Sam and E-J's Adventure

After Nettie and Tiff left, it was time to start looking for jobs, so that we could earn a bit more cash before we continued our travels around Australia, but before then we decided to do a few more tours of the City.

Although there where a few distractions, Sam enjoyed his tour of the famous Sydney Cricket ground, he still struggles to understand why E-J wasn't keen to see the Don Bradman pavillion.

On Wednesday, we did a walk from Coogee beach all the way to Bondi beach, stopping first at Coogee and then at Bronte to soak up the sun, before finally finishing after a 3km hike with a delicious mango and passionfruit boost juice.

The evening was spent with E-J's great friend's Liz and Dave where wine and lovely food was enjoyed.

Friday arrived with confirmation that Sam had a job, so we had to deal with admin, like setting up bank accounts and buying appropriate clothes to work in. As the day wore on, Sam realised that his short lived retirement was over!

The weekend was spent exploring the various areas of Sydney with Liz and Dave. Although the number one priority was trying to find a proper pub, which we were struggling to locate, much to the annoyance of both of us.

Sunday, E-J met Kathy and her cousins in Manly, while Sam prepared himself for his first day of work since over six months ago.

Monday was a strange day as Sam prepared himself for an interesting day in the office. E-J spent the day in Bondi Junction, waiting for an interview with a production company, which then got cancelled at the last minute.

Tuesday, Sam went off to work as normal and E-J went off for a recruitment meeting. It all seemed a bit strange, having travelled for so long and seen so many incredible sights, to suddenly start to build up a routine again and get back to the mundane way of life. However that was short lived when Sam returned home early on Tuesday having being told on day two, that there was not enough work to keep him there!

Wednesday, E-J had her production interview, which looked like a potentially interesting job that could lead into September. This however, would change all our plans, so we had to make a big decision as to whether we were both prepared to go with this. That afternoon, Sam contacted more recruitment companies and managed to find another job, starting the following Wednesday. E-J went off to the Australian Museum, to clear her head and check out all the scary and most dangerous insects and animals that can be found in Australia. after this. She continued to escape the city by walking around the incredible botanical gardens. Stopping for a coffee, she managed to share her table with two beautiful birds.

These birds can be seen quite commonly around parts of Sydney, although they do get very hyperactive if they eat too much sugar!

The next few days were filled with pretty miserable weather, so we amused ourselves by going to museums. E-J, also dragged Sam around endless shops trying to find the right style sunglasses. Sam lost interest and his recommendations were slightly concerning?!

Saturday, Sam was invited to the horse races by his old housemate from London, who has been living in Australia for the last five years. Not only did Sam find himself in the VIP section with free drinks on tap, but was also surrounded by the most beautiful models and a few Australian soap stars. While Sam was mixing with the rich and glamorous, E-J and her great friend Liz, went to Balmoral and had a lazy lunch in the gorgeous little restaurant called Bathers, where they could look out onto the beach as the ate. Then after this they walked along a beautiful coastal walk, from Balmoral, all the way to Taronga Zoo. Sunday was spent catching up with EJ's family, Michael, Kathy and the Cousins.

The next few days we did some more touristy things until Sam started his second job on the Wednesday. The rest of the week seemed to drift slowly for E-J as she patiently waited to hear about the potential job at the production company she had the interview with. After many left messages, she was told to come into the office the following Monday to help out with office admin and get a feel for the place, before the specific job she was hoping to work on, was confirmed.

Monday was a strange day for Sam and E-J as they both woke around 6:30am and prepared themselves for their working day. It just seemed so strange to be the other side of the world and back into the routine of going to work. The week went quickly and before we knew it, it was Friday, ANZAC day and a National holiday. Sadly, the weather wasn't too good, but we did manage to make a trip to Balmain.

On Saturday, it was sunny for the first time in two weeks so we decided to make the most of it and rewalked the Coogee to Bondi walk, which we had enjoyed so much in the past. In the evening, Sam went off to watch the rugby with his friend, Stuart. E-J's great friend Emily Smith had also arrived in Sydney that day with her friend Lucy, so Emily, Lucy and Liz joined E-J for drinks and a late meal. Sunday, was spent having a lovely lunch with Liz and Dave in the only proper pub we have found in the whole of Sydney called, The Lord Nelson. We finished our weekend by catching the ferry across to Manly to catch up with Emily and Lucy. After a walk on the beach and a drink at the port, the weekend drew to an end.

This is where our blog must temporarily hold until we begin travelling again. The mundane life of work starts for us both but are travels aren't over.

Sam's Comments: Work, strange to be back. Although definitely feel like I am blending in to life in Australia as I have a great aussie Mullet!

E-J's Comments: It is so strange to think that we have been in Australia for over a month now and in one place for over a month too. It seems so strange to get back into a routine of life and not have to think about packing the backpack up and where to head to next. Also, we are living an incredibly spoilt life, in a most gorgeous flat, which is all the more appealing after a long day at work. I have to say, work is work, no matter where you are, it just makes it a little harder when your friends and family are the other side of the world. Let the work finish and the travels continue!

The following day, Sam wanted to do some more C.V stuff, so the girls headed to the Rocks Market to see all the little stalls and find some quirky gifts. Tiff then went to Australia's V Festival with her friend Claire, so Nettie and E-J caught a boat to Mosman with the plan of going for a long walk around the area.

However, having enjoyed the boat ride, they felt they needed some refreshments, so ended up going to a local boat club for a couple of glasses of wine instead. Nettie's friend Katie also joined them there, briefly. After a few drinks, Nettie and E-J attempted to do part of their original plan, but ended up walking only fifteen minutes up to the next ferry port and deciding to catch the next ferry back.

In the evening we decided to go for a drink in the bar of the Shangri La hotel, as we had heard that it had spectacular views of the Harbour from its wall to wall windows. On arriving, it was jam packed with people and the floor had that sticky feel to it, whereby your foot is lodged to the ground each time you try to move it.

We managed to find an area by a window and after a drink and a giggle about the tackiness of the place, we headed back to the flat. It was quite a funny experience, but nothing to really shout home about.

Sunday, was Tiff and Nettie's final day of seeing Nettie's brother and family, so we headed over to Avalon and went to Palm beach for the day. By now, it was so sad to think that Nettie and Tiff were going.

That evening Michael came back to Darling Harbour with us and we went out for a meal in Cockle Bay, which is at the end of the harbour.

Monday, was Tiff and Nettie's final day and it was sad to think they would be gone soon, having all got on so well and having had a jam, packed time of activities. After a final drink at the Opera House, at the same place we started our times in Australia, we said our good byes and they were off.

E-J was incredibly sad to see them go, so that night we had a quiet night in and discussed plans for the next few months of our travels.

Sams Comments: It was great having a couple of extra "travellers"for a few weeks. I don't know how I will cope without Nettie the tour guide organising my day!

E-J's Comments: I have loved spending time with Tiff and Mummy and we have all got on so well. I guess it's time to start thinking about getting a job and reflect back on the wonderful time as a lady of leisure and a holiday maker.