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Landed in Sydney for me to finally find a job and make up for the months swanning around Asia. I met Killian for a swift beer at the airport since we passed over as he flew out, this worked in my favour as I was able to grab his keys and go for an afternoon kip before being picked up and staying at Damien’s until I got myself sorted.
So rather than rambling on about every day in Sydney, I’ll try attempt a timeline approach of some of the more interesting things, when I wasn’t job hunting, chilling out or spending weekends walking around various bays and beaches:
6 June – Went down to Sydney Harbour for the Vivid Light Festival, very cool as different light images are projected on to the Opera House and various buildings around the Harbour area. And in one of the tunnels they project David Attenborough documentaries so lie back on the road and watch.
19 June – I found and moved into my apartment. The place is amazing with a huge balcony that provides views of the sea and of the city, literally love my place.
20 June – A girly wine night at Charlotte and Jen’s place. Such a laugh and I still don’t remember leaving their place and getting the train home. Too many glasses of wine consumed.
21 June – I had booked a wine trip to Hunter Valley, this wasn’t a fun start with a hangover but hey, hair of the dog is a great thing. And the wines we sampled at were brilliant, especially at Iron Gate Estates where a hilarious Englishman makes various wines which were so good, I bought a mixed case of 6. The most I have ever spent on a few bottles of wine, but totally worth it.
23 June – Still jobless, but a surprisingly warm winter’s day so I made the most of it to go on a long walk from mine around the various bays on a coastal board walk to Shark Bay. Including passing through Rose Bay, Queens Beach, Tingara Beach, Milk Beach before making it to Shark Bay for a coffee before heading back. But on this side of the coast there were some fab views across the water to the harbour, the bridge and the city.
29 June – I finally started my first job in Sydney as an Executive Assistant for Transport for NSW. And to celebrate my first day, an old Uni friend, Stephen was in town so a few of us had a couple of bevvies and a catch up.
25 July – Date Day / Night – a chill out sat in the sun on Double Bay watching the plane asking someone to marry them with the sky writing…cute. Then took Damo to Frankie’s Pizza and a few beers since the pizzas here are amazing and a cool underground bar. Followed by several bottles of wine at the O Bar, a revolving bar overlooking the harbour and the city. A perfect evening in Sydney.
30 July – Not a fan of the theatre but went to watch Les Mis with Jen and Charlotte and what do you know, it was pretty damn good. Even got a free upgrade to the front rather than being up with the Gods like we had paid for.
1 August – Amanda, my lovely friend I met briefly in New Zealand, came to visit for the weekend. And it was the hottest day, not bad for winter. We had a brunch down at a ‘posh’ place on Bondi beach – Icebergs and were lucky enough to spot a whale passing through. Before spending the afternoon exploring Sydney Harbour and downing a couple of bottles of prosecco at the Opera House bar. We were meant to head out that evening but after a couple more bottles we never did make it out.
2 August – A tad hungover we headed down to Double Bay for a posh brunch at Blue Indigo. A very popular brunch spot where at just before 10am we still had to wait 20 minutes for a table. But the eggs benedict was worth the wait and I will definitely be going there again. With the rest of the afternoon walking Bondi to Bronte coastal walk and exploiting the happy hour down Darling Harbour since the sun was still shining.
7 August – I had tickets to go to the Opera House, felt like a must-do whilst I’m here. We went to see A Soldier’s Wife. I didn’t know what to expect from it but it was a brilliant live music show telling stories of behind-the-stories of the sacrifice of women and families behind Australia’s pastime in war. It was surprisingly emotional and a brilliant show. Followed by a catch up with Natalie, who had flown in from Singapore to visit another friend.
9 August – Was the City2surf 14km run. I’m not a runner and had no intention of running except to stand at the finish lane to see Damo finish it. But the night before, I was offered a number to run on someone else’s before and stupidly I said ok. Having no training and not even sure if I would be able to complete the run I made it up and to the start line ready for the 8.30am start. I was amazed at how much of it I ran, granted I stopped at every water table and even had to make a toilet stop half way round. But I made it and was relieved to get in the pub to celebrate completing it with Damo, his sister Elaine and my housemate Orla. Then when I got my time I was in shock, despite a bit of walking, the water and toilet stops I completed the 14km in 1:36:48 (that’s hours, minutes and seconds NOT days, hours and minutes). Still no plans to take up running though, haha.
14-15 August – Damo and I decided to jump on a three hour train up the coast to visit Newcastle. Hmm, not a great first impression when we arrived, it was grey and overcast and when we walking into the city there was literally nothing there. We went for a cold grey walk around the coast line and the foreshore as the heavens opened. Instead we darted back to where we were staying (above a pub) for some beers before getting ready for a night out. We decided just to hang out at the bars on the foreshore since there didn’t seem to be anywhere else to go, it was a smart move and a good night, even if I did fall asleep in a restaurant moments after ordering food. The next day the sun was out with a vengeance so we went back to walk around the coast and visit the lighthouse which looked so much prettier in the sun. After a pleasant day down on the coast and sat outside a bar, we hoped on the train back to Sydney. Not a place to rush back to but least I can say I’ve been.
22 August – Amanda was back in town and again it was a stunning day, which we spent sat with a glass of wine at an expensive restaurant on the balcony overlooking the bay as the sea planes landed and took off. Some days I really love Sydney and my life. Once ready for a night out, we swung by the exclusive Ivy and hung out by the pool at the rooftop bar. I got a phone call from Charlotte and Jenny who were joining us to say there was a $40 cover charge; turns out we somehow snuck in. Delighted, as it was definitely a place to check out at least once. After demolishing a bottle of wine we went and found the girls and teared the town up at a few bars. Cracking girls night out. And a reasonable 2am roll in.
29 August - Some farewell drinks with my old school friend, Lisa, in Newtown. One crazy, hilarious girl and always can guarantee will be a laugh. Damo and I managed to fall asleep on the train and ended up pulling into my stop and then was on our way to Cronulla (opposite direction to where I lived) before waking up a bit confused, but luckily in time to jump on a train going back to Bondi Junction.
4 September - My last day at work, followed by a few leaving cocktails and presented with a lovely card and present. Followed by pre-holiday drinks at mine with Damo.
Next stop a week in Vanuatu.
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