Sunday 28th January

Hi hi, this is my weekly update, well just over anyway. Since last Friday have had a few really good days and a few really rubbish ones. Friday 19th went out for dinner with Stuart, Vanessa, Owen and Karen just local to a pub, was nice though. Saturday Stuart and Vanessa took us to Kuring-Gai national park and a place in it called Bobbin head for breakie. It was very nice with big lakes and lots of posh boats but was so hot, we were there at 1100 and was already 32, absolutely baking. That evening went to opera house to see the show ‘Lost and found’ by Stomp, they basically play music with lots of different equipment like traffic cones, saws etc. Had dinner on the harbour, just basic place but was nice. We then had a drink on the opera house terrace which is very nice and has good views right on the harbour and opposite the bridge. Was very cool to be going and then to be in the opera house, we were in the concert hall which isn’t huge but just right, seats about 2500. Seats were really good, fairly far back but with really good view. Paul didn’t like the show much, I thought it was good but not amazing. They do some clever stuff like take turns to swing out on harnesses and hit pipes making a piano melody type sound. Really enjoyed the experience and glad we did it, Paul too, there were fireworks after but don’t know what they were for. Sunday was mostly spent scrubbing as Mag and John were coming back the next day, again was very hot, not the weather to be cleaning in. Late afternoon went to Palm beach with Stuart and Vanessa, had a walk along the beach and watched some kite surfers. Its where they film home and away so we went to the surf club for an ice cream. Went for dinner at the Newport arms, where we went the other day with the good views, was very nice again although I started feeling rough and by the time got home felt really rough. On the way back we could see smoke from a bush fire and got home to find out it was less than a mile away at Bobbin head where we had gone the day before. There were water bomber helicopters everywhere and we climbed up the ladder and could see huge orange flames, they went over a huge space and by morning had destroyed 1000 ha. That night it was still 35 at 2100 but I was ill and shivering, in morning had white and black tonsils. Didn’t eat between Sunday night and Thursday morning except for jelly cause couldn’t swallow and lost 6 pound but reckon I have just bout put it back on. Monday had to go and get keys for flat, traffic was nightmare as they had closed the main roads off for the fire and the constant helicopters that were filling up on water from the local golf course. Tuesday I had to go to hospital to fill in loads of paperwork, woke up (well had been awake all night anyway) sick and vomiting which wasn’t good, managed to survive my trip though. Wednesday was even more rough despite my antibiotics and overdosing on painkillers so went to doctor, she was very impressed and said my tonsils were disgusting and terrible. She gave me 3 days of steroids cause they were so swollen, couldn’t swallow at all and ten bloody days of antibiotics. Thursday Paul went to work, I started to feel bit better and even managed some mash. Friday was Australia day which is bank holiday so was our moving day, still felt rough but much better but I didn’t have to do a lot as the 3 blokes moved everything. The 3 families have basically kitted us out, got sofas, 2 chest of draws, fridge, bed, everything really. Have only had to buy a few things which is a result. The flat has just been fully painted and carpeted so is really clean but kitchen and bathroom were a little minging but not bad. That evening went to see The killers, got tickets on ebay and didn’t think was going to be able to go couple days earlier which wouldn’t have been good. The Hordern was only 5 mins drive which was result, had good position, about 15ft from front but had to stand there for 2 hours waiting. When they did come on everybody started really pushing and thought we were going to end up on floor but it stopped. Killers were really really cool and had a good view of the main man most of the time, everybody was dripping in sweat and my throat hurt but was great. Saturday went for picnic to Centennial park which is near us with Stuart, Vanessa, boys and Stuarts friends. They have left their bikes so we have some sort of transport. Today we got bus to Bondi Junction where there is a big shopping centre, only took 5 mins. Had to look for a uniform which I resent hugely as they have scrubs but none left at mo so have to buy a navy trousers, except I bought black and a white collared top and shoes. First day tomorrow, just an induction day, don’t want to start work as only going to have 2 days off a week, not impressed and late shift doesn’t finish till 2200. Paul’s also starting work tomorrow, he’s going to get picked up everyday at 0700 so that’s good. Anyway wrote enough, our new address is 3 Astolat street, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia. Speak soon, LOVE AND MISS YOU LOADS LAURA AND PAULXXX