kjp

Well, who said that blogs are supposed to be kept up-to date and record current events?? Not me.

I've been busy for the past two weeks or so - the previous two weekends were pretty cool - for different reasons. During the weeks I've been busy - working at work (where else) has kept me tired when I get home. Also, in the past couple of days I've started to get a bit sick... dahh.. don't like it at all.

I'm not sure, but because I've been busy recently, and not going orienteering (other things to do), I haven't been jogging as much (at all). Probably my lack of exercise (recently) has meant that my body is a bit stuffed up? Very unsure about this. I'm taking it easy this weekend - although have a concert to go to tomorrow afternoon - Tchaikovsky. Yum.

Anyhow. Firstly two weekends ago:
My good friend J was up with his girlfriend (also J), and her best friend, and her boyfriend - got it?!. They were up for 4 days - I hung out with them for 3 - from Friday to Sunday. I was able to swap my RDO (Rostered Day Off) from the previous Monday to the Friday. I love working for a flexible company.

I picked the four of them up from the airport early on Friday morning. We cruised around the city for a bit - had some parking issues. We ended up going shopping for a bit in the morning. That was ok... The feature (for me) was good hanging out with them. Then J, J and I went back to my place (well big sister's...), got some pies from a local bakery for lunch. We then cruised around a bit and saw J's primary school and old houses (when he was living up here). Was good. I then got done up, back to their hotel room in the city, they got ready, changed, etc. Then the five of us walked over to South Bank. We were going to go to the "My Restaurant Rules" place - but the queue was too long, so we went back a bit to a Turkish place - Ahmet's where we had a whole lot of really nice Turkish food (too much). It was really nice food.

We then cruise around the markets held in the parkland / plaza area which was good. Apparently they're held every Friday evening and weekend afternoons. Then J and I walked back to the Treasury Casino (the others caught a cab). The casino is just on the city side of the Victoria? bridge that we had crossed to get to South Bank. We stayed there a little while. As per my usual conservative gambling self - little risked / little gained - I ended up the same as what I took in. We then walked back to their hotel room, then played some cards, then I drove home.

On the Saturday I didn't do much in the morning (that I remember). Went into the city to get some books (that I'm now reading) / music, then met up with the four at their hotel. Just talked, etc, in the late afternoon. Then got ready, then walked to the Pier 9 seafood restaurant - very very yummy seafood. It's good more than a few awards for it's seafood. Hung out with them for a while, then train home.

On Sunday we went to Movie World which was a good bit of fun for the day. We went on pretty much every ride that there is; five times on the Spooky Coaster, I think. Ended up making a few silly faces when they take your picture on the ride. Lethal Weapon ride was pretty cool as well - but a bit short. Annoying, but understandable, they don't let people wear glasses (neither sunglasses or prescription). Ohh well.

It was a pretty full day. They went southwards to the Gold Coast, I went back home. A great weekend. Catching up with old friends was (and is) the best, methinks.

Ok, now last weekend:
On the Friday evening we (big sister and I) rushed out the door and were dropped at the airport by a friend. Caught the plane down to Sydney. Then we went our separate ways - I caught a train up to J's family's place, and stayed the night there. On Saturday morning, we (J, myself, and J's sister's boyfriend) went to Dee-why (I think), but ended up walking along the promenade at Manly. Had a coffee, then to the national park around the North Heads. The weather was good - the views were spectacular - would they be anything but? We bumped in a person from high school - coincidences...

Back to J's place to have some pies, etc, for lunch. Then went to my Granny's place, to meet up with mum, dad, big sister, little sister and her boyfriend, and granny - of course. We did the family thing (briefly). Then into the city to our (the 6 of us) hotel. A bit dodgy - one room was too small for 4 people, the other room's hot water had issues. Got ready, then out to dinner - service was pretty poor: a table next to us walked out as they didn't get their food for ages. Then we all trondled off to the Lion King (more later). Then a drink at a bar/cafe. Then back to hotel for sleep.

On the sunday - got up, ready, then train to Circular Quay, then caught the ferry to Manly. There's a few photos here if you want. There was a sailing race on at the time - which was pretty cool. Had lunch sitting on the promenade thingy at Manly, then the ferry back. Big sister and I left the other four (who were driving back to Canberra) to meet some of big sister's friends in the city for coffee (in the QVB). Not too shabby, at all.

Then we caught the train to the airport, flew back to Brissy, and home via the trains (which was a long option - connections weren't the best). Although next time I go on a flight I'll make sure that I write down the flight information - rather than assuming that someone else has that information.....

Well there you go - two pretty cool weekends.