Sydney Botanic Gardens

So Sydney has now gone into Winter. This meant I was routing through my suitcase trying to find my thickest and warmest of clothes, forgetting that Winter in Scotland is very different to Winter in Australia. Back home you do your best not to leave the house during Winter but when you have to you spend a good 5 minutes trying to navigate a way to wear as many clothes as possible and even then you lose feeling in your toes as soon as you leave your house. However, here Winter is very different. It's much closer to a Summers day back home. The sun has been out and its been above 20C many days. 

On one of these "Winter" days we headed into the city to hand out more resumes in an attempt to find work. After running out of resumes we thought there would be nothing better than to grab a sandwich and go for a little picnic in the Botanic Gardens. This was never on my 'must see' list of Sydney but it was so lovely and I'm so glad we went. We lay on the grass for over an hour and just enjoyed being by the water and in the sun. We took a wee stroll around (when I needed the toilet) and found it was full of beautiful trees and flowers to see. I'm not one who marvels of nature like this but it really was just such a pleasant place to be so would definitely recommend it if anyone every needs a quiet place to go or just wants to hide away from the city.

Iona x

You can see the Opera House and Bridge over the water

Hidden away in the middle of the city

Our First Huntsman

"Iona...don't move!!!" are not words you wish to hear in Australia, even if you're in the comfort of your own home. As I slowly creep forward I turn around to discover a giant huntsman spider on the wall above my head. I have to say I have never known fear like that, and I know fear...I'm scared of everything!

We run out the house to pop to the shops for some food but dreaded coming back into the house in fear it was still there or worse...not there and possible somewhere else in the house! Upon arriving home it took us a minute to gather up the courage to open the door. When we did we slowly creaked it open to discover the spider was indeed still there. After standing outside for 10 minutes trying to work out what to do while also trying to stop ourselves from fainting we've eventually managed to make our way upstairs to our bedroom where we plan to stay until one of our housemates comes home who's brave enough to do something about it!

This sounds very pathetic but for those of you who also don't like spiders...you'll understand! Just thought I'd share my experience on here hoping it'd be some sort of therapy but not sure it's work, still don't think there's any colour in my face. However, I have used the excuse of "I'm in shock" to consume plenty of sweeties.

Iona x

Taken from the front door with the zoom

Birthday Time!

As you may be able to guess it was indeed my birthday! I am no longer in my early twenties...I am now the grand old age of 24!

Usually back home I'd either be working on my birthday or would have exams the next day so it's been a good few years since I've actually celebrated my birthday so this year it genuinely was one of my best birthdays ever. The girls made sure I enjoyed myself and I had a great day.

It started by being woken up to a coffee and card which Carla had bought me. I then showered and when I came out I was presented with red velvet cupcakes and a candle! Once we were up and dressed Michelle and I headed to our local crepe cafe and had some brunch. I've been wanting to go to this cafe since we moved to Newtown and it was SO good! My crepe had ham, cheese, spring onion, oregano and lemon- beautiful! We then headed into the city so I could pick up a parcel which my parents had sent me full of unexpected pressies. After dropping off the gifts back at the house we then all headed to Darling Harbour where we enjoyed a few cheeky glasses of sparkling wine (during a much loved happy hour). After happy hour had ended we headed to a wee Irish pub where we discovered it was Drag Queen karaoke night. After enjoying this new experience we then headed up to Kings Cross (where the hostel we stayed in is) and met up with some friends at a new bar/club.

All in all it was a fully packed day, on a budget and was bloomin' fantastic!! Maybe being 24 won't be so bad after all...

Iona x