Balmain in Bloom

Another day, another childcare centre, another load of kids to entertain. Actually it was pretty good - getting paid to play touch rugby and continuity cricket isn't that bad. I ran home, which took about 45 minutes and took me through the suburbs I lived in when I was here ten years ago, and the hotel next to Sydney Uni where I stayed when I came out here on rugby tour in '96. Camperdown and Glebe seem much the same as I remember them. I also ran past the crossroad where in the spring of 1999 Andy and I went our separate ways after around 7 months travelling together; I stayed in Sydney and got a job, he travelled up the coast. It sticks in my mind because whilst we said our goodbyes at the crossroads and just before he left to catch an overnight, 12 hour bus to Byron Bay, a bird shat on his head. 


The house inspection today has been cancelled, so I've been doing more paperwork for my various applications. Today I received my first payment for the childcare work I've been doing. Unfortunately, I'm being absolutely stung for tax, at around 30%. I will be able to claim it back next year, but that's not a lot of good as it's now that I desperately need it. I was already on little more that the minimum wage as it is, so it seems ridiculous and is rather disheartening when the bus there costs half an hour's work, but there's not much I can do about it.


Here's a selection of photos of Balmain that I've taken over the last few days....