Wollongong midweek night away

Book hotel 11.30 after breakfast on last minute on 11th November. Tiago booked a secret hotel 4.5 star so only find out after we had booked we where staying. We got the Novotel north beach at Wollongong which looked nice had gym, swimming pool, jacuzzi and on the beach front. Rest off day I had my eyebrows done and buy alcohol whilst Tiago did some more work on his exam. Left ours at 2 and took us an hour & half to go get hotel which was right beach, lovely just a shame about the clouds. Once checked in we then realised not eaten since breakfast so sat on balcony have some wine whilst looking for restaurants to eat at. Luckily our room gave an amazing view off the beach which was still beautiful even if there was no sun. Ended up deciding to go to Outback Steakhouse now as get free blooming onions free but we got there and realised it didn't open til 5 and we were there 4.15. So decided didn't really fancy McDonald's, Subway or Hungry Jacks which was also on this complex. Ended up going to Coles which we had passed on the way to get some food for later just got crackers, cheese and dip. Then still back at outback 4.50 but at least didn't have to wait to long and by end was very full since had starter and main course. Back at hotel after 6 have a glass off dessert wine which was ok but not as good as the one we got from Centennial winery. It was then to the jacuzzi which was lovely and warm and at least lasted longer than one at bowral hotel. Also at another good thing was that the button to restart was in reach so didn't have to get out to restart. The outdoor pool was supposedly heated but when tested was ice cold so didn't bother going. Only ended up going in jacuzzi as there was a sauna but in individual Male or female changing area. So was no point going in as would want to go in together not separately and was a little gym but bought no gym stuff. Got back to room 7.30 shower and then go downstairs for cocktail we both had capriskco which wasn't the best was overpriced for what it was. I still need to get Tiago to make me one at some point since its  a brazilian drink with cachaca which we have at home. Only ended up having one drink then went back to room to finish red wine with cheese and crackers. In the morning after checking out drove along Wollongong beachfront in the hope of finding a cafe there. But unfortuantely was none, so ended up going to Wollongong centre to find a cafe for breakfast found one. Which we didn't end up going to as was put off with people outside smoking so went abit further to the big shopping centre. We're we just went to a little cafe for banana bread and coffee as did breakfast but nothing we fancied. Was a few shops was tempted to look round then but I resisted as didn't think Tiago would want to. When we got back to the car and started driving realised that there was a little cafe the other direction we walked not far from where we were parked typical. Got back to Sydney after 2pm and then Tiago had to finish his exam and submit it.

Melbourne cup at Randwick races

I'm Melbourne cup was 4th November so had to start preparing a few days before so had the laser to legs on 30th October. Then on the 3rd November was on an early and since finished late on Saturday as had to take charge as no-one else to do it so I ended up finishing at 2 instead off 1. So on the Monday 3rd November I got to finish an hour earlier which was good as having spray tan, pedicure and manicure done in evening. But since finished early and I knew couldn't go to gym after having spray tan went to gym as now had the time before appointment and even had time for shower. Then back to Chic Salon for my treatments took my fascinator with me as thought be nice to have nails that colour. So went for a yellow colour with a sparkle to them and then last was the spray tan as thought best have one since wearing white dress for races. The morning of melbourne up early when Tiago left for work as had to get ready before my hair appointment. As thought be nice to have my hair put up since Meebourne Cup races and thought if I did wouldn't be the same. So went to different hair dresser as mine don't put hair so went to Gisco hair salon still only a few minute walk away. Wasn't too sure what to have done with my hair but was happy with the end result, will definitely go there again. It was then to chic salon to show the girls my complete outfit which there liked especially my star dress. Then to make my way to Nat and Lou's place in Coogee but decided best not to go on bus as didn't want o ruin outfit so got a taxi. Once there unfortuantely both of them not there as Nat in randwick having hair done and Lou in bondi junction having make up done. Since no one there couldn't be bothered walking to Randwick to meet Nat even though I had my havaianas not my heels yet. So instead I just went to the cafe across the road from hers to have a coffee whilst I waited for one of them to be. Luckily only had to wait about an half hour for Nat to come back and gave me chance to look in paper at that horses not that I have any idea. When I arrived at Nat and Lou's so did Sam Lou's friend who is also a nurse at RPA who I have met once before. Lou then arrived back and she wasn't sure about her lipstick was an orangey red colour but thought it looked nice. Then Danielle arrived Nat's friend who she met when she first came to Sydney and lived with at Bondi hostel was the first time I had met her. It was only as we were getting ready to phone for taxi that I realised I had forgotten my sunglasses which looked like would definitely need today. Luckily Lou had a few for me to choose from so choose some similar to Ray Ban sunglasses. We then got a taxi to Lou's workmates place in Randwick not far from the racecourse. As going there for drinks before we all headed to the racecourse but Me, Sam and Danielle felt abit on the outside. Even though it was the first time we had met them we weren't even offered a drink but Nat did try to give us some off hers. So Me, Sam and Danielle didn't end up staying along and us three left for the races which was only about a 10 minute walk away. It was then to find Sam's friends who were already there luckily it didn't take much to find them there were just in front of the Grandstand on the Shannon Lawn. Also near the Superscreen, the finish line and most important near the Chandon stand. The first race was at 11.35am which obvisiously we missed we decided since three of we might aswell do rounds so bought a bottle of sparkling pink wine between us. Sam's friends were a good laugh and was quite a few off them and can tell had done races a few times as even bought there own picnic with them which is better than the greasy food on offer. We did eventually find Nat and Lou who were near the dance tent but didn't have seats like us were sat on the grass. Had a few pictures taken then decided to go back to our table as least we had a seat there. The only race I ended up betting on was the Melbourne cup race which was at 3pm and thought I had to bet cause it was the main race of the day even if it wasn't in Sydney. Decided to bet on"Admire Rakti" which was the favourite and ended up finishing last of the 22 runners. Also put a bet on for Tiago which was "Mutual Regard" which finished 14th so we both didn't end up doing well. But in tragic post-race news, Japanese favourite Admire Rakti, the Caulfield Cup winner, collapsed in its stall and died after race. Protectionist won the 154th running of the Melbourne Cup, ahead of Red Cadeaux, Who Shot The Barman and Signoff. Protectionist has become the first German horse to win the Melbourne Cup and won by four lengths. The ‘Cup Day’ at Royal Randwick was the perfect day for all Sydney-siders to kick up their heels and enjoy 'the race that stops a nation'. Royal Randwick racecourse was Sydney's ultimate location for the full scaled racing excitement. Which had nine local races and all the action from Flemington racecourse in Melbourne on the largest Superscreen. It didn't make sense to be seen in race wear any wear but at the track in Sydney maybe next year Melbourne. As I would love to go to melbourne races one year on Melbourne just to experience as I bets it's an amazing atmosphere. Had a laugh even if I didn't see much of Nat and Lou as Danielle, Sam and her friends were lots of fun. But Danielle left us after the Main Melbourne Cup race to go meet one of her friends. Sam and her friends did invite me to go for food with them after the races and we didn't end up leaving til after the last race at 5.33pm. But decided against it as just wanted to get home the annoying thing was Tiago offered to pick me as come home from work early as full of cold ,but couldn't as I had car keys. Walked to centennial park bus stop as tought the Randwick racecourse one would probably be too busy. Unfortuantely I missed the first bus then had to wait abit for the next one got home just before it started rain. Then decided when I had already tak n a few grips out of hair for Tiago to take a picture of back of hair that's why bit hanging down in last picture.