We ventured out of the city on Saturday and headed for the coast. Weather started off grey but turned into a really pleasant afternoon. Not overly warm but bright and sunny and certainly much warmer than UK! We were given some excellent recommendations of the drive and where to call in at from some people I met from the ex pats forum who live there. Perhaps next time we'll have them show us around given it's their domain; I'm quite fond of a locals tour. We drove through various beaches: St Kilda, Brighton, Frankston and stopped at Mornington which is a lovely area. There are beaches, wineries, excellent restaurants and a strip of very cute shops including some quirky gift shops and a great Italian deli. Steve very kindly took me to two wineries for me to do some tasting and he went without and we also called in at a cheese place. This little trip has whet our appetite for a full days wine tasting in January to the Yarra Valley. As far as we understand Mornington has more boutique wineries that are smaller operations and Yarra Valley wineries are more commercial and on a bigger scale.
We drove up Arthur's Seat which is the highest point and looked back along the route we came. Funnily enough in spite of driving 90 minutes we could just make out Eureka Tower (our home)! We will definitely return to Mornington and hopefully stay over so we can sample more of what it has to offer. Steve was very taken with the area. Unfortunately whilst we work in the city, it's just a little too far for us to move out to.
We drove up Arthur's Seat which is the highest point and looked back along the route we came. Funnily enough in spite of driving 90 minutes we could just make out Eureka Tower (our home)! We will definitely return to Mornington and hopefully stay over so we can sample more of what it has to offer. Steve was very taken with the area. Unfortunately whilst we work in the city, it's just a little too far for us to move out to.
Steve built our BBQ last weekend and we had the chance to christen it this week with some sausages and steak. I've posted a pic of some Bum Burners we saw in the deli at Mornington but we love our bums too much and we didn't indulge! We opted for some lamb and rosemary ones instead which were delicious. It feels a little strange to be barbecuing in December on a narrow balcony 5 floors up but I think it's one of those things we don't mind trying out again and again until it begins to feel less strange!
This week is week 2 for me in my new job. I must say it feels like I've been there longer! It's been good. The girls I work with (we're an all girl team) are friendly and supportive and always helpful. There are some other new people starting in January so I won't be the new girl for much longer. I enjoyed the Friday evening drinks trolley tradition. An actual drinks trolley is wheeled around about 16:45 every Friday (each department takes it in turn to play trolley dollys) with different options available; beers, wines, softies etc. I enjoyed a glass of bubbles whilst finishing off some admin stuff and I can see me getting quickly accustomed to the Friday evening tipple! Friday was also a Christmas meal for the team and we all trooped to St Kilda together on the tram. Food was good, wine was good, service was good so it was a pleasant evening.
At the moment I am missing my sister lots. I usually see her about every 6 - 8 weeks and it has been much longer than that. I saw her last mid September. We have been Skyping and sending messages but it's just not the same as seeing her little face. Also missing my girlfriends as the easy company they provide and the fun and laughter and love are not easily replicated and in spite of making some friends it's still not the same. I guess it's because my friendships with the UK girls has had time to develop and flourish and it's still such early days with the girls in Australia. Needless to say we are both missing family hugely but we are comforted by each other's company and the fact that this isn't forever and that they're coming to visit in the first part of 2011....woooooo!!!!
This week is week 2 for me in my new job. I must say it feels like I've been there longer! It's been good. The girls I work with (we're an all girl team) are friendly and supportive and always helpful. There are some other new people starting in January so I won't be the new girl for much longer. I enjoyed the Friday evening drinks trolley tradition. An actual drinks trolley is wheeled around about 16:45 every Friday (each department takes it in turn to play trolley dollys) with different options available; beers, wines, softies etc. I enjoyed a glass of bubbles whilst finishing off some admin stuff and I can see me getting quickly accustomed to the Friday evening tipple! Friday was also a Christmas meal for the team and we all trooped to St Kilda together on the tram. Food was good, wine was good, service was good so it was a pleasant evening.
At the moment I am missing my sister lots. I usually see her about every 6 - 8 weeks and it has been much longer than that. I saw her last mid September. We have been Skyping and sending messages but it's just not the same as seeing her little face. Also missing my girlfriends as the easy company they provide and the fun and laughter and love are not easily replicated and in spite of making some friends it's still not the same. I guess it's because my friendships with the UK girls has had time to develop and flourish and it's still such early days with the girls in Australia. Needless to say we are both missing family hugely but we are comforted by each other's company and the fact that this isn't forever and that they're coming to visit in the first part of 2011....woooooo!!!!
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