3 Nov 2004
Wow... after just about three months wait a whole load of stuff ended up in my lounge today. Last remember giving this to Excess Baggage over in London all that time ago! Still, all seems to be in order so aside from their "8 week" service it's good. Amazingly (perhaps!) this is the first time all (almost) my belongings have been in the same place since 1997!
1 Oct 2004
Inspired by Dan's Tangential ramblings: a Brit's view of America feel it's been long enough between news.
New things in the world of Rob: Given a guy in Sydney really needs a car, one has found it's way into the parking space downstairs. Compact 4WD thingy, there will be pictures soon no doubt, hopefully of it covered in mud in some National Park out west. Have also taken delivery of a tall boy (aka. chest of drawers) and second sofa (in a colour complementary to the existing one, it's kind of chocolate).
Ie. Things are good, the work is OK, the apartment is fully stocked. More goodies should be here on the boat from Blighty next week. Hurrah!!!
Oh - and the arm is almost back to 100% range. Double Hurrah!!! Have to wait another month to do any strengthening though.
17 Aug 2004
Yesterday I started a new job in Sydney, by a strange twist of fate, back in the same office where I first worked in Australia. Confused? Well, join the club 
Actually, I had a really good time over the last two weeks and this is probably the first time I left the UK in somewhat of a sombre mood 
Still, today I move into a nice new apartment back down on Milson's Point, and the work isn't so bad (after eight months off!) so things could be worse.
Oh, my right arm was straightened for the first time in five weeks at physio yesterday too - so there's something positive to end this entry on.
29 Jul 2004
Well, am back in London as (sort of) planned. However, this is only going to be a short stay - will return to Sydney to work in the near future.
14 Jul 2004
Well, am still in Sydney, and typing this with left hand only. Why? Erm... something to do with complete rupture of right bicep distal tendon - woops! Yeah, this actually happened while in Fiji, but only when getting it checked out in Sydney was it diagnosed, and I was in surgery three days later! Now have six weeks in a cast, four months of rehab. Still, perhaps might be back on the squash court in six months, sure beats the, 'never' it would have been if I hadn't walked into a physio here!
As things stand now, back in London in a week or two I guess, dependent on what the doc says of course.
6 Jul 2004
Back in civilisation! The Coral Cay expedition went really well. I now know loads about fish and coral and stuff (erm... well, kind of, enough to fill out a few forms at least) and have a whole load more dives under my belt. Completely top time, would recommend this to anyone. I will be making an expedition log shortly, keep an eye out below.
28 Apr 2004
Got back from the aforementioned trip couple of days back. Actually, things weren't quiet to plan, but were still pretty awesome. Only got as far as Alice Springs on the trip down from Darwin. Never mind, leaves the rest of that stuff to do next time, huh?
And for my next trick... (drum roll)... fly off to Fiji in 2 days time for 9 weeks (possible more actually) diving and stuff. Contrary to popular belief, this won't be a holiday - I'm going to be doing some conservation work.
31 Mar 2004
Ahhh... it's been a nice summer, living in Manly, learning (or is that trying?) to surf, doing a little diving and playing a little squash. Partying a little too
Anyhow - tomorrow Rob heads off up and over to Broome, then will be partaking in a little jaunt through The Kimberly over to Darwin, round Kakadu, down through the red centre, Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta Track and onto Adelaide. Should be fun!
13 Jan 2004
So, does anyone know Mr D is in Aus at the moment? Given this have been out of town for a while showing him around, which went something like: Fly Brissy, Drive Byron Bay, check out Surfers, etc, stay in Kingscliff. 4 nights on Fraser Island (3 camping, 1 direct on the beach in total isolation!). Fly Melbourne, drive the Great Ocean Road, visit Mt Gambia and Coonwarra wine region (hic!) then over to Robe and up to Adelaide for a flight back to Sydney. Phew!
22 Dec 2003
Have been back in Sydney for a while now, moved to Manly a couple weeks ago and am trying to make the most of living by the beach. Oh you know, hard as that is