The past week found me with an extension to my temping contract with AIDS Alliance, and finally opening my own bank account here! This weekend was pretty good too. I worked on Saturday with Mark (cleaning up after a renovation for a friends house), and Sunday being the only day we had off together, we decided to see our first 'local attraction' The Smugglers Caves. A bit of fun!

We paid our entrance and then wandered down a dark tunnel with columns carved out of the walls, much like a temple, or church. It was pretty spooky, and I had this feeling every moment that we were in there that someone or thing was going to jump out at us.
Anyway, we walked along the corridor that had been carved out by monks however many centuries ago, quite thoughtfully with little aclove type shelving for candles. So it wasn't completely dark, but reasonably close to - enough to make you wonder what was beyond in the gloom!
Half way down we stopped and turned about - I near jumped out of my skin when I caught sight of the man to my right digging out a cave in the corridor - well I thought he was, but on closer inspection, and after my heart stopped racing, I realized it was a mannequin.... So on we went.
After a few more minutes we arrived in a big cavern, with a sign saying 'Wait here for Hairy Jack'. There were carved stairs leading up to our right and gloom stretching off into small corridors on our left. I didn't really want to wait for something by the name of 'Hairy Jack' so stood really close to Mark and waited with my heart in my mouth... Who's afraid of and olden ghost then???
"Arrr Harrr Harr! So you've coom to see the Smooglures Cave's have ye?" said the recorded message while the head of a pirate/smuggler type character was projected on the wall in front of us. Again, already having wound myself up, I jumped (to Marks amusement). Hairy Jack (thank the Fates that he wasn't someone running out of the dark as I had expected, I would've crapped myself!) then went on to tell us that we were 70 Ft underground, and what the caves had been used for at various times, from smuggling and religious rites, to bomb shelters in the war, and dance halls after the war. Interesting, and then ended by telling us that we should watch out for ghosts, and that he'd be waiting up ahead....
I was getting over my nerves, but not completely, and we ventured on into the darkness.... After going through an old 50's style amusement arcade, we got to a place where there was a show! Wow, all this 70 Ft underground! So we sat down and learnt more about the smuggling history of Hastings. All through this, again, I waited tensely for someone to jump out at us while we sat there in the dark... But they didn't!
Through even more tunnels we went and then the space opened out into a huge cavern with a carving at one end of an urn, and at the other of what seemed to me like a man, an old wizardy type of man... No one knows who carved him (or the urn) or exactly how old he is, only that he predates the religious overtones that have tried to claim him as theirs - the St Clements people. Sooo an unexplained carving, in the coldest part of the cave system, which drops further in temperature for no reason, at strange times - It's HAUNTED!!! Arrrhhh Harrr Harrr, I can hear Hairy Jack laughing now.... Was interesting around there, and the carving is detailed enough to draw your eye to it and keep you looking at it for a while. I wonder what it's significance is, but have no idea, and neither did the information, or the ghostly telephone where whispered information was given from a recording in 3 different languages - smart ghosts huh?
After that it was a few more displays of mechanically moved papier mache people doing smuggling things and then around the corner you go, to stumble upon the customs guy at the end of the cave system and the beginning of the souvenir shop.. 'What country do you come from?' 'Where are you going?' 'Do you know you are in the Green Channel?' he said over and over again... Enough to make anyone rush through there!
The rest of the day and weekend was spent lazing about at home, it was a wet and windy Sunday, so snuggling up on the couch was the perfect end to the weekend and the smugglers adventure.

I read my blog back yesterday, and find I have to apologies for being such a boring old woman! Walks in the park indeed! Who wants to be reading about that?? Unless of course you're trying to get to sleep....

But honestly I haven't been doing much other than work and spend my weekends either tromping around Hastings, exploring the country park, or in a new pub having a pint with Mark. Doesn't really make for interesting reading....

There are a load of pubs in Hastings, and all in the old town have that oldie worldy pirate feel to them. Most times when we walk in things stop for a second or two as people turn to see who it is, and what 'these outsiders' are doing in their local - which is now also one of our many locals. AR HAR har!

It snowed a bit last weekend, or at least tried to. There were big soggy globular flakes of snow coming down with the rain, but they melted as soon as they hit the ground. I'm waiting for the time when it's cold enough that they don't melt straight away and I can run outside to the green and make snow angels and snowmen. Possibly a few more weeks away, but everyone seems to think that we'll be having a white Christmas - YAY.

Anyway, aside from that, it's been the boring work, eat, sleep routine. So not too much to comment on. I rang home for the first time since leaving on the weekend, and it was great to chat with family and my best mate. Also I have to say thinks to my old work mates at Oxfam for sending me that Christmas card - it was the first mail addressed solely to me, that was fun, not a bill and came from Aus. So cheers a heap, you all definitely brightened my week up!

But even that's not the most interesting of stories.... I'm off out tonight after work to meet with my new friend Dina and have a pint or two before training home. Mark is away in London again - perfect timing really for me to spend some extra hours here in Brighton checking out their pubs. Dear me, I sound like a wino now, old woman wino...

It's dark outside, and it's only quarter to 5. It's dark outside, and I'm still at work... I can look across the street and see right into other peoples offices as though it were the middle of the night, and everyone is still hard at work. I can't believe it... bloody weird, and it's only going to get darker earlier and earlier until there's bugger all daylight left to go around. I can see it now - fights in the street about some people not getting their fair share of the sun while others hog the light.

Bloody madness. Would be nice to be home in front of a fire...

Oooh it's all a bit nail biting in the work arena at the moment. Hastings Council rang yesterday to advise I didn't get the position with them, but was a close 2nd. They asked if they could keep my details in case a further position came up, or if the woman that they went with didn't work out. So that was a positive no.... But still a no.

I have put in for a few full time positions here with AIDS Alliance, but interviews wouldn't be until next week at the earliest, and then possibly a few weeks after that until the position actually started. My temp contract with them finishes on Friday next week, so it looks as though I will be doing the rounds of the agencies and newspapers again looking for something a little more stable... Frustrating, but at least I'll still have work of one sort or another. It may work out to be a good thing as I still have to finish registering with the health system here and a few other bits and bobs - maybe try and work out my own bank account now that I have been here for a little while.

I still have the elusive Admin position being held in front of me as a tempter, but still no word on when it might eventuate, or how long for... Again, a little frustrating, but still a ray of hope.

Otherwise life here is pretty good. Mark has again been away for most of this week, and I've had the flat to myself. But he's back today, and I think for the weekend, so we may get out and about and have a look around, although I am looking forward to a long morning in bed - this week has just taken it out of me, and I am feeling pretty flat.

Will let you know what happens with the work irons in the fire. Fingers crossed and touch wood that something turns up soon!

I just noticed that it was the 9th last time I got around to blogging, sorry about that, didn't think it'd been so long... Much to catch you up on then I guess!

So the ninth was laaaaast..... Tuesday... OK.

Hmm, most of last week I was home alone (oooh no! Monsters and other bad things could'a gotten me!! - Ha ha just kiddin') Mark was up in London, and I was being a reliable Aids Alliance temp worker. The beginning of the week went pretty well, I had confirmation of my interview with Hastings council, so that to look forward to on Friday afternoon. On top of that I was to meet up with Nelly on Thursday night and both Nell and Em on Friday night. Wednesday was a bit of a non event, as with Tuesday and Monday.

On Thursday Nelly came to meet me for lunch in Brighton - was a delicious Caesar salad and glass of red down near the beach for a fiver - not bad at all really for Brighton prices. And then for me back to work again.... Somehow wine at lunch saps that motivation to get back in front of a computer under fluorescent lighting. Anyway, I did well and made it through the rest of the day without a hitch. Nell came and met me after work and we traveled back to Hastings on the train. Not much chop for her as by 5.30pm it's dark here now, so nothing to see out the window - she was doomed to be entertained by conversation with me. Still after not having seen each other for about 9 years there was plenty to catch up on and keep the conversation going.

On the way home we stopped off at the bottle-o for an extra red or two, and to check out the man with the massive boil on his forehead. Good for a laugh, and then up the hill and home. That night we stayed up til about 2am drinking and laughing, generally catching up on the 'lost years' for each of us. Nell has done really well for herself and should be damn proud of what she's achieved. Well done, you go girl! Was brilliant to have that time together uninterrupted.

The next morning the alarm went off all too soon, and I was up with a banging head and a mouth that felt like a kitty litter tray, getting ready for my last day of the working week, and an interview with Hastings council that afternoon. The morning went by in a daze, and helpfully it seemed as though someone was operating my body for me. I certainly wasn't in much of a state to be doing it all on my own. By the time it got around to me having to leave I still wasn't feeling much better, but managed to catch the train and make my way to my interview. I was doing that whole alcohol sweat, and absolutely stank, but no time to do anything about it, it was straight on to the council offices and in for the 'test' and question time. It went really well to my surprise (especially with the hangover and smell) and I think I am in with a reasonable chance, I should know by the end of tomorrow at the latest. At the end of the interview they got up to shake hands and do the whole good-bye rubbish. I was stood there trying to shake hands without lifting my armpit, so a hand shake from the elbow down only. I must've looked like a complete moron... But hey it was either that or knock them out.

By the time I got back from my interview and the other bits and pieces I had to do, Nell was also back from her trip to Marden, where her family name harkens back to. Apparently a 1/2 a horse town, oops no village, where there is no ATM or much else. Anyway, that's Nell's story and I shall leave it to her. We already had a spare bottle of red left from the previous night, so whilst awaiting Em's imminent arrival from London, we got stuck into that and more nattering about our day, and memories of people from our past. For me it was my interview and good news from my credit card peoples, and her about her all day journey to Marden in Kent.

Before too long Em's train got in and I ran down the hill to meet her and grab some more liquid sustenance on the way back to the flat. Having both Em and Nell around was like relaxing into a favorite old comfortable club chair. I flet so secure and happy with them, we talked about everything under the sun, hopes dreams, the meaning of life and op shopping. Obviously Op Shopping being a very important world issue.......

On Saturday Nell had to get back to London early to meet up with some other buddies of hers there, that apparently she'd put off for the last 2 days to have more time with me and Em - so sweet - love that girl. Em and I finally got our arses into gear around 11ish to stumble down the hill to the local greasy spoon for a hangover breakfast. No mean feat considering we'd again been up all night, gone through 6 bottles of red, and been ill that morning for our efforts. Still some fresh Hastings sea air, and a fry up was definitely the right cure, and put us in the best of moods for the op shopping we had planned for the morning.

We tromped further down the hill to one of the main streets of Hastings where all the op shops are, and began to explore. We came across the best little shop full of crazy bright pink clothes, and awesome records from our teenage years. We spent maybe a full hour flicking through their collection and singing parts of the tracks we remembered as we found them. After clearing them out of all the good stuff and Em promising herself to buy a record player, we made our way back up the road, with the good intention of going home for a cuppa and exploring the old town on the other side of the hill. Yet the lure of the shops had not loosened their grasp on us, and were in no way prepared to do so. So we found ourselves in a number of other stores, laughing and giggling like we were 15 again. Both of us I think ended up buying more than we'd planned, but neither were upset that we'd done so. I definitely needed some retail therapy, and Em is the best comrade for such endeavors!

After realizing the time we'd spent about town, and how tired we were it was quick smart back to mine to unpack our goodies, give Em a haircut, and for Em to get ready for going back to London and doing her weekend work - reviewing bands. It seemed to be all over too soon. Shortly after our tea and Em getting ready it was back down the hill to the train station and time to say goodbye and make those promises to not let another 9 or so years pass until we did it again.

That night I simply crashed, two days on the piss and such an exciting and emotional time took it out of me. I was in bed by about 10 and fast asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Just as well really, coz I still had all the other things I'd planned for myself that weekend in front of me.

I woke at the fine hour of 8.30am - a sleep in for me these days. Again it was brilliant sunshine and crisp air breezing in from the sea. Soon after breakfast I was out and making my way to the country park. Such magical light and a beautiful day is definitely not to be wasted inside! The views around Hastings are gorgeous, and I find they really inspire and motivate me to get some creative work going. As I haven't been able to get going with my clay work I have instead been doing a lot of writing, and a little photography here and there. I used up the rest of my film, and if the Fates are willing, I should have a few good shots. If not, there's always next time.

I walked through Ecklesbourne glen. Up hill and down dale, past old oak trees with their twisted and ancient limbs, around thickets where rabbits and birds could be heard scratching about, through meadows of soft green grasses and along the breathtaking coast line of sheer chalk cliffs. I spotted many an English bird, saw a few rabbits with their white tails disappearing bounce by bounce into the distance, and absolutely enjoyed my self as I walked about the eerie woods in the fresh morning breeze. Although, because it was such a lovely day with bright blue skies and gorgeous bright sunshine, it wasn't really that eerie... I'm sure there will be many more days that are though as winter gets colder and darker.

I wandered through the old town on the way home, and nosied through a few 'junk' shops. Found some bargains that with any luck will be there next weekend after I have been paid again. The winding streets and bulging walls of the old houses and buildings there are almost as beautiful as the woods of Ecklesbourne glen.

After spending a few hours walking about there I headed home and napped on the couch for a few hours.... Lovely way to spend a Sunday doncha think?

Then I had to get down to some 'work'. I typed up my applications for a few positions with the AIDS Alliance, got together an updated copy of my CV, and sorted out the house so I was ready for the week ahead.

By the time I got through that Mark arrived home from his time away with Ian. It was so nice to see him again, it'd been the whole week that he was away, and I had a pleasant surprise with him getting home earlier than I expected. I gave him the gift I'd found whilst shopping with Em, which he liked (always good) and we settled in for a quiet evening on the couch in front of the drone of TV. A prefect ending to a perfect week!

I guess I need my hand slapped again for being a bad blogger, but hey I'm too far away for that, so you'll just have to deal wiv it! Init??

The wedding I went to with Aaron and Marie, weekend before last, was pretty damn fine, a bit of fun. I was good and stayed clothed, although I did have a good go at the red and a few ales.. I also stayed off the floor, so I did well on both counts. It was a bit strange not knowing anyone there, and I felt a little like the obligatory old man that no-one knows but everyone seems to have at a wedding, only thing being that I'm the wrong sex and not quite old enough... Still it was an evening well spent!

The day after Aaron and I took a long walk in the country side, wandering down small lanes and past signs for 'public walking paths' that pointed off into nowhere, and where there wasn't a path to be seen, not even a little old goat track... After our walk Aaron and Marie both came down to Hastings to drop me home, and see mine and Marks new flat. We managed to polish off a whole slab that evening, which considering the effort we all made at the wedding the night before, was not a bad at all.

It was also Halloween, and every now and then we'd get a knock at the door from a ghost or witch asking for a treat. That was quite novel, and one mass murderer - Michael I think from Friday the 13th... or Halloween, asked me to say 'G'day' after noting I was Aussie - still had to pass out lollies to them though. But we did have quite a few left over and I've slowly been making my way through them since then.

On the Monday after I started a new contract - temp still - for the AIDS Alliance, in Brighton. It's a little closer to the station, and a hell of a lot more interesting than the Future media position I started with. Am enjoying it a lot, and hopefully it will continue onto bigger and brighter things - like more work. But in any case I have a few different irons in the fire, so to speak, and I shall wait and see which of them heat up first before going on too much about any of them.

I've also been in touch with a few more of my old high school mates, which is very weird. We're supposedly catching up this weekend/Friday night, if we can coordinate it. It'll be a strange thing indeed. My mate Ben (hugely tall guy who could make you laugh all day without trying) is now married and dropping by with his wife. I've also been told that he's a born again Christian... I want to know when the first time he was christian was... Janelle Marden, ahh the memories of her and that group, coming by to my house warming party and setting fire to the rug in the lounge room.... What fun days! Tim Bradshaw - my high school crush for about 2 years running - and of course Em... And anyone else that Nell or Em have dug out of the woodwork. I can't believe so many of my old mates from a little country town in Aus are now here at the same time. Will be good to catch up over a few bottles of red! There's about 7 or 8 years that need to be filled in there.

This weekend though was my first weekend at home with Mark. Was good to have some chilled time without having to go anywhere. On Saturday Mark decided to take me for a drive around the country side and show me what was around where we live. We drove across to a place near Lydd, that had a whole lot of tiny midget houses along the coast line, really flat land and weird looking people there who were all out running, maybe from the ugly stick. Neither of us wanted to stay so we turned around and headed back toward Camden Sands. Along the way there were miles of fields lined with hedges and filled with the fattest sheep you've ever seen.

That's another thing about here, there are a lot of strange, even ugly, looking people with bad teeth, and also a load of fat sheep. I can't get over it, even when they're newly shorn they're so FAT!! Makes me hungry - no not the ugly people, the sheep.

Camden Sands reminds me a lot of the coast around Warrnambool, sand dunes streatching back forever, and dotted with tuffts of grasses. Was quite peaceful there, so we climbed to the top of one dunes away from the fat sheep and ugly people to smoke a spliff and contemplate the world, and whatever else was on our minds. Ahh lovely init?

I have to explain that 'init'. Seems to be something that nearly everyone here says at the end of almost anything. For instance, 'I walked down the street - init?!' or, 'I'm going shopping, init?' 'My accents funnier than yours, init??' So I've been adding it to the end of my sentences every now and then, for a laugh, although I'm the only one who thinks it's funny. It's quite weird some of the things people say, that I thought were only said in cartoons with English people in them, or old movies. I was sat on the train the other day and this girl beside me answered her phone and was chatting away. Next things you know, she shouts out 'Corr! Blimey!!' I almost burst out laughing, but everyone else seemed to think it was reasonably normal so I managed to control myself... Shouldn't have been eves dropping.

Guy Fawlkes weekend just passed. Mark and I went over to Battle - the town along from Hastings, where, you guessed it - the actual battle of Hastings took place. They had a huge procession up and down the street, people dressed up as vikings, knights, smugglers, witches and all sortst of things. All of them were carrying burning torches, and a few of the societies were drumming as they marched along. The whole town was closed off so that the procession could go through the streets and it was absolutely packed with people there to watch and take part in the bonfire celebration, which for the main part seemed to involve sinking a heap of beer.

After the different societies had paraded up and down about 4 times they made their way to the Abbey, which is part of the castle where Willem decided to live after winning the battle. Can you imagine, finishing the battle, looking about you at all the severed heads, limbs and spilled gutts and thinking 'This'd be a lovely site to build my castle and bring my family over to live. I bet they'd love it here...' Anyway that's what he did, and the field behind the abbey and the castle, is the same place that they fought in 1066. As the societies (and there was a Neville Society, which for some reason I think is quite amusing... the Neville no friends society... heh heh heh) walked into the field where the bonni was to be lit, Baldrick from Black Adder introduced them all, and the battle raisers - these exploding bomb things made from gun powder - kept going off right in the middle of the procession. After they arrived and were given the word they threw their burning torches onto the enormous pile of wood and set it all alight. The fire had also been packed full of battle raisers and made huge booming noises as the fire burnt.

After watching that for a while and getting to the point where people were looking about thinking 'so is that it? What's next, init??' Baldrick announced the firework display. Ahhhhh it was brilliant. I do love a good firework, and this was one of the best I have ever seen. Maybe the ones at Hastings were a bit better as they weren't at all obscured by the smoke, but Oh! There were so many, and all different kinds and colours!
After that they set alight the effigy. Every year they have a different effigy, and this year it was a huge tomb stone - 'RIP Free Speech' was written on it - quite apt really with the recent political climate... The effigy didn't just burn like the bonni, no, it exploded in a series of bigger and bigger bangs, until the final one blew everyone back a step or two. And then that was it. We walked back through the field and up the hill to our car, ears ringing from the bangs and explosions, and smiles on our faces from the spectacle we'd witnessed that is somehow part of our own history.