Dec 15, 2010
The Big Move Down Under!

So I have finally made it to Australia. I am now based in Melbourne where I will be training all the way through to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

I have been here just over a week now. After a long 24 hours of travelling we finally made it to the other side of the world! When we landed it was about 25degrees outside, which I think was about 30degrees warmer than back home. Its nice not having to wrap up warm, I wont be missing the snow back home that is for sure!

We are staying with another swimmer and her family. Ellen Gandy. She is also a British swimmer but trains over here. Elly has been a team member since 2008 World short course in Manchester. She swims the 100m and 200m Butterfly. Elly was also part of our bronze medal relay team this year at the Commonwealth games. Its great that we can stay with Elly and her family until we get settled. Its quite scary leaving all your family and friends and moving somewhere totally new!

I am starting to settle into my new training regime now. I am getting up at 4.15am to train some mornings which admittedly I think I will never get use to, its hard work! It’s strange being the new person in a group after being the longest member in my old squad for 8 years! The training is a bit different to what I am use to back in the UK. I am doing lots of new things, which is challenging and interesting.

I am training at the VIS here in Melbourne which is similar to the EIS we have in the UK. Its where all there elite athletes train from all the different sports. Its interesting seeing how they all train.
Aussie rules football is huge over here and one of the top teams trains at the VIS. They train behind a huge curtain so that the opposition cant spy! I find it quite funny!

We haven't done a huge amount of fun things yet. In our spare time we have been looking for places to live and getting our barrings. We did go down to St Kilda beach at the weekend but it wasn't sunny enough to sit on the beach. I am really looking forward to going and exploring the city and its shops this weekend.

I will definitely be missing my family and friends over the festive period! It doesn't feel like Christmas at all over here! Even with all the decorations it just doesn't feel the same, Christmas should be cold!!!

Well I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year! I look forward to writing you my next blog in 2011!

Kate