Life back in Sydney

It's now been a week since we've got back to Sydney - and it's been back to work.

The day we returned - last Sunday - was two years to the day that I arrived here; so it seemed appropriate to go to Coogee for brunch, as I did with Kit on the 17th July 2009 - and again, with my suitcase in the boot of the car! Meg, Pete and Paddy came over for coffee, and so Patrick could receive his presents - a t-shirt from Lyme Regis of a pig in wellies (which he loves) and a double decker bus, which can supplement his extensive collection of trucks.

Since then it's been back to school (term 3). And it has not stopped raining. Well, it has today, for the first time since Tuesday. The wettest July in Sydney since 1950 apparently - and it's cold, too. Still, it's actually stopped me getting too homesick (I was a little last weekend!). All the rain reminded me of what it is like in England much of the time, and whilst it's chilly (around 13 degrees) it's really got nothing on Nov-Feb back home. Plus, it'll be spring in about a month anyway.

Last night we met up with Wayne and Denise (Gill's parents) for dinner in Mosman - so Gill was able to download the events of the last three weeks. I spoke to Robert and George last night, who called on Skype from Vietnam - they were very excited and were out househunting in Saigon. How cool does that sound?!

Flooding has written off all school sport this weekend, which meant Gill and I were able to go house hunting too this morning - we (by which, of course, I mean 'she') was supremely organised, and we put some in some offers on the spot, so watch this space. The rental market in Sydney is insanely competitive - people apply for properties they've not even viewed - so we're trying not to get our hopes up.

Big news of the week though (for those who don't already know) Sam (my sister) and Tom have got engaged! VERY exciting and a good excuse, not that one was needed, for us to come back again next year!