Sam and Moe.....

.....have arrived!

Well they actually arrived nearly two weeks ago and have hit the ground running trying to sort out their new lives - flat hunting, setting up bank accounts, tax file numbers, medicare blah blah blah. It's just like watching what H and I went through all those months ago. They've managed to find a unit in Fairlight, which is right next to Manly, and they move in next week. It's a big relief considering the time of year and how many people want to live here over the summer. They've now got to fill it with furniture before the job hunting begins!

It's great seeing them and as with all our UK mates who've come over to visit, and who we haven't seen for months, we just pick it up from where we left it (in Sam's case it was about 21 months ago, at 2am on a cold pavement outside our house in Bedmo).

For those of you who know him, you can imagine how much Sam will now enjoy those Sunday afternoon beers knowing he hasn't got to drive back to Southampton anymore. Instead he'll have a short stumble home. He's already bought a wetsuit, we've had a surf and I don't think it'll be too long before he buys a board. Good times.

As a result of their arrival I've been rather preoccupied and haven't had time to update the blog with anything except book reviews, which only take a few minutes. I should really write about the Hawksebury Boat Trip a load of us went on a few weekends ago.....~50 people, 5 boats. We nearly sank one of them when we all piled on for a party one night. Maybe I'll get round to it at some point. And then there's the Sydney FC vs LA Galaxy Beckham-mania game. What a free-kick! ("It's a bender!"). And I was right behind the goal as he pinged it in.

Normal service will be resumed, although I don't know when.

Book Thirty Three

This was the second book that my parents sent me (Book Thirty Two was the other one). It doesn't have a "Richard and Judy's Summer Read" sticker on it so I cannot confirm if their choice was inspired by the same TV show. Maybe I should check as I have no idea why they would've picked this one up off a bookshelf.

Guy loses wife, he's consumed with grief, he is the guardian of his wife's teenage son, he starts to date again. Job done.

I would never have chosen to read this but having been sent it, well I thought it rude not to give it a go. It was a nice, easy read and I actually really enjoyed it, so much so that I was even looking forward to picking it up on the way home from work. It's funny how this reading game works out. Maybe more people should send me random books? Mike proved it could work when he sent me this little beauty.

As for Book Thirty Four? Well I've had my eye on it for ages and it's hard work!

Book Thirty Two

Ok, I'm clearly on a roll now and back into the swing of things. Well, by that I mean I have read a book within a week or so (I actually finished it last week but didn't get round to writing this post then). You may be thinking that this is a rather strange book to read.

I'd first heard of it from my uncle. He'd seen my review of 'The Kite Runner', read it and then recommended it to me. To be honest, I thought nothing more of it. Then, my parents sent me my birthday package over. I'd asked for the Phoenix Nights box set (UK comedy is greatly missed over here) so they'd kindly sent that, along with two books for my reading pleasure. One of them was Book Thirty Two. I asked why they had sent such a random choice. And no, my Dad hadn't spoken to his brother about it. Rather, my parents had been watching Richard and Judy one day, and rather like Oprah, they apparently have a book club. It is recommended as "Richard and Judy's Summer Read". Now I know nothing about Oprah’s club suffice to say that I imagine any author who gets her to talk about a book will be an instant best seller. But then aren't all books? I'm not sure if Richard and Judy have the same effect but it definitely inspired my parents to send me a copy. They haven't even read it themselves.

So, having received this book with three recommendations – my uncle, Richard and Judy (or whoever reads their books for them) – I decided to give it a go. And what a thoroughly enjoyable read it was too. Yes, it really does what I says on the tin. It tells the story of a rich Sheik who wants to see salmon running in the Yemen. He employs the services of a fisheries scientist who strives to make the dream reality. Combine this with a satirical involvement of the UK government and you've got an enjoyable, easy read. It certainly surprised me.

Sculpture By The Sea 2007

So another event in the Sydney calendar is upon us - the annual 'Sculpture by the Sea' exhibition between Bondi and Tamarama. In fact we had a very similar weekend in so much as H and I enjoyed the weekend at Bondi, crashing at Will and James's, where we enjoyed a BBQ after we'd been to see the sculptures on Saturday (3rd). We also caught a bit of the annual 'Beach Road Hotel Single Fin Classic' surf competition. It was also Julia's 30th birthday on the Friday (2nd) night, in the Cross.

Here's some pictures. Unfortunately it wasn't as sunny as last year. In fact, we enjoyed a spectacular storm on Saturday night, which paved the way for a very hot and sunny Sunday.

Book Thirty One

Finally, after the best part of two and a half months I finished Book Thirty One. And I bet you'd thought my reading bubble had burst. Well if you did, you were wrong! The thing that gets me is that this book is just shy of 1000 pages, but why would it take me so long to read it when before that I was reading an average of two books a month, almost all of which were over 300 pages? It doesn't add up. I read a similar amount of time, and still had the same journey to and from work. Maybe the word per ratio was unlike anything else I had previously encountered! I'll blame that.

Anyway, I did it. It was without doubt the longest book I have ever read. This one seems to be doing the rounds over here, much the same as 'The Beach' did all those years ago. I fully expect to see every rich, tie-dyed wearing toffee nosed crusty twit trust fund kid reading it in Thailand later this yet. Rah!

Putting all that to one side though, this book was great. It tells the true story of a guy on the run, having escaped from prison in Australia, who sets up a new life for himself in the melting pot that is Bombay. He lives in a slum where he sets up a free clinic, he works for the Bombay Mafia and fights against the Russians in the mountains of Afghanistan. What a life!

I've never been to India, nor have I ever had the inclination to do so and this book definitely puts a fascinating spin on the place. I still can't see myself going though.

I wonder what the movie will be like. It's supposed to be released next year, with Jonny Depp staring.