First of all, I wanted to say cheers to everyone who has left comments for us. A big thanks to my cousin, Mel, it was great to hear from you and the best of luck with your exams (though I'm sure you won't need it!) Jamie and I are quite curious about who wrote the anonymous cheeky comment about Jamie's hair products... We suspect it was Monkey feeling pissed off about being left in the room again, thinking he'd cause a bit of trouble!!
Well, after 2 weeks of interviews, searching the net and getting very frustrated, I've finally got a job! I start at 9.00 tomorrow morning at a marketing communications company called Adcorp. It's an office support role, not sure exactly what I'll be doing yet, so I'll have to wait and see. It's an 'ongoing' role, so hopefully if I put in the effort it will last till the end of June.
As for Jamie, he's been having to work pretty hard at his job. He says it's fairly mindless work, but he's been coming home covered in dust and with big blisters on his hands. At least it's only for a few more weeks and we have a bank holiday on Wednesday (Anzac Day), but unfortunately we don't get paid for days off (so mean!)
Sunday, 22 April 2007
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
Monkey's Diary Post 6
The Sands took me on a day trip to the Blue Mountains this weekend and, it's got to be said, I had a blast!
Here I am getting back to my roots, doing a bit of tree climbing... Yes, ok, I got stuck and bloody Jamie took my picture.
And being manhandled by one of the 'Sisters' (wahey, she's in the nuddy!!)
Help, there's the witchdoctor! (Note by Kate: That goddamn monkey disrespecting those aboriginal sacred statues, it's a disgrace! Can't take him anywhere.)
The world's most handsome chimp at Katoomba Falls.
And me again with the Sisters in the background.
And again inside one of the Sisters. I must say that's a pretty arty shot and check out my smooth pose - someone get me a modelling contract!
That's all folks - catch you again soon.
Here I am getting back to my roots, doing a bit of tree climbing... Yes, ok, I got stuck and bloody Jamie took my picture.
And being manhandled by one of the 'Sisters' (wahey, she's in the nuddy!!)
Help, there's the witchdoctor! (Note by Kate: That goddamn monkey disrespecting those aboriginal sacred statues, it's a disgrace! Can't take him anywhere.)
The world's most handsome chimp at Katoomba Falls.
And me again with the Sisters in the background.
And again inside one of the Sisters. I must say that's a pretty arty shot and check out my smooth pose - someone get me a modelling contract!
That's all folks - catch you again soon.
Monday, 16 April 2007
Jamie's Got a Job!
Well, we've been spending quite a bit of time lately searching the internet for jobs in Sydney. I've had a couple of interviews and I'm still awaiting the result of my latest one. But, as the title says, Mr Jamie has now got a job. He starts work tomorrow for Toys R Us, working in a warehouse, stacking boxes and stuff. OK, so Jamie has one interview and starts work the following day.. I'm not bitter! But seriously, it's going to be kinda weird and possibly a wee bit scary as I'm going to be on my own from now on. In other words, I'll be making my own way to any interviews/ new jobs. All my close friends and relies know that this is quite a daunting prospect!! Plus, Jamie and myself have been together more or less 24/7 since we arrived in Oz about a month ago, so things are looking to be a quite a bit different for the next couple of months.
Anyway, I thought I'd let you check out our home for the next couple of months:
Mr J and Monkey chilling out watching TV (with a nice bottle of rose wine at the ready). Our bed is just overhead.
That's me, as photographed by J from the couch. We've got everything we need (well, most things).
Just to update you on the 'Stinky Carpet' situation, the goddamn stink was just starting to die down when, this afternoon, I noticed that water had seeped into our room. Yes, the f***king washer next door was leaking again (and yes the air did turn blue when we realised)! But, it's been fixed again, so please everyone keep your fingers crossed for us that future flooding will remain at bay - merci beaucoup.
Anyway, I thought I'd let you check out our home for the next couple of months:
Mr J and Monkey chilling out watching TV (with a nice bottle of rose wine at the ready). Our bed is just overhead.
That's me, as photographed by J from the couch. We've got everything we need (well, most things).
Just to update you on the 'Stinky Carpet' situation, the goddamn stink was just starting to die down when, this afternoon, I noticed that water had seeped into our room. Yes, the f***king washer next door was leaking again (and yes the air did turn blue when we realised)! But, it's been fixed again, so please everyone keep your fingers crossed for us that future flooding will remain at bay - merci beaucoup.
Blue Mountains
On Saturday, we went to the Blue Mountains, which are about a 2 1/2 hour train journey from Sydney. It felt like we were back in the UK when we had to switch trains due to 'mechanical faults'! We bought a combined travel ticket that also allowed us to use the Explorer Bus which goes round the main towns of Katoomba and Leura where most of the touristy parts are found.
Our first stop-off was Scenic World where we took a cable car ride (the 'Skyway') across Katoomba Falls. The 'Skyway' had a glass floor in the middle that you could walk across - needless to say, I avoided that like the plague! (i.e. the vertigo kicked in).
Katoomba Falls (taken from the 'Skyway'). Can you spot the little people?
Then we took the World's Steepest Railway down the cliff and I'd like to mention this railway does what it says on the tin! The ride was certainly short but sweet!! Then, we went for a wander through the temperate rainforest.
You can see the 'Three Sisters' in the background. Aboriginal legend says that a witch doctor turned three maidens into stone.
The 'Three Sisters' again.
The boardwalk through the jungle (temperate rainforest).
Me on the boardwalk.
A Gum Tree, better known as a Eucalyptus.
A bird we spotted in the forest (don't know its name - answers on a postcard!)
A hollow tree burnt out by the last bush fires in this area.
Me on the viewing platform for the hollow tree (in a bit of a compromising position methinks)
Me with one of the 3 Sisters.
You just can't get away from those Japanese tourists!
This was one of the many lookout points around the area.
Lovely view over the Blue Mountains.
Another nice view.
Close-up of one of the 'Three Sisters'.
Me and Mr J in a little cave in one of the Sisters (no sly comments about the matching pants!)
Me trying to hide the fact that I was huffing and puffing up the stairs!
Me at Echo Point - probably the most well known viewing point for the 'Three Sisters'.
Can you see the face?
There's plenty of walks you can do around the Blue Mountains, so you could probably spend a few days doing them all. We might go back at some point, if we get chance.
Our first stop-off was Scenic World where we took a cable car ride (the 'Skyway') across Katoomba Falls. The 'Skyway' had a glass floor in the middle that you could walk across - needless to say, I avoided that like the plague! (i.e. the vertigo kicked in).
Katoomba Falls (taken from the 'Skyway'). Can you spot the little people?
Then we took the World's Steepest Railway down the cliff and I'd like to mention this railway does what it says on the tin! The ride was certainly short but sweet!! Then, we went for a wander through the temperate rainforest.
You can see the 'Three Sisters' in the background. Aboriginal legend says that a witch doctor turned three maidens into stone.
The 'Three Sisters' again.
The boardwalk through the jungle (temperate rainforest).
Me on the boardwalk.
A Gum Tree, better known as a Eucalyptus.
A bird we spotted in the forest (don't know its name - answers on a postcard!)
A hollow tree burnt out by the last bush fires in this area.
Me on the viewing platform for the hollow tree (in a bit of a compromising position methinks)
Me with one of the 3 Sisters.
You just can't get away from those Japanese tourists!
This was one of the many lookout points around the area.
Lovely view over the Blue Mountains.
Another nice view.
Close-up of one of the 'Three Sisters'.
Me and Mr J in a little cave in one of the Sisters (no sly comments about the matching pants!)
Me trying to hide the fact that I was huffing and puffing up the stairs!
Me at Echo Point - probably the most well known viewing point for the 'Three Sisters'.
Can you see the face?
There's plenty of walks you can do around the Blue Mountains, so you could probably spend a few days doing them all. We might go back at some point, if we get chance.
Wednesday, 11 April 2007
Monkey's Diary Post 5
Greetings from Smelly Carpet Land! (Will explain later).
I've been a naughty boy. I got a bit drunk on the wine tasting tour, so as punishment I was made to stay in this pouch all day. Admittedly, I probably would've struggled to walk round otherwise.
We're all now staying in a self-contained room/ mini bedsit in Petersham which is southwest of Sydney centre (a short train ride away). It's going to be more of a long term thing (until end of June) as Jay Boy and Kate have to get jobs to keep up my wine and banana supply. I guess it's alright, we've got our own bathroom, fridge, TV and internet, just one small problem.... the fecking carpet stinks!! Basically the carpet was flooded yesterday before we moved in, apparently it was from the laundry room next door. The estate agent woman gave us some stuff to get rid of the smell on the carpet - that lasted all of 2 hours before it started to reek of wet dog again!
I was quite happy chillin' out listening to the mp3 last night whilst Kate and Jamie cleaned the place. (Note from Kate: That bloody woman said it had been cleaned when it obviously hadn't, so we'll be mentioning that tonight when we reluctantly pay our deposit.) We also found gay porn in the DVD player, which I'm sure that Jay was watching this morning when he said he was watching Man U... 7-1? My arse!
I've been a naughty boy. I got a bit drunk on the wine tasting tour, so as punishment I was made to stay in this pouch all day. Admittedly, I probably would've struggled to walk round otherwise.
We're all now staying in a self-contained room/ mini bedsit in Petersham which is southwest of Sydney centre (a short train ride away). It's going to be more of a long term thing (until end of June) as Jay Boy and Kate have to get jobs to keep up my wine and banana supply. I guess it's alright, we've got our own bathroom, fridge, TV and internet, just one small problem.... the fecking carpet stinks!! Basically the carpet was flooded yesterday before we moved in, apparently it was from the laundry room next door. The estate agent woman gave us some stuff to get rid of the smell on the carpet - that lasted all of 2 hours before it started to reek of wet dog again!
I was quite happy chillin' out listening to the mp3 last night whilst Kate and Jamie cleaned the place. (Note from Kate: That bloody woman said it had been cleaned when it obviously hadn't, so we'll be mentioning that tonight when we reluctantly pay our deposit.) We also found gay porn in the DVD player, which I'm sure that Jay was watching this morning when he said he was watching Man U... 7-1? My arse!
Easter Weekend
Hunter Valley
On Saturday we went on a minibus tour of the Hunter Valley, which is a wine growing/ producing area and a 2 hour drive north from Sydney. As hoped, we had the opportunity to do quite a lot of wine tasting!
We visited a few of the smaller wine producing companies. We were shown how wine is made and had a couple of talks about how you should taste the wine etc. The best bit was the tasting. We tasted reds, whites, sweet wines, ports and a chilli flavoured schnappes (thankfully not as lethal as chilli vodka). We also dropped into the Smelly Cheese Shop for some more fabulous tasting. But we didn't stay there long, as I think the smell was making Jamie nauseous.
View of the Hunter Valley taken from the restaurant where we stopped for food. We didn't take any pics of the wineries cos we were too busy tasting!!
Easter Show
On Sunday evening, we went to the Royal Easter Show at the Olympic Park. But we were unlucky with the weather again! There was a five minute rain shower after the rodeo, which made it too wet to do most of the scheduled stunts. Apparently, Lady Cannonball was complaining about a wet net - couldn't they just shake it?! Anyway, the pics and videos below show some of the stuff that we did get to see.
The rodeo - Australia v USA. This included the bucking bronco, bull catching and races.
There was an 11 year old lad riding a motorcycle round the inside of the sphere.
Cool firework display at the end.
On Saturday we went on a minibus tour of the Hunter Valley, which is a wine growing/ producing area and a 2 hour drive north from Sydney. As hoped, we had the opportunity to do quite a lot of wine tasting!
We visited a few of the smaller wine producing companies. We were shown how wine is made and had a couple of talks about how you should taste the wine etc. The best bit was the tasting. We tasted reds, whites, sweet wines, ports and a chilli flavoured schnappes (thankfully not as lethal as chilli vodka). We also dropped into the Smelly Cheese Shop for some more fabulous tasting. But we didn't stay there long, as I think the smell was making Jamie nauseous.
View of the Hunter Valley taken from the restaurant where we stopped for food. We didn't take any pics of the wineries cos we were too busy tasting!!
Easter Show
On Sunday evening, we went to the Royal Easter Show at the Olympic Park. But we were unlucky with the weather again! There was a five minute rain shower after the rodeo, which made it too wet to do most of the scheduled stunts. Apparently, Lady Cannonball was complaining about a wet net - couldn't they just shake it?! Anyway, the pics and videos below show some of the stuff that we did get to see.
The rodeo - Australia v USA. This included the bucking bronco, bull catching and races.
There was an 11 year old lad riding a motorcycle round the inside of the sphere.
Cool firework display at the end.
Home and Away Special
In other words, we took the bus up to Palm Beach, which (if you hadn't guessed) is where they film Home and Away. It's a pretty nice beach but there's nothing else around there - no nice Surf Club to have lunch and a shake (and we were pretty goddamn hungry!).
Sydney Observatory
One evening last week we went to Sydney Observatory to do some star gazing. So, first of all, we wandered round looking at old astronomy equipment, then we listened to one of the astronomers talking about the size of the universe, galaxies etc accompanied by a 3D video. But then we were informed that this was one of the worst possible nights for stargazing, as it was cloudy and there was a full moon (typical!) However we did get to see Saturn and its rings and the star Alpha Centuri which we discovered is in fact a double star. We also looked at the moon through the telescope but it was too bright to see much detail. Plus it literally made you go blind in one eye for a minute when you looked away, which was an odd experience!
Just to point out: yes we do realise that going to an observatory when it's cloudy isn't the brightest of ideas, but what can you do when you've had a really sunny day then suddenly it clouds over? (So, no wise guy comments!!)
The Opera House and (that bloody) full moon as photographed from the ferry from Manly to Circular Quay.
Just to point out: yes we do realise that going to an observatory when it's cloudy isn't the brightest of ideas, but what can you do when you've had a really sunny day then suddenly it clouds over? (So, no wise guy comments!!)
The Opera House and (that bloody) full moon as photographed from the ferry from Manly to Circular Quay.
Tuesday, 3 April 2007
Monkey's Diary Post 4
That cheeky weirdo Jamie caught me naked on camera. But check that sexy bod!! This is me bronzing on Manly Beach, by the way.
Manly
We've been in Manly for almost a week now. The other day, we went for a mini beach walk from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach and up to the look-out point at the head of the bay.
Manly Beach
Jamie surfing... you don't believe me? Ok then, it's just a random surf dude
Me and Mr J at the look-out point
Yesterday (Monday), we headed down to Manly Beach in the afternoon. Unfortunately it was blowing a gale (well, almost!), not forgetting the Tsunami warning (seriously), but luckily that didn't happen. We only stuck it out for an hour or so.
J chillin' on his Man U towel (hidden, as it should be!)
Pic of me taken last Sat. Gorgeous sea (Tasman Sea/Pacific Ocean) in the background
Manly Beach
Jamie surfing... you don't believe me? Ok then, it's just a random surf dude
Me and Mr J at the look-out point
Yesterday (Monday), we headed down to Manly Beach in the afternoon. Unfortunately it was blowing a gale (well, almost!), not forgetting the Tsunami warning (seriously), but luckily that didn't happen. We only stuck it out for an hour or so.
J chillin' on his Man U towel (hidden, as it should be!)
Pic of me taken last Sat. Gorgeous sea (Tasman Sea/Pacific Ocean) in the background
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