Wednesday 19 April 2006

Happy Easter everyone!

Hope The Bunny gave you all plenty of chocolate!

Just a quick check-in with some birthday photos. Thanks to everyone from home and here in the UK who sent birthday greetings / wishes / presents in one form or another. Helped make my first birthday away from home that much easier!

What did I get up to? Thanks for asking! Well, aside from the aforesaid birthday drinks on Maundy Thursday, I went out for birthday drinks on Good Friday with fellow Gold Coaster and Defra employee, Julia.

Then came the big day, Saturday, when I was treated to my favourite brekkie (pancakes!) and a load of pressies (including Hugo Boss cologne and an Yves Saint Laurent polo). The morning was spent exploring the Portobello Markets, the world's largest antiques market (although they contain far more than that). It famously appeared in Notting Hill, which was shot the next suburb over from where we live.

That afternoon, I had a serving of the best sorbet in the world from Harrods. And not only did they botch my order and give me more sorbet on the house, but we were given the wrong bill and scored it cheaper - with the manager's blessing! Still set me back about $AU11,000, but hey, it was my birthday!

And in the evening, we indulged in dinner at our favourite Italian restaurant (in England; relax, parents!) before heading out for a few classy drinks.

All in all, a wonderful day, on which I was spoilt rotten! A big thank you to Vera, Derek and Karla (Vera's Mum!) for making my 21st so special - and a big thank you to all at home for your thoughts on Saturday!

Friday 14 April 2006

So... I'm 21 tomorrow. Ancient, huh?

I know, I know, you're all thinking, "But 21 is so young!" (well, except for those of you younger than me, in which case I'm a dinosaur), but I feel I've hit the downhill point so far as birthdays are concerned. Still, I'll be trying to make the most of this one, as, as I'm so frequently told, I'm in London.

Incidentally, work were very good, insisting on taking me out for (many) drinks on Maundy Thursday (a half day, so we moved from work next door to the pub around 12:30pm... and didn't leave for many hours) before presenting me with a card signed by everyone I know in the office (and plenty of people I don't).

Hmm, birthday... umm... change of topic... went to Foyles this week, where Young Bond author Charlie Higson did a talk and signing to promote the release of Blood Fever (fantastic book, for those who like adventure novels). He was very entertaining and informative, as all well-known comedy writer and performers should be. The bookstore itself is also worth mentioning. Where else can you find a guy on stilts outside promoting a chocolate fountain, magician and pirhana tank, all of which lie within? Why London, of course!

Monday 10 April 2006

Just a brief note to let you all know I'm still alive and kicking.

Nothing real big to report, but here's some space-filler anyway.

Work's plodding along, and with the first case of Avian Influenza breaking out in the UK, even if I don't land one of the 12 permanant jobs within the Department, I could well be in a job for a while.

Still doing all the British cultured stuff. On Saturday, we paid a visit to the renowned Tate Britain art gallery, which is directly across the Thames from where I work. There's plenty of ridiculously old artworks and other relics there (it's strange to look at a book knowing it's almost twice as old as the country you're from). The modern art, on the other hand, is, well, modern art... I needn't say more (not being a snooty British person; it really is that awful). Sunday, meanwhile, was spent kicking a football (a soccer ball, for you folks at home; yes, now I'm being a snooty British person) about Hyde Park. And today, Monday, I'm aching because I had no idea how woefully unfit I was. It's bad when it gets to the point you need a five minute break just from the backswing of a kick.

Anyhow, it's go-go-go, so right now I'm off to ten-pin bowl. Or ice-skate. I haven't yet decided. But for £2, it's the most fun you can have without lashing out for today's newspaper.

Ciao!

Saturday 1 April 2006

It's funny how life works out.

Two and a half months ago, I was your typical Australian student. Now, I'm responding to Prime Minister Tony Blair's mail. Yup.

(Although, in fairness, two and a half months ago I was actually frantically packing my bags for this trip.)

As part of my new job (which is going well, thanks for asking), I have to respond to a portion of mail addressed to Mr Blair, concerning issues of animal health and welfare (as well as mail addressed to numerous other ministers and Lords). Very strange!

The work isn't too dissimilar to what I was doing at home, which is a plus, even if, after less than two months in the UK, I'm not yet familiar with the subject matter. There are some permanant roles coming up for grabs soon, so with any luck, I'll nab one of those and be on the big bucks.

Incidentally, for those of you wondering, today's selection of pics are from our lunchtime trip to Austria. More on those later.

But yes, back to work. As I said last week, I'm working for Defra's Central Communications Unit (although from Monday, it's the Customer Correspondence Unit, or some such thing). The unit goes "live" on Monday, so I expect the already-hectic workload to pick up further. Specifically, I'm working in the Animal Health and Welfare division, so I get to read and respond to all sorts of mail from tail docking, the culling of badgers and avian influenza to fish dyeing (not dying - dyeing).

Anyhoo, on with the photos.

(1) The restaurant where we had lunch in Austria. Very nice pasta dishes. Try it, if you're ever in the area!

(2) The restaurant's interior. It's got such a great atmosphere, with modern interior design but antique furniture. Très classy!

(3) The view from the restaurant. During summer, it's a park area where people take their dogs and sit on the benches, and such. There's a deer farm just behind it.

(4 & 5) Shaking one of these trees as you walk by with someone following you never ceases to amuse me.

(6) A gorgeous still lake... wish I could say more.

(7) Oh yes, it has swans.

(8) Not from Austria, but Vera and I outside Edinburgh castle.

I'll report back soon - with more photos!