August: Poletastic!

August was all about pole...shiny not Chinese! At the very end of July I was lucky enough to get involved in a music video for Melbourne band Halycon Drive. Every year, radio station Triple J teams up with NIDA (Sydney's National Institute for Dramatic Arts) to give bands and creatives the chance to get together and produce a music video – the winning band gets a record deal and the creative team a lot of exposure to the industry, so the stakes are high!

One of my circus friends, Zeb, is studying at NIDA and put out an advert for any circus folk willing to get involved and showcase their talent. No pay, just a fun day out and free pizza - anyone who knows me knows that's enough ;). And given my flexible work and lifestyle over here, I was able to commit to filming one Thursday, at the Colombian Hotel/Bar on Oxford Street.

The theme was bright and brash, verging on the grotesque, so we all had great fun choosing outfits and getting make-up done. As well as myself, there was another pole dancer, David, and Bailey, who did hoop and contortion. Then there were a number of actors and extras hired to dance!

The storyline was dreamlike (turned nightmare!) so I also had a bit-part in a gas mask and hoodie....!

The rest of my month was spent gearing up for an acrobatic pole performance at The Victoria Room in Kings Cross on 24^th August. They run a 'carnival' night every Sunday and have a number of different acts perform each week, from aerial, pole and hoop to burlesque and jazz duets. I went there very early on in my year in Sydney, imagined how cool it would be to perform there....and, well, it only took me 6 months to pluck up the courage to approach the manager!

I created two routines, both for spinning pole, one slow and the other more dynamic. Both are up on my website. I am happy with how they went, and remembered how much fun it is to perform! And I'm thankful to all my lovely friends who came to support – and film!

July: My six month anniversary in Oz

This month I'm writing more of a reflective piece: not so much what I'm doing right now, or have done this last month, but how I feel about the last six months, and what I'm thinking about the future. So much has happened since I arrived, it feels both like I've been here a very long time, and hardly any time at all. Being six months in is a strange feeling, because it's been enough time to really miss the things and people I love back home, but also enough time to begin to feel very settled, and to be able to envisage what a future here might be like. Ultimately, however, the former have won me over. For many reasons. Some trivial. And some fundamental.

Circus is always going to be fundamental to my life and my happiness: it isn't something I am 'exorcising' from my system by doing as much of it as possible over here – it is a part of me. But living over here doesn't seem specifically advantageous over living in the UK or Europe for following that dream. Admittedly - you can do flying trapeze in the Winter! - but aside from that, I don't think it has been any easier to create networks and find jobs. Whereas for skydivers and divers the Australian climate means that there are more jobs in those sectors, sunshine and circus don't necessarily equate! Plus, on a practical level, I am having to assess that whilst I have been able to find good work with flying trapeze, it has not been enough to live on, (hence taking ridiculous jobs such as selling strawberries) and a high percentage of that work hasn't been what I came for (two words: children's parties....aaargh!).

More trivially, Australia HAS A WINTER AFTER ALL. Yes, dear British readers, it really does. I have never been so cold. True, it may still be nice and warm outside, but come home at night to a house that is designed to keep the heat out, and has never heard of central heating...and it is VERY chilly.

It's amazing how quickly you can become so accustomed to a new and exciting place, that you forget just how exciting it is. Sometimes I'm on the train going over the harbour, and have to remind myself how spectacular the view is, and how much I wanted it and how hard I worked to get here and have it. And reminding myself of how special and unique this experience is is something I intend to do every day until I leave.

I am so privileged to have had, and be having such an incredible time out here. It has been so good for me in so many ways. People can so easily get stuck in a routine, shut doors and wear blinkers. Being here is reminding me how to live: the rewards to be gained from putting yourself out there beyond your comfort zone; the joy in opening yourself to new and totally different friendships and experiences; the humility you learn from the kindness of strangers to new people in new countries.

So, here's to everyone I have met along my journey so far, with thanks, and to the next half of the year, with great anticipation... :)

June: East Coast Road Trip – Trapeze, Sunshine, & Dolphins!

In early June I took a dream road trip up the East Coast – exploring all the sites I've been dying to see and squeezing in plenty of trapeze on a three day intensive at the Circus Arts Headquarters in Byron Bay. Every day of the trip just got better and better! - with something new and amazing to see and experience – and on top of this Kat and I managed to chase the sunshine all the way up, each day waking up to a perfect blue sky.

First stop was the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour – cue obligatory 'holding up the banana' photo!

Byron Bay is a gorgeous sea-side town with chilled vibes and a hip crowd. The beach and lighthouse are beautiful and amazingly, Kat and I were lucky enough to spot both a whale breaching in the distance, and a number of wild dolphins out for an evening swim.

Then over the weekend was trapeze trapeze trapeze! So much fun to be on 'trapeze camp' with three of my fabulous Sydney trapeze buddies Kat, France, Amanda and to meet the local enthusiasts!

By day hanging out at the rig, and by night getting take-out and staying in our beautiful beach-chic house. Over the course I worked on my swing, tried some new things, including hands-legs-angel, and got my first ever return to bar after splitz-angel! :)

http://www.streaka.com/profile/circus-arts/v/9aYRuhSvVdw/vel/29424/

It was so much fun and on the last day we got to perform in a small show - in sparkly outfits of course, true circus style!

Next up was Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast – the home of Australia's theme parks - first stop, Movie World.

Having not had quite enough trapeze to satisfy us, that evening we took an impromptu drive up to Circus Arts in Brisbane to play on the rig there with Chris and Dave – and absolutely blitzed it! Lots of time to play up on the catch bar, and I even caught the catcher ;) .

At Sea World the next day we got suitably soaked on a number of rides! Although not every ride was quite as hardcore as the day before...

The dolphin show impressed us so much we wanted more....so Kat and I decided to stop off at the Marine Magic Park in Coffs Harbour on the drive home. We thought we would be content with the dolphin and seal kisses...

...but ended up signing up for the full dolphin experience! We both got to swim and play (and get kisses and hugs with!) the adorable 4 year-old Jet. It was absolutely amazing to be up close and personal with one of the most magical, friendly and lovable animals on the planet.

May: A Visit from Home & A Trip to the Blue Mountains

In mid May I was lucky enough to have a visit from my Mum, who had been holidaying in Mauritius, and decided that it wasn't too much further on to Oz....! We had a great time seeing the sights of Sydney together – and it opened my eyes up again to just how beautiful the city is: that moment when you first come across the sparkling blue water of the harbour, that impressive bridge and the white sails of the opera house.

We also rented a car and went up to the Blue Mountains. I had been before, with Sarah in 2010, but the view had looked like this: 

This time around we were super lucky and it looked like this: :) 

We visited Scenic World in Katoomba and had fun taking the glass-bottomed Skyway, the cable car, and the steepest incline railway in the world (reassuringly built by the Swiss). The views of Mount Solitary and the Three Sisters rock formations were spectacular. 

 Leura, the small town we were staying close by to was perfectly quaint and 'rustic-chic', although we were disappointed to find everything closing by 5 o'clock! However, the beautiful converted old dairy (Leura Old Dairy) we were staying in was the perfect place to relax after a day's walking, and even had an outside hot tub!

Mum's visit flew by and there wasn't remotely enough time to show her everything. But it was great to share some of what I have been experiencing and show off just a little of what has drawn me half the way round the world!

March/April: Cake & Circus...& The Great Ocean Road

  

Mid March saw me start work at a busy cafe in Crows Nest, 'Kurtosch' – it sells the yummiest selection of cakes and cheesecakes. It's definitely not a dream job, and steals most of my evenings from me which is annoying, but it will pay the bills for now!

My circus life has seen some exciting developments – great news for Chinese Pole – the first rubber coated poles Sydney has ever seen went up at Aerialise, and I have a fab pole partner to train with. So it's a lot easier to train...I just have to find the time!

And secondly - achieving my first catch in Flying Trapeze! First with friends and colleagues and then a class of paying customers...admittedly only two people were good enough to hit the position, but it was still good practice getting in to the locks, and what a buzz! My thighs are now permanently bruised from practicing but I love it :)

Me and Will - my first ever catch! 22.03.14

 Me and Kat

...and with a real-life customer!

The Easter holidays was a fantastic fortnight for me. Flying Trapeze was on everyday and I went in to 'work' each morning on the train with a smile on my face thinking how lucky I was to get paid to hang upside down and have fun. It reminded me that this is what I'm looking for. Although either side of Easter I caught myself wondering whether the financial insecurities and cafe work are worth it, when I've only got steady weekend circus work which could be done alongside a 'normal' job. But in the end I decided that this is my year out of the office; and even if I change jobs it's important that I'm working a casual one so that I can keep looking for and take any circus opportunities that come my way.

My 'uniform' :)

Over the Easter weekend I took a small break from circus to fly down to Melbourne, visit my old friend Dani and take a trip along the Great Ocean Road. Luckily for me, Dani has a car and was happy to drive! It doesn't take long before you're out of Melbourne and already driving alongside some spectacular scenery.

Dani casually asked me as we drove past a little place called Aireys Inlet and a small lighthouse whether we had 'Round the Twist' in the UK at which I got inordinately excited, insisted on a stop and lots of photos!

Next we drove through Lorne, Apollo Bay and then up inland to find our very glamourous motel in Lavers Hill (which consists of the motel, one pub and one cafe!). The next day we took a break from driving to go to Otway Treetop Adventures where you can walk high up through the trees.

 Then we drove onwards to the Twelve Apostles...although there are only seven of them now because of erosion!

I wasn't sure I could tell exactly why this next rock formation was specifically 'London' Bridge, but it was definitely a bridge! A little further down, Gibson's Steps allow you to get right down to beach level and access the beautiful coastline – just a shame it wasn't hot and sunny!

That evening we drove back to our motel via Melba Gully where we waited amongst the trees until after dark for the glow-worms to come out. And after a slightly false start (Is it dark enough yet? Is that one? Or is it a leaf?) we found zillions and zillions of them! Shining like constellations in the earth. It was amazing and so beautiful. A very cool experience! Sadly that was all we had time for (alhough not so sad to leave our motel!) - we drove back to Melbourne on the Monday – but I had a brilliant and refreshing trip, and came back ready to tackle Sydney and new challenges again.

March: Perth & W.A.

This blog entry is dedicated to my trip over to Western Australia with the lovely Jess – long-time travelling pal from way back when in my gap year in East Africa! Jess now lives in Auckland, and was over in Perth for a conference. I turned up at the end of the conference and we took some annual leave together – me from my very tough life of sunshine and circus ;) Although I did finally find a job to come back to: working at a cafe dedicated to cake!

After a day wandering around Perth myself - which doesn't seem to have a great deal going on other than a CBD, searing temperatures and some nice botanical gardens - Jess and I started our trip together with a trip to beautiful Rottnest Island. Not even the knowledge that 'there are more sharks on the western side of Oz' could stop us diving in to the shallow crystal blue waters around the island, to cool off from our bike riding and snorkel with the fishes!

We took the ferry back to Fremantle, a lovely town which is obviously an older, predecessor to Perth's industrial port on Swan River. We escaped our youth hostel (which made us feel very old!) and visited the Little Creatures brewery/bar/restaurant in the evening, where a balloon man made us a giant balloon caterpillar, which became our road trip travelling companion!

Next day we rented a car to drive on down to Margaret River. I even got back behind the wheel – thank you Jess for your teaching tips, patience and trust! Was also very helpful having massive open roads with absolutely no other traffic! We stopped in a couple of sleepy coastal towns on the way down: Mandurah, Bunbury (which advertised dolphins though we saw none!) and Busselton which boasts the longest pier (2k) in the southern hemisphere....

In Margaret River we stayed at Wharncliff Mill eco-lodge, which was absolutely fabulous and I have to admit feeling slightly smug every time I walked past the dorms, tents and campervan spots that they also offered. We decided to hire bikes as a means to explore the trails around Margaret River...after getting totally lost one morning we did eventually end up seeing some beautiful scenery!

We also went down to the river mouth, hired some kayaks and had a gorgeous 3 hr trip paddling up and down on the river all to ourselves. Taking a 'selfie' on a kayak is a tricky business... 

And of course we had to sample the vineyards and chocolatiers for which the region is famous :)

On the drive back up to Perth we stopped at Meelup beach, a beautiful spot on the coast with white sand and clear blue water. The best beach I've seen in Oz so far and a perfect way to round off the trip with a cooling dip before our flights home!