Badge

Hi

Stayed with Mrs B in Star City Casino last 2 nights as she was flying out to return to the UK for a month to sort out her affairs. We won 175 bucks off 5 first time on the Roulette - end of gamlbing career. We weren't tearful as we didn't know how to deal with it if you know what I mean. We had a massive blue the night before as we didn't know what to say or do, or something like that. The row was about you expats. (How much time I spend on it!!) Then we made up. Until she went through the gate and I had to wipe a tear away....for a second.. I love her to death and we're seriously happy..

I walked back slowly on my own through Darling Harbour savouring the quiet - haven't been on my own for ages (and I don't mean that she's always noisy!) Quite sobering. Nice footy shop selling a good photo of Johnny W kicking a football framed for 100 bucks. Might get that to hang over the front door.

As an aside, it takes me ages to walk anywhere in Sydney as I have to keep getting whiplash from having a perve every 5 mins, there are so many on the radar scope I can't lock on to a single target. Sometimes I had to tell Mrs B I had something in my eye. She knows what's going on of course.

Anyhow that morning at one point I considered almost walking around the block again just to get another view. I had all the time in the world. Anyhow on with the story.

On the way out of Sydney I bought a radio for 30 bucks for the ute, the lady allowed me to test it first - nice of her, some nice new covers for the seats, jump leads (with surge protector) , 20l diesel can to take advantage of cheap fuel rates etc etc shoulder protector - stops seat belt from rubbing my shoulder on a long drive. Bought a PROFESSIONAL drivers 2003 Sydney map for just 10 bucks - at least 66pc saving. (Same as normal but you get more info on the map - low bridges, yadda yadda speed cameras.)

I'm now living in a scummy caravan on a site for 110 dollars a week. Half the backpackers rate. It was dirty, grubby, ash everywhere but I asked the receptionist for a bucket of hot water and soap and in 30 mins it was just about fit for human habitation. I put a doss bag on the couch as I don't want to go anywhere near the bed. She said "noone ever takes it!" - I said "the door locks, that's all I need". Although Mrs B and you lot would have a fit if you saw it. No serviced apartments for me - might as well save the money for the house. Only 5 mins from the beach, and 20 from my cousin's house. He has a full house and I need some peace and quiet so I can study and program on my own.

Ute has a design flaw - no cup holder never mind. I'll get over it. I have to be careful not to squeeze shake out the MacD bottle when I change gear.

Seen loads of houses today. Big difference between 350k and 450k - 350k gets you a living /kitchen area no bigger than our living room/kitchen in our flat in London, but 3 big bedrooms off a corridor - its like a pommy home only one level if you see what I mean. 2 yards though - and I would extend it out to make a informal living area in the side yard, and cover the backyard to keep away the skin cancer. So consider what you can do, not just what you get.

Another 350k a lot more living area. Look around.

Spend 450k and you get a NICE home - one I would have bought YESTERDAY if I had the cash NOW. I now realise I want 2 living areas, the informal one kind of open plan with the kitchen, and a study out of the 3/4th bedroom so I can read expats without MrsB getting agitated. The formal room is good for pre-dinner drinks, the butler to entertain the newly arrived guests yadda yadda.

It was pissing down in Sydney surrounds yesterday I had to drain the water bulging down the tarp on the back of the ute before I got in. Maybe I could have used it as a swimming pool if I had left the tarp off. Seen it done.

Yours aye

Badge

Badge

...got kicked off by a bloke in the library - I am in here taking advantage of the AC. Nicer to work than the caravan.

I was so quick to get off, he said "Take your time. The sun still goes down at the end of the day". Don't you just love Aussies?

Not much more to report. I am eating fruit, drinking milk and water and sandwiches as I don't want to risk the cooker in the caravan but it means I am eating healthily and I wil be going for a run at 7.30am tomorrow...

bit cooler today. aw a policeman talk to a vagrant in the square for 30 mins just now. I must habe taken the rose tinted glasses off.

off to Melborne soon. But first a flight to Brissy beckons. Better book soon, I reckon.

Badge

Florida_03

...North Ryde...???

evorobin

My advice is get a decent crook lock for the ute. Yes they could still steal it but it will be too much hassle probably, you have been warned mate!

bondipom

Central Coast is famous for that. Surfers get hit a lot. They watch them arrive and paddle out and off they go with the car.

I thought is was all a bit feral for you there Badge?

Badge

I leave the ute at my cousins. If I said the Coast was feral I was probably bluffing ;-) Or again, others have said that certainly.

evorobin

Badger stop talking and start listening. If you don't take measures to stop your car being stolen it will be!!!

Pollyana

Get that flight to Brissie booked Badge! Looking forward to seeing you again, and the Bloke has read lots of your posts and thinks you sound like an OK mate to have, so shift yourself!!!
See you soon,

Badge

thanks - point was noted.

Badge

karawara88

One of the joys of Australia. Can also make driving hazourdous. mmmmmmmmmmm mini skirts.

Now if only I could get Donna to take a trip back to UK.

Although not sure an old camper van has the right pulling power, but then again.