Monday 5th February

Hi everyone, its our weekly update here from the very sunny shores of Randwick, Sydney. We both finally started work on Monday, slight bit more like reality but still not nearly as grim as the real thing. Paul gets picked up at 0630-7 every morning and works with different people and at different jobs most days. He’s back by 1630 every day which is cool, he says most days it is quite easy going and sees some sights whilst doing it. I have asked him for his comments and he hasn’t got any, he says its ‘fine’, typical. If this journal was down to him it would be a line long, actually it wouldn’t be written at all. While I am doing this he is playing WRC on the PSP, think he’s a bit addicted. My week was fine, first two days were hospital induction so in a lecture theatre with 1000 other hospital starters. It was boring but fine, so many English people, met a nice Scottish midwife called Maggie. Monday night went and met Keeley, Andrew and his partner VJ and walked over Sydney bridge, was knackered but thought should make the effort. Tuesday was their last day so met them again at their apartment and went to a gay bar on Oxford St in Paddington (the gay area), wasn’t like a gay bar though and was very nice. Was weird to think they were flying back to our home the next day, Keeley took 6 of my books home so that was cool to off load them. Last 3 days were spent working in emergency (a&e) but alongside someone else. There were 6 of us starting and 3 of us were English. Actually most of the departments staff are English and a good amount of patients so I am not special. So much is different about work but the patients are no different, haven’t had any shark or spider bites but there’s plenty of time yet. Everyone seems friendly, well not everyone but most people. Didn’t have a very good Friday though as had taken Georges 4th birthday present in with me ready to post on the way home. Had bought a nemo book and magnet from the aquarium, a oz animals book, koala facemask and his birthday card. I left in in the coffee room under the chair and some b***d stole it. I was so angry I could have cried, didn’t think anybody would be interested in it, it was even in a cars envelope with his name on, I’ve learnt my lesson now. By Friday I was wiped out as had got up at 0600 everyday and cant cope, Paul can. Friday night we went to open air cinema at the botanical gardens, the views were amazing, the screen is in the harbour with the opera house and bridge behind it. The film was Glastonbury (the only one left), it was good though, sure it would have been better if we had been to it though but was still good. Saturday was my 28th, we went to harbour and were going to go on a lunch cruise but missed them and went on a speedboat round the harbour. it’s a big boat that goes 50mph and does spins and gets you soaked, couldn’t have got more wet, were drenched. Had good tour though, under bridge and through the boats, all round the harbour for 30 mins. When we got off stumbled across everybody shaking freebie maracas. It was the opening of Mardi Gras and there was a parade, was good with music and stuff but Paul wouldn’t shake his maracas. Little Britain stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams were opening it so that was cool, all on my birthday. Apparently Sydney has the biggest gay population in the world and Mardi Gras is huge. Its on all Feb so there will probably be some amusing things going on. Saturday night we went for dinner at Centre point which is a 300m high tower in the middle of the city with a revolving restaurant. It has a al ’a carte one and a buffet, thought my fussiness would prefer the buffet. It was actually very posh with oysters, mussels, kangaroo, ostrich etc. Had some kangaroo, tastes alright, views were amazing. Sunday morning was spent going to the laundrette due to our lack of washing machine, it was a bloody long walk with heavy bags, so miss my car. At lunch all of Paul’s family came round except Emma, opened the door to party poppers and happy birthday tunes in my face. They all bought me a microwave which was very cool and also a ice cream birthday cake. Jake and Aden made me birthday cards which were really sweet, actually so did Mag but that doesn’t count. They also bought my cards from home that they had received, Michelle sent me moose and galaxy choc which was really cool. We then all went down to Maroubra beach which is about 10 mins drive, they were doing celebrity beach cricket, Oz v England v W Indies not that I know who any of them are though. Had fish and chips on the beach, beach was really nice. So that was our weekend, had a really good birthday, wasn’t looking forward to having my birthday away from home but had a really good one and first ever hot one. We are really enjoying our new home too, its so handy for everywhere and has a little village type high street. Its cool walking to work in the sun too, nice little 10 min walk past the high street. So life’s good at mo, now feeling quite lucky for being here and will feel even better when get paid. Felt even more thankful when read the expensive weekly English paper and found Maidstone hospitals troubles on the front page and how they want the staff to work a day free! Weather has also been just right but still not brown enough. Working today to Fri this week then 3 weekend off and plan to make the most of it. So do miss you all but we are coping in the sun, love and miss you loads Laura and Paulxxx PS waiting for payday in a couple of weeks before connect phone but you can text me if you like on 0420379643 or Paul on 0420528679.