13th November – 19th November – Days 215 to 222

On Sunday I was ordered out of bed, (I had only enjoyed ten hours of non jet lag sleep but I knew that this would not last forever), by D&S and R&H to go for a ferry ride and a walk around Cronulla.

Beach Bums....

It was dead hot and we had a fun day which involved a bit of beach rock climbing, fine food and a lot of laughs.

The local birds.....

My first week back at work, and it was nice to catch up with everybody – although no one had warned me that November over here is called Movember all in the aid of charittttty mate. The idea is that as more men die of prostrate cancer than woman die of breast cancer, Movember is the month to raise money for the cause by growing moustaches…..! Brendan and DJ are taking part and as I entered the office I thought that we had been invaded by the Village People – all very scary.

Not much had changed in my absence although it was getting hotter in Sydney and the place is full of tourists – no I am on a working 457 visa, not a tourist backpacking – raise a few dollars working in a bar-visa.

Matt has got a job in Singapore so he is of to join Cameron in the country that they call Asia for beginners, (they speak English, drive on the correct side of the road and it contains more ex-pats than locals). Sonja has also resigned and is of to work for a resources company, so we are at this time a wee bit down on numbers.

Caught up with everybody and settled in again to the Sydney way of life very quickly, drinking after work, no tie at work, (too hot), and enjoying cheap quality food. I spent the night round Dave a Sarah’s on Wednesday and enjoyed a superb Salmon dish followed by a bottle or three of wine.

Had one bad Jet Lag night of wide awake and fast asleep all within a ten minute period which is my best yet – recommend stop overs and very late nights in Singapore for all travelling to Oz.

I spent the weekend entertaining some very good friends, Janice and Paul, from the Minton Event Consultancy, (the best organisation on the planet for Corporate Hospitality and Motor Sport Experience). It was my first real chance, in eight years, to pay Janice back for her support and indeed friendship that she has shown me and the Biffa Family over a number of years.

We explored Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay and finally ate at The Golden Century Restaurant, one of Sydney’s landmark restaurants. Before we went to bed we fed the wild possums in Hyde Park. On Sunday we ferried to Manly and hit the Rock’s market before I bid them goodbye and wished them all the best for the next leg of their Australasia Tour.