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Saturday 5th August
To say it's been a hell of a week would be an understatement - I've been working till gone 8.30pm every night. And Simon's not been here so it's been difficult with no-one to talk to in the evening's when I eventually got home.
So when Patty and Norah arrived on Friday night I was a bit frazzled to say the least but managed to rustle up a lasagne which I'd prepared the night before!
I take them to Tropicana cafe for breakfast and we tuck into bacon and eggs with toast and mugs of coffee all round. Mmm. Patty knows Sydney quite well so suggests we go to Paddington market. I've never been before so we merrily hop on a bus and head to Oxford Street. The market is fantastic with all sorts of clothes, arts and crafts for sale. I buy a fabulous dress and Patty purchases a gorgeous print of an african woman. Then we indulge our sweet tooth with Belgian waffles - mmmm! Yummy.
In the afternoon we do the tourist thing and head over to Circular Quay where we duly have our photo taken with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background and also The Opera House.
But the best is yet to come - in the early evening we go to my local internet cafe and I log onto Skype. I call Dad and sit Norah down infront of the computer and they chat away like time has never passed and they are old friends. It's one of those amazing emotional moments which leaves me brimming with tears. I am delighted they managed to speak.
It inspires Patty who vows to download Skype and get herself a webcam at Norahs. We laugh about how the next time Dad and Norah speak, I'll be the other side of the computer screen when I'm back home sitting with Dad talking to them. We'll definitely keep in touch this way. Modern technology is truly amazing!
Sunday 5th August
We head over to Bondi beach today and walk along enjoying the sunshine. It's been wonderful to see Patty and Norah. I'm so touched they came all the way from Melbourne to see me before I leave for South America in 2 weeks time. It's an emotional farewell and lots of promises to speak in the future. It's been a fantastic opportunity for me to get to know more of my family.
And I can promise any of my family members back in the UK who may read this, that should you ever venture to Oz, you can be guaranteed the warmest welcome with open arms at the Poynton home. They are delightful people and I will sorely miss them.
Sunday 12th August
This will be the last time I write on here from Sydney! I leave for South America in 6 days! I can't believe it. Yesterday I spent buying all the last minute things I needed for going away - travel laundry soap (eco-friendly of course), a Lonely Planet guide to the Galapagos Islands and malaria tablets!
Today I got up and ran in Sydney's largest fun run called City to Surf. It started in Hyde Park and finished at Bondi Beach and is 14km/9miles. It took me 1hr 41mins - I was pretty pleased.
This afternoon I've packed my bag to see exactly what will fit and what has to go home or in the bin. Everything fits except my sleeping bag which I'll have to attach to the front. Hooray! Aunty Jackie called and Patty too which was just lovely. Everyone is so excited for me.
Friday 17th August
It´s my last day at RMG Connect in Sydney and I´m sad to leave the team. Anna and John from JWT, Suzie, Beth and Antonia from Mindshare and everyone at RMG. A big group of us head out for several people´s leaving do including my own! There´s Paul (my northern english Art Director), David (my gay copywriter), Kate Toon (mad northern producer who is leaving), Vinny (Vanessa´s boyfriend who flies back to the UK next week), May (the loveliest malaysian girl), Matt (web developer and DJ), Nick Allen (from JWT who is also leaving to go home to the UK), Juca (online designer from Sao Paolo), Liz (my boss), Vanessa (my Account Manager), Danielle (who works on Vodafone) and Natalie (fab half italian chica from Melbourne).
We hit the pub and my client Matt from HSBC turns up which is a nice touch. Nico (my Executive Producer) is in New Zealand and calls me while I´m in the loo putting my face on! Various other people come and go, then I´m presented with my card which contains some very useful US Dollars. Thanks everyone.
We go to a great spanish tapas eatery and dig in to fabulous food and lots of sangria. Then it´s off for karaoke or kerry-oke as they have now named it. Hee hee. I did my usual Bonnie Tyler, Holding out for a Hero amongst other Tom Jones, Beatles and Abba songs! It was such fun.
Vinny has his camera and I´m sure at some point I´ll get hold of the pictures to show you the carnage!
Saturday 18th August
Chris runs me to the airport in his colleagues drop top jeep. So I board the plane looking like I´ve got a birds nest on top of my head. Even the passport control officer had to look twice to make sure it was me. Then it was off to Auckland for short stop then back on the plane and on to Santiago, Chile.
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