Sydney

Managed to find a job really quickly. A crap one. In fact the worst job I've ever had. And that's saying something, given I spent a summer working in a well known bookies in Niddrie, scared for my life. Got a job doing data entry, so I'm basically turning into a robot. Sit all day in front of a computer screen typing people's driver license details into a computer, so that they can be issued with a fine for not paying tolls. You could teach a monkey to do it, and it would probably be a lot more enthusiastic about it than I am. Jenny's landed herself a similarly boring job in a hospital. They both pay ok although it's difficult to make any money out here, as the Government robs 30% through tax, and it's compulsory to pay 9% of your wage into a pension!

The folk at my work are all dead friendly. Also the guy who seems to be running the show is quite funny (peculiar). He's a bit of a David Brent - quite a bit older than everyone else, but acts hip by wearing sunglasses indoors, and a leather jacket and shiny shirts. He also likes to add the word "...meister" to the end of everyone's name. Seems like a nice enough guy though. Even more impressive than finding the job so quickly was that I managed to find a work outfit for less than AUS$100 (40 quid). Shirt, tie, trousers, and shoes. Transpires that I may have to invest in another pair of shoes though. The ones I bought are called "Ned" shoes. Didn't see this printed on the side of the box otherwise I'd have left them well alone. After wearing them only once they have begun to smell like garlic bread. They smell even when I've got them on my feet. It's rank. Not even odour eaters or specifically designed spray seems to help.

We had to wait longer than expected for our little studio appartment to be finished, surprise surprise. But it's all kitted out now and we've both settled in, and are quite enjoying living there. The only issue is the cockroaches. Lots and lots of them scuttling about the place. Think they're attracted to the smell of garlic. Not seen any venomous insects yet which is a bonus, long may that continue. Doing plenty of shaking of clothes and checking of shoes before puting them on.

We went out on a bit of a heavy one at the weekend with James. He knows a guy who is head of promotions for Jagermeister, and we got ourselves VIP passes to a trendy club in Kings Cross. Was really good night although all the drinks were really really expensive, apart from Jagermeister.....which was free. Me and James got a bit over involved in the free shots and the Jagerbombs (a shot of it in a glass of red bull). I also managed to persuade the bar staff to give me full glasses of it, which resulted in Jenny having to help me home. We also had a wee argument in a shop on the way home which ended up with Jenny helping me into a display by shoving me. Ended up destroying it, and on the floor. All good fun, although we can never go back there because the owner didn't find it very funny. Spent the next day crawling about on the floor beside the toilet so lesson learnt, I'm never drinking Jagermeister again.

Anyway, better get back to work. Counting down the days already. Only 10 weeks to endure then back on the road. Roll on October. Not least because the weather is crap here at the moment. Pretty cold, although it is the middle of their winter, so 15 degrees isn't too bad. Supposed to warm up soon. Can't wait to get to the beach.