Busy'ish...

Not sure is that's a word, but you all know what I'm getting at...

Hello...
Sorry it's been over a week since I last wrote anything. I know to some people knowing the in's and out's of my time out here is more exciting that an episode of X-Factor!!

I hope you have seem my latest bunch of pictures - http://picasaweb.google.com/gicocker - otherwise please have a ganders.

I've been over to the Sydney Olympic Park, did the tour, and managed to see the end where Johnny Wilkinson kicked to glory in the Rugby World Cup just over 4 years ago! (Poor Dave wasn't feeling to well that night and missed it..haha!) It was a really good tour and the Stadium is amazing - but I have to say, I can see what "Waste Lands" is designed on, typical City, can't think for themselves!! The Olympic Village is massive and even thought I spent half a day there, I still needed more time.

Apart from that, I've just been chilling. Went back over to Watson's Bay, but this time took Mel and Gemma with me - they liked "my" beach, even if other people were using it. Think I may of also of been to Bondi again, but can't remember.
Otherwise, just been running in my new trainers - my run consists of jogging over and around the Opera House. Otherwise I have just been trying to see everything that is left in Sydney to see, because come the New Year I'll be glad to start getting some distance under my belt - I'm thinking the first stop with be Caines - fly up and then work down the east coast.

Been heading out for a few beers in the evenings, sometimes just going to the old man pubs - didn't see Ian or Terry there though! - and just playing cards, can't hack a heavy night every night, must be getting old.

Yesterday, it was raining so just stayed in the hostel and chilled out, but went on the goon by about 5pm, followed by a few drinks, mainly Red Label (don't you just love doing that in Scotland David!) on the cross with Mel and Nicola. But before we headed out, Nicola decided she wanted to straighten my hair!!!

Today, I went to see the Sydney Christmas Parade, which lasted about an hour and a half - can you guess which clown forgot to put sun cream on! - So now my face is a little red!
Anyways, it was packed, seemed like the whole of Sydney come out for it. Some parts of the parade were impressive, but others looked no better than the old Bullock Smithy one back with you guys.

Oh yeah, I've also got myself a job - bit of the old data-inputting for a charity, start tomorrow and should last up to Christmas. Quite chuffed as it will give me something to do with my time while I am stuck here till the New Year, plus it's extra Dollars, which will come in handy.

I hope everyone is well back home & it's great to hear from you all - please keep it up... It cheers me up to know how cold it is there!!...Ha Ha... Still not thinking about coming home anytime soon...

Gray-ham!!

Camera Shy, No More...

I've just finished uploading some pictures at the following address: http://picasaweb.google.com/gicocker - I know it's yet another place to look, but this is the easiest way for me to do it. (Can't use facebook, as some people ain't registered.)

Anyways, not been up to much really. Went to Boni Beach the other day, went in the sea for the first time - it was very cold, I won't mention the comment I made when asked how cold it is, because it's a public site!... Apart from that, just been really chilling out. Oh yeah, also went over to Manly beach which I prefer to Bondi.

Had a day with Ant, we ended up bowling at this well posh place down at Darling Harbour. Followed my a few jugs over the pub quiz at Scruffies - we didn't win.

Went for an Interview with Vodafone yesterday, the job was working with their WAP features and I would be updating the links every 30 minutes, which would go out like across Australia! - Even thought it sounds like a cool job, I don't really want a stressful job at the moment, so going to ask the agency to look for something more simpler.

Right well the pictures are uploaded now so i'm going to see see who fancies a day at Watsons Bay Beach - anyone would think I was black with all this talk of beaches, but trust me, I ain't!!...

Sorry, I know it's been a little while since my last blog...

I have wanted to do one, but kept forgetting my camera, been to hungover or been drinking!

Well since I last wrote, what have I been up to... It was a good move, leaving wake up for Harbour City. Made some good mates with the people in my room - 315 baby! (Chris, Gemma, Melanie, Nicola and Elco)
The 1st night there we all headed over to World Bar and the night begun with some Jager -Bombs, followed by some more Jager-Bombs and god knows whatever else.. In the end I was asked nicely by the bouncer to leave for being to drunk..Me!.. So I headed home and fell into a deep sleep until, Chris and Gemma jumped up onto my bed and asked me to go drink goon with them... Ended up going back to bed about 6:30am!

The next evening we went to the Gaff for some free food, well if you buy a schooner (between a half and a full pint - what they drink on Neighbors!) - after yet more Jager-Bombs we headed home, which is down a steep hill, mode of transport being an office chair we found - so we took turns diving down the hills on that!!...

For Halloween I made a "goon" costume, well technically Gemma did , I was useless - it looked great, however after losing my wallet for a few hours I didn't end up going to Ant's party, so let some Dutch guy wear it on a night at the gaff - see pictures.


Apart from drinking, I've been to Watsons Bay, which is a little sea front area about 30minutes by ferry from the center of Sydney. It was a really nice day and I wondered around the beaches - all very nice till I realised I'd forgot my sun cream - ended up nice and red that day!

Once my week was up at 315 I decided to head over to the Blue Mountains for a few days, the theory was to do some walking, rock climbing and mountain biking. The reality was because it was pissing it down so much, I did my laundry the 1st day - all rock 'n' roll here!
The hostel was a converted house, the owners we're nice but I was the only English person there and I didn't really enjoy it much, no one drank and we all just sat round a log fire drinking coffee and reading books - so I decided the next morning, regardless of the wet and foggy weather I was going to do the Blue Mountains and leave.

It was so worth doing the Mountains, even in the rain, it was great to walk round the forests and see some great views when the clouds broke. It was just miles and miles of forestry, with birds flying about. After a 5 hours of walking the trails I was knacked and slept well that night.

I booked back into the Harbour City and 315, the other day. I have decided to look for some work, so applied for a couple of Data-Inputting jobs - I have an interview on Monday afternoon, fingers crossed!
If nothing comes of it, I think I may head down to Melbourne for a little while. I just feel a little frustrated with knowing I can't really start traveling up the coast till New Year, as accommodation is a problem and I really want to see New Year at the Sydney Harbour.

Yesterday Mel, Chris and I walked over Harbour Bridge, I can tell you it's an massive structure and it felt cool to walk it. Not to sure if I will cough up the cash to clime it as the view is amazing anyways. In the evening we walked over to "The Rocks" area of Sydney because there was a market on, it was a nice evening, from just going out and getting smashed - we still drank down get me wrong, but it was more civilised.

It seems the weather is picking up, as it's been rubbish the past few days, so hopefully tomorrow we'll head to Manly Beach for the day - got to keep my redness up.

Have to say I feel so chilled out at the moment, I just am missing the Curry Sundays, but we might go for one tonight. I hope everyone is well & it'll be good to hear from you guy & girls back home.

Hopefully I will add some pictures now....

Bye for now....G

Looking Hot...

Sydney, not me... I'm looking white!!...

Just wanted to let everyone know that yesterday it was 35c and today it's a more moderate 28c... but don't worry I still look like a Ghost... Talk of Ghosts, I've a Halloween party on Saturday - what the hell am I going to dress up as???....

Anyway, moved Hostels this morning, now got a week booked in at Harbour City (As recommended by Lisa D, thanks Lisa!) and it's cool, sharing a room with 5 others and we've all been out for some food - they're friendly and seem tops!

Not really been up to much else, sorted my Oz bank account out yesterday and tax code, which took most of the day. Then met Ant at Scruffy's ((again!)It's a bar open 24/7 and it dates back the same as the boo!) for a couple of jugs, before heading to the Side Bar (Bar under the Wake Up! Hostel) with a lad from my old dorm room - must add him on facebook...

Right, I'm off to try "goon" (google it for the best explanation!) for the 1st time and get ready for a night in Kings Cross with my roomies...

Hey Briz, there's a "Bada Bing" here and I was staying near Pizza place called "Sopranos' - Have you watched them all yet???...

Got to Scoot... G

Ps. Still forgot to put up pictures!

Arrive upside down....

Welcome....

Well I've finally arrived, and I tell thee, it's some journey. After an emotional good-bye at the airport, between Dave and I that is, I flew out to Dubai.
I managed to get a window seat on the plane, but the best part was having a live feed, on the little tv's in front of you, for watching take offs and landings from the "pilots view" - However I did start to wonder if it would be good if we crashed!! I watched about 5 episodes of family guy and a film, however I can't remember what it was...

Dubai airport is really nice. It's got something like 50 gates and loads of shops and a couple of bars, which I must of looked found a hundred times in the 8 hours I was there. I managed to stay away and have a couple of beers to celebrate 22 hours without sleep - but also to celebrate getting away from some random bloke who talked about his job - a bus driver - while i had a meal in the airport.

From Dubai, I flew out to Bangkok so the plane could refuel. However this also meant I have to get off the plane, and walk round to re-board and go through customs again, just to sit in the same seat again - such a pain in the arse.

Bangkok to Sydney. This was the knackering part, even though I managed to get a couple of hours sleep in, as well as watch Oceans 13.
Got the train to Sydney Central, and managed to get a shower in my hotel before check-in which was great. Then spent the day sorting out a mobile, email me for my number or check it on facebook or ask Dave & Hazel.
Anyways... Meet up with Ant last night, and we had a good few beers. I've not realised not to go out drinking without having some food inside of you as you become a light-weight and head home early!!

Today, managed got get up for breakfast but then been back in bed till about 3pm today - mix of jet lag and being super hung-over!!
Just been down to the Opera House, it's really nice, especially with the sun setting, and I walked back through a park which was full of bats - bit scary!!...

I will post some picture's up next time round, forgot my usb cable...

Bye for now...G