Well due to changes in the roster at Calvary I could not risk getting away to the Harvest Festival in Beechworth. But instead I sat the IELTS Academic English Test at Canberra uni. Again the same problem as when I sat it is Saudi Arabia. It was easy except I am a slow reader so probably won't do so well in that section. But I was more comfortable with the overall topics. I think they were more Australian focused in subject matter so I was able to skim read a bit better. Anyway I hope to get more than 7/9 in each section so I can start to process my NHS Registration.

As visas go we are at last one step closer as Pippa has a house in London so will be able to start looking for work. I am so pleased for her. Plus her flat mate is French so there should be an ample supply of Brie, Croissants and baguettes. In fact I am jealous, that is almost the perfect flat, a French flat mate in London.

Here in Australia I did not completely waste the weekend. Dan and Laura invited me over for take away and a DVD. We went to the Cambodian Restaurant in Belconnen and borrowed Sherlock Holmes. With a bottle of Cote de Rhone (see I am doing French also) we had a great night in. Then on Sunday Dan and I walked out to Square Rock in Corin Forest.

Corin Forest is SW of Canberra out through Gordon and Point Hut towards Tidbinbilla. I bought myself a little backpack and a new pair of hiking boots. I needed some because my other pair is in England in a box in Sandford Orcas, and they are also falling apart. But I have had them for about 10 years so they are allowed to die.

The walk up to Square Rock lookout is easy going. At the top there are some fantastic rock outcrops and apart from 1 ladder to get up to the top area they are not spoilt by extensive fencing. Let's hope the humans that visit understand how gravity and stupidity combine to cause problems and don't sue the National Park when they hit the ground. Otherwise like most scenic areas it will look more like a back yard pool in suburbia.

Dan and I spent the afternoon exploring the tunnels and outcrops and taking a lot of cool... and sometimes silly photos. Had some food and made our way back in the late afternoon. Caught site of a Wallaby towards the end of the return walk.

Overall I had a great weekend and thanks to Dan and Laura, as my weekend was looking pretty crap until they stepped in I owe them one.