Week 4

And it was cold! Did I mention spring weather last week?

Well I take it back, it snowed this week. This is a photo taken from out the window of our apartment in St Christophers Place.

We went out shopping on the weekend, this is me at Oxford Circus. If you are wondering "what the" with the green hat, it was an emergency purchase because I was so cold.

On Saturday night, we absolutely stuffed ourselves with Indian and went to see Stomp. Amazingly good. No words, just all rhythms with everyday objects (garbage bins, pipe, kitchen sinks). Pete loved it. I realise this is not the best photo but if you look closely you will find Pete somewhere down the bottom left hand corner.

On Sunday we took a walk through Hyde park around "The Serpentine". This is Pete having a rest at half way point in front of the Fountains.

There is a "Speakers Corner" where you can turn up and just start "Speaking" about what ever you want. And sometimes people will even stop and listen to what you have to say. This lady (in brown jacket and green shirt) featured below had a bee in her bonnet about the youth of today and how they have no respect. Anyway, I thought she was funny.

Best be off and back to the job hunting....

Week 3

Update from Sarah:

Today I went to Buckingham Palace to check out the changing of the Guard. We have had awesome blue sky weather here all week, the daffodils are out and Spring is definitely here (not necessarily to stay though)! So I took this picture of St James Park.

I was running a bit late for the Ceremony, I raced the Horse Guards from Wellington Barracks down to the Palace. Luckily there was a bit of traffic, so I only just beat them...

This is my (self portrait) standing in front of the Victoria Monument. Mum, note the blue sky!

This is the Marching Band. They even played "When the Saints go marching". I was impressed.

Last Sunday we went for lunch in Kent with the Fletcher's. From left to right: Pete, Nick, Chris, Anne, Phillip. We had a roast and then retired to the Lounge to watch the Rugby, England v France. Pleased to report England won.

Afterwards, Chris took us for a walk through the English countryside. Beautiful scenery, just like the movies!

I am currently job searching, looking at a few options. You will know when I have found one because this website won't get updated as frequently....

London - Week 2

Hi all,


Sarah here. It is Pete's first week of work and my first week of house hunting, job hunting and filling in the gaps with a bit of shopping.... I have managed to find a few gaps!


We have found our new "home". It is in Maida Vale. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, so plenty of space for overseas visitors. It is an easy walk to the tube station and to a little strip of shops, which I think may be called "Little Venice".


Below is a photo of me on our new street "Randolph Ave".

It is a 10 min walk to Regents Park. It feels like spring has just started, the flowers are out and we have had 2 sunny days in a row. Below is a photo of the ducks/geese (not sure what they are) in the pond at the park. Three of them were singing together. It was very funny, but obviously could not capture it on camera.

We have had lots of fun catching up with friends over here. Going to the pub seems to be a regular activity. This weekend we are going to the markets and going for a Sunday lunch in Kent with the Fletchers.

Paris

Bonjour - c'est nous de nouveau, cette fois de Paris!
(Hello - its us again, this time from Paris!)

We boarded the Eurostar on Tuesday morning and headed off on the 2.5hr journey to the French capital. The trip was fantastic - very simple and quick, with great scenery along the way. Just like a trip from Sydney to Gosford... except we ended up in Paris!

We spent three days in Paris, during which time we squeezed in as much as we could. Below we've attached a few of our favourite photos, in no particular order (in fact, I think they are almost in reverse!)...

Notre-Dame

Palais du Luxembourg

Dinner with Edwina and Julien at their place in Alesia. They prepared for us an authentic French dinner including delicious duck, local cheeses and French red wine. (thanks guys!)

The Louvre! (inexplicably great... no description we could muster would ever do it justice)

Sacre Couer... The Sacred Heart. Built in memory of the soldiers who died during the Franco-Prussian War (late 19th Century), the view from this amazing building is second only to the viewing tower at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Le petit dejeuner - une cafe au lait et croissant s'il vous plait!

(Breakfast - one coffee and a croissant please!)

Jardin des Tuileries... we sat for a moment watching small boats on the pond (see the little red sail?). You can see the roof line of the Louvre in the background.

We walked the length of the Champs Elysees and arrived at the Arc de Triomphe (with a little bit of shopping on the way...)

The Eiffel Tower is most spectacular at night. We took the lift all the way to the top - 274m (899ft).

The foyer and stairway in the Opera de Paris Garnier was quite elaborate!

...and after a jam-packed three days in Paris, we relaxed in the Eurostar on the way back home to London.

Merci beaucoup - Au revoir!