Its Getting Cold!

Last night was dark and chilly, but this morning was even more so...

Nada in Queens Square on the walk home

The fog is thick, and most people are in beanies and gloves for the walk to work.

Foggy day, this is as bright as it gets now!

The newspaper reckons it is only getting to 2 degrees today, and only 3 degrees tomorrow.

Not sure what is worse... 37 degree heat in Adelaide, or near freezing temperatures here. Thank goodness for central heating!

Merry Christmas to all! (Our next update should be after our Switzerland Trip)

Our Little Christmas Tree

Ashes Victory Huraah!

After a relaxing weekend, I woke to hear the news on the Radio... We won back the Ashes. About time too, very frustrating not being able to go to see the matches being so far away, and there are only highlights on TV over here at 11.30pm the next night. It is on Pay Tv, but we are asleep when it is on! Not to worry, we celebrated in style, and I wore my Aussie Cricket Shirt and Brought our little mascot to work on Monday just to rub it in a little.

C'mon Aussie, C'mon!!!

Celebrations!


Remove the Glass and keep them in Oz I say! (From previous Lords Trip)

Christmas Party Season

ICE Team Challenge (29.10.2006)

I forgot to provide a blog on a recent event I attended with work mates. We entered an 'Engineering Team Challenge' which was run through the local Institute of Civil Engineers.

Group pose

The challenge involved team exercises such as rafting down a creek, crossing the creek with just some rope and logs, and other similar exercises. Our team - 'Ken's Kids' ended up triumphant at the end of the day, and we duely celebrated that evening with Beers and Ciders! For our efforts, Faber Maunsell in their wisdom provided additional bonus's of vouchers, and a write up in the national newsletter, etc. We only have photos of after the event, as during it we were fired up to win and had no time to stop and take photos.

After the first event, myself and a few other lads are still wet from swimming in the freezing cold creek!

In addition to this we were treated to a Dinner from the Institute (which was a month later) at the Knights Templar Bar.

Winning the Trophy

11.12.2006 Dinner at 'The Knights Templar'

We started off with a few local ciders and beers at the Shakespeare Pub which is right next door to work. Then we headed to the Knights Templar for dinner. The night was entertaining, due mainly to our consumption of cider, and we were all feeling a bit worse for wear the next day....

Pear Cider.... tastes like liquid bubblegum


Ken's Kids in all their Glory.

12.12.2006 Faber Maunsell Work Christmas Dinner

The next night we had our work Christmas Party. It was held at the Byzantium, which is only about 2 minutes walk from our place - very handy. The Dinner was a fancy dress 'heroes and villans' theme, and most who attended were dressed up for the occasion. Nada dressed as Cleopatra, and I was Julius Ceasar for the night (both courtesy of hired outfits). Again we partook in sampling the local wines and spirits, however we made a discreet exit at around midnight, and left the rest of the partygoers to dance the night away. As it was on a Tuesday night, many people didn't make it into work on Wednesday, and others had the day off. It was a quiet day in the office, due to this fact.

Hail Ceasar!


Zoe (Superwoman), Nada (Cleopatra) and Adam (Kevin Peterson)


Shrek


Pirates Ahoy (Greg, Alastair, Phil)


Steve and Marge Simpson (Julie)


Dr Evil


Attacking the Socceroo Referee from the World Cup!


Crocodile Dundee and Co...



Ed on his pony, with more work mates. This is later on in the night, after many beers...


Crocodile lovin

13.12.2006 DJute at the Louisianna

On Wednesday night, we went to see Julie's (a friend from work) band, 'DJute' at the Louisianna (15 mins walk from home). DJute are a 4 piece band, and play a mixture of rock and pop, much of it original music. The venue was upstairs in an old converted house that is now a pub. It was very humid and muggy upstairs due to lack of airconditioning and no windows. But it was a great gig.

After 3 solid days of entertainment, it was very much a quiet night on Thursday for us.

Bath - Evening Treasure Hunt

The local Institute of Civil Engineers organised a Treasure Hunt night through the streets of Bath on Tuesday Night (05.12.06). Unfortunately Nada could not make it due to work, however I attended along some workmates and their partners.

Moonlit night

We started the night off with a local kebab (or yiros for those back in oz!), with chilli sauce instead of garlic sauce, and plenty of salad and onions to go with the meat.

On the way to the Kebab Sop, we walked through the centre of town and found a large number of Christmas Markets set up along the cobble stoned footpaths, selling locally produced goods, food, etc.

Christmas Markets Stalls

A group of locals were also singing Christmas Carols outside the old Abbey, which you may have seen photos of previously during the day from our last Bath Trip.

The Abbey at night is really well lit, and the Photos don't do it justice, but I have included some for you to decide yourself.

The Abbey at night


More of the Abbey



And more...

Straight after dinner we met the 'Hunt Leader' at the All for One pub, and received our instructions/directions for the treasure hunt. Essentially it was a list of questions you had to answer with the solutions being along particular streets throughout the city centre. Questions were usually based on building or street names, etc.

Of course there were plenty of pubs on the way, but we only dropped into a couple along the way to warm up (it was quite windy, so there was definitely a high wind chill factor!) and enjoy a pint or three.

One of the challenges was to get a photo of a nativity scene, we thought this one would do nicely.

Nativity Scene in Shop Window

The event was not well attended, however 6 teams did turned up for the night, and we finished 3rd at the end of evening. At the end we were given a bonus question list which comprised of naming all the James Bond movies in the correct order. We managed all the right movie titles, but did not get all the movies in the correct order.

The Gang - (From left) Dave, Helen, Phil, Mari, Nick and Brad

Phil and I indulged in a few games of Foosball at the Second Pub, where I lost 2-0, and was totally outplayed.

Start of Winter

Well the start of Winter is now upon us here in Bristol, but it is not yet as cold as what it could be, or used to be many years ago. No snow has fallen yet, and if it does it wont stay as snow for long. The gorund is not cold enough nowadays, good ol' global warming working well for us it seems!

Queens Square

All the trees have dropped all their leaves, and there are plenty of puddles and mud all over town.

We had our first hail storm over the weekend, but it melted once it hit the ground.

We went to see the Movie Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan... and let me warn those of you who have not seen it yet, it is highly offensive to pretty much all races, religions, but good for a laugh nonetheless.

St Mary's Church

There are numerous Christmas decorations and lights being put up now, and as we walk home from work, it is now pitch black, so the lights brighten the walk somewhat.

A Christmas Homer in the Window of our apartment building

Some More Wedding Related Photos...

Below is a photo of us at Mike and Mel's Wedding, plus one of the lads the night before the wedding. We did manage to polish of a few cartons of beer and a bottle of 50% proof Jim Beam.

Needless to say we pulled up a treat the next day.

After my speech, my eyes look terrible - contact lenses drying them out!



The lads... (from left) Brad, Mike, Shae, Simon (JJ)

Back home briefly to Australia 03.11.06 - 16.11.06

Visiting Family and Friends
We made our way back home to Australia for Mike and Mel's wedding, and to catch up with family and friends, we were back in Australia for a total of just under two weeks.

We left Heathrow on Wednesday night, and had our first 'running to catch the plane' experience, with no thanks to Flight Centre, whom were supposed to change our booking flights but forgot to inform the airline (after taking our money of course)! Hence we were shortlisted and just got onto the plane. Let me just say again to all - don't use Flight Centre, as they really did stuff up royally for us! We are still waiting for those free flights to make up for the hassle they caused. I shall remove this comment when they come thru! (Not holding my breath though).

Upon arrival in Australia, we had lunch with the Bown family in Hahndorf, and enjoyed some Coopers Pale Ale. Back in Oz at last with a real beer!

Then we headed to the Bratkovic household to rest and recover from the jetlag.

Saturday I attended Mikes Buck show which started with an afternoon of beers at the other home of cricket - Bridgewater (Lords) Cricket Ground. While Nada caught up with friends also.

The buck, Mike in all his glory. Note the crown!


Cricket at Bridgewater Oval

Later that night the lads enjoyed a bbq and some 'entertainment' to send the buck off in style before his wedding the week following!


During the week before the wedding, we caught up with family and friends, thanks to all who caught up with us, and to those we missed out on seeing, we shall catch up with you upon our return one day!

Elodie

My niece, Elodie, who is almost crawling. Next time we see her she shall be running around no doubt.

Kangaroos drinking from the birdbath

Some local wildlife at the Bown residence.


The golden retriever, Tosca, has nabbed dinner

Mike and Mel's Wedding 11.11.06
After a number of drinks the night before, as best man, I managed to get Mike and the rest of the lads to the Wedding in time for photos before the ceremony. the ceremony and reception were all held at the Whalers Inn in Victor Harbour. It was quite sunny earlier in the day, and in the full suits, the lads were sweating it up, and we were looking for a cold beer early on to quench our thirst. The ladies were decked out in a variety of colours and they all looked great, in particular the Bride, Mel.

The Lads



The Ladies

The ceremony went off without a hitch, and I had the rings ready for the celebrant when required. Mike looked just a little nervous before hand, but soon relaxed after the ceremony. Straight after the wedding party were treated to a stretch limo ride around Victor Harbour for more photos on the Jetty and the Beach. At one stage the lads put the board shorts on along with the jacket tails, which made for a very comfy beach walk. Unfortunately I don't have photos of that yet!

Mike and Mel tie the knot



Mike looks nervous still... or is that relief...?

After photos we headed back for the reception, which was a great way to end the day, celebrating the start of a wonderful marriage for Mike and Mel, and even though the thunder and lightning came in after dark, it did make for a spectacular best man's speech, with the lightning background present for all to see during the speeches. That night we stayed at the Whalers Inn hotel room, and we drove home the next day.

The next few days were spent doing a bit of shopping and catching up with family and friends. A hectic few weeks, but enjoyable to catch up with everyone again.

Thanks to all who fed us, and to Cathy and Slav for a comfy bed in the Bratkovic Household!