Shields Down Under

Moving the blog

2008-02-23T11:16:00.005+11:00

It's been a wild and crazy partnership of epic proportions but due to artistic differences, I have decided to shift my allegiance from BlogSpot to Wordpress.

I still fully intend to keep this little diary going at a rate of two or three posts a month so please update your links to the new home of Shields Down Under...

http://www.shieldsdownunder.wordpress.com

And, that is that. Thanks for reading.

Sorry day

2008-02-14T11:33:00.000+11:00

Today's the day that Kevin '07 is making a late '08 apology to the indigenous population of Australia for all sorts of stuff. It seems to be a sensitive issue over here so I'm keeping myself ill informed and braving the backside pain that comes from sitting on the fence. I should really learn more about it all but at the moment I feel less than qualified to have a real opinion and so shall remain impartial for the time being. I have however, been making my own apologies of late. They tend to be less impactful on wider society and more to do with the amount of fruit I am eating these days but it makes me feel a part of something, nonetheless.

Little boxes made of ticky tacky...

2008-02-05T17:01:00.002+11:00

The shipping finally arrived and boy, oh boy, did we pack some junk! I was pretty certain that we'd been more ruthless than this but it would appear that the last minute rush has contributed heavily to our first Australian 'Hard Rubbish Day'. Why I still have most of my uni books is a mystery and they are soon to become the latest addition to the local charity shop. Cath's rollerblades look better than when we packed them after their steam clean courtesy of the Australian Customs department which she is very happy about. We've now got lots of pictures to put on the walls though which should start making Chez Shilleds Deux look more like a real home.

Happy Australia Day!

2008-01-26T18:55:00.000+11:00

The good ole US of A have their 4th of July with all its wanky ceremonial nonsense and rifle toting over exuberance; The UK has its string of much loved and longed for bank holidays for spending on the motorway between friends and relatives and, having experienced both, I have to say that Australia day has got me wondering as to what, in the heady world of public holidays, could be better?

Having spent a measly $30 on Kayak hire, Cath and I, along with a couple of mates paddled across the harbour to a little cove known as Milk Beach (introduced to us as 'Mulk Beach' by our friendly South African boat master) to swim among the rocks and take in the boat and air shows taking place over our new home. The only pomp and circumstance you'll find on this public holiday lies in beer, relaxation and just generally having a laugh with everyone (especially when you fall out of the boat... twice). A quick sleep in the park followed by a brief stop at the fish market to pick up some giant Tuna steaks and we're set to finish off our very first Australia day with a couple of tinnies and an obligatory Barbie. You beaut!

New Years in North Sydney

2008-01-04T17:01:00.000+11:00

In one of the most English experiences we've had since we've been here, we decided that we wouldn't be going 'sarf ovva rivva' for New Years Eve and opted for a North Bank affair.

Having camped out at the point for 9 hours with a large portion of the UK's sport 'science' students, I can say that I'm glad we went down to see the fireworks but reckon we'll try something different next time. Quite frankly, I missed the toboggans.

However, this new year is looking like it's going to be a cracker as I start my exciting new job next week and I can't wait to get stuck in.

Christmas Down Under

2007-12-28T18:34:00.000+11:00

It has to be said that although the weather has thrown a complete curveball to our Christmas emotions, Christmas day was a right royal affair that the most ardent of traditionalists could never deny. I still hold fast on my 'stop pretending it's winter' ideals but I am very grateful for Gill's delicious Christmas lunch with all the trimmings which went a long way in bringing us back into line with the festive spirit. In fact, when the lights go down, Christmas in Australia is not so different after all (see exhibit A, right).

Santa Claus is coming to Surf!

2007-12-20T13:53:00.000+11:00

Getting our heads around Christmas in the sun has been no easy task and I can't quite understand why Aussie TV promotes a wintery Christmas as being 'proper'. Surely they're just setting themselves up to be disappointed! I was always brought up to believe that sunshine was a pretty good thing - couple this with a shedload of pressies and far too much chocolate and I reckon you're onto a winner that should be exploited to the full as a unique Aussie experience. In a small attempt to promote this philosophy, we have purchased body boards with some Christmas money (thanks, Mum & Stuart) to fly the flag for a sunny festive season.

As I dismount from my high horse, I would like to point out the cutest Christmas Stockings in the southern hemisphere alongside an enormous pile of Christmas goodies that arrived in various shipments from Sue and Terry (thanks, guys). This has become our Christmas Tree of sorts as the traditional spruce just doesn't fit in with the fruit bats and cockatoos.

Anyhow, with only one present left to buy and a mammoth gingerbread fiasco to reproduce, we're almost there and it won't be long before we wake up and smell the Turducken.

You'd have to be puffin' muffins...

2007-12-19T13:35:00.000+11:00

...to live in Australia without a Barbie on the balcony and so, we treated ourselves to a Weber Q; a great little unit which roasts roo steaks as happily as it fits in the back of the Yaris for a trip up to the Hunter Valley for the weekend.

It's been an eventful couple of weeks here as Cath and I have both been going interview crazy and trying to manage the cross-Atlantic Christmas shopping by any which way possible. I am glad to report that we have both secured ourselves new jobs for the new year and can't wait to get stuck in.

I have finished freelancing for the holidays and as a result, have had a bit of time to put together some of the photos that we've been taking. Facebookers might find it easier to have a look at my profile whilst those of you shying away from the revolution can have a gander with these links...
Moving in, Cremorne Walk, Toronga Zoo, Random Sydney pics.

Who is your daddy and what does he do?

2007-12-15T11:04:00.000+11:00

With a title like that, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Arnie has grown a beard and is starring in 'Junior 2' for the Christmas season - fortunately, all film lovers will be spared as it's just Paul looking more WWE than ever with the youngest addition to the Sewell/Goulding clan. I did promise a likeness verdict and I reckon, with those cheeks and confused expression, little Klark is definitely his father's son.

I'm sure you'll join me in Congratulating Mum and Dad and wishing a very merry Christmas to a future England forward.

19517853, Licence to...

2007-12-07T13:26:00.000+11:00

...drive a vehicle seating up to 12 adults, to 4.5 tonnes GVM Tractor implement.

I doubt that line would have bedded James Bond quite as many swooning secretaries and femme fatale's had he chosen to use it over his preferred catchphrases. However, if he wanted to drive a car in New South Wales after 3 months of living there with a UK driving licence, that's what he'd need.

I have one, and by my own special brand of logic, that makes me better than James Bond which is very exciting indeed although doesn't grant me the same allowances of indiscriminate murder which is quite the relief I can tell you. All that power could go to my already oversized noggin and that just wouldn't do!

She drives me crazy

2007-11-18T10:32:00.000+11:00

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the soon to be newest member of the Shields clan. Please meet Rasta, the caribbean blue 1.5Ltr Yaris YRS. Unfortunately, I can only supply an artists' rendition as I'm having a few problems proving any type of income due to my 'fresh off the boat and haven't been paid yet' status and the finance people are yet to approve the deal due to this. Rest assured however, we will keep plugging away and shall hopefully receive a nice shiny present around Christmas time.

Lack of election?

2007-11-10T17:25:00.000+11:00

Not here there isn't as election fever in Sydney is firmer than the buttocks of a racehorse . It seems that you can't move an inch without being caught in the crossfire of the mudslinging contest that constitutes political campaigning here in Australia. Not that I'm complaining, you understand. My current master has me concepting ads for none other than the Australian Labor Party so, this playground banter is covering our living expenses for the time being and a pretty good gig it is too.

As far as the election itself is concerned, I have no advice for anyone who is undecided other than my own election campaign of, 'Keep Duncan working... Vote Labor' - It's as good a reason as any!

A View to a Kirribilli

2007-11-03T11:37:00.000+11:00

Yes, this is the view from our swanky new pad in the wee suburb of Neutral Bay. If you have a queezy stomach, I suggest you end reading here as I'm about to lay it on pretty thick about how great this place is and I don't want to be held responsible for sick on your keyboard.

The view is by far and away, the best thing about this place and even though we have Mike's old TV set (courtesy of the 80's drama series, 'Dynasty'), watching the boats come in and out of the harbour takes up most of our viewing time. The walk to the ferry takes a meagre 5 minutes, although you can double this for the return journey due to the 84 steps and the uphill climb all the way which is having a slight effect on the muffin top already. Even better than all of this however, is the ferry trip to and from work. My 'commute' takes me past the Prime ministerial Kirribilli residence before peeling away in dramatic fashion to reveal the opera house and harbour bridge a few seconds after - unbelievable!

Sydney rocks!

Testing our patients

2007-10-28T13:43:00.000+11:00

Well, we've had a bump in the road again and this time, it has been a little more serious than a leaky light fitting.

If you're reading this blog, then you will most likely know the details and I'm not about to write everything down here; suffice to say that Cath is out of hospital now and attacking the rental market with all her energy (and yes, I am making sure she rests).

Anyway, for records' sake, I thought I'd post a piccie of my lovely lady, smiling away in her penthouse hospital room - great views of the city; crappy kitchen facilities.

Hunting High & Low...

2007-10-16T12:25:00.000+10:00

And, no this is not a reference to the fabulous 80's Scandinavian popular music combo known as A-Ha. It is, of course referring to our flat (hereby known as a 'unit') hunting exploits in the bustling 'burbs of Sydney.

It's a bit different to the UK as all the 'Units' are pretty crumby if you expect to find somewhere cheap enough to afford you such luxuries as food and clothing on top of your rental outgoings.

Viewings are a different affair too as you get a 10-15 minute slot to view one of these overpriced boxes, usually on a Saturday morning and with around 20 other happy unit hunting folk. Cath has pointed out that this is an excellent way to see how many people you could invite to a party though so there's a plus, I guess!

Down Under at last...

2007-10-09T17:13:00.000+10:00

OK, so this is a photo I took a couple of years ago but we have been so busy since we landed that I have had little time to get the camera out and I needed to get some of our news off my chest so this is the visual stimulus you're stuck with for now.

So here's the news... We arrived in Sydney, jet lagged, disoriented and unemployed at 6am on Friday morning and since then, other than sleeping and eating, we've managed to get our bank accounts up and running, Tax File Numbers applied for, property viewings booked AND I start my first contract job tomorrow - how crazy is that!??!

Other than that... actually, there is no other than that, what did you expect for less than a weeks' worth of work, eh?

Until next time...

Farewell Tour - 2nd Leg

2007-10-01T13:00:00.000+10:00

Not far to tour for this one as the BBQ was up the road at the Red Lion and the London family do took place in Sue's garden so the punters had to do more touring than the band for this one.

Not much to report, just wanted an excuse to attach this photo of Ethan, trying on 'Grandpa Bailey's' bike helmet.

Up the Iron!

2007-09-19T08:08:00.000+10:00

So many things have happened since my last post that it is almost as hard to believe that we have progressed as far as we have as it is to accept that Scunthorpe United are only one division away from top flight football! I kid you not when I tell you that both of these astounding facts are true.

The house went on the market late last Tuesday night and by the following Friday, a 1 year let was agreed. Now we have to clear all our remaining crap over the next two days so that our first tenants can move in on Friday this week. I can't quite believe it myself but it would appear (touching wood, crossing fingers and standing on one foot as I type this) that it IS that simple.

We have also completed the Scunthorpe leg of the farewell tour in which I learned that bowling is more a game of sibling rivalry than one of skill and athletic prowess, that a KFC in the hand is worth 2 meals in Shepherds Bush and that the Red Lion in Redbourne is a cracking little place to have lunch and play darts really badly with your mum. Now that's the sort of info that Time Out should sit up and take note of - I'd probably read it if they did.

My longest serving friend, Paul and his missus, Kristy were greeted by their first son, Klark, whilst we were there but alas, the jobsworth nurse/Nazi warden at Scunthorpe general wouldn't let us in to see them before we drove back to London so you'll have to wait for the 'does he look more like his mum or his dad?' verdict until I get a piccy sent over.

It's all a bit House

2007-09-09T06:35:00.000+10:00

The house is just about done! The floor downstairs looks great thanks to a team of big Kiwis that I think Cathy was a little too interested in but they haven't returned and Cathy hasn't run away (yet) so I'm counting my blessings and carrying on with the last few jobs that have been missed by our various tradesmen.

A very late Thursday evening was well spent dressing the house up for the lettings photographer and as soon as we have those pics, I'll chuck em up here but you'll have to make do with the following link of random shots I've been taking for your first taste of the former chéz Shilleds that is 23 Everdon Road.
Click here to view the pics...

Raindrops keep falling from my...

2007-08-16T19:39:00.000+10:00

...Kitchen light fitting! That can't be right, can it?

Yes, we have hit the first building hurdle of project Oz.

Our builder, Gary, is replacing the kitchen roof and overlapped the tarps the wrong way round which would have been fine had it not rained for the first time in ages in torrential spurts! Anyhow, the rain kept a coming and the buckets kept a filling but I think we've just about gotten away with having to replace the floors and a very embarrassed Gary informed us that there was no extra charge for the indoor swimming pool so that's all good.

At the risk of setting a jynx, this should hopefully be the only setback - fingers crossed.

Can we fix it?..

2007-08-06T03:16:00.000+10:00

Well, the answer is a firm 'NO' so we got a builder in and the works are underway - I'm sure that you will be amazed at our newly refurbished bathroom which already looks better than what we had before!

The weekend has been spent lifting and shifting tiles, sawing my desk in half and chucking stuff down the skip - all in a blistering 35 degree summers day. Being a chubby desk jockey, my limbs now feel like lead and I'm slightly worried that this might impair my valuable drinking arm which may come in useful next week as it's my last week of work at RMG.

Cathy's project management skills have been out in force and she's been doing a cracking job of getting people in on time, sorting out the ordering of everything and generally keeping us ticking over superbly.

Carpet man is booked in for the end of August and we need to get the decorator off standby and firmly booked in before then so hopefully, the good progress will continue. Still need to find a floor sanding company but if push comes to shove, it'll be me and my Bosch (well, I'll probably borrow Terry's cos it's shinier).

Super, Smashin', Great

2007-07-29T20:25:00.000+10:00

The saga of the money pots has eventually come to an end and, after saving all our two pound coins to see who could get the most, we finally grabbed the hammer and smashed them open.

Half an hour of me pretending to be a croupier counting poker chips and Cathy using various counting styles resulted in a tidy wee sum for us to buy our wishes that had also been dropped into the pot - (Although, Cathy contaminated mine by dropping in little 'I wish to buy my lovely wife loads of shoes' notes).

Cath's first fair

2007-07-16T23:47:00.000+10:00

The Barnes Fair has been and gone and I think we can safely say that it was a success! Loads of people came down to help out and offer their support which was brilliant and the weather held out nicely which was a major bonus. It was a bit surprising to see how much Bric-a-brac was at the fair and I've never seen so many pikeys in Barnes before - whatever is the world coming to, eh? We did, however, have a couple of minor celebs wander past the stall and, might I say that if you ever consider having plastic surgery, Mike Reid is a shining example of a job well done. Ben Fogle also wandered past with his black lab but didn't really pay much attention to Cath's fine wares. I've decided to forgive him just this once.

Sunday was Nat's 30th and we managed to negotiate the rainy weather with style once again, having the final burgers off the BBQ seconds before a raging mini thunderstorm. Ethan's constructive advice for rain dodging was clear and concise - "THUNDER! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!".

The final countdown

2007-07-12T19:44:00.000+10:00

Well, well, well. The chat has been going on forever and after having a wonderful 2 weeks in Turkey, it's time for the Shields' to finally start putting their money where their collective mouths are and get the final prep started for the big move down under.

Cath is now officially employed in a part time capacity and is getting all her jewellery together for the upcoming international sales bonanza that is the 'Barnes Fair' so, fingers crossed, the misery stricken GMTV weather girl has got it right and Saturday will be the only day in the near future where we don't get washed away by the rain.

My head is still in Turkey (as is my stomach) and I'm struggling to get back into work again but, this being my first post, I'll try not to get too carried away and end my writing here. Until next time...