Ann Sweeney – 16th April 2003

From: Ann Sweeney 16th April 2003
Hi All,

Hope you are all well and happy! Well, I just want to send my final last greetings from Syndey, Australia. Can’t believe I’m leaving here, the time has gone by so fast its unbelievable!! I’ve had the best time here in Sydney. I played my last game of rugby on Saturday, nearly got a try – it was so close but got tackled just by the line but my mate got it so that was alright! We got beaten in the end but never mind!

My old man Harry took me out last week for a lovely meal in this posh restaurant. It was so funny, you should have seen us waited on hand and foot (the way it should be right?) and then Harry brought me up the Sydney Sky tower. Amazing views of Sydney – sure I was spoilt! Today was my last day working for him. I’m going to really miss going for our daily swim in the pool and the spa!! Sure it was great!!

On Sunday I played my last gaelic match. I’m going to really miss all the Clan Na Gael girls! We meet down to our local (for those of you who don’t know it) the Cock and Bull The girls wrote a poem about me it was so funny! and we all sang the green and red of Mayo it was so nice, great nite was had by all!!,

So, my bags are packed and I’m ready to go!! New Zealand here I come! Can’t wait to do my skydive, should be amazing. I’ve got to go as we’re having our farewell dinner in the house and meeting the girls for a few farewell drinks, get the tissues out!!!

take care,

all the best,

Ann

Ann Sweeney – 14th December 2002

From: Ann Sweeney 14th December 2002
Hi All,

Hope you are all keeping well!!,

Well, what a mad 2 weeks we’ve had. I’m in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory at the moment. Perth was brillant we got to meet and know so many people. The first day we arrived in Perth was roasting we weren’t used to it with our Melbourne weather. We went to see the Perth Mint and how gold is heated down into gold bars, very interesting! The following day we went horse-riding, we had such a laugh my horse was a bit like me, doesn’t like to be controlled!!, He took off in a trot and of course your’e meant to be holding onto the saddle but being so excited my arms ended up around the horses neck and my right foot up in the arm!!, everyone was in the stitches laughing!!, the 3rd trot I was expert at horse-riding ready for show jumping next!!.

We went to check out the famous Irish bar here called the Bog, a great nite was had by all, we never left the dance floor.

The following day we took a ferry to Rottnest Island, we hired out bikes and cycled around the Island, there were some fantastic beaches there, white sand, blue and green waters beautiful scenery, we stayed the nite. We had our own BBQ and camped out . We had great fun.

On the Monday we booked a tour (Easyriders ) to bring us down South of Perth, we had an absolutely great time. We met so many people mostly Irish and Scottish girls. We saw lots of cute little towns along the coast and stopped to sample a few wineries along the way. The wines over here are lovely!!! To top off the evening we had a little champagne as we watched the sun go down, heaven!!! We stopped in a place called Denmark to do some canoeing it was really nice, we managed to see the Solar eclipse here it was amazing, we could see it so clearly.

By Friday we had made it down to a place called Albany to try our luck at surfing. It was the best craic ever, we looked the part anyway!! All I managed was to get to my knees, I tell ya its not easy!!!. I will definitely do it again!! Our instructor was great craic he couldn’t stop laughing at us. Well at least we were some entertainment for somebody. The harder I tried to get on the board the worse I was getting!!!!

We flew back to Melbourne and while on our flight they had a prize for someone who could either sing, or tell a joke so after persuading Helena we went up and sang “Leaving on a jet plane” – Well low and behold, we won the prize which was a nites accomodation in the Darling Harbour in Sydney, so that was a nice surpise so thats where we’ll be over a nite at xmas, its meant to be lovely with a great view of Sydny Opera House, happy days!!!

Came back to Melbourne on Sunday nite and went to work for 3 days. Wednesday, we took an 8 hour bus journey to Adelaide, we took the famous Ghan train to Alice Springs which was 20 hours, so here we are ready to do this big climb of Ayers Rock. Its absolutely roasting here at the moment so tomorrow we’re going on a 3 day tour to see Ayers Rock both at Sunset and sunrise. So looking forward to that. We’re leaving here on Tuesday for that famous 20 hour train journey and then on the bus back to Melbourne so its all go here at the moment . So, thats enough from me your’e probably all tired of reading at this stage!!!

All the best from very hot Alice Springs,

Ann
XX

Ann Sweeney – 25th November 2002

From: Ann Sweeney 25th November 2002
Hi All,

Hope all is well, gees I can’t believe its another week again. Time is going by so fast – I wish I could put a stop watch on it!! Had a great time last weekend, 14 of us went out for dinner, we had a great nite and the following day we spent with our adopted Aussie Family drinking some cold beer in their local pub, we finished off the evening listening to Christy Moore, it was grand!! we had as they say over here an awsome day!!

Work is going is great, finally got to meet this millonaire Yank with all the dollars called Steve!!, I got the shock of my life, he’s sooo not what I imagined!!, he’s so casually dressed, old jeans, t-shirt, abit overweight!!, so down to earth, money has not gone to his head, its nice finally to put a face behind the man but no I won’t be trying to charm him!!,

Really looking forward to seeing Perth, we fly next Tuesday at 6am in the morning for 10 days, I’ve got a contact already, one of the guys in the office has a cousin who lives there so I shall be ringing him, my long lost friend!!, so the next time you hear from me I shall be reporting back from Perth so stay close to your computers for some breaking news around the 8th of December, your not allowed to even go shopping on that day!!!

Friday nite I’m going to check out this niteclub that I work for called Zos, they put me on the guest list (VIP treatment only me!!) ya got to have some perks with the job!!, apparently theres only 2 niteclubs in Oz with special dance speakers and this niteclub is one of them so I must “check it out”!!, and don’t worry girls I’ll carry out the sound investigation for ye!!

Saturday we’re going to Phillip Island, its about 2hrs away from Melbourne, we’re going to see some penguins and all that touristy stuff, its meant to be really nice, and Sunday morning we’re all going canoeing in Albert lake, for all you grand prix fans (motor racing!!) this is the lake you will see in the centre of the race track, its really pretty so you can imagine me out rowing on it!!!

Anyway guys thats my plans for the weekend, I’m sure yours are just as good, take care and hurray I’m off to Perth. Sorry!!! I’m just so excited!!!

all the best
Ann from down unda!!