Sun 30 Nov - Xmas Markets in Bath

On the way back from Cardiff we stopped in at Bath to have a stroll around the Bath Christmas markets and to have lunch with some of Matt's family (which was de-lish).

We arrived in Bath central just before 11, about when the markets were due to open... heading straight for a cafe and a coffee... In our haste to find coffee I think we must have been looking the wrong way and almost missed the markets completely! We first had a wander round the old indoor markets then decided to have a wander down a little alley that opened up into a large courtyard... with HEAPS of markets.. we're lucky we walked that way otherwise we would have just been wondering what all the fuss about Bath Christmas markets was! Very glad we had a pretty tight deadline... otherwise could of bought heaps... particularly really nice Xmas decorations. [Note Santa's sign advertising 'centrall heated market'!]

Sat 29 Nov - Wallabies v Wales

Early morning rise... we made the trek over to Cardiff for the Rugby... Matt was so tired from his afternoon the day before that I actually drove half the way... very unusual!... knew it was going to be a freeezing day when the sleet started near Bath!. We parked just out of the city and caught a bus in to pick our tickets up from the stadium then started wandering around the city centre. All the streets were closed for the rugby which created a really great party atmosphere... There were a few aussies scattered around... but i was probably expecting a few more really. Went into quite a few shops just to defrost... was too cold for beer (strange i know)... but the pubs were packed after about 10am anyway.

So... the game... we had some pretty good seats given how late we bought them and the roof was almost completely closed which made it slightly warmer in the stadium. There were a few Aussies near us and we did our best to be heard over the Welsh crowd... but we also had the Welsh flag draped over our faces a few times and had the Royal Welsh army rugby team sitting in front of us... still the banter was fun and we had a great time despite the result... was very disappointed Mortlock was only a couple of minutes though.

Fri 28 Nov - Day in London

Had to go all the way to Wimbeldon to swap over my drivers licence... so took a day off work and made a day out of it. Worked out well cause Matt was also in town today.

While I was waiting for Matt (poor thing had to go to the Moet Bar in Selfridges for some drinks with his work... what a waste... he doesn't even drink champagne!!)... I did a bit of shopping and wandered the streets... was really pretty with all the Christmas lights and displays in the windows.

Once I met up with Matt we took a stroll to Hyde Park to have a look around the Winter Wonderland... where there was some German Style markets set up, rides and an outdoor ice rink... we would have had to wait around for a few hours to get on the rink so gave that a miss and, surprisingly, headed to a pub in Kensington for a drink and meal instead!

Billericay - our new home

Moved into our new place on 19 November... We were lucky enough to find a place in our budget with parking for the cars...spent the first few nights sleeping on the mattress out of the tent and eating off plastic boxes!!... but ebay saved the day and we bought some furniture second hand to fill the space. Took a few phone calls to work out how to turn the heating on... I think the people at the real estate thought we were a bit stupid... but hey, it's not like we needed it in Australia!

We are loving it in Billericay...

> distance to railway - 400m (35mins to central London)

> distance to high street - 500m

> number of pubs in Billericay - 15 (at last count) - and heaps of nice places to eat too...

In short, Billericay has everything we need, but just 5 mins down the road we're in the countryside. Great thing is I only have 15 min drive to work... a drastic change to my commute in Sydney... Tis a strange feeling to be still at home at 8am.

Didn't have to wait too long for snow either (though was largely gone by lunchtime). There's a 30% chance of a white Christmas... fingers crossed!

16 Nov - Lunch with family in Hertfordshire

Made the trip up to Hertfordshire with John & Shirley to catch up with some of Matt's family. Had a Chinese Buffet lunch in a local pub with lots of laughs and stories.

Late lunch at the Plough & Sail

.. had to watch our heads on the extremely low ceilings...

Fireworks Night - Sat 1 Nov

per Wikepedia "Guy Fawkes night is an annual celebration on the evening of November 5th. It celebrates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot of the 5th of November 1605, in which a number of catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the houses of parliament in London and kill King James 1."

So we celebrated a little early so that it was the weekend... but we all headed over to Matt's cousin Claire's place on Saturday... for some homemade chilli and fireworks. Felt a bit strange letting off fireworks in the backyard.. has been many years since we've been allowed to do that in NSW!... some kind of just popped and fizzled, but most were great... and only a couple headed off in the wrong direction.. but nowhere near any people thankfully!

Colchester Castle

Yes... it was a little chilly and raining, but we took Connor and headed over to Colchester to have a look through the Castle, which is now a museum displaying lots about the history of the area. There was also an exhibition showing some Terracotta warriors excavated from Shizishan Hill in China which was really interesting. Hopefully one day will get to Xian to see the larger versions

Evening out in Covent Garden

Organised to meet up with a few mates from Oz for dinner at Souk Medina, Covent Garden. Had a great night and Matt & I headed in early to have a look around the markets and watch some of the street performers. It was a really great atmosphere with lots going on.. though Matt's attention was drawn to the live models in the lingerie shop window...

Promenade Park - Maldon

Spent today with Lee and Aaron at Promenade Park. Aaron loved his first ride in the "Monster Truck"

Was a fun afternoon playing frisbee and just getting out and running round a bit. There were a few barges moored there advertising for Christmas functions... a cruise for Christmas in Sydney is great... down the river in Essex, middle of Winter may not be so appealing??!!

The LandCruiser arrives - Oct 14

The Landcruiser has arrived and can now be seen touring the streets of Essex... turning a few heads along the way... not sure if that's cause there isn't really anything like it here or because of the Aussie Rego...

It has an issue with the injectors, but is running fine on gas til we get it fixed.

Only other issue has been insurance... can't find a company that will ensure both a car on Aussie rego and someone who hasn't held an English license for over a year, meaning I can't drive the car. Luckily Matt has a UK license so he's just having to drive me around everywhere at the moment!

Adam and Claire's Wedding - October 2008

Set in a gorgeous 16th Century Gatehouse, Layer Marney Tower, Adam and Claire's wedding was on Saturday 4th October.






It was a beautiful day, with good food and great wine. It was great to catch up with everyone, and to meet Adam's new wife of course!









Sorry Nicole... I didn't wear a hat... but had fun getting dressed up all the same!

Visting the Midlands October

Before we both started work, we were keen to get up to the Midlands to catch up with Pam, Fred, Lauren, Glen, Ellen and Ian - they all helped us out so much last time we were here.

It was like we had never been gone! - lots of chatting and laughter... and food! - you can never go hungry at Pam's! Took a drive around Birmingham, past where I went to uni and had a look at Lauren's new digs. Even had my first ever visit to a Costco... we headed straight to the cheese and wine tasting!! - still it did work, we did buy stuff as a result... They were also sampling Appletiser for all those Tiser fans back home!

No trip to Bromsgrove would have been complete without a pint and a carvery at the New Inn... Fred's local and now also where Lauren works.

Matt and Glen are waaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy to similar for my liking!!.. both really into their 4WDs... we are already penciled in for a 4WD trip to Wales in November - from Coast back into England without touching many roads. Glen also took us along to a Winch challenge in Stourport.. a really pretty area actually... I think Matt enjoyed the 4WDs, but must have felt a bit strange for him to just be watching and not in the Drivers seat.