Ok I know it's been a while since I have updated. I have largely spent the last three weeks sitting on my arse doing not so much. Well that's a lie I have learnt to sand board, tasted the lovely wines of the Yarra Valley and have spent a lot of time job hunting. Melbourne has been a Dr Jekyll and Hyde city for me - the big plan at the start was to get here and find work. That's not been so easy. I have been looking for work in temping and office work and bad timing has hit again. This time last year the market was booming and I would have picked up work pretty easily. Not this year - add that to the fact that Victoria has had the worst summer on record. ... read more

So Cyclone Yasi is rapidly approaching the coast of Northern Queensland. It is likely to be a category 4 (pretty serious we're told) and is due to hit land late tomorrow night early Thurs. Unfortunately for us this was when we were due to be out on a boat somewhere over the Great Barrier Reef. So plans will have to change. Obviously this is a lot more serious for the folks of Cairns and surrounds. Queensland seems to be suffering a lot and is certainly in no mood for a sack load more of rain. We were lucky as we have been able to cancel our trip with minimal disruption I only hope Cyclone Yasi proves to be a damp squib so to speak. Over the last few days we have lounged around largely enjoying the ... read more

Just a quick update before I head off up the coast. I have spent the last couple of days in Sydney and the Blue Mountains. On Monday we hit the road for a wander around the Blue Mountains. Well they are very blue, apparently due to the mist given off by the Eucalyptus trees. I also discovered that I hadn't quite gotten used to the spiders yet. Stopping at Wentworth Falls for the view and a rest stop I was unable to use the female bathrooms due to the propensity of large evil looking eight-legged beings - resulting in poor Michal having to check the disabled loo for any signs of life before I could pee and boy did I pee fast. We are off camping today I feel that I may struggle somewhat so watch ... read more

So yesterday morning the earth moved but not in the way you would hope. At 7.03am an earthquake measuring 4.3 shook Napier and I felt it. At first I thought this might be the oddest hangover yet having spent the previous afternoon getting sozzled on a wine tour of three of Hawke's Bay finest wineries including Esk Valley, Moana Park and Crossroads. The wine tour was definitely a highlight of the trip so far - definitely recommend it and Bay Tours should you be looking for a tip. Well after the earth moved and a very enjoyable stay in Napier despite the weather I continued my journey south to Wellington. I stopped off at a couple of beaches on the Tasman sea side on the way and cut through the Manatu gorge. So Wellington - instinctively ... read more

I arrived in Auckland after a long flight from LA - I love Qantas a great airline. Luckily I met a girl called Kat in the immigration queue and ended up spending a lot of time hanging out during my time here. So it is true you do meet like-minded people 'on the road'. Whilst here I visited the Auckland museum which was interesting and had a great view of the city. As for the city itself it wasn't really cup of tea quite small and quiet - guess it's tough when u come from London. Enjoyed a lunch in K street with Kat just up the road from my hotel. Hotel was great clean cheap and friendly - city lodge for anyone interested! Second day here though I visited Devonport, which was like stepping back ... read more