We’ve got the flat for $440 a week, so our finances are looking much more promising. The equipment needed to clean the house in Randwick would probably have cost a week’s salary alone. We can move in on February 20th so we’ll stay here until then and carry on buying up second hand furniture to kit it out. We’re both really pleased with the place and relieved not to be paying $600-$700 a week for a hovel.
Darren started work today and returned with the impression that (a) the job carries more responsibility than his job in the UK and (b) the equipment and techniques are more up-to-date (surprise surprise). It’s going to be something of a baptism of fire because he’s got to hit the ground running and he’s not completely au fait with the systems. I wouldn’t go as far as to say he hasn’t a clue what he’s doing, but if I need an operation, I might head to the Royal North Shore.
Ella hasn’t had much attention recently, so at lunchtime we took a picnic to the park at Maroubra Beach. I am now officially a resident of Australia as I am driving the car around on my own and listening to the local radio station. The park at Maroubra is one of the few that you can use in the afternoon because it has a sunshade on top. It was fairly cloudy but I still managed to burn my shoulders, so I look like a proper tourist now, which is hypocritical considering the fuss I’m making of slathering Ella in factor 30 suncream and training her to wear a legionnaire hat.
The council were putting up a big screen at Maroubra beach for the day-night match at the SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground) this evening. What a great idea – watching cricket on the beach after it goes dark. I can’t believe that England are playing Australia in a one-day international less than two miles away and I haven’t got a ticket. With 36 overs left, Darren is hot-footing down to the SCG in Illawong Jack as England are putting up a fight. By the time Illawong Jack pulls up outside, there might be six balls left, but he’ll be able to say he was there so good luck to him!
Drove into Coogee this afternoon and found a great delicatessen run by and English bloke. He stocks Marmite, Bisto and Hellman’s mayonnaise ($8.99 a jar!). I can’t decide whether I ought to do as the Romans do and stick with Australian products or pay the extra for the British stuff like a proper whingeing pom. I asked him about Dairy Milk – he said he could get his hands on some for the right price (in the manner of a man pedalling cocaine in the backstreets of Soho). He even asked me “what sort of weight do you need”, to which I replied “Two months supply, about 400g” (a conservative estimare really). I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s actually an illegal substance. Bought Ella a bar of Cadbury’s “Furry Friends” (they have a different Australian animal on the front of each bar – chose the Bilby, naturally) and had a bite of it to remind myself how bad it is. It literally has no taste, so it looks like the peddler has himself a deal.
3 comments:
Good news about the living arrangements (again)! I was beginning to think you were trying to rent everything in Sydney.
On a completely separate note, I have something to scan for you, as promised. Check your emails over the weekend....
Love to you all,
~Lou xx
Get the price on the dairy milk. It can probably be posted for less than your dealer will supply it(Especially if you drop your standards to the TESCO specials)
Oh, but is Australia freaky like dem dar New Zealanders? Will you end up in jail if I post you food? (Have Sloe Gin, can not supply to NZ MIL, the original originator who is bereft of sloes)
PS... you already gave me your blog : ) I voted for the Bilby "as it looked like me mum". If you know any other Otto that has a mum that looks like a Bilby, just let me know. In code or summat.
PS The red fox poos under the park bench at midnight.
Ok Nou, message understood.
Hey up Otto. Your mum looks nothing like a Bilby. You could try posting Dairy Milk because, looking on the bright side, a criminal conviction for posting it might get you a one-way ticket in this direction. I can assure you the weather is much better than it was at home and Bloss has smashing mangoes that she cuts up very neatly for brekkie (codeword - he has terrible teeth in his terrible jaws)
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