Update

Recent posts to this blog have tended more towards the humourous than informative so I thought it was about time for an update.

We moved into our new flat at the beginning of November. Yes, the address in on the usual page. This prompted some interesting purchasing dilemmas. These were caused by a number of factors;

1. We packed up our house in Sydney and consequently have a couple of garages full of belongings that we don’t really wish to duplicate.
2. We travelled light to the UK because we didn’t know if we were going to be here for three months or three years.
3. We have rented a furnished flat.

So, we didn’t want to buy anything that we already owned, but there were certain things in the flat either lacking or just not up to spec. So I came up with a "valid replacement" theory. This goes something like; we only buy things that we do not already own and they have to be of a sufficient quality that we will ship them back to Sydney when we make our way back to sunnier climes. Which will be nearer two years than five minutes for those who have been asking. I fully expect to be back in Gods own beach country before the end of 2004, if not sooner.

Although we broke our rule on the first day we moved in with some very nice wine glasses from Woolworths for £4.99 and a new kettle. The kettle was a bit borderline, but Bobo excused it on the grounds that she couldn’t find any descaling products to make the supplied kettle even vaguely useable. Oh, and there is the small matter of the twenty eight inch wide screen television as well. But that was a bargain.

Since then we have acquired another Le Creuset casserole dish (to compliment the one I already have), a rather nice bottle opener and a Dyson vacuum cleaner. I have a sneaking suspicion though, that the next thing we need will involve a trip to Ikea. Just a suspicion mind you. I must also remember to avoid driving my wife past any Damart stores in case she goes mad in them and bankrupts me.

Talking of Le Creuset, I do quite like their saucepans and I believe Father Christmas has promised to bring me one.

Over the next few weeks we will enjoy the build up to a proper British Christmas, something which isn’t approached with nearly the same fervour down under. I think its because most people are looking forward to their summer holidays as well, whereas all we have to look forward to here are the miserable months of January and February. Hence the festive season is that much more significant, and shorter.

Surprisingly we seem to have done most of our Christmas shopping. We still haven’t sent any cards though, and I wouldn’t hold your breath. Unless you see either of us before the festive season, in which case we will rush out of the room, hunt for a pen, write your card and then give it to you on the spot.

After Christmas we are off back to sunny Sydney for a couple of weeks. With a bit of luck the fifteen or so days of decent weather will help us avoid S.A.D. until the British weather manages to get its act together towads the middle of next year. Then again.

Finally, its tough being an English cricket fan. We thought the Ashes tour in 1997 was quite tough. But at least Goughie got a hat trick in the Sydney test. About the only hat trick on the horizon in this series is in ducks from our top order batsmen. Muppets.