Only 21 degrees Hicky? You must feel cheated, after the heat of Singapore.

Glad you arrived in Australia OK, and have your priorities right by ordering room service no matter whether it's night or day.
That was a lucky elevator at the airport.
I presume the "big punch" was for you, and the flowers for your OH?

No frost here this morning and I think it got up to the giddy heights of 5 degrees mid morning. Didn't work, but went into town to do some banking etc.

Apprentice tonight then IAC on +1 (not going to forget the Apprentice tonight).

both xxx

Hicky

glad to see you arrived in Sydney ok,. 21c will feel cool to you after that Singapore heat! Hope it doesn't rain too much whilst you are there, not sure about Sydney, but I remember when we lived in Queensland summer was "the wet" and there was an awful lot of humid rain!

Good job you could have room service as it was the middle of the night,  but  your body clock telling you it was eating time! Handy that, getting a lift that leads you to a food hall! 

As Emptybox says, the punch for you and flowers for OH!

I bet your family were real pleased to see you.

Hope you enjoy your few days in Sydney now.

Emptybox

Gosh no frost for you today for a change, but we got a real heavy frost! It has been very cold here today, but at least I got the washing nearly dry out on the line as it was nice and sunny. Took doggie a walk and went shopping, got a few pressies and finished with tea in the Weatherspoon as OH met us in there after work. I had veggie burger, mash and coleslaw. Very nice. 

Thanks for the reminder about the Apprentice, think I too will watch that first.

Goodnight Emptybox x

and Goodmorning to Hicky. Have a nice day in Sydney. x

HI Mollie. Strange that you got frost and I didn't.

Supposed to be very cold tonight though.

That's nice that you got a nice tea at Weatherspoons after your pressie buying.

Elizabeth escaped by the skin on her teeth again.

Evening/Morning Both.

That 21c was just what it was early morning, when we went out Thursday it was 27c, went on a ferry in the sun, this is the Sydney harbour bridge on the way to Manly, wherever that is, but when we got off had a short walk, and ice cream, a coffee and got another ferry back.

Just getting ready to go out with my lad and his gf for a meal, couldn't get one in this posh place as they are all booked up, will have to book another night, going to a place by the Opera House.

Hi Hicky.
Ah yes, 27 degrees sounds more civilised.
Glad you are enjoying Sydney, and had a nice ferry ride.
Hope you enjoy the meal by the Opera House.

Light frost here this morning, and then a cloudy day. No more than 2 degrees high. A couple of snow showers this afternoon. The wind was quite light though.
Did a few hours of tidying up work; raking leaves and cutting back herbaceous plants etc.

IAC tonight. Really gone off Amir Khan after him and Iain stole the strawberries and cream last night.
Think Toff is still my favourite.

both xxx

Hicky

what a lovely photo. Did you take it? How nice you have 27 degrees, and no rain. Further up north in Oz, they are getting lots of rain, as we can see on IAC.

Glad you managed to go on a ferry ride, I think that is a great way to see Sydney. Hope you enjoy your meal by the Opera house. It will be lovely for you and your OH to spend time over a meal with you son and his gf. 

Emptybox

that's good that despite the cold weather you were able to get some work done.

Very cold here too, but went up to about plus 6. Felt a lot colder in  the wind though. That's nice you got a bit of snow, none here as usual unfortunately.

Yes IAC still good, Amir was a crafty so and so with the strawberries last night, but at least it gave us some entertainment.

Washing dried quite well again in the dry weather and doggie enjoyed her walk. Got a bit of food shopping too. Had chips, peas, coly cheese for tea.

Goodnight Emptybox.

Good morning HIcky, hope you have a nice day in Sydney today. xxx

Evening Both.

On o/h's laptop as she uses the tablet and the phone, so i taken it over for the holiday.

27c again, had a buffet brekkie, AUD$44..

I attach copy of pic where we will be eating tonight, on the rotating beacon.

Went on a roll on roll off ferry today, pay $30 dollars and go round various sights, you can get off and on anywhere they stop, we stayed on for 21/2 hrs, took tray of Sushi with me and bottle of water.

Put sun tan lotion on to start, sun was o/head and fearce.

Hi Hicky.

That looks a spectacular but precarious place to have dinner?

Must have been nice seeing the sights from the ferry, if a little hot.

Very icy here this morning. It had snowed overnight, and then turned to ice.

Found it hard to keep my feet when I went to bring my bin in.

Didn't do a lot, but went into town to buy some work clothes.

Got a couple of things coming from Amazon tomorrow, so will have to wait in. Nothing important, just a little gadget to allow me to record some of my old VHS tapes to the computer, and another little gadget to allow me to watch TV on a computer monitor.

Watched 'Eight Days That Made Rome', and now watching IAC on +1.

Evening Emptybox.

Time 19.51 here,  Only about 26c today, it rained this afternoon, very windy as well.

Moved to an Apartment, wow, this is life, it has everything and more.

Moved into the new place but had a BBQ at my lads apartment.

Went to a fish market, wow, the section of the market that has shellfish is massive, crabs bigger than i could even imagine, at AUD$250 a kilo.

Bought Alaska King Crab Legs, 8 off for AUD$98 and lost them on the way home somehow, had lobsters,massive prawns, sushi fish packs, steak.

This apartment has every machine you would ever need, think we are going out with them all tomorrow, going to lads for brekkie.

both xx

Hectic day yesterday so didn't have chance to post, so will catch up today.

And ... it's that time of year again...

And day 1 behind the door of my special advent calendar I have at home, was a black nail polish with bits of silver in it.

love the photo Hicky,

I looked up your apartments and they look great.

Glad to see you are taking care in that strong Ozzie summer sun.

That fish market sounds just up your street. Hope you have a nice day out with the family today and enjoy brekkie at theirs. Let us know where you visit. Does your lad have a place in Sydney or they just in holiday accomm like you are?

Emptybox

Snow how lovely and seasonal. Take care not to slip though. As I found out a fall can take a long time to heal. My leg/ankle still not right from a fall back in March!

Has your crown tooth settled down now? hOpe so.

Hope your Amazon gadgets arrived and you are pleased with them.

Yesterday I was busy rushing round getting paperwork and house jobs done as we went to theatre in the eveing to see Miss Saigon. Very good it was.

And its that time of year again....(one day behind as too busy to post yesterday),

and as we have made a start putting our Christmas decs up at home....

Day 1 of our advent is a tree.

Good afternoon both xx

Day 2 today of our advent is ....a wintry scene...similiar to Emptybox's now but not Hickys.

Today we went to our local towns 1940's Christmas fayre, very nice, and free local history walk. Interesting.

Good Morning Both.

Sunday 3rd here at 05.26 am.

Was supposed to have brekkie here in the new place but left the saltfish at my lads so going there for brekkie.

Temperature outside now is 20c later will be 27c.

Going for a drive later my lad said.

My lad is renting his place at the mo as he has let his new penthouse out as it's too far away from work.

I am taking tons of pictures with my camera,will sort them when we get back, o/h takes pics on her tablet that we can send around.

This suite is amazing, the facilities, even dishwasher, massive, washing machine dryer, iron/board, desk for computer, a lounge, big, large bedroom, shower/bathroom, tons of storage, automatic lifts, you scan you room card and the computer allocates you a lift, A-E, you get in the lift and you floor shows in the list of were it will stop, if it isn't on the list you must get off at the next stop because it won't go to your floor, there are no buttons in the lift to select, 

O/H went to a corner shop last night and got some milk, coffee, pot noodles, wow, Laksa soup noodles, nearly blew my head off as i put the 3 sachets in all together.

Have been taking my emergency antibio's and the other stuff the nurse gave me as one day my throat was so bad i got up in the night to start the sessions, one tablet is 6 times a day, the other is 3.

It's almost light out, we have a balcony as well, will get some pictures, am on floor 28, went to floor 54 last night when the lift didn't have the room in the list and we never noticed, you just get out and rescan it and it reallocates you a new lift.

It has a pool, spa, sauna, gym the lot, we have 2 tvs,lounge and bedroom, no idea how many apartments are here, there is 1,2 & 3 bedroom ones, not sure how many floors either because the lift doesn't tell you.

Hi both.
Frosty start again here but not too bad a day.
Didn't do much except wash all the mud and salt off my van. It gets filthy at this time of year.

My two gadgets both came. Only had time to play with one today, but will look at the other one tomorrow probably.
The one I set up is a little box that converts a composite (analogue) input to an HDMI (digital) output, so I can connect a scart TV box to an HDMI port on my monitor. Seems to work really well. And for only £13 was not too pricey.
You can find them cheaper, but this one has a metal case, so is more sturdy.

Hicky. Your apartment sounds fabulous. But the lift must be confusing. If it was really clever it would know your room number and deliver you right into your living room.
Pity you've had to start taking medication for your throat. Mind you, you probably aren't helping it by having burning hot Laksa soup?
That was an expensive mistake to lose your crab's legs on the way home.
It'll be great to see some of your pictures when you get back.

Mollie. Thanks for the Advent pictures. Nail polish behind the Advent window? What happened to the days when it was a sweetie or chocolate?
Why does your town have a 1940's Christmas Fayre? That would be in wartime, when they wouldn't have many decorations or lights, and food would be rationed.
Suppose it saves the town money?
Glad you enjoyed Miss Saigon.

Yes, I put some sand down outside my house so I (and the postie) wouldn't slip, but the path past my neighbours houses was very slippy.
Pity your leg still isn't right.
My crown is mostly settled now. I can more or less treat it like any other tooth, and I don't have to avoid eating on it. Mind you, it is now two months since it was fitted. Still sensitive to cold, despite using sensodyne toothpaste, but i can live with that.

Really enjoyed Kevin's first song on X Factor, as I love Led Zeppelin. So pity he is not in the final two. Not really keen on Grace or Raksu TBH, though was good to see Grace duet-ting with Paloma Faith on one of Grace's own songs.

Evening Emptybox.

Been out to where my lads penthouse suite is, had brekkie at his first, it looks a lovely place, had lots of ice cream as it was 27c today, roasting, then went to a crocodile farm and taking pics of baby kangaroo's roaming around loose.

We then cam home to Sydney to go for a meal, had lots of lovely grub again, soft shelled crabs deep fried, crispy pieces of belly pork, satay and dip, a curry meal, and more, came to AUD$155.Having a problem getting wifi on mobiles, fine on laptop.

It's hard to know when to start taking meds, but 1 night i felt i had to try them out, things are better which i am grateful for, i started both not sure if i should have as nurse never left any instructions.

At least your stuff came, sounds a good price.

both xxx

Hicky

that's nice you got to your lad's for brekkie and saw the baby kangaroos, hope you didn't get too close to those crocs though.

Your apartment sounds lovely for you.

Don't blame you eating ice cream as it is so hot there.

Shame you can't get wifi on your mobiles but good job you can get it on your lappy.

Glad to hear you are a bit better health wise, odd how the nurse didn't tell you how to take the meds. But I expect that could not be set in stone as she didn't know how bad your problem was likely to be. 

Sounds like you are taking good advantage of the Ozzie food there.

Emptybox

hope you managed to set up your other gadget today and that you are pleased with both of them.

Still icy and slippy there or milder?

A lot milder here today and some sun too.

That is good your crown settled at last. Mine took months too, but I think you should find it real good soon now, it does take an age for the final sensitivity to go though.

Yes, X factor, I too was not happy Kevin went, he did that rock song brilliant. Don't like either of the finalists we have left now.

Yes the town's 1940's thing was war time related, eg they showed you how to make model airplanes made from old pegs and hand sown Christmas stockings, the pub had criss cross tape on the windows in case of explosions and lots of people in uniform.

Today we walked round a big open field for ages and chose our Christmas tree. It is lovely and full and smells gorgeous.

Did you know it is a supermoon tonight?

It is brilliant because it is clear here..... me and OH looked at it with our binoculars. You could see it so clearly.

And today is advent day 3, and although HIcky is in the heat and wants ice cream it is too cold here so I think it is hot choc time.

Nearly time for X factor then IAC.

Goodnight Emptybox. xxx

Good morning Hicky xxx

Evening.
Still a little frost this morning to scrape off my windscreen, but got milder this afternoon with some sun for a while, until it clouded over.
Supermarket as usual.

Hicky. Glad the meds are having an effect.
Must have been interesting seeing kangaroos and crocodiles.
Sounds a lovely meal.
At least you can get a good wifi signal on your laptop.

Mollie. Must have been good exercise walking round the open field. Was that in search of your Xmas tree? Glad you are pleased with it.
The Fayre actually sounds quite interesting, although not very Chrimassy?
Yes, it was nice and clear here as well tonight, and I had a look at the supermoon through binoculars as well.

Got my other gadget set up after a lot of frustration. It is a USB video capure device, and I thought at first that it wasn't working, but after much fiddling about I found it was the scart lead I was using that wasn't working. It had been working fine a couple of days before, so not sure why it conked out, but trying another lead made the gadget work fine.
So yes I'm quite pleased with both my gadgets, in the end

I suppose it was inevitable that Raksu won X Factor, but I can't take to them.
Also I suppose inevitable that Kezia was out of the Jungle.
She seemed pleased that she'd managed to talk about politics while she was in  there. Wonder how pleased she'll be when she finds out that none of that talk was shown?

Good Afternoon Both.

Probably staying in today, no sun here, 20c, here but ordered some food earlier, got some dim sum dumplings, satay sticks, curry and rice, enough for another meal so will put in fridge, had some cheese and biscuits earlier.

It seems Wifi signal is pretty week on level 28, get 2 signals but if i take mobile to side of shower i get a signal, had to that with lappy before then it is ok, lappy probably got better power to boost signal.

Slept well last night for a change, went to bed early as had had a busy day really,

Have hardly coughed today so far which is a good sign, not got so many tablets left, uses a lot when you take one every 4 hrs.

The scart leads Emptybox are pretty delicate, not a lover myself, if you don't insert it perfect it can move or damage a pin, if you can see while you insert the plug you will probably get it straight, used to have a lot of problems.

Evening Both.

Stuff wants to keep changing time zones but it makes it worse for me, trying to keep it on uk time.

Not sure if it works.

Of course it's about 7 pm here but 8am uk time, very confusing.

Anyway, this is a pic i took on my phone from the 28th floor balcony, scary as well.

no good shots here, have stayed in as we had a busy day yesterday.

I can show pics i take on the phone as i post it to myself on twitter then get an address to show it.

They sorted the Wifi, it's ok now, each apartment has it's own Wifi Router/Modem in the room. it had to be reset.

Hi Hicky.
You are very high up there, looking down on the roofs of other buildings. Nice seeing the pic though.
Glad your cough is getting better, and you got a good sleep last night. Or is it tomorrow night? Difficult to tell with the time difference.

Milder here but dull. Not working today. Just been experimenting with recording some of my VHS tapes to the computer using my new gadget. Finding out which is the best software to use etc.

Yes, scart connections were never very clever. HDMI is much easier.

I might have bent a pin taking it out previously I suppose.

Glad you've got the wifi in the apartment working better anyway.

both xxx

Good morning Hicky

hope you slept ok again last night. Yes this time difference is very confusing for you. Don't blame you staying in for a day yesterday, as the jet lag and all the travelling, plus having to take your meds must be exhausting for you. Glad your cough is a lot better. It is a good job you have quite a long time at the same apartments now, especially now you have the wifi sorted at last.

Thanks for the photos. ....gosh you are high up, must feel strange standing on that balcony. I saw the photos on twitter, how handy twitter is a means for you to post them on here too, as I tend to miss a lot on twitter as it always so busy on there.

Are you going anywhere today?

Emptybox

thats good you are pleased with both gadgets.

Yes the field we walked round was huge and full of Christmas trees and families choosing which one they wanted.

Went to vets first thing today. Daughter took her bunny for his booster injection and to have his claws trimmed, he was rather scared but is fine now and I took doggie for a check up for her eyes but vet said the drops seem to be suiting her, so they are not too bad.

This afternoon son had dentist, so went with him as we pay for it with him being  just a student. He just had hygenist so that wasn't too bad though.

Got home and got washing in and made tea just as OH came home and we had quick glass of wine that my aunt gave us whilst tea was cooking. I did a quick meal of jacket potatoes, peas and min sausage rolls, but sausage rolls with no sausage for me, as they were cheese and onion rolls.

IAC tonight, so am looking forward to that.

Rylan said on This Morning that CBB is back soon and it is just women to start. I hate that, they have done that before, so not sure why they are doing it again? 

Advent day 4 for me and Emptybox (Hicky is on day 5 though!).

and for day 4, I thought we'd have a bit of a jive to Jailhouse rock with Elvis....

Have a good evening both xxx

Emptybox

Yes IAC, how odd Kez thought they would air her political thoughts. i think she must be rather naive to of thought that.

She did not come over as dislikeable at all though, but just rather boring.

I don't think it nice how most of them are singling out Iain though, but I guess this often happens to late comers.

And Kez as the other late comer did not fare well either.

Hi Mollie.
Glad your pets had successful visits to the vets.
I like a cheese and onion roll as an alternative to sausage rolls as well sometimes.
Thanks for the Elvis pic.

Looking forward to CBB in January. All women is fine by me.
Although i think that's just at the start?
Real shame that Becky is out of the Jungle. A feisty strong beautiful woman.
Toff still my favourite though. Especially after that snake trial tonight.
I quite like Iain, but think some of the things he does are suspect, like giving up his email tonight.

Good Afternoon Both, well it is here, 1.08 pm, had a nice brekkie this morning, eating houses everywhere, one just outside were we are, got eggs, bacon, tom, mushrooms, toast, and a big superstore over the road, a Coles one, got loads of goodies.

Got them to come up to find the remote control for the aircon and find out the control is a wall one and it has been off since we came on the 2nd.

It;s so scary on these balconies, as they stick out from the building and you feel you have to hold the rail, also worried about dropping mobile or camera.

I only post a picture to twitter so i can look at the picture in a new tab and that gives me an address to post here, otherwise i can't unless i pay the extra.

At least i'll be home for CBB next, but i think my recording should be ok for IAC and Strictly, although i csn get some stuff on the web if i need, the wifi is all free.

Hi Hicky.
That's almost a full 'English' you had for brekkie. Can you get the same baked beans out there, or are they off the menu?
Yes I've heard of Coles. They are a big national chain.

Pity you only just worked out the air con. I expect you need it there.
That's great that the wifi is free.
I look forward to seeing more pics, but don't put yourself in danger, just to get a spectacular one.

A milder dull day here. Didn't do much except went into town to collect my prescription.
Also I bought a wireless keyboard and mouse set and a set of computer speakers to go with one of my new monitors.

Looking forward to IAC Iater.

both

Hicky

I so agree with Emptybox, I love your photos, but please no risks on that high balcony.

that is handy how you have Coles just over the road. I remember Coles. Generally  I didn't like their supermarkets as much as ours though, as I don't think they had so much choice, eg Woolworths supermarket stuff seemed to be the same as Coles.

Sounds like you had a nice filling brekkie.

Gosh good job you worked out the air con, it must of been real hot without that in an apartment.

Good job you will be back for CBB as I am missing seeing you post about our tv shows.

Wonder what you have lined up for today? Hope you have a nice day.

Emptybox

Good for you having a well deserved winters days off today and treating yourself to a bit of a shop. Hope you are pleased with them.

Milder here too today, but it rained heavy as soon as I put the washing out! I gave up and it is still there now.

Me and daughter couldn't find the lights for our Christmas tree, then realised OH and son had put them on the outside of our house, so we had to unravel them and take them down again, and leave them to dry out now as they are only for inside.

Advent day 5, and it is a Disney one -  gosh this month is going quickly ....need to do my cards, last posting day for Oz is Saturday!

Hi Mollie.
Thanks for the Disney themed advent.
Pity your washing got a soaking.
Wonder why your OH and son put indoor lights on the outside of your house? A health and safety issue if nothing else.

Quite pleased with my purchases today. I paid a little over the odds as I bought them from a local computer shop, rather than online, but then you have the convenience of just taking them home.
Strangely another one of my keyboards is acting up tonight, so I might need to make another visit.

IAC good. Not too bothered that Vanessa went TBH.

Good Afternoon Both.

Only 24c today, have the aircon off most of the time, 30c tomorrow though.

Stayed in today after shopping and wandering around yesterday, there is a Woolworths as well, food seems dearer than i expected.

So funny, my phone rang at about 2.15am, it was my old boss in the uk, he said, i've been ringing your land line, where are you, i said i'm in Australia, omg he said, when you back, i said 28th December, he said, i gotta go this will be costing me a fortune, the tight sod, he is so rich.

Have a feeling he was going to ask to go out for a Christmas meal like the old day, oh well, he always keeps in touch, we worked together for probably over 30 years. 

Had a good nights sleep because i have finished the tables, they did the job anyway, sorted my voice out, so happy.

Went outside to get some sandwiches made, just ham, cheese, tomato, lettuce and the most beautiful white bread.

Have had a couple of the soup noodle pots, they are so big, wow, never seen a pot like this, some are from Korea, real spicy, love them, everything here is so fresh.

The sun came out before but expecting a thunderstorm which has just arrived.

My lad should finish work today but he has been so busy, he had to do some work on a billion dollar project and some multi million dollar ones, so much going on here, loads of roads closed as they are putting tram lines down, but there are underground subway trains roads are hard to get around on at the mo with all the work going on.

I think it's wednesday here, thursday showing 30c and sunny so could be going out somewhere.

all the tea and coffee is free in the room, same as the stuff for the machines, even the coffee machine, nice as well. love the big American fridge freezer.

Lounge.

both

Hicky

what great photos of your apartment. It looks like you are living in a bit of luxury there. You will have to put an American fridge on your Christmas list.  You certainly would have no problem filling it with food you like.   We have one and it is always full with there being 5 of us and some of mum's food too.

at your old boss rushing to get off the phone when he realised he was ringing Australia. Nice of him not to forget you though.

That's brilliant the meds did their job and you are sleeping well now.

Hope your lad can tie up all his work now so he can get on with his wedding preparations. Not long to go now.

Emptybox

Glad you are pleased with your purchases. Did you end up going back there today? Yes sometimes it is just nice to buy from, and so support a shop instead of just buying online. I like to go shopping now and again too.

IAC....I quite liked Vanessa, I would of preferred to see one of those "oh so macho" gang of 3 arrogant bully guys leave instead of Vanessa anwyay. I think all 3 of the girls left were lovely. Toff is such a tough little cookie and such a happy smilie positive girl.   ... a complete opposite to that Rebekah who was also a member of this male "in" team. I think Rebekah must of had a sense of humour bye pass, she always looked so miserable and snarly, she didn't seem to have a nice word to say about anyone. In particular she was so nasty about Iain. Fancy accusing him to his face and saying behind his back he was fake and a big game player and isolating himself from the others. Don't blame him if he was isolating himself from the likes of her and those other 3 guys,but  it looked more like to me that they were the ones who were bullying and isolating him from their "in" gang. They even lied saying he instigated strawberry thing when it was Amir, then last night Dennis lied about the water depth. Any reason to single Iain out and make him look useless, it seems. I really like the remaining girls though and Iain of course, and Stan. Hope they all stay tonight.

Winter has disappeared here again, must of been around 13 degrees, dry at first, so washing nearly dried, then rained this afternoon.

Son and daughter bogged down with assignments ,so haven't seen much of them as they try to finish them before the Uni hols start next week.

Looking forward to IAC. Wonder what task Amir will scream his way through today, but then try and focus on how useless Iain is?  Bit of a hyprocrite he is! But I thought Iain was so helpful to Amir last night in the taxi task.

Did some of my Christmas cards today, We have already had a few in the post, so must get a move on.

Took doggie a walk inbetween showers.

Goodnight Emptybox

Goodmorning HIcky, hope you have a nice day in your 30 degrees, they tell us here we have sonw on the way, but I believe it when I see it, it is rare we get snow down here.

Advent day 6.....I love Christmas piccies.This young lady has come to say Hallo to you Emptybox, and to remind you it is nearly time to put your Christmas tree up. (if you haven't already).

We still don't have lights on our tree yet as we have to get some new lights, (due to, as you say Emptybox, our breach of health and safety).

Have you seen the Dancing on Ice advert Emptybox?

I love it ....the graphics are so clever with those polar bears. I dont' like Strictly , but I love dancing on Ice. It is so much more challenging so, unlike Strictly, it is harder to pick a winner from week 1.

Good Morning Everyone.

Only 29c here today, and i was expecting 30c, could be going to Bondi Beach though.

We have the American fridge freezer at home Mollie, with an ice maker also, posh eh.

The sun shining on the balcony, but i don't feel safe so high up outside the apartment doors, and it has a glass panelled surround which does nothing to help the utter fear, i can;t even look over and down.

Lots of lovely food places very close by, had a beef and Japanese curry last night, not bad, so many noodle houses, think everyone must live on them.

The room supplies everything, except food, all the coffee pods for the machine, and tea/milk etc, stuff for the machines, you could live here permanent it if wasn't so expensive.

Did i tell you about the lifts? well, you show your room card to a sensor and it allocates you a lift, A to E, you get in that lift and it stops at your level, if you get in the wrong lift you have to get out because the lifts don't have buttons so you can't tell it were to go.

There are another 5 lifts but for offices somewhere, this building has 430 Apartment Suites, wow, wow. and 64 floors, they also have another building a few roads away.

I'll be back for New Year, next stop being Honolulu which should be interesting.

Sydney weather. https://www.accuweather.com/en...cember-weather/22889

Honolulu weather. https://www.accuweather.com/en...ember-weather/348211

New York weather. https://www.accuweather.com/en...ember-weather/349727

Nice advent calendar girl.

Keep warm and stay safe.

Hi both.
Mild and dull here, but very windy.
Didn't go out, but did my invoices for last month, recorded more video tapes to the computer, made my first casserole of the Winter (delicious), and did a big pile of ironing.

The computer keyboard is behaving tonight. Don't think there's anything wrong with the keyboard as such, but i think it's the PS/2 connection on the motherboard that is playing up, as I tried another PS/2 keyboard and it wouldn't work either. But rebooting the computer a couple of times worked.
I may need to buy a USB keyboard instead - we'll see.
Or.....I could transfer my new keyboard to this computer, and use the PS/2 one on the other one (not sure if the lead would be long enough though?).
But as I say it's working fine tonight.
I'm funny in that sometimes I like to buy new stuff, and sometimes I like to stick with the old stuff I've already got. This keyboard dates from 2002 for instance.

Hicky. Great pics of the apartment. As you say you could almost live there, if you didn't have to pay the bill. Mind you with the crazy arrangement of the lifts, I'm surprised you find your way back every time?
That's funny, your boss ringing you, not realising you were in Australia.
That's great that you seem to be over your problems, and are getting a good night's sleep.
Your lad sounds very busy. Hope he can take enough time off to squeeze in the wedding?

Mollie. Thanks for the 50's/60's glamour girl advent.
Yes TBH I always prefer to be able to shop locally, but it's not possible to find everything.

I see you are very enthusiastic about Iain and his problems in there.
Personally I like him, but don't think he's being particularly hard done by? Specially not by Rebecca, as I think she is a goddess.  
But I'm quite happy to agree that Jamie, Dennis and Amir are not very nice, as I don't give them a thought.
Pity Stanley went before those three.

Glad it was mild enough for you to take the dog for a walk, and get some of your washing dried, before the rain came on.
I'm kinda hoping nobody sends me a card this year, so I don't need to bother with them. Have bought a few just in case though.
Haven't thought about decorations or tree yet. End of next week probably.
Can't remember if I've got a working set of lights or not? I seem to remember having trouble with them last year?
Oh yes, I've seen the dancing polar bears advert. Didn't twig what it was about. I think I thought it was one of the big Store adverts.
Don't think I usually watch Dancing on Ice? I think I sometimes watch clips afterwards though.

Good Morning/Evening Both.

Went to Bondi Beach for a look around, very nice it is too.

Didn't go down to the sea as i;m not so good walking unless i;m on the flat.

Had a wonderful cod and chips at a what you would call, english fish and chip shop, very good, as good as uk, then had a triple ice cream carton, wow, took quite a while to eat that.

Ran the last hotel to see if we had left stuff, they said they have 5 items  for us and shoes, no idea how so will go back in the morning.

My lad drove us today, he has a massive 4x4, love it, the tyres are 275 and thats wide.

Here are a couple of the pics from the beach, very popular and it's only 'thursday.

both

Hicky

love the Bondi photos. I guess there is no chance of you becoming a surfing dude is there? at you being disappointed at 29 instead of 30.  I see Liverpool is going to reach the dizzy heights of plus 3 tomorrow, guess you wont' miss that! And it is cooling down fast here tonight too.

Yes I can imagine those flats you are in are not cheap, especially being central Sydney! Fish and chips and triple ice cream... no wonder it took you awhile to eat that!   Too cold for ice cream here, think I'll settle for a hot choc instead.

How on earth did you manage to leave 5 items at the last hotel including shoes? Watch you don't leave anything important when you leave the current one. I will take another look at your itinery to see when you move on, I do remember you were due to stay 9 days in the current place. Not sure I fancy those complicated lifts, not a fan of even normal lifts. And don't blame you not being keen on standing out on a glass balcony that high up!  64 floors, that must be a huge building! 

Emptybox

well if your keyboard dates back to 2002, i certainly think you got your moneys worth. From what I see of the weather forecast up there, it sounds like it is casserole weather, so no wonder you enjoyed it.

Yes I do seem to remember you having trouble with your lights last year, so hope they work when you do get round to getting them out.

How about one of these? I just sent OH out to get one, it is less than half price now.

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/5276145

So I plan it to go on top of the porch, so it is out with the ladder for OH tomorrow.

Yes I love posting on twitter for who I support during IAC, it gives me an excuse to take my eyes off tv when there is awful snakes/spiders on there.

Rebekah a goddess! That sour faced mean girls person, ! She seems a barrel load of laughs! (NOT!).   Next you will be telling me you support Amir to win!

How about Toff? She is much nicer and fun loving natured. And Jenny seems nice too.

It is the guys this time who I think are real bitchy, but they think they are so macho.

Wish Stan had stayed instead of those 3 amigos.

Do you know when it ends? I saw a new thriller being advertised for next week that looks good, in the usual IAC postion.

So pleased CBB starts so soon in the New Year. (2 Jan).

I think you'd like Dancing on Ice.

Busy day, had to catch bus then long walk back from vets as dog not well again. Got her some more meds, as vet think she just needs them a bit longer. Lucky weather was nice and dry.

Time for IAC. I am off to read twitter.

Goodnight Emptybox

Good morning Hicky, hope you have a nice day in your 29 degree heat!

We will be lucky to make it above freezing point here!

Hi both.

Very windy with heavy rain mid day here. Brighter this afternoon.

Actually quite warm last night, but much colder this evening

Didn't do much, but after the rain stopped I went out to deliver some of the invoices I printed out yesterday.

Hicky. Thanks for the Bondi beach pics. You can definitely tell it's Summer there.  

That's great that you could find an English style chippy. You probably weren't supposed to eat all the ice cream yourself?

 I suppose that's one way to solve your luggage problems? Just leave a little bit at every place you stay.

Mollie. No thanks to the pop up penguin.

I liked Rebekah, but Toff has always been my favourite. The final is on Sunday I think.

Pity doggie still isn't well. Hope the extra meds help.

Evening Both.

Cool here today, still need the aircon but it's curry night at my lads place.

\yes, 25c but went to get the Rendang paste for the curry tonight, then went to other hotel to pick up what we left, it was my waterproof coat, my shoes, o/h 2 dresses and a cardy.

Anyway, went on another cruise thingy, just so we can sit in the sun and get the breeze in our hair, we did that ok, wind is great when it's hot.

Took some Sushi Rolls to keep me going, when we got back we had a big ice cream sitting overlooking the harbour.

Going to my lads in a bit.

Here's the Hudson Bay pic, it's a Game Fishing club, but it's one of the many places the little cruise stops at during the 2 hours, and it can't half shift, wow, the bay is full of boats coming and going, it's so busy it's crazy.

And massive cruise ships berth here with 3,000 passengers on board, so busy.

I like Dancing on ice, it is so hard, i have always skated since i was a lad and screwed some ice blades to a pair of leather shoes, that was hard, it took another 20 years to realise you need boots not shoes, no wonder it was hard to learn at about 10.

Evening Both.

As you can guess, i lose track of time, so best post when i'm awake, it's 21.25 here it's the 8th i think, Friday.

Had a lovely curry, we made it together, o/h had a bit rump steak grilled on the BBQ on his balcony.

/another picture of the boats, so many it;s unbelievable, some are very expensive luxury cruisers.

both

HIcky

thank you for the lovely summer photos. Glad to see you enjoying life on the ocean wave and the cooling sea breeze.

Good idea to take your sushi rolls to make sure you did not go short on the food during your trip.

The breeze here right now is a bit more than cooling, it is coming from the Arctic and is absolutely, uterly freeeezing!!

Gosh 3000 on a single ship, it must be huge.

No wonder you found it difficult ice skating if you had no boots.

I remember going on one of the ferry boats like in your photo. We went over to Manly beach from Sydney harbour.

Good job you managed to get your left luggage back.

Hope you have a good day today.

Emptybox

good idea to deliver your invoices. Do you find customers on the whole pay you quick enough or do you have to chase them up?

Glad you too think Toff is the best, she is a little trouper imo. A strong gutsy but happy go lucky with nothing bad to say about anybody. And always enthusiastic. A well deserving winner imo.

We went to Cardiff on the train today to do a bit more Christmas shopping. We sat outside Greggs to share a snack, and it was real cold!

We had a bit of a snow shower here, but as usual, it didn't stick.

OH hasn't had chance yet to put our penguin up outside. If you dont fancy an outside penguin, Emptybox, they also do a snowman and a Santa.

Have finished all my Christmas cards, so will take them to post office tomorrow, and very conveniently the post office is next door to the pub , so we can pop into the pub for brekkie first.

Advent day 8 and it is a reindeer today.

Goodnight Emptybox xx

Good morning Hicky xx

Good Morning/Evening Both.

Yes Mollie, did go to Manly, never made the beach, had a coffee and a look around, oh and an ice cream of course.

Having an easy day i think, caught a bit of sun yesterday on the boat, so hot even in a gale.

Just had meat pie i got yesterday, got food in the fridge though.

It was lucky we noticed some clothes missing, don't know how we left them behind.

Not sure were this boat is going but a lot waiting to get on, no cruise ships in by the looks of it.

Evening both.
A lovely sunny day here with only a little wind. Very cold though, no more than 1 or 2 degrees.
Did a few hours of hedge cutting work.

I also went into town to collect a parcel from Ebay (chose click and collect at Sainsburys). An early Xmas present to myself. A new leather jacket.
Inside as well as the jacket was a box of Toffifee and a Christmas card, plus a letter in broken English thanking me for my custom.
Although the company is called 'Ace Italia' I suspect it must really be Chinese, because I think they are the only ones that give little gifts to their customers? (might be wrong)
Nice jacket though. Although you might not approve of it being leather Mollie?

Hicky. Thanks for the on the water pics. It must be good to enjoy cruising in the sun. Not the wind though.
I see whether in Oz or the UK it's Rendang paste for you. (not sure I've ever seen it in the shops?)
That shows dedication, to fix blades to a pair of leather shoes.
I could never get the hang of ice skating the few times I tried it when i was a boy.

Mollie. Thanks for the Rudolph advent.
Hope you are getting through your Christmas shopping now?
No sign of any snow here yet, even on the hills.
That's very good of you, already written all your Xmas cards.

I've got some good payers and others who take longer. Some try to leave it exactly 30 days after they receive the invoice before they pay.
Occasionally some take even longer and I've got to send reminders.
I like to deliver the local ones by hand, so they can't claim the bill was lost in the post.

Toff was really good at the trial where she had to fill up the tank with fish guts, but it was getting a bit much for her. She had to work hard to stay cheerful for that one?

Evening Both.

Just chilling today, my lad is bringing some grub up, he has been getting the food for a Christmas dinner at his place tomorrow.

Another pic of a little cruise boat in the bay, tons of them.

You can get Rendang in all the supermarkets in the uk, it's a standard Indonesian curry, fantastic as well.

Had a beef pie earlier then a laksa soup