My Not So Exciting Life in BrisVegas...

I've had a few enquiries over the last week or so as to what's happened to my blog! Well, I can tell you that I started back at work last Monday to a few surprises... seems there were a few resignations in our department while I was away. Just what I need - more recruitment!! I also ended my holiday with a bit of an injury.... cellulitis in my ankle. Just glad that it wasn't on the way over! So, after getting home on Friday I was banned to the couch for the weekend, and unable to play in our netball grand final last Saturday. The team did really well, but as can be expected with a player down in the final - we lost :-( There's always next season!

So I've been taking it easy over the last week, resting up so my ankle can mend. The Lions made the final of the pre-season NAB cup against Carlton on the weekend. It was the long awaited return of Jonathan Brown, however, it wasn't to be the Lions night as Carlton ran away with it in the 3rd quarter. Still, a good showing for the Lions in pre-season with plenty of new stars.

Sunday saw the launch of the newest NRL team - the Gold Coast Titans. So Pat, Meg, Liz and I ventured out to a pretty packed Suncorp Stadium to watch them take on St-George Dragons. A lovely sunny Sunday afternoon, it was a good match to watch - the Titans did well but pulled up 2 points short with the Dragons claiming victory 20 - 18.


So that's an update on my first lesser exciting weeks back in Aus.... now the count down is on to America!

Hello Australia!

Hello blue skies and hot weather!! After an exhausting 28 hour trip home, it was great to be back on land. I arrived home on Friday night with Mum and Megan meeting me at the airport. I couldn't wait for some non-airline food, a hot shower and a real bed!

Leaving London

After some stressful middle of the night phone calls sorting out my flights, it was finally time to leave London. Ben had to work, so Lisa and I headed out to Heathrow - our last tube trip! It was a sad goodbye, but the good news is that Lisa and Ben will be home in 6 months for their wedding. After saying goodbye I had to navigate the many check points at LHR, and by then it was time to board my flight.

Kensington Gardens

My last day in London was another clear and sunny day with blue skies. This being the case Lisa and I took a trip over to Kensington Gardens to feed the squirrels. Lisa and Ben have discovered a secret spot in the park where there are plenty of squirrels to feed. We only had spiced roasted peanuts on hand and weren't sure whether they would like them, but seems that squirrels like anything going for free. Once they cotton on to the fact that you have nuts they are very tame indeed!

After feeding the squirrels we stopped for high tea at the Orangery inside Kenginston Gardens. It was a lovely traditional high tea with cucumber sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and their specialty the Orangery cake.

After tea, we walked past a beautiful lake in the middle of the park full of big white swans. We continued through the park to catch a bus to the tube and head home. Now it's time to pack...

Nobu

[Note: more photos to be added tomorrow]

Lisa managed to find the right connection and at last minute we got a reservation at Nobu. The original Nobu restuarant opened in New York, and there are now a number of them throughout the world. Having experienced the menu last time I was in New York, I knew it would be a great way to finish off the trip. We had some absolutely amazing food, (if you ever go the yellowtail tuna with jalapeno and the black cod with miso are a must!) a few cocktails, and also met some interesting people sitting around us. After dinner we checked out the Met Bar downstairs and then Mahiki another bar nearby. A fun night out in London!

Knightsbridge

[Note: Photos to be added tomorrow]

Today we had a bit of a late start and then headed to Knightsbridge. We had a few errands to do, and then met up with Mandy again, this time for a browse in Harrods and some lunch.

The great news today was that Mandy had had a second interview that morning and while we were having lunch she was offered the job! That was some good news for the day. After lunch Lisa and I had an appointment at a wedding shop to look at accessories so we said goodbye to Mandy and walked to our 3pm appointment.

Au Revoir

Au revoir Paris, je serai de retour bientôt.