Just a quick reminder of what we look like these days...minus the healthy tanned glow!

It's All About the Animals!

Another weekend...more drunken tales. It seems to be birthday season here with a gathering of peeps on Thursday for Paul's and a house party on Friday for James'. Both of which were enjoyed greatly by us both.

Having had enough of the evil drink, Ed and I abstained (well mostly) on Saturday and instead caught up with Mark who has returned to Melbourne on the hunt for employment and of course the much needed cash! Lovely to catch up.

I musn't however, forget to mention the other visitors to our flat that night...

Every night there seems to be a gathering of these little critters - possums - outside our balcony window. As you can see I was of course trying not to encourage it with a little gift of apple!

Sunday morning came and for once no hangover, grabbing the chance with both hands, we headed to the Botanical Gardens, or the "Tan", for a romantic picnic and much needed exercise.

This week we do not get to enjoy the bank holiday that is being appreciated by you all, but instead have to return to work. The zoo work seems to have dried up for the time being and thus I am back on the phones. Hope you all enjoyed your long weekend and we look forward to hearing what you got up to.

The Gentleman Thief

I promised last week that there would be more interesting info this week...here goes.

On Tuesday I went down to start my drive to Werribee, little did I know, someone had already taken the old Bongie for a ride of their own. It wasn't there! Police, tow yards contacted etc I headed off to work regardless. Couldn't miss the induction day...just another trip to the zoo. Lush!

Had to meet Leroy afterall!

Thankfully a couple of days later Bongo van was located a few suburbs away, such a relief as I was not looking forward to catching the train and cycling to work - turning an hour commute into near on two hours. Turns out that the thief could not have taken better care of it. It is in full working order, with no dents or scratches. In fact before nicking the bottle of oil, the thief kindly topped up the Bongo first. What a gentleman!

This weekend has been a busy one. Pizza at Bimbos on Thursday, a BBQ on Friday, movies and party on Saturday and curry on Sunday night. Heads are sore, eyes are tired and we are looking forward to the rest work will bring this week.

Could not fail to mention of another familiar face! Sunday brought Dave (those Sefton Parkers should recognise!) to Melbourne. Spent a lovely afternoon catching up and going around the old Melbourne Gaeol - glad I managed to fit some culture into the weekend!

Dave - colleague from Sefton Park

This one's for mum...meet Wattle the Wombat!

Take care of yourselves xxxx

Not Much To Say!

Another week and another blog entry...not much to say! Things are moving along swimmingly. I am settling nicely in to my new job and Ed is setting the world of ANZ on fire (well...maybe!). I had forgotten how tiring it is working a full teaching day and then trying to play hard as well. Shattered!

The week was spent in the usual way at 6am start, a trip on the tram for Ed and an hour commute in the beloved Bongo for me. More snakes, wombats, possums, and credit card issues. All in a good week's work!

Friday soon came around again though and we headed out each on our own for a 'Boys' night and a 'Girls' night out. Sadly my outfit wasn't as interesting as this one...

Fantastic fun had by both girls and boys at a variety of different cool Melbourne establishments, including this rather classy joint...Madame Brussels - an ex brothel. Had to steal a piccie off of the internet as it was far too cool to take your own! Champagne all round. Lovely.

Clutching our aching heads, determined not to spend the day in bed we headed for town...after a bit of jazz in Federation Square we gave up the fight and returned to our much loved, tiny home, did the proper thing and grabbed a DVD.

Sunday was a bit more of a success with a trip to the St Kilda beach where we lay on the beach wrapped in scarves and jumpers. The tans have now completly faded with no hope of returning anytime soon!

I will leave you with the promise of something a little more exciting next week!! xxx

The Working Life

Sorry it's taken a while for us to get an update to you. Life has turned pretty crazy with both of us working full time and not having a computer, it's been tricky.

I started my new job last week - wow! I have now been employed by Werribee Open Range Zoo and Melbourne Zoo as a CRT (Casual Relief Teacher). Werribee is about a 1 hour comute from our city dwelling and I have started to see hours in the early morning that I had forgotten existed. Still, it is lovely to drive out of the city and find yourself in the middle of the countryside and away from all the city smog and noise.

Just down the road from the safari park

My first day (Friday) at Werribee Open Range Zoo was one of wonder as I drove up the drive to the staff carpark, passing Zebras, Wilderbeast and Wild Horses. Not something you expect to see on your way to work!

The day started with an introduction to the animals I would be handling during classes - Snakes, Possums, Lizards and Frogs, a couple of lesson observations, then a trip around the safari park in one of their buses, and finally a walk to see the Lions and Cheetahs. The best news was that I was actually being paid to do it!

It soon became clear however, that I was being broken in gently, as this week has been a whirl of trying to get to know the animals, the people, the lessons and learning some A-Level Biology. I have now taught about 8 classes, 2 of which were A-Level Biology. Eeeek! For those of you who know that I only did the 'simple' award science at GSCE will understand the hugeness of this. Thankfully I managed to blag my way through it and teach a good lesson.

My next challenge is to get my head around the snakes - the Madagascan Ground Boa Constrictors being the ones giving me the most trouble!

Haven't managed to get a piccie of me with any of the animals yet, but will put them on when I get the chance!

I start my training at Melbourne Zoo on Monday, so another place to get my head around. Lots all at once, but an amazing experience!