Novocastrian Kim Jung Il

I'm ronrey, so ronrey...

It is now almost 3 weeks that I have been in Newcastle... and counting. I am sure things will pick up in time, but I am pretty bored and lonely at the moment.

On the work front... well it is a new job, you know how that is. I am lucky that the team are all really nice here, but I am still in the throws of learning things, and my projects are only just getting started. So it is going ok.

On the social front... Well. I am glad I have a big TV and a nice view! I don't really know anyone here outside work. I went along to the photography club meeting last Friday - it was interesting but I didn't meet anyone. I have enrolled in a short photography course too - it is only 5 weeks (and really expensive), but it means I have something to do for the next few Tuesdays, and I may meet someone nice I can hang out with.

Otherwise, I went out to take photo's last Sunday which was really fun. (A couple below)





Last night I came down from Newcastle on the train for the weekend. Kate and I are joining a group of friends for the Roar and Snore at Taronga Zoo tonight. It should be great - we arrive at 6.30, get a behind the scenes tour, dinner, night tour, then sleep in tents amid some animals. Then more of the same in the morning. It should be lots of fun - and I am sure thousands of shots will be taken as there are lots of keen photographers in the group.

Housewarming and gardening

On the weekend Kate, Christophe and Joe all came up for a little housewarming dinner at my place in Newcastle. It was great to see them, and thankfully the weather was fantastic. Stupidly I didn’t take any photo’s of the evening.

We went for dinner downstairs at the Bogey Hole café – I will put a little write up of that on the food page probably. It was nice anyway, a good balance overall of price, speed, location and taste. Afterwards we went for a walk along the beach, and had ice cream.

Sunday we had pancakes and a walk around. The guys headed back to Sydney early Sunday afternoon (on the second attempt). I went out to Bunning’s and bought some plants – including some basil and mint for my balcony planter. As I turned the soil, I found loads of the little critters below. They were about four cm long, and fairly disgusting.



I found they are the reason why everything except the Chilli's always die in that pot. Those bugs are eating the plants! I checked with my dad, and they are called cutworm - and they eat everything. I have to change the dirt and throw all that dirt out... :-( Apparently these bugs will turn into a big moth eventually.

So changing the soil in my pot plants will be the highpoint of my Monday night. I may also search out a massage. A sore back makes you feel 20 years older, and I am sick of it!

Later in the week I hope to go along to a table tennis competition at a local pub, and meet with the local photography club. Should be fun.