The Maidens

Amber scooped me up from outside of my accommodation and whisked me off into the city. We stopped on the way for a coffee by Bondi Beach and got to know each other. I told her all about my family and myself and she did the same. She's just like my own mum but just a little older and we had such a nice morning together.

We then made our way up over the Harbour Bridge to the northern beaches where the Maidens live. We stopped off at some lovely little shops to buy me some towels and a 'dooner' cover for my room - I'm going to have to get used to all this Australian jargon! I had no idea what a 'docket' was when the shop assistant asked me if I'd like my 'docket in the bag?'. 

Amber's house is in Avalon and they live up on the hill in the Bush, so it feels like you're living in a tree house. The whole house is made out of wood and recycled materials and feels so homely because it's covered in art and photographs. I met her husband, John, who sat me down whilst he was prepping supper and bombarded me with questions. Amber soon locked into 'Mummy Mode' and started rootling around to find me more things for my room, things that I can give back to her when I leave, meaning that I wont have to buy anything that I'll just have to go through the hassle of selling again. She gave me a mirror, two lamps, a rug and loads more towels and sheets. Amazing!

It got dark at 6pm (weird, I'm so adjusted to it being light until at least 9.30pm...!) and we settled down with a hefty glass of wine to watch the rugby in front of the fire - it felt just like home! We had an early supper of roast beef (strange for me again, I'm used to summery salads!) and then I stumbled into bed at around 8.30pm, hoping to conquer my jet lag but not being able to last any longer!

Amber woke me up the next morning and I was introduced to their 23 year old son, Angus, who shoved a cappuccino into my hands and plonked me down at the breakfast table. We all chatted together over fresh fruit and coffee and I found out that Angus works as a waiter and bar tender at events around the place locally and should hopefully be able to get me work soon. I'll have to do something called an RSA which is basically the equivalent as my Personal Licence qualification from the UK which enables me to do bar work out here. I also found out that his brother does a lot of work in the music industry (he's worked for Rolling Stone magazine etc.) and I may be able to get some work experience with him in the future too. What a useful family to know!

Angus headed off to work and Amber and I headed for a little drive around the beaches. She took me to Palm Beach, where they film Home and Away, and showed me a nice cafe there called The Boathouse which I may be able to get some work at, and then we headed to the event where Angus was working. 

This event was a wedding fair, where photographers, florists, cake bakers etc. can come and pitch a stall to advertise what they do, whilst the venue also gets some publicity for holding events such as corporate business meals and wedding receptions. Amber decided she thought it would be hilarious to pretend that I was her niece and that I was getting married soon (!) and we wandered around, drinking champagne and eating canapés, and picking out what garlands I wanted my bridesmaids to have, and what my invites were going to look like etc.! People kept asking me when the 'big day' was and we both couldn't keep a straight face so I think people sussed us out pretty quick...!

After saying goodbye to Angus, Amber whizzed me back into the city and dropped me back at my accommodationm helping me lug all my new stuff to my room. She's such a lovely person and Gus and John have also been so welcoming and said that they'd let me come and stay any time I wanted. Feels like I have a holiday home now!

I'm about to unpack all my new stuff and then head out to Bondi Junction to do some shopping. Navigating buses has never been my strong point... watch this space for a new post about getting hideously lost....

B