Wedding Day!

Me! (Don't worry. I didn't fall)

Toady is wedding day. Actually is less than 2 hours! Last night a lot of the wedding guests, family and friends met for dinner in an Afghan restaurant. We had a set menu so wasn't able to explore the cuisine fully. The weather has turned to its more seasonal temperature of low 20s but its still quiet pleasant. My plan to upload my photos from the hotel lobby terminal has been thwarted by the fact that it takes 4 years just to do 1 photo. Its cheap to be online though; $1 aus for 10 mins. That works out to be around 40p!

"Is this thing on....?"

Well here I am I Oz, 9 hours ahead of you guys back home. Unfortunately due to a technically hitch I can't update my blog from my phone - patchy wap service in this area. So here I am in the hotel lobby.

Now is our second morning here in this lovely city of Melbourne. The 1st thing that strikes you is the lack of people. Imagine London then delete around 3/4 of the population. Now stroll around your new imaginary London. That empty. Our first day was spent at the zoo (make sure we get to see some Roos and Koalas). That was fun, 34c, Wowzers! The average temperature is only supposed to be around 20-25c, so we've lucked out there!

Catherine, The Roos say 'Hi' back :-)

I've already taken over 100 photos so I'm gonna have to pick the very best ones for the blog, and I see here that this terminal has a memory card reader, so I'll try and venture back with memory card in toe to see if it works.

By for now guys!

See ya in a week!

Well blog fans, the time has come and I am off to the southern hemisphere. To the city of Melbourne, Australia. The purpose, well firstly to have a holiday to a part of the world I'm dying to see, and secondly, to witness the marriage Steve, and old co-worker, who emigrated earlier this year, to Carley, a full blooded Aussie, who had been studying nursing on these fair shores. Their nuptials takes place this saturday and it will be so good to see them again, and Steve is such a good man that despite being on another continent and a day ahead, has stayed in contact, with phonecalls, SMS and emails. Good on ya!



I'm hoping that my phone will work over there because I will be able to take a photo and upload it straight to squishpages, instantly. So stay tuned!

Also guys, there's a comments section at the bottom of each post. This is where YOU can participate. Leave your opinions, thoughts, well wishes and hellos! Use it or..... nothing I guess. Chow!

Lucy's 21st

I'm never drinking again! Well not until anti-alcohol pills becomes a reality. Ok then, not until next time. Famous last words.

Last night was the celebration of Lucy's twenty first year, with a house party. Friends, family and co-workers gathered in the family home to eat, drink and make merry. It was a good night and with copious amounts of alcohol available I wager I'm not the only one suffering today. Its was also good to see some folks I'd not seen for a while, namely; Lucy's Mom, Dad, brother and sister. Jack, Louise and Vicky M.

Happy birthday Queenie. Hope it was a good one!!!

Louise and Lucy Cat an Charlene
Greg and Jack Sarah and Louise
Kirsty
Sarah and Greg
Sarah and Greg (again) Lisa and Vicky N
Charlene and Kirsty Cat and Me
Cat and Me (again)
Vicky M Cat and Sarah
Lisa, Vicky N and Sarah
Louise and Me Jack, Greg and Dave
Cat Lucy and Richard

What a day!

Friday was day off day and with not long left before my trip to Australia I needed a suit for the wedding, but with Lucy's 21st birthday party on Saturday, I was in need of a birthday present too. I asked Channa if she was up for coming shopping with us but after getting some bad news in the morning she decided against coming, but I did get to meet her Mom, Dad, parrot and vacuum!

sign
My destination was Freeport, in Braintree. On the suggestion of Jason who was wearing a natty little jacket to Dave's stag evening that he had bought from down there. Freeport sells designer clothing with discounts up to 60%, so I'd thought I'd have a little 'look-see'. The drive down was interesting as the heavens decided to open, and a monsoon-like storm hit. With the wipers on full, the visibility was still poor at best with plumes of spray jetting skyward off the tyres of all the cars and trucks. Aquaplaning occurred a lot as rivers and lakes appeared where once there was road. I loved it! And on open road was still able to reach the national limit. Many motorists pulled over and parked in the laybys, preferring to sit it out than take on the deluge. Wusses!

I found nothing at Freeport, save a couple of shirts and ties; useful for work. This one for John: There was a Seat parked in the carpark there, decked out in BTCC colours, photo below. cooool!!

car
Thought I'd try Lakeside as I was out. The weather had improved totally and the evening sun beamed low across the horizon glaring off the slick roads, but least it was dry. Now whilst I still didn't find a suit, I did find a nice pair of trousers, which gives me some options, and I found a present for Lucy, which I hope she likes.

troll (?)
When I got back home there was a frog on the drive just a yard from the front door. May have been a salesman, but as I approached he decided to take leave. Guess he must have got the wrong address!

Kermit

The Old Orleans Stag

Old Orleans

Dave, Chris and the cocktail

Phil

It was the first time I'd ever been to the bar cum restaurant where my brother used to work as door security, but my first visit to the Old Orleans was for Dave's Stag night. Dave, me, Jason, Chris and Phil all stuffed ourselves on some pretty darn good food and good conversation. Jason told me of a shopping centre that deals in discounted clothes so I'm gonna head there today; see if I can get a suit for the wedding I'll be going to next weekend in Australia (Steve and Carley).

Dave

Me, Chris, Dave and Jason

Me, Chris, Dave, Jason and Phil

Sunday.../ I'm still standing

Had to wake up early on Sunday morning at 6am to watch the Chinese F1 Grand Prix. And well worth it, it was too, because I got to see Michael Schumacher open up a serious can of whoop-ass on Fernando Alonso, by beating him into 2nd place after starting further back on the grid and getting the best of a wet/dry race. Schumi now leads the World Championship for the first time this year. Equal on points but ahead because he has now won 7 races this year to Alonso's 6! GO SCHUMACHER!! Jensen Button also did well to finish 4th at the flag by overtaking de la Rosa, Barrichello (his teammate) and Heidfeld all in the last 2 laps as it started to rain again and got too slippery for the others to handle. GO BUTTON!!

Had my performance review today and whilst I didn't reach a perfect score during my assessment period I had done enough to show that I am still able to hold my own in the office, soooo YAY MEEEE!!!!!!!

Saturday.... (birthday girl!)

Ells

Went out for a meal at a Chinese restaurant in Loughton, Wo Fat's, for Ells birthday. 21 (again!!) Just like the rest of us! I couldn't find the place at first, walking up and down the high street before finding it eventually. At least I didn't arrive last. That honor went to Phil! We ordered a ton of food but surprisingly finished it all off and I was also given loads of tips for my imminent trip to Oz as pretty much everyone had been there before. While everyone went back to Martin and Ell's new home, I went home as I was feeling too pooped to party!

Martin and Ells