So Saturday rolls round and it's another party at Hetley Road - an alleged fancy dress (not a theme followed by all) - meaning half the party was looking normal and the other half looking even wierder than we usually do. We had school kids, pimps, madames, boys in drag, wigs, tourist, a cowboy, tarts and the boys who arrived those German shorts and braces (not sure of actual name) and were not even aware it was fancy dress. A mad night developed that involved belting out John Farnham tunes at the Walkie - good times. Again the party came back to our house - two words - loud and late. Pics will be up soon - Bolas and James are the clear winners with their fabulous duo of a pimp and his prostitute.

On Sunday it was decided that we should have a picnic - well those of us that could funtion. Nikki, Tash, James and I went shopping at Tesco's - red wine, chicken, dips, cheese. We even cut carrots for dipping. As we sat down at Holland Park after a somewhat tedious bus trip, we unpacked our bags only to realise we had left most of the food at home. Thank goodness we didn't forget the wine. We proceeded to cut the block of cheese with a bottle opener and dip our crackers in mayo - classy. We headed back to West Kensington and devoured the chook (and a few more bottles of red). Not the world's most successful picnic eh...

At work today I received a request for toast with butter and honey - as procedure we make toast, slice it and provide the requested butter and spreads on a small tray. This specific order was brought back to me and I was told to please butter the bread etc as the staff member simply had no time to do so! By the time I did this would he not have completed the task himself and he had time to eat it. I think I was too shocked to produce any kind of reactionary disgust.

It has been a while so here is an account of the week: firstly, I indulged in a fabulous steak on Sunday after my party, when lunching with Peter and Christian (Ada's Dad and cousin) - this is only the second time I have eaten cow in London - how I miss Aussie Beef!

On Monday it was off to work at 7am - not fun. It was wierd not having anyone know it was my birthday - I was bursting on the inside but had no one to relish in it with. Until later that night when the usual suspects all met up at the 3 Kings in West Kensington. The boys were laughing at my pool attempts - I hope this attack on my skill does not derail Briony's hard teaching of weeks gone by. During one of the legs of our travels that night, Chris, Tash and I scored an empty tube carriage - a rarity indeed. We took full advantage of the moment by dancing on the poles and seats - who says with age comes maturity??? Did I mention we were decked out in party hats too, as so nicely donated by a fellow birthday girl at the Walkie. At one point Tash was wearing a council worker's hard hat and vest too.

It was great to get all your emails and calls - huge thanks. As a little surprise, I also saw Cliff Richard doing a media gig at the restaurant accross from work. Ah, the trappings of working in Soho.

I also caught up with Marian and Bridget - so great to see people from home. They both (actually, mainly Marian) provided me with a great Neighbours update - explained with such passion, that only a Neighbour's fan is capable of. I was also showered with gifts of Tim Tams - they have gone down a treat in our house.

Our supervisor at work has taken to calling Lisa and I (the only Aussie's) Bouncer and Joe Mangel - if you cannot place these names it is time to renounce your Australian citizenship. He even puts on (a really poor) accent - bless.

I saw Mary Poppins yesterday - FABULOUS! The set is amazing and it is so much fun. Also purchased my first West End ticket yesterday as well - all have been free thus far. So am off to see Cabaret next Saturday - can't wait. next on the list are Chicago, Wicked and Avenue Q. I love being round the theatres at work - feels very familiar.

Yesterday morning I could not open our front door - it simply would not budge. It was 6am, dark and a good mood is not what I was in. I eventually had to jump out the window of the front room. Apparently no one else had any difficulty opening the door that morning...a conspiracy to keep me in the house, in bed and away from my vile job perhaps...

I got on the trusty 94 to arrive at vile workplace and as always, nodded off, except this time I nodded off and didn't wake up to get off at my stop! I woke up all alone on the bus which had been parked and abandoned by the bus driver. I had to let myself off - embarassing. Luckily we were only stationed a little further down the street in Piccadilly - I easily navigated to work.The moral of the story - doors get locked, I am far too sleep deprived and I need to resign.

Another party at Hetley Road this weekend - stay tuned for the stories...

Kate has finally approached the wonderful age of 25. Once again as like every year we celebrated it at one on the finest establishments ever. A good night was had by all however, i had to leave after a nasty incident on the dancefloor. Kate you no what im talking about. Too much drinking, im becoming a londoner!!!! AHHHHH.

I have been asking the Hetley Road Crew who would trim my hair - just want about an inch cut off (vile dead bits) in a straight line - how hard could it be??? Everyone has been shying away from the duty but this morning Troy obliged, so I finally have a fresh new mop. I figured that as an architect, he should be able to cut in a straight line and have some creative vision etc. He actually did a great job in our chic backyard salon (SEE HETLEY ROAD ALBUM ON MY BEBO SITE), and in the end was relishing in the task - bless. Oh to be poor in London.

Tash has just landed at Luton airport - excitement. Watch this space.

Stupid London Reality #46

The pubs here all display signs stating - "If you look like you are under 21 we will ask you to prove that you are 18"....Why not just say if you look under 18 we will ask you to prove you are in fact 18???

A guy was murdered in the street where I work last night - the VERY SAME STREET the Glassblower is on!!! Don't know alot but was a result of a brawl, the media have covered it and I saw the blood on the ground...

At work tonight I managed to shed some of my own blood when I sliced open my hand on some glass - intelligent. I think it is rather deep and it bled alot - bloody hurts too.

That is all tonight.

Firstly a BIG CONGRATS to my little brother Liam for passing his P's test back home. Even with a near broken foot and on a mannual. Arthur Street is sure to miss you as you are probably going to spend most of your waking moments driving round Sydney!

The obvious sad news back home is the death of Steve Irwin - the girls in my house (especially Lisa, the QLD native) have been quite distressed. There has been a fair bit of media coverage about it over here and of course there was Ms Greer's comments - like someone or loathe them, it is courtesy to allow a slight mourning period before you launch yourself into a triade of abuse and knocking about the newly deceased. Unless of course it is Howard or Bush. Tact is not Germaine's forte.

I have started work at the production company and so far so good. It is an amazing old building that seems to have endless passage ways and corridors. Despite recent refurbishments there is not a lift in sight - it is stairs all the way. I relish in the notion of what this is doing for my rear!

I love the location to bits - wonderful Soho - bohemia at its best. The place is bustling and fantastic with so many different characters, sites, shops and a rich history. On my walk to work this morning I witnessed a poignant example of this diversity that makes Soho what it is - I could hear school children and looking to my side, I realised there was a parish school right beside me. Two paces forward and there is a very young looking woman luring a male pedestrian into a live show in the kind of club that serves more than booze. The time was 10.40am.Thankfully the large metal school gates are covered in by protective sheeting...

Last night I was scammed by a bum at the pub. He claimed he paid with a twenty etc etc but I had entered that he paid with a fiver. A squabble ensued after he grabbed the twenty pound note off me - at one point he had a fiver and the twenty - but short of wrestle him to the ground I was helpless when he walked out with the twenty, meaning we lost fifteen quid. Apparently he has struck before - his MO exactly the same, claiming he had the note folded a certain way to fit into his pocket - he even oprders the same drink every time...Bud...

Tash is in London this weekend - excitement - watch this space for the stories that only we manage to generate...

I have finally found a fulltime job, which i will use as my excuse for not updating the blog. Today is a late start so i have a little time to write, however this might be a little hard as the OC is on and im loving it!!!!

I am working for a companty called Figure Fit. Its only just been established and is the only one in the UK, at present they are trying to open franchises in Turkey and thinking of sending some of us there. Kate its Istanbul which from your tales im not quite sure if i am that keen. I have also started back at the pub, this has provided me with quite a bit of entertainment, the english booze hounds never stop waving their money in your face. However i have discovered this is a great way to make good tips, my new rule is that anyone who waves a note in my face gets it taken off them, i managed to make a little bit out of that. (Idea courtesy of Cam- Birmingham Walkabout)

To save on costs i am running to and from work and trying to get a bike from somewhere as my legs are about to snap. Tash is on her way to London this weekend so im sure that Kate and I are going to have a lot of stories, hopefully they wont involve head injuries, Kate wear a helmet out!!!

Hope everyone is well xoxoxox