One way to the UK?

Well, I decided to use up some of my ARL prior to leaving my Government job, for good, so I took a few days and flew to Darwin from last Saturday until yesterday (Thursday).

Saturday night I arrived and was collected by Jacqui, Sabrina and Geoffrey and we went right to dinner with Krys and Joel and Hayden. Last year when living in Darwin I took over Sabrina’s room, however for this short break Krys and Joel kindly put me up in their spare room – thanks again!

It felt fantastic to be back in Darwin and Hayden as much as you hate it now – you’ll freeze come winter in Alice once you’ve graduated! Well done on that by the way.

We went mud crabbing on Sunday (following planning for Jacqui’s Sunday night BBQ and drinking a glass or two of wine) and not only did I not fall in to the water but we actually caught six big mudcrabs – some of them had HUGE arms which were very tasty when we had them for dinner Monday night! See the picture of me bravely holding one (hehe).

What else did I get up to in Darwin? Lunch with my best mate Tys on Monday, an expensive haircut on Tuesday which included a massage and getting my nails done, then shopping all Wednesday afternoon and dinner with Jacqui and Sabrina and a few bottles of wine of course!

Well…. for those of you who don’t know, my cousin Mara and I are heading off to the UK on 17 May this year (2007) to live, work, play, take side trips to Europe, meet some family members and also catch up with people I’ve met in Canada, Europe in 2005, and that both Mara and I met in New Zealand 2006.

 This trip has been a long time coming, ever since Mara first suggested a few years ago that after she graduates from Uni she wants to go overseas for a while – well she’s graduated and the time is now!!!

February 2006 saw us heading for an extreme-sports filled ten days in New Zealand to test if Mara and I (as cousins) can get along well enough to survive the UK and Europe for a whole year (plus some no doubt). New Zealand was fantastic and well planned… this time we’ve been winging it so far, and are only just thinking about actually getting some plans made but neither of us are too worried (I’m thinking our parents are more stressed about the whole thing!)

 The flights are booked.. we’re both looking at packs and suitcases, both hoping our passports (UK) will be on their way to us soon (cutting it fine!) and I’m starting to look at what clothes and especially what shoes will be suitable for working in London! What more needs to be done???