week 2

Hi all,

Not much to report this week, it was a pretty quiet one. The most notable event of the past few days would have to be the record breaking heat felt all across Australia on Tuesday, in Sydney we saw temperatures reaching past 42 degrees, a one day anomaly that sent January 8th 2013 into the history books as the hottest day nationwide in Australia since records began. It was a really bizarre feeling to think that we were here for a historic day, especially when we moved here thinking every day was going to be a scorcher! Everywhere in Sydney workers hid in their air-conditioned offices during the day, while shopping centres and cinemas were rammed with people taking advantage of the free air con in the evening. The heat was tremendous, with a hot wind offering no relief and fanning the flames of over 200 bush fires, of which 20+ were burning uncontrollably across New South Wales. Luckily no lives have been lost, but the devastation can be seen frequently on the news as the fires continue to blaze across the state, currently a number are even visible from space!
On Wednesday temperatures dropped almost 20 degrees to the mid 20s, a welcome change from what most Aussies were referring to as the 'stinker' of a day that came before it!
On Friday we were out and about again in the more hospitable weather, had some awesome sushi and a seafood hotpot at Hotaru Sushi in the Victoria Galleries, followed by a few drinks at The Clock in Surry Hills. Saturday went quickly, just some sale browsing in David Jones department store in the afternoon, then we caught a ferry to Manly where we spent the evening celebrating our friend Bill's birthday. The ferry ride is a tourist highlight, as it travels on a course directly between the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House as it makes its way across the harbour to Manly. The view is always breathtaking! Bill and his fiancé Amy were in great form, and the dozen or so others who were out for the occasion were all having a ball. We started out in 4 Pines Microbrewery where we enjoyed boutique beers and win, 4 Pines have a few unique claims to fame, having sent the worlds first beer into space last march and producing 5 of the top 20 Aussie beers last year. Needless to say the beer-loving guys in the party were in their element!
From there we headed on to Moonshine Cider and Rum Bar, above the Steyne Hotel. Here the party continued until the small hours and there were many birthday singalongs until we were politely evicted a few hours later.
Sunday was lost to well earned hangovers and spent mostly recovering on the couch.
Next week we're off to Big Day Out music festival in the Olympic Park on Friday, so we have a short working week to look forward to. There are some great bands heading the line up for BDO, with The Killers and Red Hot Chilli Peppers both taking to the stage on Friday night. We've got VIP 'Like A Boss' passes, including access to special VIP bar and viewing areas so its sure to be great! No work that day either and temps set to hit the high 30s again should make for an awesome festival experience. I'm very much looking forward to it and owe a big thank you to Santa for my ticket ;)

Roll on the weekend :)

Back soon!

Sarah