Category — Sydney Bridge
A year in the life of an Englishman living the dream in Sydney Australia
I’m writing this in some what of a daze. I just can’t believe it’s been a year already! I arrived in Sydney in mid April 2006, and was only meant to stay for 3 months. That just goes to show what a wonderful place this is and how easy it is to get stuck here.
In fact, it was just the other day that an Australian friend asked me why so many English want to come here, when so many Australians want to go to London. That’s a tough question to answer in all honesty, and I still find myself trying to come up with an answer. It’s not just Sydney that draws us with it’s amazing Harbour, Bridge and beaches. We seem to be drawn to other parts of the country too - on that note, I’ve decided Australia should be a continent, and the states countries, as they all do their own thing anyway and find it hard to talk. I think it’s a combination of the lifestyle, the weather and, well, as much as it pains me to say it, and as much as I’m proud of my country, it’s not the UK I was starting to get fed-up with. I won’t talk about that, but there’s a feeling I’m getting from a lot of people that they feel the same way as me.
But, I digress… I’ve been here a year. Why? Well, to be honest, life’s been pretty good to me in a lot of ways. My original plan was to work for 3 months, then carry on my trip around the world. But, thanks to my friend Martin, I got a great job at Wiliam, which has seen me rise from the html guy, to a team leader, to Technical Director.
There’s also been the people I’ve met! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of the most amazing, wonderful people, from all walks of life. The house I currently live in is very transient, and as a result I’ve lived with 14 different people in that time. 14 people! That’s a lot by any stretch of the imagination! But, as I say, some of them will be friends for life I think.
As I write those last paragraphs, it makes me wonder what else there is. Obviously friends and a job you enjoy are really important to you, but there’s got to more hasn’t there? I mean, what else is honestly keeping me here? My friends back home all miss me - although they seem to have forgotten how to write more than 3 lines in an email. What else do I have here that’s not back in England?
The culture here is a mish-mash of those that have emigrated here. The national food is Kangaroo I think, although most Australians don’t eat it. Drinking is quite prolific - and as everyone who knows me, knows that I’m a sucker for going out and drinking. It’s sunny here a lot - although not as much as you’d be led to believe by the brochures. It’s also beautiful here! That’s a vague comment worthy of a little justification. I live 20mins from the beach, or 1 hours walk. And the coast here is amazing!
And there’s other things to do. Most weekends there’s something cultural going on. And there’s the golf, although I fear that it’s lost some of it’s appeal due to people not knowing basic rules - such as playing in 4 balls and shouting “FORE” if a balls going flying towards someone! Instead they stand there looking stupid to the point where you almost feel sorry for them as they have no comprehension of what they’re meant to do in that situation.
But, I’ll say it again. I do love it here. The lifestyle is undeniably great, as is the weather and most of the people. There are a few things that were getting to me, but they’re now forgotten. So, come and live here, it’s not too expensive, but you’ll have a tought time stretching your dollars back in England - although the Dollar is getting stronger.
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.gregory-brine.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://www.gregory-brine.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Google]](http://www.gregory-brine.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://www.gregory-brine.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Windows Live]](http://www.gregory-brine.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/windowslive.png)
![[Yahoo!]](http://www.gregory-brine.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.png)
![[Email]](http://www.gregory-brine.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
May 3, 2007 No Comments
Two Queens meet in Sydney Harbour. The QE2 and Queen Mary 2 receive royal treatment in Sydney
January 20th 2007 was the day that the magnificent QE2 and Queen Mary 2 ships sailed into Sydney Harbour. I was one of those mad people that was in the harbour by 5.30am to make sure I had a good vantage point - and I was still only just on time! There was a huge crowd down at Mrs Maquires Chair. Photo enthusiasts like myself, parents who’d been dragged out of bed by their kids and people who just wanted to see this floating behemoth.
When it came into the harbour, initially all you saw was the smoke from the funnels, high above everything else. Then it poked it’s nose round the corner. It was immense! It so large that the hills and treeline near the harbour mouth could only just conceal it from view. Accompanying it was a large floatila of Sydney’s boats, lead by the Fireboat that clears the way for larger vessels.
As it approached, you just couldn’t help but marvel at the scale of it. 61m above the waterline, and two thirds the length of the harbour bridge, the Queen Mary 2 just cannot help but impress. Watching it glide effortlessly round Fort Denison, before doing a pirouette to face it’s final berth.
But, as if bowing to the crowds, it started gliding backwards towards the bridge. It was making the most of one of it’s many moments in the spotlight, but setting itself up for some fantastic shots set against Sydney most famous landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. It didn’t seem in the least bit fazed by all the boats buzzing around it viing for attention, or the helicopters keeping a watchful eye on her as she performed effortlessly for the crowd.
In fact, the Queen Mary 2 was so into the moment, that it seemed not to care about the other ships in the harbour, making the - usually large - manly ferry wait until she’d finished what she was doing, and allowing no room to pass.
Then finally it glided past us. I was honestly amazed it could fit through the gap as it was only 10 metres from where I stood, and I was making use of the low tide to stand on rocks further out than normal.
It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. And, it was made more impressive when her Sister Ship, the QE2 sailed in that evening. Although, to be honest, as impressive as the QE2 is, it had the limelight stolen by her bigger cousin, the Queen Mary 2.
If you ever get the chance to see either of these magnificent boats, do! They’re well worth it. And if you can see it somewhere like Sydney, even better!
February 22, 2007 No Comments
Sydney Bridge Climb
When mum visited me, she had been challenged by told by her friends to do the Sydney Bridge Climb, as they all wanted to do it themselves. So, one bright, sunny morning, we both set off on the adventure.
Walking over the bridge takes 3 hours believe or not - actually, you walk halfway up one side, then come back down the otherside. It’s very well organised, giving you safety talks and training first - you get a harness that clips on at the start of the climb, and won’t detach until the end of the climb. Inside you’re breathalised, checked for metal. Bracelets are either removed or tapped to your wrist. It’s serious business doing this walk!
Once we set off, our guide - always in contact with us through a headset - started telling us about the bridge, the harbour and the city, going into detail about the history of Sydney, where the boats landed, what happened when and where. It was impressive how quickly the 3 hours went, and how much more we knew about Sydney by the end of it.
But, the best bit was reaching the top and just standing aghast at what lay around us! If you think Sydney looks beautiful from the ground or the Sky tower, you have to see it from the bridge. It just takes your breath away. Watching the boats doing their rounds, the cars on the deck below you, people going about their lives… You just want to stay up there forever. But alas, after a brief time, and a couple of photos from the guide, it was all over and we were heading back down to tera firma.
It was an amazing experience, and one I’d recommend that anyone coming to Sydney should do!
April 30, 2006 No Comments