So last saturday kate went off to work so myself and john went and bought a case of beer filled up the esky with it covered in ce and headed to paramatta lakes. When we arrived it was fairly overcast but warm so we set up shop with our fishing rod (even tho we new there were no fish in there) and raised a glass! after a while more and more people came, includinmg katye after work and there ended up being about 10-12 of us just chilling. it was good especially as the sun came out 10mins after we raised the glass and it hit about 22degs!! after that we went to the shops and got some food for a bbq and had that at kate and johns. a few others came around and we carried on drinking so all in all was a good day.

On sunday i woke up at around half9 to loud voices so i got up. it was john and his irish cousen. he had just landed form somewhere else in aus and was staying there till wed wen he flew home after 2yrs! we went and got a maccers breakfast, sat on the balcony at johns chilling for most of the day and had a couple of quiet beers. at about half3 we headed to the put to watch the rugby...needless to say by the end we were pretty smashed and i may have fallen asleep for some time...

Monday i got up early and got the bus back to the city. i went straight to gilly and richards to drop my bags off and then me and gilly went for a little walk with joshua. we returned at around 10am when they had to go out but i stayed there for a couple extra hours to nurse my whopping hangover before having to get the bus into the city for my appointment with the ear specialist. i got there early and he saw me early which was good. even better was the news that my ear hadnt fully healed which means its water tight again! he said there was a little scar tissue that he could see which means a may have lost 1-2%hearing but i cant notice that!! i then went back to gilly and richards where we had a cuppa and a chat and then i went up the road to check into my hostel. i checked in and then dumped my stuff and explord the hostel. it was evident it wasnt as good as the one i first staying in in sydney but it was more than half the price (as the woodduck put their prices up) so i wasnt going to grumble!! i settled and then went back to gilly and riches for dinner; we had lentil and cauliflower dhal and it was fantastic!! i caught up with joshua which was good - gilly said it was touch and go for a minute whether or not he would cry - he obviously was so happy to see me again! he didnt cry and we played until he went to bed. i then headed back for a good nights kip.

the week then consisted of spending lots of time with gilly and joshua which was great fun playing and then letting gilly deal with the teary tiered eyes and poo-ey nappies!! i also spent alot of time down by the water sunbathing and reading my book. the week ot progressufly hotter reaching temps. of over 30degs!! on wed night rich and i went out to one of the pubs for some pub grub and a catch up. it was great fun, the food/service was fantastic, the beer was tasty and rich, well rich was ok. haha jokes and rich was full of stories and we had a reet good catch up! on friday i went to extend my stay there at the hostel by 1night meaning i would have monday night there of next week but all they said was that i should email them and they would let me no. what use is that!! so as i had planned to stay at kates the weekend anyway, and there was some psycho talking s*** all nigth in his drunk state (telling us we were all young styupid p**** and stuff (lasting over 90mins stating at 445am!)) and having the MOST uncomfortable bed, i decided to check out, getting a good refund and not looking back!! i dumped some stuff at gilly and riches and then got a bus into parammata to see kate and john at around 330ish. when i got there kate picked me up and we went to a mates house for a few post-work friday night drinks. after that we went back to kate and johns and had a bbq whilst having a few drinks.

on saturday morning kate and me went into manly with another lad and lass for a little mooch at the shops and breakfast. we had breaky in a very up-market cafe on the beach with fantastic views!! i new there was a full day of drinking ahead so i had the full english! after that we went to the next beack along, freshwater for a party on the beach. a couple of lads decided to have a big party and drink. they had all the gear, 2x$20,000 speakers, decks, sunshine, ther lot!! only thing they forgot was the permit they needed. originally it was meant to be at a different beach but the council got wind and said NO so it was changed to freshwater beach, who as they got there said NO so it ended up being in the grassy carpark next to the beach!! we got there at around half11 just as they were setting up so had a couple of beers and waited. as time went by more and more people came and the beers was flowing on the 30degs day! it was great as there was music, drink, people dancing, people popping for a swim in the beach and even randomers bringing their own eskys and joining in. at around half1 a council member turned up saying that he couldnt do anything but the police had been informed. at around half4 they showed up in numbers telling us to move and be quick about it. i think john kate and i were the first on out way! from there we raced home, got changed quickly and then headed of to watch one of their mates compete in a muay thai fight. i wasnt going to go but everyone else was and in my half drunk state decided to go as id never seen a muay thai fight before. it was the right idea as its not something u see everyday and im hear travelling to see and do new people...i mean things! (ive just written loads but it hasnt saved so having to do it again...NOT happy!) their mate fort first and won on points which was good. we then stayed for about another 8 fights, the best being the last one in terms of action...and it was 2 girls!! awesome! i made the most of the bar, drinking cans of burbon and coke and pints of beer. after we left we went to johns mates for some more beer. in heinz (lol) sight we shouldnt have but we did, and john and i carried on drinking beer like it was water and, well, i dont remember the rest. i did hear tho that we we laughed at alot!

sunday i woke up at 8 with a hellish hangover and chilled with john until about 9, when i went back to bed. kate woke me up at half 10 sying breakfast was ready. she had made dippy eggs and soldiers with bacon on toast. gerr'in! after that we sat on the balcont feeling sorry for ourselves (except kate as she didnt drink) and a few others joined us. we then went to another of johns mates massive houses and sat by the pool to chill. it was another roasting day in the 30's and so most of them took a dip in the pool. like at the beach, i declined and sat with a beer. after that we went back to kate and johns were me and john watched the rugby world cup final and kate got dinner ready. she had invited 2 of their mates around who had just got back off holiday from thailand and so made us all thai food. she made pork dumplings, chilli beef, sate chicken and coconut rice. it was awesome. she spoilt me that day for food!!

on monday i was up early and went back to gillys. i met her on the water front as she was sat there waiting for the lift to be fixed...not what u need when u live on the 10th floor!! we carted everything upstairs and had some lunch and i played with joshua. there was no signs of tears anymore, just smiles (i think mainly from the wind more that me!) rich came home from work not feeling well so we decided to go over to birkenhead to give him some privacy and so i could run some errands! i got everything i needed and we headed back. i then had a drink with gilly at the appartment, read my book and headed back to kate and johns. they had given me a key incase i got back before them which was good, as i did. i walked back from the bus and then waited at theres for about an hour until kate came back. we had a chat, waited for john to come back from the gym and i made us a curry. it wasnt the best i must admit but it was tasty enough. we then watched a film before they went to bed and i listened to some music and went on the internet on the balcony.

today, tuesday, my last day in australia (part 1) i caught an ealry bus back to gillys and spent the day their. i played with josh while gilly made some lunch (cheesy beans on toast with vegimite al la carte!!) and then while josh was napping i sorted all my stuff out. later on when rich came back then bathed and fed joshua before putting him to bed and we had take out pizza's (which were awesome). even rich enjoyed it as he was feeling slightly better. after letting them settle i got my stuff and was ready to catch the bus to the city and then the train to the airport. however, i was told that rich was giving me a lift...to the airport!! i tried to decline but apparently it had been decided early on but neither of them told me, thinking the other had, and it was final. ive said my goodbyes and am now waiting (8.5 hours when i got hear, 6.5 now having wondered abit and writen this!!) for my 6am flight to abu dhabi...