Archive for December, 2008

In two weeks it will be my 1 year anniversary working for the government in the UK and nearing the 2 year mark of being in Bristol. In the immortal words of Steve Irwin – CRIKEY!

As 2009 draws closer (2.15 hours from now) what lessons do I take away from this year?
*I can get used to the cold (especially when in a comfy, heated car – good choice Steve to buy this)
*If I don’t have a clear goal to focus on I throw away my time too easily
*I prefer working on projects or in environments that are far more intense and high pressure
*I CAN say no without feeling too crap about it (sort of)
*Many opportunities are NOT “once in a lifetime” they just come packaged differently
*Wisdom is easier to apply with two heads instead of one

As I sit here writing this, outside it is -3 degrees. Any wonder that we are inside and not going into town? We wish you a happy, WARM and safe new years eve and will see you again in 2009.

It was -3 the other morning went I left home for work. Here are a few pictures of my journey to work that morning. Loving the train as it is nice and toasty inside however the walk to work after that can be a bit treacherous on the icy footpaths – brrrrrrrrr.

Merry Christmas all.

Follow up: 26th December
We had a great break away. The weather has been lovely (be it a bit chilly) however no snow. Had a great time swimming, sleeping, relaxing, reading, taking photographs and just hanging out together. It was probably a great time to chill out as I am still getting over my cold.

We are back home now and it will be back to work again sooner than we would like. Here are a few pics of our time away. By the way – I have no idea what a yule log is but everyone keeps referring to them over here (turns out a yule log is a large round log that you burn in the fireplace, something to do with a custom of putting the yule log on and as long as it continued to burn then you had a break from the fields).

Our home for 2 days

View from the balcony

Feeding the locals

Bit of creative photoling

Loving the fire!

Well it is not quite Christmas here yet but in case we don’t have an internet access I am wishing you an early one. So far this morning I have received my christmas call from my grandparents which I absolutely love. It is so wonderful to hear your voices nana and grandad – first thing in the morning while preparing to go to work. It makes the day that much brighter and my smile that much larger!

Also another treat this morning was Garrison and Gemma’s annual christmas card featuring our nephews. I eagerly look forward to this hitting my inbox and Gemma has delivered yet again even given the fact she has two little boys to contend with.

Hopefully there will be a church service tonight at the parish church in the hamlet we are headed to this arvo (doesn’t that just sound “ye olde”) St Peter’s is an 11th century Norman church which is situated on the grounds of the hotel we are headed to. I know for a fact they will have a service on tomorrow.

Anyway, I best get moving to get to work. Last day before a nice break although I am still feeling pretty ill. Have a great Christmas, save travels and God bless.

Love C

My nose that is!

Currently I have been at home for two days with a blasted cold. Sweats, shivers, runny then blocked nose, booming headache, sore muscles (more likely from lying down for so long). Can’t taste anything or smell anything at this stage. Hooray Christmas!

We are heading to Wales for our break. Everyone else is home for Chrissy so it will be nice to have a break away although not sure how nice it will be for Steve. I was looking forward to spending time in the pool and gym but looks like it might be recovering in bed.

Anyway, have a healthy Christmas and see you when we get back.

Cheers – C

Think Bridget Jones’ diary thankfully without the karaoke! What a hoot. Thankfully Mel remembered to bring a camera to catch all the antics as they happened.

Levels of dress ranged from casual to cocktail with enough makeup, hairspray and perfume to successfully deplete what remains of the ozone layer over New Zealand. I think I inhaled enough of it pickle my insides.

Great night with lots of laughs. A bit of dancing, although not too sure that Steps is on my list of most memorable bands in history.

My fellow team mates are a right laugh and had a ball with them. We kicked on afterwards to a couple of bars in Clifton before finally giving up as my feet were killing me!

Here’s a wee taster (courtesy of Mel’s pics!).

Cheers – C

Bit of champers for the ladies

Fine looking hats you have there boys?

The Kiwi, Scot and Welshman

Sure you couldn't get a few more in?

Where did they come from?

Hang on lady!

Friday is our work Christmas party. We get picked up from work at 11.30am in a coach and taken to the venue. It is an Arabian themed dinner (which no one appears to be dressing to?). Once having eaten we have a disco (seriously, they called it this!) then, as the curtains get drawn back to reveal daylight, we disappear off in our coach to a bar up in Clifton. All very bizarre and I am sure it will be full of mayhem and madness. Thankfully I work with a great bunch so hopefully it will be an afternoon of laughs and good times. Cheers – C

This is my first post from our new iphone. A bit of impulse buying on our behalf but it is oh so cool and totally rocks so far. At least now I don’t need to worry about running out of credit. Have yet to port my old number to it yet so still carrying around two phones.

Yesterday was the second of seven half marathons that Steve is attempting to do. This time it was held in Gower, Wales. The race base was out of the small Welsh village of Llangennith.

It was only 2 hours away so we left at 6.30am, picked up a friend on the way and got there in plenty of time for a coffee and general browse before the race started.

The weather was magic, blue skies from here to forever. Not quite the Sydney blue that we know and miss but blue enough for us. Wales is a magic country and in particular down on the coast the scenery is stunning.

Steve has been sick (first time in ages) and hadn’t managed to get any training in since the last run. Even given this I don’t think he did that badly. Mind you I’m impressed that these people get through it without keeling over. This time it was not only hills but beach running as well.

While he was off running, I went for a walk to the beach with my mate where we set up the burner for a nice hot cuppa, rugged up in all our winter woolies watching the surfers in their thick neoprene suits. Nut cases!

Held from the 27th November to the 7th December in Bath the idea is to replicate the atmosphere and wintery appeal of the European Christmas markets. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to go to the proper European ones yet (something always conspires against us so we never get the time to go). If the European ones are anything like Bath was then I really won’t bother. It was a rather big let down. For all the atmosphere that Bath has during the day with the golden Bath stone buildings etc the markets at night really lacked any atmosphere.
You would expect a cosy feel, colourfully lit, wonderfully decorated stalls, lots of mulled wine, roasting chestnuts, carols or at least Christmassy music. Well there was some of that but mostly lots of stalls selling stuff you just don’t need.
Glad I’ve done it so I know that I needn’t bother in future.