Keith and Jules place is the best place to recover. The sofa is comfy and the sunsets are spectacular! I have been keeping busy cooking brownies, fish and risotto as well as listening to Tony Robbins self improvement CD that Seamus helpfully left behind when he went back to England. I have to admit Mr Robbins is a pretty good life coach, his tapes, recorded in the 80’s when CD’s had not been invented yet, shows little sign of age and he has a turn of sarcastic wit seldom found in the LA egocentric world...

I have put on half a stone thus far and feeling pretty good for it : ) I still can’t sleep very well but the pain is less (read different) with numb nipples being an interesting side effect !!? The weight is probably due to consuming 2 kg of the richest chocolate brownies and not much exercise, walking and paddling being the wild excesses of my activities.

Keith checking out the sunset

Lovely meal at Seans Panaroma on Bondi beach http://www.seanspanaroma.com.au/


My risotto was a triumph (if I don't say so myself)


Standing outside the local Chippy takeaway....


The now world famous brownies


Eagle-eyed Keith spots a Possum in the tree outside the flat


Enjoying a Thai green curry

Sydney in the Fall

I stepped on a cockroach this morning - yuck - a great way to start the day! That was quickly followed by Chelsea bombing out of the Champions League, double wammy.

The weather here is great, 28 degrees and sunny, and I hear it is good back in England as well so hurray for high pressure, long may it rule the skies. I spent yesterday morning at Bondi beach which looks like concrete eye sore but is really quite nice, the water is clear and clean and great for my back but a big wave nearly had me as my left arm is pretty much useless at the moment - suffice to say i didn't stay in for long...


We had breakfast just up at the Speedo cafe (Speedos not required)


Jules got it spot on with the melted goats cheese in scrambled egg, I must remember that recipe.


The exchange rate with Oz and the GBP is now 1.6 (about the same as the US dollar) and it makes everything here expensive, particularly food and entertainment - the average price of a main course in a good resturant is $30 or £20, and the cost of a gig is even more - Massive Attack played last night and tickets were $150 or £100 - the cost of living here is high, luckly it seems that salaries are slightly better than London so the living can be afforded. The premium for living in such a beautiful city is high.

I spent the rest of the day testing different types of chocolate brownies which I am told are very good for broken bones. There was an amazing sunset from Keith and Jules living room window which is pretty special.


Keith cooked an organic steak and Jules was very happy with his work....I am going to try and cook a risotto tomorrow followed by, say, a chocolate brownie : )

Arrival in Sydney - 14 March 2010

The flight from London to Sydney via Abu Dhabi on Etihad airways was bumpy but comfortable, they very kindly gave me a seat at the front of a section because my broken ribs did not allow me to recline the seat far, on balance an airplane chair was the best place to be because I can't really lie down at the moment... Nice food on the plane, good films, in general it was a more western experience than Emirates - highly recommended. The plane, an airbus A340 was new 2009 model and very clean, it even had a window in the loo which made a big difference : )
Landed in Sydney at 19:30 local time and it was a nice 23 degrees outside. I got lucky at customs with a new line being opened for me at passports and customs check - they obviously were told in advance that I was in a lot of pain and need to get through quickly.

Keith and Jules picked me up and we drove back to their place in Rose Bay. Lovely flat with amazing views over the CBD and the habour bridge, even better a firm bed and loads of cushions - comfy as it gets! Outside the window, I was told, Fruit Bats have their nightly roost in the trees, I didn't see any yet but I am looking forward to tonight. The morning brought the sunrise over Sydney - I can see how people fall in love with the place, it is a city in the most beautiful bay with the jungle all around.

After breakfast Jules and I walked Keith down to the ferry terminal making sure he held my or Jules hand when he crossed the road ; ) Once safely aboard Jules took me back via one of the local beaches which is five mins walk from their flat - I was suitable impressed, the water in the bay is warm (ish) this time of year as well.
Jules works from home for the Organic Expo http://www.organicexpo.com.au/ which is Keith's sisters (Lena) company. The expo this year is in Sydney in August and should be well worth a visit.

Jules on the beach.