After the first 10 week term I have ever worked, I am currently on holiday for 2 weeks. I feel like I've won the lottery - the ability to wake up whenever I want to on a school day and remain horizontal for as long as I please, kind of lottery.

Edd's sailing is now full steam ahead - the boat he is on (a Sydney 38) is entering into nationals, which will be held in January, so he's off sailing basically every Saturday and some Sundays from now until April. I've agreed to joining a different boat on a Thursday night for Twilight sailing during summer - yes I would be classified as a fair weather sailor and yes, I could most probably be identified with a glass of gin in hand.

We spend most Friday nights in the members' bar now, having a drink and / or dinner and we're starting to get to know the other members who frequent on a Friday night as well. We're the youngest there by a long shot, but we enjoy the conversation and other than Edd getting particularly animated and knocking an entire glass of red wine on me, we have a fabulous time.

On the job front: Edd currently has 2 permanent job offers on the table, neither of which have been put in writing, but we're optimistic that they'll come through in the next 2 weeks and he'll have to make a choice. His current project is going very well and the local council love him (naturally, such a charmer); the project should be done mid to end of October (due to delays with asbestos removal) and we're hoping he'll start his new job straight after.

I am currently applying for jobs like it's nobodies business. I have even branched out to jobs outside of teaching, which I'll be able to do during the Christmas break. I remain hopeful that someone will hire me for January 2016, but this is cautious optimism and I am attempting to find alternative part time work, which I could potentially continue when the CRT (supply teaching) work picks up again end of February, beginning of March. (Cross everything that is flexible enough to cross, please).

We've had quite a few fabulous spring/summer days, which has helped lift our moods, despite all the uncertainty we still face. My weather app told me a serious lie last Monday, saying it would be 17 degrees and partly cloudy; it turned out to be 29 with full sun. Lets just say I was not dressed the part and the art classroom I am currently in has fans, instead of an aircon. The sun here is surprisingly hotter than anything Edd and I have experienced before; due to the hole in the ozone layer, it feels quite sharp in comparison to South Africa's summer and the sunshine we experienced travelling. All schools have Factor 50+ sunblock and wearing a hat is compulsory, even for teachers. Edd got sunburnt on his face the other day for being outside for a while; the UV rays need to be experienced to be believed. Although with that said, it's raining today and will be again tomorrow; Edd was displeased at this news, as he has an external decorator this week and rain + paint = not gonna happen.

The wedding planning is starting to take shape as well, with me flying to South Africa mid June for 3 weeks to sort out the preparations. Mother in law (to be) will also be joining in the planning with my mom, bridesmaid and wedding planner, which now has me quite excited about the coming year.

I've had some entertaining parking experiences with my ginger freckle (the car). We were asked to not park in the visitors parking downstairs and were told that at least 1 of the spaces needs to be available, so out went my car into the road. Parking on the side street is free, so this hasn't been the issue. The first few weeks were totally fine, until I parked under a telephone wire one Thursday night and walked out the next morning to what can only be described as evidence of pterodactyls still being alive and one having perched above my car with acute diarrhoea. I have never, in my life, seen so much pooh. The poor thing got washed and waxed that night with the carwash assistant shaking his head at the work ahead of him.

There is also this middle aged man that owns a car similar to Edd's (red as well). I think he parks in the side street and takes the train into the city, because his car isn't there on weekends. Anyway, he can't park to save his life. I once watched him attempt to parallel park 3 times, realize he was useless and then reverse into the car behind him in an attempt to turn around and swipe my parking after I'd left.

Due to the neighbourhood pterodactyls and the idiot that can't park, I now find myself sometimes parking halfway down the street in an attempt to avoid poop and getting my car dinged. It's entertaining how much there is to be considered when wanting to leave your car somewhere.

Moving along swiftly… I can say for certain that Melbourne is very similar to London, minus the public transport. There is always something on and we find ourselves incredibly busy, although I'm never particularly sure what we're busy doing. I went to the horse races 2 weekends back (Edd was sailing, but joined us later for dinner in the city); I got a picture with The Bachelor (Australian version) who was there and friends with / works with my housemates friend who pulled strings. I lost $7.50 due to betting on losing horses, drank sparkling wine all day and had an all round amazing time. We're getting tickets to the Caulfield Cup, which is on 17 October and I now find myself needing to buy a fascinator. (Head gear, thing). First world problems.