I awoke early and headed to the gym, along with Ryan. After the gym, I packed, and checked out of my room.
Glen had subtly suggested we check out Sir Charles in Fitzroy. I was keen for this, as were the other speakers, so with some time up our sleeve, we headed in an Uber to Fitzroy, decidin to drop by Everyday Coffee first for some takeaway filter.
Everyday Coffee
- $
- Price
- Coffee
- shop
Piping hot filter in hand, we headed through Fitzroy towards Sir Charles, stopping here and there to photograph the very photogenic street.
Soon, we met Glen at Sir Charles.
Sir Charles
- $$
- Price
- Brunch
- Place
The place had a lovely fitout and I couldn’t help taking a few photos, feeling very conspicuous of looking like a tourist, especially with all our luggage.
k a look at the menu, but Glen had sold us all on the Sir Charles Eggs Benedict — with Sriracha Hollendaise and Roti in place of bread.
After a speedy but delicious breakfast, we departed for the airport via an Uber XL.
We arrived at the airport, Corey, Patima, DT, and Teegan arriving not far behind us.
After clearing security, we boarded the plane via the back, on the tarmac.
After a short delay, we took off into the clouds.
Above the clouds it was bright and sunny. It was hard to believe it could be dark and stormy in Sydney beneath us.
During the flight, Patima distributed the feedback cards she’d collected from attendees at the Perth and Melbourne legs of the Deployment tour so far.
The feedback was very encouraging, and the speakers all delighted in reading the feedback.
As we started to descend through the clouds, the condensation running along the window seemed to confirm the weather situation.
As we begun to make our descent, I was treated to a spectacular view of the Sydney CBD, the Harbour Bridge, and the Opera House.
We landed at the airport, where it looked decidedly greyer and stormier than during our initial descent.
Technical difficulties has been a little bit of a theme of Localhost Deployment, and today was no exception.
Lightning in the area had meant the evacuation of aiport staff on the ground, which delayed baggage by 30 minutes.
We stood around, chatting to pass the time.
In what felt like no time at all, the luggage started to arrive on the conveyor belts. Except for Glen’s, whose luggage was going to be forwarded straight on to Brisbane, a bit like the organiser’s, the day before.
Thankfully we were able to retreive the luggage before it was forwarded, and set off to pick up a cab.
We managed to score a Maxi Taxi from the cab rank, which fit myself, Glen, Anna, and the Localhost crew.
One rockstar–esque trip later, we arrived in the Sydney CBD and made our way to our hotel.
Pensione Hotel
- 8 Jun
- Check in
- 9 Jun
- Check out
We checked in, and dropped bags.
Before we knew it, as had become increasingly familiar, it was time to head off to the venue.
This time, the venue was a convenient 10 minute walk from our accomodation.
A short walk through rainy Sydney later, we arrived.
Campaign Monitor
- Office
- Space
Campaign Monitor’s office was a beautiful location, and much excitment from the speakers about the beautiful projector, which displayed with a clarity and contrast we were totally unprepared for!
Feeling a bit more relaxed and experienced, the organisers and speakers alike seemed more at home, as we met up with Georgie and other staff from Campaign Monitor.
Soon enough, the community started to filter in.
And before I knew it, Patima was up to introduce me!
I launched into my talk for the third time — this time adding a little preface referring to an in–joke the speakers and I had about my ironing on tour, observing the humour in attempting to use the mini ironing board in my Sydney hotel room.
No technical issues appeared, thankfully. However, it was a little hard for me to get a read on the audience, and I started to speed up, feeling a little uncomfortable. This was definitely a mistake, as the feedback I got afterwards was highly positive, just that I needed to slow down!
Next up, Glen took us through the Road to Unification. Glen was largely comfortable with the changes to his talk made at Melbourne, and didn’t change his slides, but made small tweaks the delivery of his talk.
After a short break, Anna was up to take us through Decisions Considered Harmful for Product Love.
The audience loved this talk too, and I noticed a few small changes to her slides and delivery which further refined an already excellent talk!
Lastly, Simon, presenting to his experience in applying web skills to solve print problems.
Adding a new section walking us through the process of marking up a coffee label, to styling it for print using the @page media query, Simon delivered another outstanding talk which rounded out the evening nicely.
After the talks, it was time for the after party! As we had to be out of the venue at 9:00pm sharp, we headed straight for a nearby bar.
Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern
- $$
- Price
- Bar
- Place
In a dimly lit venue we drank and chatted, and set about ordering burgers from Mary’s nearby.
We also had an opportunity, thanks to Simeon, to get our official speaker lineup photo of the tour.
After a little while, Anna, Simon, Simeon and I decided to head on, intending to join up later with the group at the agreed rendezvous point of Frankie’s Pizza.
It was a very picturesque evening and we took the time to look at some installations at Vivid Sydney, including an animated projection of a frog.
Eventually we made it to Simon’s recommendation.
Hubert Bar
- $$$
- Price
- Wine
- Bar
A french wine bar, apparently owned by Frankie’s, but very different in vibe, it was a very different vibe.
Simon, Anna, Simeon and I took a seat and ordered some drinks. Anna and Simeon ordered Wine, Simon ordered a gin.
After a relaxed drink, we headed around the corner to a very different vibe, at Frankie’s.
Loud music blaring, we entered and met up with the Localhost crew and other partying Sydneysiders.
After a short time, I decided to head off, in order to be as well-rested for the last leg of our tour...