More photos

Watson bay, Skiing, Swans, Cock&Bull for Kilkenny match

Rainy, rainy Sydney

Not much to report. I have to tell you about the driving madness before I start in Melbourne. At alot of the streets in the city centre to turn right you pull into the extreme left until the lights you're facing goes red. Then you have to quickly turn into the right. It's madness. The first time we saw it we thought it was an accident. Caroline ended up taking only left turns for the weekend.

Well back to Sydney. Lots of rain here recently. I'm certain that they give the firing squad to any Australian who dares to tell the full truth about the weather. Was out with Grandaunt Eileens, Kathleen out near Manly the weekend before last and we drove up to Palm Beach (Home and Away beach). Was nice but alot of the beaches going up to it were far better. Last weekend we headed for Watson Bay where sydney harbour goes into the sea. Nice spot. I'll add photos whichever day I manage to remember the camera.

Other than that not much happening bar the odd night in the Cock n Bull and Teagardens. Only 2 matches left in the football but not really getting a look in. The training is good though. I'll start playing the Ozzie rules in the next couple of weeks so. Cork looked good although Meath hadn't much fight. Although good to see Geraghty getting a few slaps. He had it coming to him.... for 10 years. Up the Dubs at the weekend.

Melbourne

Back from Melbourne on Monday night. Was fairly hectic and we had very good nights on Friday and Saturday. PJ O Briens, the Celtic club and the Turf club were our historic places of interest by night although a black mark will have to go against the Turf club for closing on Sunday night. Saturday we headed to the MCG in Melbourne to watch Carlton V Collingwood. Setanta was very slow although I think he was injured. Martin Clarke from Down was also playing. We headed for Woodend on Sunday to visit Carolines Granduncles grave. I saw the football and hurling. Meath looked very handy. It looks like the return of the great multiculturist and statesman Geraghty has made them. We met up with Florrie (Mags brother) again on Saturday night. Brunswick Street was said to be the graet area to go out but we were lucky to find a pub there on Sunday night. I'm told St Kilda is better but we never made it that far. As regards cultural things that don't occur in the middle of the night we went to the immigration museum and also headed to a Pixar exhibition. These are the crowd that made toy story. I'll attempt explaining the highlight here. I think it’s called a spirogloge it’s a circle with characters from toy story on it and strobe lights. As it spins faster and faster and the lights are flashing I turns into a cartoon in 3D.

Heading into another weekend with no real plans bar meeting the football lads on Saturday for the Dublin game. Might try and stick around Bondi beach on Monday as the city to surf run is on and they’ll probably have bands playing.

More pictures here:

Manly, Melbourne

In the rat race

The Gaff

You'll have to correct me on my spelling of Gaff. Bored so I'm giving you a map of the house. Nothing to report from the weekend bar a bit of supping mostly. We met Mags' brother Florrie on last Friday week for a couple of schooners. I feel like I nearly know everyone in West Cork by now. Saturday we headed for Kings Cross which is nice during the day but it goes downhill as night approaches. Headed for the botanical gardens after this although missed the exhibition on man eating plants. A total dampener on the day. I headed to watch the rugby, Australia V NZ in Edgcliff in the evening.

The weekend just gone we headed to Manly for a massive walk on Saturday. It was between 10 and 12k if the signs are to be believed. I was minding myself for Sunday with the match but unfortunately never got a run. They were beaten by Cormac McAnallens anyway. I also joined the rat race this week as well with Ericsson at long last. All well but is a good bit to learn. Heading for Melbourne this weekend to see Carolines cousin Deirdre and her Kerry mates. Had good weather here last weekend but it's back to the normal Sydney drizzly weather today.

Rain in Sydney

I posted a few more photos and they're from here onwards:
More Photos

Quiet enough last weekend in Sydney. Went to the cinema to see knocked up last Friday. During the day Saturday we headed for the Fish market for a bit of grub. The platter was lovely although the baby octopus are an acquired taste. Headed to Paddys market after this and met Paul Moroney and Deirdre in Surry Hill off Oxford street for a couple of drinks that night. On Sunday the club was playing a league final that they were bet in by 2 points. Played well but started poorly which meant they had too much ground to make up. Of course Sunday - COME ON THE DUBS. We got the biased news reports over here as well.

Meant to be starting with Ericsson Monday week if they ever get their finger out. Had the coldest day in 20 years here during the week so I'm off to buy a radiator now. Slan.

By the way our address here is:
40/36 Carrington Road,
Waverley,
NSW 2024

Still weather for ducks in Sydney

Photos from the week are here:

Sydney2

We had a busy enough week this week with Carolines cousin, Deirdre and her friend Katherine with a K were with us and then we did a good bit of sightseeing. I was training with Clan na Gael on Tuesday and Friday and we also had a match on Sunday-the league semi final. They were playing a crowd called Michael Cusacks and they ended up winning handily enough in the end so next week it's the final. Afraid to say I can't sneak a medal as I can only get registered for the start of the championship which starts in August. It's run in a league format so hopefully I'll get a runout. When football wasn't being played we squeezed in the view of Sydney harbour from the Shang Ri La hotel and also a bit of star watching at the observatory which I have to say was pretty dull. Saturday we headed for a good oul fish (Barramundi) and chips. Then we headed out for a jet boat ride of the harbour. I got a bit of a shock I thought it was just a leisurely cruise. Old man Dave. Saw the quick tour of the Botanical gardens behind the opera house as it was nearly closing. Then straight to this Ice Bar called 5 below although as we could see by the meter readings it was -12. You get dressed up in thermal jackets and gloves and have a cocktail inside. The glass is made of ice and it would nearly slip out of your hand. The girls headed for a funfair in Luna park then while I headed for the rugby, I mean eggchasing in Telstra stadium. Before this I thought any of the teams in the southern hemisphere would hammer Ireland but these teams can be just as average as Ireland. The match was Australia V South Africa. Bear in mind that Australia beat New Zealand last week. Also the stadium could rival "fortress Lansdowne" for atmosphere. Note sarcasm. Had to mention that as Aussies don't seem to get it. I asked one of the lads working in the ice bar could he turn up the heat and he replied that he'd lose his job if he did this. Caroline headed to the Hunter Valley for a wine tour yesterday as I had my football duties to perform. Also the best kept secret in the world is that Sydney gets just as bad weather as Ireland. My good friends at Ericsson still have to prove their goodness as still no sign of an interview. If I don't have one by tomorrow I'll do the green pass course so I can work labouring at least. Carolines job is going well.

Newsflash Sydney no better than Dublin

We got out of the hostel in Bondi beach and found our own place. It's only a studio apartment but it's grand. It's nice and central. It's only 10 minutes from Bondi junction. Also joined a gym and a football team Clan na Gael http://www.clannagael.asn.au/index2.htm. They're top of the table but I still have to make my debut. They're fair handy and I've been told to expect a rough session tonight. I'll register tonight which will make me eligible to play in a couple of weeks. With that I haven't been out a whole lot. Alot of the weekends has been taken up with the Tea Gardens which could be a pub in any corner of Ireland. It's hospitable atmosphere can be seen here http://www.teagardenshotel.com.au/web/pageid/779. I also met Paul Moroney on the first week I was here in the Australian hotel in the Rocks. With the weather here it's almost like Dublin or Cork. It's alright though. I haven't found it easy getting work and was just ready to do the green card course which allows you to work on building sites when my good friends in Ericsson rang so hopefully they can sort me out. I also went to the opera house last night for a concert with choirs. Was good to see the inside of it. Have sorted a place to watch the football/hurling now so as the Ozzies say it's all good. Carolines cousin Deirdre and her friend Catherine arrived on Sunday and they're currently staying with us. Nothing much else to report. Slan.