BurbleChaz

Work again. Long but necessary meeting, followed by a bit of flat hunting. Well, that was the plan. Over the weekend we had a good rootle round the web, looking for flats in Port Melbourne. We identified six candidates. Either we have an astonishing talent for randomization, or there are too many estate agents here. Six properties within a kilometer of each other, six different agents. So, six phone calls later. One property has a viewing this weekend, one is already let, the landlord of another may want to sell instead, and I was promised callbacks on the other three.

So far, I have had one callback, arranging another viewing on Thursday week.Not impressed. If we'd done this in the UK, they'd have been working a lot harder to get inside our wallets. We spoke to some of our colleagues later. Apparently, estate agents make a lot more from sales than from letting. I suspect we may need to be a bit more assertive. Sufficiently so that it becomes easier for them to find us a flat, than to keep putting up with me being pushy. Never a pretty sight. It's either that, or try charm. Either way, I expect some very unhappy estate agents here soon.

It was actually hotter here today than it was in Bristol. 19C here, 17C in Bristol. It's forecast to plummet to 9C by Thursday, though, so the smug grins may yet freeze in place. Some People remain unconvinced of the lack of correlation between temperature and ultraviolet insolation. However, with my pasty-white Northern European skin, and the general reduction in hair volumes, I have been encouraged to invest in a hat. Proper Bushwhacker job. AU$57. Not bad. My last one cost AU$75, I think. I would have waited, except I can't remember whether it's in the air freight or sea consignment.

The Organisational Genius managed to get me to fill in a tedious form, which I've been procrastinating about for a week. She also sent an email to the shipping company at this end, enquiring about our air freight shipment. It's been waiting at Melbourne Airport, held by customs, for a week. It turns out that customs want evidence of our visa status. We've provided this, but it's bloody annoying. Customs could have talked to immigration, who gave us the visas. The shipping management company in the UK could have provided the evidence. The shipping company here could have phoned us. If we hadn't called, this could have gone on for ever. A single phone call would probably have saved a week's delay. Again, not impressed.

After work, I dashed over to the supermarket and picked up the makings of a Pasta Bolognese. I want my cooking gear. We're getting bored of things that can be made with one crap knife, a six-inch chopping board and a frying pan. Then, we went to a rather decent bar with the team from work. They have a lovely range of EuroBeers, including some favourites like Leffe, Warsteiner and Schoefferhofer. We happily gubbled a couple of these while chatting to the team. It's a very good bar, and if we ever feel homesick for Europe, we can go and drown our sorrows there.

So, a busy day, but less productive than we had hoped. On the plus side, two huge business opportunities present themsleves: An estate agency service specializing in rental would kick serious behind here, and a shipping agent capable of joined up thinking would make a fortune.

The Serious Photographer keeps taking lovely pictures. Until she has the proper tools, she's not posting the good ones. In the interim, I have been granted permission to post a few more. The full image should be reasonable, if not exactly friendly, for a dial-up download. 200KB or less is the plan

Our office at night