This past weekend I picked up some new shoes at Chatswood Mall. Dunlop Volleys have a following like Hawaiian “Locals” but are shoes like Adidas “Stan Smiths.” They have a rich history in Australia and are extremely versatile, often used by professional tennis players, famous climbers and trendy construction workers (a steel toe model is now sold in Target). The rubber sole is nice and grippy, so they can be used for pretty much anything.

Sporting my Volleys at the Milson’s Point ferry wharf.

The next day we went to the Rozelle market, west of downtown Sydney. On the way to the market, we stopped to do some treasure hunting at Vinnies, a local thrift shop. While perusing the book selection, Hayley tapped me on the shoulder to point out what looked like a large rubber spider on a table. “Is it real?” she asked. I didn’t know- I guessed it might be real since it was pretty lifelike, but it just seemed to fit in with all the other useless garbage. So I touched its leg and it ran under a nearby coffee maker! Hayley ran even faster into the next room. The nice old lady at the counter came over and casually asked if I wanted to take it outside or kill it. I guess these monsters are as common as flies around here. Not wanting to end its poor, ugly life, I carefully tricked it into a shoe box and released it into a few shrubs behind the shop. I think it was a Huntsman Spider, which you can see on Google Images.

On Saturday night, we attended a “Suave and Sexy” party at the tip of Kurraba Point. The property literally borders the harbour and has a stunning view of the Sydney CBD and Harbour Bridge. We watched random fireworks over the bridge, discussed life and walked back home around midnight. It was a great time.

Random fireworks over the Sydney CBD.

The next morning I woke up with a slight hang over. I stared at my computer for an hour before hitching a ride to Dee Why to do some surfing. I caught a few ankle snappers with my midget board, but paddled in after an hour when the rain started. Walking back to the car, everything turned bright and warm for a split second and thunder immediately shook everything around us, setting off every car alarm in the parking lot. Close call! I was very excited to change out of my wetsuit into something dry and warm. Unfortunately, immediately after changing, a rainforest-style downpour drenched my clothes, and I rode back soaked to the boxers.

Now I’m on my lunch break, waiting for our new furniture to arrive. Tomorrow we will be out of the house all day while the shower guys rip apart our bathroom with jackhammers. We will be without a shower for an entire week or longer. I have a one month contract with ABC that starts next week, so hopefully I’ll be able to shower that morning before going in!

PS – We walked around Cremorne Point last week. Check out the photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mswebersd/sets/72157622497849595/. My favorite parts:

The Myst-like lighthouse at the tip of the point.

I’m convinced that this is the best bench in Sydney.