2: Windsor on Kent

Arrival

We moved in on October 24, my first day at ThoughtWorks. We had arranged for David to meet the manager at 2pm while I was at work. Dave very manfully hauled our luggage the 1.9 km from Central Station by himself, and met me at Wynyard Park after work to show me in.

Cost

ThoughtWorks is assisting my relocation by providing this apartment at no cost to us. Thank you ThoughtWorks!

First Impressions

	It's an East facing apartment and the morning sun streams in; so much easier getting up in the morning! We have city views, and I find it fascinating focusing in on the little details of the buildings. I like having a leisurely breakfast while watching the workaholics in the office across the road already hard at it.
	I expected to be disturbed by the city noises I'm not used to, but I've found the city has a music all its own. A background white-noise hum punctuated by sudden outbursts; a siren; a souped-up engine; late night revellers. At dusk and dawn a solitary bird cries out for her missing mate.
	When we first arrived there was an odour in the laundry as if the previous month's tenant's wet washing still inhabited the washing machine. But that dissipated after airing for a while. Really, it would be churlish to complain about anything - this is a terrific apartment and I'm very grateful to ThoughtWorks for providing it for us.

The Neighbourhood

This location is great; we're five minutes walk from Darling Harbour; 10 minutes from the George St cinemas, Town Hall Station; 15 minutes from the ThoughtWorks office on Pitt St. In my second week I was working at a client site in the very next block - love the 3 minute walk to work!

I've joined Fitness First and there are three gyms within walking distance. I really should get to them more often...

I miss the flora and fauna I'm used to in Canberra. The street has a few trees on it but the nearest grass is at Wynyard. Even pigeons are conspicuous by their absence here.

It is a fantastic location for food. Nando's is across the road. We had a wonderful Japanese dinner at a restaurant around the corner, and some very nice Yum Cha in Chinatown, about 10 minutes walk up the street towards Paddy's Market.

What will I miss?

The building has a lovely pool and spa. It's really nice being able to duck downstairs for a swim whenever I want.

Departure

Tomorrow the lease runs out on this apartment. I have selected our next residence, but it's not available until December 10. ThoughtWorks have come to the rescue and provided us with an additional two weeks in their corporate apartments on Elizabeth St opposite Hyde Park.

I was very impressed by Corporate Housing, the apartment managers. They're sending someone over tomorrow morning to help me with my luggage (Dave's in Canberra) and drive me over to the new place. I expected to have to haul my luggage down to a taxi and manhandle (or personhandle?) it into the new place by myself.