rubbish and an invitation the cinema (before 5pm on a Friday for only $5)
From you, my nearest and dearest, nothing, not a whisper, not a bean.
Now I do appreciate that letters are a dying art, that mail is a commodity that most associate with the 1960’s and that you are all intolerably busy, but this is me. I can’t think of anything better than finding the familiar hand writing of a loved one, or friend placed with care in my mail box by the kind postman ( who thinks I am either a) Crazy or b) in love with him ) due to my adoring looks as he passes in the afternoons with his heavy bag
This is an appeal - the lost art of the letter, please, please put pen to paper for me, regale me of your trials and tribulations, of your working days and your weekend highlights, tell me of your love life, your lack of love life, your family celebrations, your pets, your parents, send me the current contents of your fridge but please write to me. I’ll write back, and you will experience the joy of post.
I’m waiting………
Love to all xx
Ps I still do not have a job but I did cook a cracking rack of lamb today as well as whip up a cottage pie for tea, clean the flat from top to bottom (including the bathroom) watched a cookery program for future inspiration and improved my CV as well as typing a rather dashing covering letter even if I do say so myself.
Will keep you posted, as long as you keep me in post.
El's thoughts...
04/11/2008 Melbourne Cup Day
Well its Tuesday and a Victoria state bank holiday due to ‘Horses’!! They really are horse mad.
The sun is shining and Leah and I are giving the dressing up and potential loss of all finances a miss and hitting the beach. (it’s a lot less busy and the only real designer accessory we need is a towel).
We have been having a good few days. Leah has taken on the role of a Stepford wife and was busily baking, cleaning and making Shepard’s pie yesterday which was a great joy!
Some good news is that I have managed to get a job. I am working for travellersxpress which deals with all the needs of backpackers, including getting their tax back, making travel arrangements and general advice giving. This means that daily I get to work with hung over Irish people, organisation mad Germans, mouthy English folk, and all the other nationalities that choose to use our services. So once my training is over I will be running the St Kilda shop which is handily located at the end of our road on Grey Street.
Leah is busy cutting out jobs from the paper so all effort is going into getting her a job and hopefully I can support her with that process. I am however very happy to be getting roast lamb cutlet salad on my lunch break and coming home to a spread of cakes and delights she has whipped up. The name Baker is extremely fitting.
Well were off to enjoy the sunshine now so farewell all and we will be in touch again soon.
All our love
El and Leah
Well its Tuesday and a Victoria state bank holiday due to ‘Horses’!! They really are horse mad.
The sun is shining and Leah and I are giving the dressing up and potential loss of all finances a miss and hitting the beach. (it’s a lot less busy and the only real designer accessory we need is a towel).
We have been having a good few days. Leah has taken on the role of a Stepford wife and was busily baking, cleaning and making Shepard’s pie yesterday which was a great joy!
Some good news is that I have managed to get a job. I am working for travellersxpress which deals with all the needs of backpackers, including getting their tax back, making travel arrangements and general advice giving. This means that daily I get to work with hung over Irish people, organisation mad Germans, mouthy English folk, and all the other nationalities that choose to use our services. So once my training is over I will be running the St Kilda shop which is handily located at the end of our road on Grey Street.
Leah is busy cutting out jobs from the paper so all effort is going into getting her a job and hopefully I can support her with that process. I am however very happy to be getting roast lamb cutlet salad on my lunch break and coming home to a spread of cakes and delights she has whipped up. The name Baker is extremely fitting.
Well were off to enjoy the sunshine now so farewell all and we will be in touch again soon.
All our love
El and Leah
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Yet another job hunting day .. only it seems a lot harder to search for jobs here than it would be in the UK.
It seems that unless you chase Australians with a stick and then beat them with it - nothing gets done. Strange but unfortunately true.
In the fine dining stakes however we are continuing to flourish.
We have set up chez Rupert for all your culinary needs - last night we had a home made soup to start, steak with pepper sauce with green beans and potatoes, followed by a sticky toffee pudding. We have worked out how all the appliances work, where the bins go, and received our first letter.
It was from the Electricity company.
We are just going to drop our amended inventory back to the lettings people and then go for a walk on the beach, in is a lovely day - clear blue Sky's but with a refreshing breeze (without which I would be dead) I think El is slightly resentful of the breeze and keeps pointing out that it is cold in the shadows, secretly I am exceptionally pleased about the shadows!
We are both well, I had a bit of a cry yesterday as I came over all home sick and decided I might like to pop home for a day or two... I got over it quite quickly, it just hasn't sunk in how far away we are and so I feel that maybe I could visit you all in an hour or two. El provided me with ice cream which seemed to help.
Hope you are all well, fingers crossed we'll have something really interesting to tell you all soon, I'd hate for you to die of boredom and I fear that currently the blog is about as interesting as the financial times.
Love to you all
Leah and El x
It seems that unless you chase Australians with a stick and then beat them with it - nothing gets done. Strange but unfortunately true.
In the fine dining stakes however we are continuing to flourish.
We have set up chez Rupert for all your culinary needs - last night we had a home made soup to start, steak with pepper sauce with green beans and potatoes, followed by a sticky toffee pudding. We have worked out how all the appliances work, where the bins go, and received our first letter.
It was from the Electricity company.
We are just going to drop our amended inventory back to the lettings people and then go for a walk on the beach, in is a lovely day - clear blue Sky's but with a refreshing breeze (without which I would be dead) I think El is slightly resentful of the breeze and keeps pointing out that it is cold in the shadows, secretly I am exceptionally pleased about the shadows!
We are both well, I had a bit of a cry yesterday as I came over all home sick and decided I might like to pop home for a day or two... I got over it quite quickly, it just hasn't sunk in how far away we are and so I feel that maybe I could visit you all in an hour or two. El provided me with ice cream which seemed to help.
Hope you are all well, fingers crossed we'll have something really interesting to tell you all soon, I'd hate for you to die of boredom and I fear that currently the blog is about as interesting as the financial times.
Love to you all
Leah and El x
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Job hunting is killing me
Good Morning all.
Well we are in one of the many internet cafes looking for jobs.
It is dull.
El has been atacking anyone who works in the travel agency ( when I say atacking that is not far from the truth ) the girl is on a mission. I favour the slightly more laid back aproach of apply for anything which sees me working in an office. I think this is for the best otherwise we would probably end up applying for the same jobs and fighting furiously over who gets them!!
To be honest because of the 6 month maximum on staying in any one job it is proving difficult to find jobs which maybe you would go for at home, my theory on this is quite simple, I am not at home therefore I can apply for what ever I like.
We have settled into Rupert quite nicely now and are both enjoying cooking, just so you kjnow tonight we have steak.
We are still yet to do anything remotely exciting and although we are having a lovely time I don't really feel like I've left England. Yesterday we woke to rain, the television is the same NCIS, bones etc etc - food and beverages are exactly what you would expect and Melbournes CBD is just like London.
I am however really starting to miss people - it sort of comes in waves, I know that El is the same and when we look at all your smiley faces on our wall it does tug at the heart strings a bit.
Thanks for all your emails, we can't wait till we get the internet at home I barely have time to read them currently let alone reply but they do make me laugh.
Well back to looking for work, I'd probably get frowned at by the lovely Eleanor if she new I had not been aplying my self to task ... what would I do without her?
Love to you all xx
Well we are in one of the many internet cafes looking for jobs.
It is dull.
El has been atacking anyone who works in the travel agency ( when I say atacking that is not far from the truth ) the girl is on a mission. I favour the slightly more laid back aproach of apply for anything which sees me working in an office. I think this is for the best otherwise we would probably end up applying for the same jobs and fighting furiously over who gets them!!
To be honest because of the 6 month maximum on staying in any one job it is proving difficult to find jobs which maybe you would go for at home, my theory on this is quite simple, I am not at home therefore I can apply for what ever I like.
We have settled into Rupert quite nicely now and are both enjoying cooking, just so you kjnow tonight we have steak.
We are still yet to do anything remotely exciting and although we are having a lovely time I don't really feel like I've left England. Yesterday we woke to rain, the television is the same NCIS, bones etc etc - food and beverages are exactly what you would expect and Melbournes CBD is just like London.
I am however really starting to miss people - it sort of comes in waves, I know that El is the same and when we look at all your smiley faces on our wall it does tug at the heart strings a bit.
Thanks for all your emails, we can't wait till we get the internet at home I barely have time to read them currently let alone reply but they do make me laugh.
Well back to looking for work, I'd probably get frowned at by the lovely Eleanor if she new I had not been aplying my self to task ... what would I do without her?
Love to you all xx
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Sorry for the delay....
23rd, 24th October – St Kilda
We are sorry to leave you hanging for 2 days without word, unfortunately the perils of international travel is the distinct lack of predictable internet availability.
I have some exceptional news, we are in, 4/24 Dalgety that is, and what an absolute joy it is. So to recap -
On the 23rd we got up early to pack up our belongings and vacate the match box (turns out we didn’t do a very good job as we left 4 DVD’s and a small bag of gifts behind) then we dumped everything at reception and headed out for a proper breakfast. With that accomplished we printed some photos and I took my old school film in to be processed and was acosted by a very posh Englishman who apparently works in, or owns, the photography shop who took a shine to my Camera. He then gave me a quick lesson on how to use the aperture, told me they only made 300 and that a savvy Japanese tourist would no doubt try and swap it for a digital number. He also said that if I ever got rid of it he would haunt me for the rest of my life.
Nice chap, turns out he lives up in the Mountains, had been in Oz for about 28 years and is going to have El and I over for tea one day.
We’ve witnessed some odd things like the woman who bent down on the tram and trimmed her toe nails with a pair of clippers and then just got off. The man who commented on El’s Fatima burba hand that she wares around her neck and then proceed to rant about how he had faught the burba’s – oh yes the crazy people are still attracted to us no matter how far we seem to travel! But it makes us laugh.
So when we got to the flat we didn’t have any electricity but we did have everything else that 2 girls could ever need (except a lasagne dish and candles). So off we went out to Acland street in pursuit of candles and some light snacks. The flat soon got really dark and the candles were struggling to offer us enough light but we put all our photos up on the walls and have left plenty of space for more, El has to print some out and like I said I have a film in the shop. I bailed and got an early night after that, knowing full well that tomorrow was going to be about cleaning and shopping.
I wasn’t wrong.
We Cleaned – and cleaned and cleaned, although saying that I believe we are yet to hoover … Then we tried the mains switch – and there was light, and refrigeration and hot water. So we headed to the shops. We had a concise list and this time we got everything on it (except brown sugar) and a few extras we’d forgotten ( like tinfoil, freezer bags and a hand blender). We got some plants, and plates, and flowers but best of all we went back to the local butchers.
4 Pork and fennel massive sausages
2 gigantic steaks
2 huge chicken breasts
1kg Pork mince
12 eggs ( free range fresh from the farm )
for £20 that can’t be bad. Plus they were lovely people who chatted easily to us about living in St Kilda and their daughter who is in England at the moment.
We ate the sausages last night, and I can safely say they were about the best I’ve ever tasted. We cooked our first dinner in the mansion (we have named him Rupert as he is definitely a bit posh) and then watched a rubbish movie and drank a bottle of wine.
Today is Saturday and we are treating ourselves to a day off, well technically 2 as we have been here for a week now and haven’t sat down really. We’ve walked along the beach for a total of 10 minutes, we haven’t been for a swim or a walk or anything apart from in transit. We are off to find jobs on Monday, CV’s ready and raring to go but this weekend is all about relaxing. I can’t speak for El but I didn’t come all this way to be stressed out and frantic.
Hope everyone is well, El’s done a clip of the apartment and we have a St Kilda clip for you too, so enjoy.. and we’ll write soon, or as soon as we find another internet ready café bar!
Love to all
Leah and El xx
We are sorry to leave you hanging for 2 days without word, unfortunately the perils of international travel is the distinct lack of predictable internet availability.
I have some exceptional news, we are in, 4/24 Dalgety that is, and what an absolute joy it is. So to recap -
On the 23rd we got up early to pack up our belongings and vacate the match box (turns out we didn’t do a very good job as we left 4 DVD’s and a small bag of gifts behind) then we dumped everything at reception and headed out for a proper breakfast. With that accomplished we printed some photos and I took my old school film in to be processed and was acosted by a very posh Englishman who apparently works in, or owns, the photography shop who took a shine to my Camera. He then gave me a quick lesson on how to use the aperture, told me they only made 300 and that a savvy Japanese tourist would no doubt try and swap it for a digital number. He also said that if I ever got rid of it he would haunt me for the rest of my life.
Nice chap, turns out he lives up in the Mountains, had been in Oz for about 28 years and is going to have El and I over for tea one day.
We’ve witnessed some odd things like the woman who bent down on the tram and trimmed her toe nails with a pair of clippers and then just got off. The man who commented on El’s Fatima burba hand that she wares around her neck and then proceed to rant about how he had faught the burba’s – oh yes the crazy people are still attracted to us no matter how far we seem to travel! But it makes us laugh.
So when we got to the flat we didn’t have any electricity but we did have everything else that 2 girls could ever need (except a lasagne dish and candles). So off we went out to Acland street in pursuit of candles and some light snacks. The flat soon got really dark and the candles were struggling to offer us enough light but we put all our photos up on the walls and have left plenty of space for more, El has to print some out and like I said I have a film in the shop. I bailed and got an early night after that, knowing full well that tomorrow was going to be about cleaning and shopping.
I wasn’t wrong.
We Cleaned – and cleaned and cleaned, although saying that I believe we are yet to hoover … Then we tried the mains switch – and there was light, and refrigeration and hot water. So we headed to the shops. We had a concise list and this time we got everything on it (except brown sugar) and a few extras we’d forgotten ( like tinfoil, freezer bags and a hand blender). We got some plants, and plates, and flowers but best of all we went back to the local butchers.
4 Pork and fennel massive sausages
2 gigantic steaks
2 huge chicken breasts
1kg Pork mince
12 eggs ( free range fresh from the farm )
for £20 that can’t be bad. Plus they were lovely people who chatted easily to us about living in St Kilda and their daughter who is in England at the moment.
We ate the sausages last night, and I can safely say they were about the best I’ve ever tasted. We cooked our first dinner in the mansion (we have named him Rupert as he is definitely a bit posh) and then watched a rubbish movie and drank a bottle of wine.
Today is Saturday and we are treating ourselves to a day off, well technically 2 as we have been here for a week now and haven’t sat down really. We’ve walked along the beach for a total of 10 minutes, we haven’t been for a swim or a walk or anything apart from in transit. We are off to find jobs on Monday, CV’s ready and raring to go but this weekend is all about relaxing. I can’t speak for El but I didn’t come all this way to be stressed out and frantic.
Hope everyone is well, El’s done a clip of the apartment and we have a St Kilda clip for you too, so enjoy.. and we’ll write soon, or as soon as we find another internet ready café bar!
Love to all
Leah and El xx
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Here it is......
Our Address:
4/24 Dalgety Street
St Kilda
Melbourne
Victoria
3182
Australia
Please feel free to write (all will be replied too) or simply just turn up - The more the merrier we say X
4/24 Dalgety Street
St Kilda
Melbourne
Victoria
3182
Australia
Please feel free to write (all will be replied too) or simply just turn up - The more the merrier we say X
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
22nd October 2008
My Birthday!
Its El here following in the blogging footsteps….Id firstly like to apologise to all those that have been following the blog so far if my writing skills aren’t as up to scratch as Miss Bakers! It’s been at least 3 weeks since I’ve had to write anything but its my birthday so I’m up for the challenge.
I’d like to start by saying what an amazing birthday it has been. We started the day with a little sing song courtesy of Leah on the bottom bunk whilst I hung upside down from the top bunk like a drunk Koala!! She did very well with the singing although it seemed to tail off on the last ‘happy birthday to you’! I was then treated to a morning of opening all the lovely cards which made it through the vigorous customs at Melbourne Tullamarine (we’re still trying to work out what Tullamarine stands for or means!!) And what lovely cards they were – thank you to all.
So my idea of a birthday treat was to firstly head to the bonds outlet round the corner for a cheap underwear buying session and what fun that was, I think even Leah enjoyed the experience-many bargains were had.
The most exciting part of this little trip was returning the missed call we had had the previous afternoon! For all of you that have been following our rental nightmare mission, the pain is over, we are now the proud renters of 4/24 Dalgety Street,
the flat we have wanted since the search began. I must say that we are both very relieved that we didn’t have to embark on another day of tram travelling, apartment viewing chaos! And what a birthday present finding that out was. We are both overjoyed.
So to complete the deal we then headed down to St Kilda to hand over the cash and sign the documents (once we had figured out how to get enough money out the bank! HSBC very kindly cancelled my card and Barclays don’t seem to know the meaning of international) but with our stealth like cunning we scrappled together enough to secure our palace. YAY- all signed and picking up the keys tomorrow.
Of course only a medium rare steak on mash potato with caramelised onion sauce could satisfy the joy so lunch it was. I hear the lasagne was pretty darn good too…..
A little bit of packing later (thank goodness were getting out of the match box) and it was dinner time. Went back to our favourite Acland Street and ate more! The eating out will of course stop once we are into Dalgety tomorrow (power permitting) but for now we are celebrating all things good and we have only been away for a week so are still milking the ‘were still sort of on holiday’ feeling.
Now you wouldn’t believe it but its blooming freezing this evening so we skipped the idea of waiting for a tram and hopped in a taxi back to the match box for our last night of bunk bedded slumber.
So for this evening we both say good night and love to you all.
With birthday cheer.
El and Leah XXXXX
internet permitting we will be back with you tomorrow!
My Birthday!
Its El here following in the blogging footsteps….Id firstly like to apologise to all those that have been following the blog so far if my writing skills aren’t as up to scratch as Miss Bakers! It’s been at least 3 weeks since I’ve had to write anything but its my birthday so I’m up for the challenge.
I’d like to start by saying what an amazing birthday it has been. We started the day with a little sing song courtesy of Leah on the bottom bunk whilst I hung upside down from the top bunk like a drunk Koala!! She did very well with the singing although it seemed to tail off on the last ‘happy birthday to you’! I was then treated to a morning of opening all the lovely cards which made it through the vigorous customs at Melbourne Tullamarine (we’re still trying to work out what Tullamarine stands for or means!!) And what lovely cards they were – thank you to all.
So my idea of a birthday treat was to firstly head to the bonds outlet round the corner for a cheap underwear buying session and what fun that was, I think even Leah enjoyed the experience-many bargains were had.
The most exciting part of this little trip was returning the missed call we had had the previous afternoon! For all of you that have been following our rental nightmare mission, the pain is over, we are now the proud renters of 4/24 Dalgety Street,
the flat we have wanted since the search began. I must say that we are both very relieved that we didn’t have to embark on another day of tram travelling, apartment viewing chaos! And what a birthday present finding that out was. We are both overjoyed.
So to complete the deal we then headed down to St Kilda to hand over the cash and sign the documents (once we had figured out how to get enough money out the bank! HSBC very kindly cancelled my card and Barclays don’t seem to know the meaning of international) but with our stealth like cunning we scrappled together enough to secure our palace. YAY- all signed and picking up the keys tomorrow.
Of course only a medium rare steak on mash potato with caramelised onion sauce could satisfy the joy so lunch it was. I hear the lasagne was pretty darn good too…..
A little bit of packing later (thank goodness were getting out of the match box) and it was dinner time. Went back to our favourite Acland Street and ate more! The eating out will of course stop once we are into Dalgety tomorrow (power permitting) but for now we are celebrating all things good and we have only been away for a week so are still milking the ‘were still sort of on holiday’ feeling.
Now you wouldn’t believe it but its blooming freezing this evening so we skipped the idea of waiting for a tram and hopped in a taxi back to the match box for our last night of bunk bedded slumber.
So for this evening we both say good night and love to you all.
With birthday cheer.
El and Leah XXXXX
internet permitting we will be back with you tomorrow!
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Ok so maybe not ALL letting agents are horrid.
October 21st – The day of reckoning
Well it has been a good day. We viewed Dalgety Street and let me tell you for a property that had already been let it was pretty available! We applied for it and are 90% certain it’s in the bag. I have my lucky silver bracelet, my good luck bear, my ruby slippers and my gems are charging on the windowsill. Tomorrow we will go there with everything we’ve got and if that is not enough then it was not meant to be.
I noticed something the other day, at Balaclava train station on a piece of A4 white paper in a black marker pen someone had written thought of the day.
Today I noticed it has been changed. It reminded me of Auntie Julie writing dad’s office thought of the day. Little bits like that remind us of home and of all the people that we love, we managed to speak to almost all our family members today and it is so good to hear your voices.
El and I have been telling stories about old friends, childhood memories and as we walk around St Kilda it feels like we are on the other side of the road not the other side of the world.
We came across the St Kilda community gardens today, it is quite incredible for $8 per square metre ( for a year ) you get your own piece of vegetable heaven, and they have open days, farmers markets and $10 dinners.
It really is a wonderful place.
We walked along the seafront for the first time, found the salt water swimming pool and got blustered along the lower esplanade it was really nice to find an hour where we were not pre occupied with finding a flat or worrying about where we are going to stay, or where the bank is, or job agency. We found time for a cup of coffee and an excited chat about our potential new home. It really is beautiful, and tomorrow we will post a video with St Kilda and the insides of the property for you all to see.
Well off to bed as it is El’s birthday tomorrow and she, like me believes that you should certainly not be up past midnight!!
Love to you all
Leah and El
May we also just say, thanks for your comments, we do read them and they make us smile from ear to ear, we only get internet for a very short amount of time each day here, as soon as we get into the flat we’ll be commenting back… just you try and stop us. xx
Well it has been a good day. We viewed Dalgety Street and let me tell you for a property that had already been let it was pretty available! We applied for it and are 90% certain it’s in the bag. I have my lucky silver bracelet, my good luck bear, my ruby slippers and my gems are charging on the windowsill. Tomorrow we will go there with everything we’ve got and if that is not enough then it was not meant to be.
I noticed something the other day, at Balaclava train station on a piece of A4 white paper in a black marker pen someone had written thought of the day.
Today I noticed it has been changed. It reminded me of Auntie Julie writing dad’s office thought of the day. Little bits like that remind us of home and of all the people that we love, we managed to speak to almost all our family members today and it is so good to hear your voices.
El and I have been telling stories about old friends, childhood memories and as we walk around St Kilda it feels like we are on the other side of the road not the other side of the world.
We came across the St Kilda community gardens today, it is quite incredible for $8 per square metre ( for a year ) you get your own piece of vegetable heaven, and they have open days, farmers markets and $10 dinners.
It really is a wonderful place.
We walked along the seafront for the first time, found the salt water swimming pool and got blustered along the lower esplanade it was really nice to find an hour where we were not pre occupied with finding a flat or worrying about where we are going to stay, or where the bank is, or job agency. We found time for a cup of coffee and an excited chat about our potential new home. It really is beautiful, and tomorrow we will post a video with St Kilda and the insides of the property for you all to see.
Well off to bed as it is El’s birthday tomorrow and she, like me believes that you should certainly not be up past midnight!!
Love to you all
Leah and El
May we also just say, thanks for your comments, we do read them and they make us smile from ear to ear, we only get internet for a very short amount of time each day here, as soon as we get into the flat we’ll be commenting back… just you try and stop us. xx
Monday, 20 October 2008
Find a flat
20th October – Find a flat day
Today we looked for a flat.
I’d love to elaborate, I’d love to regale you with joyous tales or mirth, but in truth we tried to find a flat and we failed.
We did apply for Foster Street (avid readers of the blog may recall that this was the property we wanted to look at yesterday but when we arrived some over renters had swiped from under us!) It is an absolute beauty. We debated uploading the footage of the flat but we both agree that we do not wish to appear over cocky so for now you will just have to trust our judgement.
Letting agents here are ridicules and I am trying to find the best way of smiling through the almost intolerable pain. I look forward to the day that I wake up and do not have to interact with any form of estate agent, do not have to visit an agency or phone one and be lied to.
This is a conversation I had earlier with a Jonathon Boon from Wentworths (who are the worst incidentally)
Me - Good morning I wondered if it would be possible to look at 4 / 24 Dalgetty this morning?
Receptionist – I’m sorry we haven’t decided which days we are showing properties this week.
Me – Oh, well is this property not currently vacant and available to let now?
Receptionist – Yes, but we have to pick days. We’ll decide when you can see it on Wednesday.
Me – Sorry I’m confused, you won’t decide when I can see the available uninhabited property until Wednesday?
Receptionist – Yes.
Me – Can I please view the property before Wednesday.
Receptionist – You could speak to a sales manager, I’m just a receptionist.
Me – That would be delightful if it’s not too much trouble.
Jonathon Boon – Goodaye Johno speaking.
Me – Hello My name is Leah I spoke to you on Saturday and you told me to call in on Monday and arrange to view Dalgetty. Can I please view Dalgetty.
JB – Oh I’m killer busy right now can I take your number
Me – Yes ummmm I really want to rent this flat, can I please see it today?
JB – can you hang about all day and wait for my call ?
Me – Yes.
JB – Great speak to you later …..
This was at 09:25
At 16:00 El rang him back.
El – Hello Johno, I believe you spoke to Leah earlier about 2/24 Dalgetty and you were going to call and show us around
JB – yes that’s right, I’ve actually let that property but I could show you another one tomorrow.
El – oh
Now please correct me if I’m wrong but this is exceptionally poor estate agent work.
Well tomorrow can only get better, apart from the renting saga life is pretty brilliant, had a lovely dinner in a thai place just down the road and found somewhere to stay when our times up in this hostel ( in case of a delay on finding a flat )
Tomorrow if we have 2 minutes we may actually make it to the beach, we’ve walked past it for 3 days now just seconds away from the sea, oh well it will all be worth it in the end.
Love to you all
Leah and El
Today we looked for a flat.
I’d love to elaborate, I’d love to regale you with joyous tales or mirth, but in truth we tried to find a flat and we failed.
We did apply for Foster Street (avid readers of the blog may recall that this was the property we wanted to look at yesterday but when we arrived some over renters had swiped from under us!) It is an absolute beauty. We debated uploading the footage of the flat but we both agree that we do not wish to appear over cocky so for now you will just have to trust our judgement.
Letting agents here are ridicules and I am trying to find the best way of smiling through the almost intolerable pain. I look forward to the day that I wake up and do not have to interact with any form of estate agent, do not have to visit an agency or phone one and be lied to.
This is a conversation I had earlier with a Jonathon Boon from Wentworths (who are the worst incidentally)
Me - Good morning I wondered if it would be possible to look at 4 / 24 Dalgetty this morning?
Receptionist – I’m sorry we haven’t decided which days we are showing properties this week.
Me – Oh, well is this property not currently vacant and available to let now?
Receptionist – Yes, but we have to pick days. We’ll decide when you can see it on Wednesday.
Me – Sorry I’m confused, you won’t decide when I can see the available uninhabited property until Wednesday?
Receptionist – Yes.
Me – Can I please view the property before Wednesday.
Receptionist – You could speak to a sales manager, I’m just a receptionist.
Me – That would be delightful if it’s not too much trouble.
Jonathon Boon – Goodaye Johno speaking.
Me – Hello My name is Leah I spoke to you on Saturday and you told me to call in on Monday and arrange to view Dalgetty. Can I please view Dalgetty.
JB – Oh I’m killer busy right now can I take your number
Me – Yes ummmm I really want to rent this flat, can I please see it today?
JB – can you hang about all day and wait for my call ?
Me – Yes.
JB – Great speak to you later …..
This was at 09:25
At 16:00 El rang him back.
El – Hello Johno, I believe you spoke to Leah earlier about 2/24 Dalgetty and you were going to call and show us around
JB – yes that’s right, I’ve actually let that property but I could show you another one tomorrow.
El – oh
Now please correct me if I’m wrong but this is exceptionally poor estate agent work.
Well tomorrow can only get better, apart from the renting saga life is pretty brilliant, had a lovely dinner in a thai place just down the road and found somewhere to stay when our times up in this hostel ( in case of a delay on finding a flat )
Tomorrow if we have 2 minutes we may actually make it to the beach, we’ve walked past it for 3 days now just seconds away from the sea, oh well it will all be worth it in the end.
Love to you all
Leah and El
The secret life of us
19th October – 19th October – Melbourne
Just a quick one tonight, as we’ve just consumed a bottle of rather nice Austrian Chardonay and I’m feeling a tad tipsy.
We’ve had an up and down day, I guess we are finally realising that we haven’t had a full nights sleep for nearly a week, and that getting up at the crack of dawn is all well and good but it does leave you feeling slightly sleep deprived. Todays early arrival at the estate agents was sadly a wasted journey. We arrived at 11:05 ( THEY OPENED AT 11:00) someone had got in before us and taken the keys to the Foster street pad.
We went to look at another one, but it was far too far out and a little drab. By the time we got back to collect the keys for Foster st. the flat had been let. Damn it.
We decided to go for a wander and try and find other letters open on a Sunday, instead we happened upon a coffee shop and a craft fair and then lunch. We found the Fubar, from the secret life of us ( TV series) although it is not similar what so ever, we found a butchers, a fishmongers, a bottle shop, a launderette, the main cinema, a borders, a community garden ( where you can buy veg ) we have got maps of everything we could ever need and we went to look at the outside of the perfect flat.
As you would expect, it is perfect. Tomorrow we will view the inside, fall in love with it and just simply have to live there.
We met a strange and slightly crazed lady today called Maria. She makes necklaces as part of the Sunday craft market gang and on learning we were English she asked us to acquire her some 10p pieces. She wishes to use them on some new designs! If any one would be so kind as to collect 10 or so and send them to us at our new address (at this stage we can only hope that we have one soon – and that it starts 4/24 Dalgety Street) we would be very much obliged, you will in return get the most beautiful hand made necklace courtesy of Maria
Well that’s about it – tomorrows an early start (again) and lets hope I can report our new address by this time then.
Mobile numbers for E l and I are as follows – you may need to Google the dialling codes – We think it’s + 61 drop the 0 making it
Eleanor – 61424074183
Leah – 61404772598
Sending you our love
El and Leah
Just a quick one tonight, as we’ve just consumed a bottle of rather nice Austrian Chardonay and I’m feeling a tad tipsy.
We’ve had an up and down day, I guess we are finally realising that we haven’t had a full nights sleep for nearly a week, and that getting up at the crack of dawn is all well and good but it does leave you feeling slightly sleep deprived. Todays early arrival at the estate agents was sadly a wasted journey. We arrived at 11:05 ( THEY OPENED AT 11:00) someone had got in before us and taken the keys to the Foster street pad.
We went to look at another one, but it was far too far out and a little drab. By the time we got back to collect the keys for Foster st. the flat had been let. Damn it.
We decided to go for a wander and try and find other letters open on a Sunday, instead we happened upon a coffee shop and a craft fair and then lunch. We found the Fubar, from the secret life of us ( TV series) although it is not similar what so ever, we found a butchers, a fishmongers, a bottle shop, a launderette, the main cinema, a borders, a community garden ( where you can buy veg ) we have got maps of everything we could ever need and we went to look at the outside of the perfect flat.
As you would expect, it is perfect. Tomorrow we will view the inside, fall in love with it and just simply have to live there.
We met a strange and slightly crazed lady today called Maria. She makes necklaces as part of the Sunday craft market gang and on learning we were English she asked us to acquire her some 10p pieces. She wishes to use them on some new designs! If any one would be so kind as to collect 10 or so and send them to us at our new address (at this stage we can only hope that we have one soon – and that it starts 4/24 Dalgety Street) we would be very much obliged, you will in return get the most beautiful hand made necklace courtesy of Maria
Well that’s about it – tomorrows an early start (again) and lets hope I can report our new address by this time then.
Mobile numbers for E l and I are as follows – you may need to Google the dialling codes – We think it’s + 61 drop the 0 making it
Eleanor – 61424074183
Leah – 61404772598
Sending you our love
El and Leah
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Flat hunting
18th October – Melbourne
Well we’ve had a right old time of it today, early start with breakfast and coffee in the hostel, and then straight out into the unknown for a brief introduction to transport.
If you happen upon the right tram in Melbourne, (you wont know it’s the right one you’ll just have to hope and make educated noises until an elderly tram driver yells out the window at you) You will need to pay for your ticket in cash – coins only, not only were we not prepared for this but must have looked like a pair of right dopes waving our debit cards around. After some nifty swapping notes for coins we managed to buy a ticket, and feeling quite proud of ourselves, sat down and then proceeded to miss our stop!
Tram 2 was far more satisfactory and as the tickets were valid for 2 hours we did not have to repeat the ghastly affair.
Aim of the day – just so we’re all clear
find a flat in the St Kilda area o Melbourne
Do not exceed the carefully calculated ( perfectly respectable budget)
Do not except any sub standard properties to avoid further flat hunting
Do not sack of entire plan and go for a swim
With these clear objectives we headed to letting agent number 1, their sign welcomed us and invited us in. No one was there. They were all out on viewings.
Letting agent number 2 advertised to “find your dream home” the letting agent there worked out of a different branch and we therefore needed to call her. We don’t have a phone. At this point we add objective number 5 onto the list
buy cheap BoBo phone.
Phone brought, credit acquired but obviously these things need to be charged so off to the phone box. Haven’t got a lot of change as used it all for the bus journey so scraping together what we do have in order to speak to Jade. Jade is lovely and says we can view the flat on Tuesday night. This seems to be the way in Oz – they give you a window, you turn up, Jade has kindly given me the address, a garbled message about how it is tricky to fine and then tells me the window. 5pm – 5:15 Tuesday night. Better not be late aye? So we set off to find said flat (obviously we are trying to be prepared and focused) when suddenly we spy letting agent number 3 and abandon all thoughts of Jade and 18/1 Acland Street and nip into Biggin and Scott ( it is at this point that we think to add objective number 6
Complete all tasks before becoming distracted.
Biggin and Scott however are actually quite good and in exchange for 50 dollars and a copy of my passport happily they provide the keys to 1/56 Carlisle Street. Happily and with the naivety of a 2 week old rabbit we set out believing that this could be our new home. We were wrong.
It was not good and we have lovingly renamed in “The shit pit”
As my father says it’s always good to have a back up plan – and trust me no one in their right mind is going to rent that hole so we’re all set dad!
Feeling despondent we head for lunch. Yummy
Feeling better we head to Century 21 – may I just say what a refreshing blast of cool air they are – friendly efficient and with 3 stores in as many miles what fun you can have chasing all over town for keys to various flats!
The end result of this, after much more to-ing and throwing is that tomorrow is Sunday and only Centaury 21 are open and we have 3 of there properties to see.
El and I have actually decided where we wish to live but it is over budget and with a lettings agent we do not care for.
If the charming old school flat with fireplace is available we may well seal the deal tomorrow, if not then the over budget mansion gets it! Well not quite, we’ve got 5 on the list for Monday and Tuesday and 3 tomorrow so here’s hoping.
After flat hunting El explored South Yarra whilst I went through the 80 odd listings to check we hadn’t missed a blinder. We had not.
We had a lovely dinner and a few beers in the tiny tiny box room – and as we head for the bunk beds I am reminded of my childhood, me and Simon lying in Valley view no doubt planning our next adventure in the fields or trying to solve the latest string of nonsensical ( and non existent ) crimes in the village with a total population of 25! Funny because very little seems to change really. Only now I have to try and argue my case that we do not need the over budget beautiful wrought iron spiral stair cased mansion, but in fact a small damp lightless room will do fine ( knowing full well that no one ever sticks to their plans exactly – what is life with out a little spontaneity? )
We will see.
Love to you all
Leah and El
Well we’ve had a right old time of it today, early start with breakfast and coffee in the hostel, and then straight out into the unknown for a brief introduction to transport.
If you happen upon the right tram in Melbourne, (you wont know it’s the right one you’ll just have to hope and make educated noises until an elderly tram driver yells out the window at you) You will need to pay for your ticket in cash – coins only, not only were we not prepared for this but must have looked like a pair of right dopes waving our debit cards around. After some nifty swapping notes for coins we managed to buy a ticket, and feeling quite proud of ourselves, sat down and then proceeded to miss our stop!
Tram 2 was far more satisfactory and as the tickets were valid for 2 hours we did not have to repeat the ghastly affair.
Aim of the day – just so we’re all clear
find a flat in the St Kilda area o Melbourne
Do not exceed the carefully calculated ( perfectly respectable budget)
Do not except any sub standard properties to avoid further flat hunting
Do not sack of entire plan and go for a swim
With these clear objectives we headed to letting agent number 1, their sign welcomed us and invited us in. No one was there. They were all out on viewings.
Letting agent number 2 advertised to “find your dream home” the letting agent there worked out of a different branch and we therefore needed to call her. We don’t have a phone. At this point we add objective number 5 onto the list
buy cheap BoBo phone.
Phone brought, credit acquired but obviously these things need to be charged so off to the phone box. Haven’t got a lot of change as used it all for the bus journey so scraping together what we do have in order to speak to Jade. Jade is lovely and says we can view the flat on Tuesday night. This seems to be the way in Oz – they give you a window, you turn up, Jade has kindly given me the address, a garbled message about how it is tricky to fine and then tells me the window. 5pm – 5:15 Tuesday night. Better not be late aye? So we set off to find said flat (obviously we are trying to be prepared and focused) when suddenly we spy letting agent number 3 and abandon all thoughts of Jade and 18/1 Acland Street and nip into Biggin and Scott ( it is at this point that we think to add objective number 6
Complete all tasks before becoming distracted.
Biggin and Scott however are actually quite good and in exchange for 50 dollars and a copy of my passport happily they provide the keys to 1/56 Carlisle Street. Happily and with the naivety of a 2 week old rabbit we set out believing that this could be our new home. We were wrong.
It was not good and we have lovingly renamed in “The shit pit”
As my father says it’s always good to have a back up plan – and trust me no one in their right mind is going to rent that hole so we’re all set dad!
Feeling despondent we head for lunch. Yummy
Feeling better we head to Century 21 – may I just say what a refreshing blast of cool air they are – friendly efficient and with 3 stores in as many miles what fun you can have chasing all over town for keys to various flats!
The end result of this, after much more to-ing and throwing is that tomorrow is Sunday and only Centaury 21 are open and we have 3 of there properties to see.
El and I have actually decided where we wish to live but it is over budget and with a lettings agent we do not care for.
If the charming old school flat with fireplace is available we may well seal the deal tomorrow, if not then the over budget mansion gets it! Well not quite, we’ve got 5 on the list for Monday and Tuesday and 3 tomorrow so here’s hoping.
After flat hunting El explored South Yarra whilst I went through the 80 odd listings to check we hadn’t missed a blinder. We had not.
We had a lovely dinner and a few beers in the tiny tiny box room – and as we head for the bunk beds I am reminded of my childhood, me and Simon lying in Valley view no doubt planning our next adventure in the fields or trying to solve the latest string of nonsensical ( and non existent ) crimes in the village with a total population of 25! Funny because very little seems to change really. Only now I have to try and argue my case that we do not need the over budget beautiful wrought iron spiral stair cased mansion, but in fact a small damp lightless room will do fine ( knowing full well that no one ever sticks to their plans exactly – what is life with out a little spontaneity? )
We will see.
Love to you all
Leah and El
Melbourne
17th October – Melbourne
Well we arrived.
Another day seems to have disappeared, we got up at 6 and were on route to the airport by 7 – checked in for the flight with out incident and were very soon on our way.
Yet again within seconds of sitting down the seat in front of me crushed my legs into submission and left me wanting to clout the individual involved around the head ( I believe that is what they call air rage)
I managed to spend the entire flight either asleep or rocking out to Billy Joel who was on demand radio on the plane. El watch Hero’s for 7 straight hours and has now seen the complete series 2 apart from the last 40 minutes of the last episode.
After all our concern with visa documentation and having the correct funds in the bank etc etc we made it through customs with out so much as a raised eye, in fact the only trouble came when they scanned our bags and enquired as to what exactly it was that I had in the back pocket of my bag. It was treacle bear! Poor old thing.
We got to the hostel at about 22.30 and having now looked at all available flats in the St Kilda area, attempted to register the mobile phones, found maps and counted our mosquito bites we are just about ready to turn in for the night. Our room is small and we would struggle to swing a cat in here so it is lucky that we did not opt to bring Tonic, Steve or Jazzi.
Very little of interest to report I am afraid, none the less it is good to get in to the habit of typing on a regular basis and we intend to keep you all updated regardless.
Enjoy your afternoon
Love Leah and El x
Well we arrived.
Another day seems to have disappeared, we got up at 6 and were on route to the airport by 7 – checked in for the flight with out incident and were very soon on our way.
Yet again within seconds of sitting down the seat in front of me crushed my legs into submission and left me wanting to clout the individual involved around the head ( I believe that is what they call air rage)
I managed to spend the entire flight either asleep or rocking out to Billy Joel who was on demand radio on the plane. El watch Hero’s for 7 straight hours and has now seen the complete series 2 apart from the last 40 minutes of the last episode.
After all our concern with visa documentation and having the correct funds in the bank etc etc we made it through customs with out so much as a raised eye, in fact the only trouble came when they scanned our bags and enquired as to what exactly it was that I had in the back pocket of my bag. It was treacle bear! Poor old thing.
We got to the hostel at about 22.30 and having now looked at all available flats in the St Kilda area, attempted to register the mobile phones, found maps and counted our mosquito bites we are just about ready to turn in for the night. Our room is small and we would struggle to swing a cat in here so it is lucky that we did not opt to bring Tonic, Steve or Jazzi.
Very little of interest to report I am afraid, none the less it is good to get in to the habit of typing on a regular basis and we intend to keep you all updated regardless.
Enjoy your afternoon
Love Leah and El x
Friday, 17 October 2008
KL
16th October – KL staying at the Nova Hotel
We’ve had quite a time here – maybe that’s an understatement, it’s been brilliant.
Hot enough to burn us in the morning and leave us like drowned rats in the afternoon.
Breakfast was a bit of a sham, let us speak frankly, it was shit.
Luckily El was on task and dragged my somewhat reluctant bottom to a fantastic eatery and plied me with the finest iced mocha in town (and no it did not come from the aforementioned chain!) We abandoned both sets of plans – due to the over sleeping and instead concocted our own grander, better tour of this wonderful (if not slightly breakfast unaware city)
This is how to do it.
Buy a hop on hop off bus ticket (38 rm)
Hop on
Hop off at the lake gardens (be prepared for the lack of lakes)
Walk to butterfly enclosure, see sculptures, hop on.
Hop off at Patronas towers be refused entry due to sales of tickets, feel cross. Eat away the pain in Secret recipe (we advise that you seek solace else where as El experienced what she can only describe as “miserable chicken”)
Hop on.
Hop off at KL tower – view dancing (very good) travel 250 metres into the sky in 58 seconds
Let go of the rail in the lift and advance to 360 degrees of sublime viewing pleasure. Wait. Experience a thunder storm and some pretty nifty fog. Leave.
Run like complete morons back to the bus stop splashing coke all over your clothes and wishing you’d brought a sports bra and umbrella.
You’ve got it – Hop on
Hop off at arty Malaysian craft centre – peruse purchase and then ponder for an hour and a half as to why the bus has not arrived to pick you up.
Eventually hop on.
Hop off – eat in a delightful Thai restaurant in the BB Park named Bangkok Jam ( HSBC Credit card holders are entitled to a 15 % discount excluding alcohol )
Wonder home through the bustling streets and puddles and tend to your blisters.
If you want to see it the way we did, check out the exceptionally brilliant ‘flip mix’ that miss Godfrey has whipped up for you.
I think you’ll agree the girls a genius – plus she managed to film the majority of it even though I told her to “hurry up” or “put that bloody thing away!” I‘ve learnt my lesson.
Tomorrow we leave for Oz yet another 7 and half hours of joy! Get in.
Just off for a beer
El and Leah x
We’ve had quite a time here – maybe that’s an understatement, it’s been brilliant.
Hot enough to burn us in the morning and leave us like drowned rats in the afternoon.
Breakfast was a bit of a sham, let us speak frankly, it was shit.
Luckily El was on task and dragged my somewhat reluctant bottom to a fantastic eatery and plied me with the finest iced mocha in town (and no it did not come from the aforementioned chain!) We abandoned both sets of plans – due to the over sleeping and instead concocted our own grander, better tour of this wonderful (if not slightly breakfast unaware city)
This is how to do it.
Buy a hop on hop off bus ticket (38 rm)
Hop on
Hop off at the lake gardens (be prepared for the lack of lakes)
Walk to butterfly enclosure, see sculptures, hop on.
Hop off at Patronas towers be refused entry due to sales of tickets, feel cross. Eat away the pain in Secret recipe (we advise that you seek solace else where as El experienced what she can only describe as “miserable chicken”)
Hop on.
Hop off at KL tower – view dancing (very good) travel 250 metres into the sky in 58 seconds
Let go of the rail in the lift and advance to 360 degrees of sublime viewing pleasure. Wait. Experience a thunder storm and some pretty nifty fog. Leave.
Run like complete morons back to the bus stop splashing coke all over your clothes and wishing you’d brought a sports bra and umbrella.
You’ve got it – Hop on
Hop off at arty Malaysian craft centre – peruse purchase and then ponder for an hour and a half as to why the bus has not arrived to pick you up.
Eventually hop on.
Hop off – eat in a delightful Thai restaurant in the BB Park named Bangkok Jam ( HSBC Credit card holders are entitled to a 15 % discount excluding alcohol )
Wonder home through the bustling streets and puddles and tend to your blisters.
If you want to see it the way we did, check out the exceptionally brilliant ‘flip mix’ that miss Godfrey has whipped up for you.
I think you’ll agree the girls a genius – plus she managed to film the majority of it even though I told her to “hurry up” or “put that bloody thing away!” I‘ve learnt my lesson.
Tomorrow we leave for Oz yet another 7 and half hours of joy! Get in.
Just off for a beer
El and Leah x
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
15th October – LHR-KUL
Well what a start.
Having spent the last few weeks saying goodbye to our nearest and dearest, somehow I forgot that at the end of all those goodbyes I actually had to leave, came as a bit of a shock once I’d boarded the plane.
We actually managed to keep pretty entertained, I found a host of Disney films and the sound track to enchanted, then discovered battleships, tetras and bejewelled, because she is a remarkable girl El not only agreed to play against me but also attempted a rather stressful game of Yatzee!
Now on the off chance that you are not a friend or family member of either mine or El’s and you have just happened across this blog and you flew to KL with Malaysian airlines and you sat in either 54 F or 53 D ( To be hence forth known as “Mr Anger Management” and “Mrs I have to lie flat at all times” respectively ) May I just say what a pleasure it was flying with you.
I know it is hard when you hate everything in the whole world Mr but lets be reasonable 16 bags of peanuts is a step too far, and when an air stewardess ( especially one in such a pretty dress ) informs you that she is very sorry but has ran out of white wine, it is not customary to throw all your toys ( and empty peanut packets) out of the pram and declare that “ this is the worst airline ever and you will not be flying with them again ” I am pleased with this, and would now happily book a flight with Malaysian on that fact alone.
Mrs I have to lie flat, you didn’t waste anytime did you? Let me just share with you the commonly accepted rule of wait at least 15 minutes before crippling the person behind you its just good manners.
Apart from that the flight was pretty uneventful and we managed to avoid having the “I think that’s Kent” argument which was nice.
Arriving in KL –
Water – 2 RM
Pain Killers - 1.4 RM
Taxi – 67.50 RM
Smoking – Priceless
Got a cab for about £12 – ( 50 minute journey so that is not bad )
Arrived at the Nova Hotel 5 hours early and charmed our way into our luxuary hotel room for a much needed nap.
Fact – it is not a luxury hotel room
Fact number 2 it is a horrid hotel room
After a small nap (6 hours) we headed out to eat, that’s when we first realised that when they say tropical storms they mean tropical storms. I have never seen rain like it.
Soaked to the skin and trying to save my espresso frappacino light from the lightning ( Yes we went to Starbucks, but in our defence we were not feeling too good and the other coffee shop had men in full white suits with breathing masks which made me feel a little uneasy) Any way – we made it to the steakhouse.
Getting back to the hotel was a challenge, the roads were ankle deep in water (or ‘cankle’ deep I you are me) and everyone we passed tried to offer us shelter in their shop or café.
We plan an early night tonight, and then either the Kuala Lumpur City tour tomorrow or the SunWay lagoon water park – it depends on which one of us feels more passionate about their ideal day – I’d say I’m fairly sure we’ll go to the water park as El has already put on her swimming costume, her board shorts, sun cream and packed her bag and is sat by the door waiting for the morning to arrive! As I type she is reading me a brief description of the said water park…. What chance do I have!
Hope you are all well
Love Leah & El
Well what a start.
Having spent the last few weeks saying goodbye to our nearest and dearest, somehow I forgot that at the end of all those goodbyes I actually had to leave, came as a bit of a shock once I’d boarded the plane.
We actually managed to keep pretty entertained, I found a host of Disney films and the sound track to enchanted, then discovered battleships, tetras and bejewelled, because she is a remarkable girl El not only agreed to play against me but also attempted a rather stressful game of Yatzee!
Now on the off chance that you are not a friend or family member of either mine or El’s and you have just happened across this blog and you flew to KL with Malaysian airlines and you sat in either 54 F or 53 D ( To be hence forth known as “Mr Anger Management” and “Mrs I have to lie flat at all times” respectively ) May I just say what a pleasure it was flying with you.
I know it is hard when you hate everything in the whole world Mr but lets be reasonable 16 bags of peanuts is a step too far, and when an air stewardess ( especially one in such a pretty dress ) informs you that she is very sorry but has ran out of white wine, it is not customary to throw all your toys ( and empty peanut packets) out of the pram and declare that “ this is the worst airline ever and you will not be flying with them again ” I am pleased with this, and would now happily book a flight with Malaysian on that fact alone.
Mrs I have to lie flat, you didn’t waste anytime did you? Let me just share with you the commonly accepted rule of wait at least 15 minutes before crippling the person behind you its just good manners.
Apart from that the flight was pretty uneventful and we managed to avoid having the “I think that’s Kent” argument which was nice.
Arriving in KL –
Water – 2 RM
Pain Killers - 1.4 RM
Taxi – 67.50 RM
Smoking – Priceless
Got a cab for about £12 – ( 50 minute journey so that is not bad )
Arrived at the Nova Hotel 5 hours early and charmed our way into our luxuary hotel room for a much needed nap.
Fact – it is not a luxury hotel room
Fact number 2 it is a horrid hotel room
After a small nap (6 hours) we headed out to eat, that’s when we first realised that when they say tropical storms they mean tropical storms. I have never seen rain like it.
Soaked to the skin and trying to save my espresso frappacino light from the lightning ( Yes we went to Starbucks, but in our defence we were not feeling too good and the other coffee shop had men in full white suits with breathing masks which made me feel a little uneasy) Any way – we made it to the steakhouse.
Getting back to the hotel was a challenge, the roads were ankle deep in water (or ‘cankle’ deep I you are me) and everyone we passed tried to offer us shelter in their shop or café.
We plan an early night tonight, and then either the Kuala Lumpur City tour tomorrow or the SunWay lagoon water park – it depends on which one of us feels more passionate about their ideal day – I’d say I’m fairly sure we’ll go to the water park as El has already put on her swimming costume, her board shorts, sun cream and packed her bag and is sat by the door waiting for the morning to arrive! As I type she is reading me a brief description of the said water park…. What chance do I have!
Hope you are all well
Love Leah & El
Sunday, 5 October 2008
It's the Saturday after the night before, and although I feel surprisingly OK I am still failing to pack boxes..
It is almost as if I have an aversion to it, I will go out of my way to find a distraction, any distraction.
I still do not believe I am going, it has still not sunk in, what if it doesn't ?
What if I get on the plane before I even realise it's happening ?
One step at a time I hear you cry, let's pack some boxes first aye? and worry about the rest later.
You would be right.
It is almost as if I have an aversion to it, I will go out of my way to find a distraction, any distraction.
I still do not believe I am going, it has still not sunk in, what if it doesn't ?
What if I get on the plane before I even realise it's happening ?
One step at a time I hear you cry, let's pack some boxes first aye? and worry about the rest later.
You would be right.
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Not long to go now
With just over 2 weeks to go today has proved quite pointless, I have attempted packing for at least 4 hours and have learnt 3 things;
1. I own far too many books
2. I own far too many clothes
3. I do not enjoy packing
I have however just managed to cross of one thing on the ever expanding to do list 'set up blog'
Tick.
The strange thing is that just as I cross something off I think of two additional things to add.
Oh well.
The aim of this blog is mostly so I can make you all feel jealous as I tell of my fabulous adventures ( and of course just to keep people posted on my doings)
You have my email, my number, my Skype log in and my open ended invitation to sleep on our sofa and time you choose. so I guess we're set.
Wish me luck.
1. I own far too many books
2. I own far too many clothes
3. I do not enjoy packing
I have however just managed to cross of one thing on the ever expanding to do list 'set up blog'
Tick.
The strange thing is that just as I cross something off I think of two additional things to add.
Oh well.
The aim of this blog is mostly so I can make you all feel jealous as I tell of my fabulous adventures ( and of course just to keep people posted on my doings)
You have my email, my number, my Skype log in and my open ended invitation to sleep on our sofa and time you choose. so I guess we're set.
Wish me luck.
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