More driving on Friday - down to Daniel and Alethia's on the Central Coast for a couple of days. Friday was spent at their house, hanging out and letting the kids play near the lake. Dinner was a fantastic lamb roast and was accompanied by many beers, several of the home-brew variety.
Saturday was spent exploring Sommersby Falls, a nice waterfall in a national park area. The walk down to the falls began with some steps and then progressively got more tricky and rough as we headed down. The falls are quite beautiful with several observation points over the route. Mindy did a great job in getting down as far as she did with Angus in the sling but had to stop and wait for us one spot before the very bottom. The girls were doing a great job, in fact, the issue was more with them running everywhere rather than them being intimidated at all. Many photos and some video were shot and we then began the ascent. A really nice day and certainly one of the highlights of the trip for us. After this, we headed around the The Entrance where they have daily pelican feeding. This was also a lot of fun and the girls really enjoyed it. Then back home for some Thai food before heading back to Newcastle. Many thanks to Daniel and Alethia for their hospitality and the suggestions for how to spend the day!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Australia - Week 2 - Part 2
Tuesday morning and we were off to Sydney. Used some more Marriott points...I will need to start travelling with work again soon or I might have to start paying for this stuff! As with our last visit, the Sydney Harbour Marriott hotel was the clear choice.
We arrived in the early afternoon and spent a few hours walking around Circular Quay and near the Opera House. We then took a "trackless train" ride through the Botanic Gardens and saw enough to give us a plan for Wednesday. After this, a few souvenir shops were hit and we went back to the room and prepared with "friend dinner number 1", Willow...an old high school buddy.
As we did 4 years ago, we decided upon the Lowenbrau brewery and ordered large schnitzels and even larger beers. Mindy and the kids came along for the meal to ease some of her cabin fever. After dinner, back to the hotel to drop off the family then out for a few more drinks. "The Rugby Club" was our first stop; then the "Belgian Beer Cafe" where we sampled a couple of bottles of a beer called "Satan" I believe. Finally wrapped up at "Jackson's on George" before calling it a night. A great night was had, catching up, remembering the past and talking the night away. Rough plans were made for another night in Newcastle in a couple of weeks.
Wednesday, as planned, was spent exploring the Botanic Gardens. The kids really enjoyed running around there and the many sights on offer. The fruit bats were pretty cool, Mindy and I traded off the video camera and did not realize that the other had been filming basically the same thing...so we have a lot of bat footage! We also found some cockatoos that would land on you. Weirdly, we have no footage of the girls and me getting swamped...I had 4 on me, and the girls two each. A couple of pictures were taken but these did not really do it justice.
After this, we continued around the harbour to Macquarie Point with a great view back to the city. Then it was time to head back to the hotel when we realized how far we had walked! Maybe burned off half of the schnitzel from the previous night. Dinner on Wednesday was with Dave, my old room mate from Virginia. Mindy had planned to go along but Fiona was not feeling the best so she took the night off. Dinner was at "The Australian Hotel", a nice pub in The Rocks. Pizza and beer were consumed and once again, much catching up was done. We vowed to try to actually get our families together at some point in the future...
Thursday was spent doing some shopping. Opal necklaces were bought for the girls. An opal necklace AND opal ear rings were bought for Mindy. Angus and I watched this with much confusion. We then went to a bookstore and happily managed to find "Fiona the Flute Fairy" to go along with an earlier acquisition of "Naomi the Netball Fairy". Mindy found an Aboriginal art book that she seemed very happy with. After this, we headed back, jumped in the car and headed back to Newcastle. Quite a short visit but a lot of fun in perfect weather.
We arrived in the early afternoon and spent a few hours walking around Circular Quay and near the Opera House. We then took a "trackless train" ride through the Botanic Gardens and saw enough to give us a plan for Wednesday. After this, a few souvenir shops were hit and we went back to the room and prepared with "friend dinner number 1", Willow...an old high school buddy.
As we did 4 years ago, we decided upon the Lowenbrau brewery and ordered large schnitzels and even larger beers. Mindy and the kids came along for the meal to ease some of her cabin fever. After dinner, back to the hotel to drop off the family then out for a few more drinks. "The Rugby Club" was our first stop; then the "Belgian Beer Cafe" where we sampled a couple of bottles of a beer called "Satan" I believe. Finally wrapped up at "Jackson's on George" before calling it a night. A great night was had, catching up, remembering the past and talking the night away. Rough plans were made for another night in Newcastle in a couple of weeks.
Wednesday, as planned, was spent exploring the Botanic Gardens. The kids really enjoyed running around there and the many sights on offer. The fruit bats were pretty cool, Mindy and I traded off the video camera and did not realize that the other had been filming basically the same thing...so we have a lot of bat footage! We also found some cockatoos that would land on you. Weirdly, we have no footage of the girls and me getting swamped...I had 4 on me, and the girls two each. A couple of pictures were taken but these did not really do it justice.
After this, we continued around the harbour to Macquarie Point with a great view back to the city. Then it was time to head back to the hotel when we realized how far we had walked! Maybe burned off half of the schnitzel from the previous night. Dinner on Wednesday was with Dave, my old room mate from Virginia. Mindy had planned to go along but Fiona was not feeling the best so she took the night off. Dinner was at "The Australian Hotel", a nice pub in The Rocks. Pizza and beer were consumed and once again, much catching up was done. We vowed to try to actually get our families together at some point in the future...
Thursday was spent doing some shopping. Opal necklaces were bought for the girls. An opal necklace AND opal ear rings were bought for Mindy. Angus and I watched this with much confusion. We then went to a bookstore and happily managed to find "Fiona the Flute Fairy" to go along with an earlier acquisition of "Naomi the Netball Fairy". Mindy found an Aboriginal art book that she seemed very happy with. After this, we headed back, jumped in the car and headed back to Newcastle. Quite a short visit but a lot of fun in perfect weather.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Australia - Week 2 - Part 1
Due to basically having no internet service for much of the trip...and certainly having no time for writing up blog entries when I did, this is now a few weeks old news but in any case...
Saturday brought a trip down to see the mighty Eels against the filthy Broncos. A bus was acquired for the day - Andrew drove us down, participants were the 5 of us, Andrew, Linda, Mick, Margaret and Alex. Went to the Leagues Club for lunch followed by a visit to the Eels store where much stuff was purchased - new sweat shirts for Mindy and me; t-shirt for Naomi; ball for Fiona (but later this became a shared ball) and a scarf for me. Inflatable hands where bought for the girls (thanks Uncle Mick) and so we did our part for giving the team a few $$$.
Before the game, we decided to go for a walk around the stadium. We then were hanging around outside our gate when some of the players started to walk by. A marker was acquired and Angus in his mini-jersey was thrust in front of several players for signing purposes. First Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt, followed a few minutes later by Fui Fui; Daniel Mortimer and Jarryd Hayne! Not a bad little collection in the end. Was on the lookout for Nathan Cayless but I guess he came earlier or used a different entrance.
As for the game...well, the night was a lot of fun but from a league perspective, quite disappointing again. The Eels played poorly and came up short in the end. We were then treated to 2 hours of Angus screaming in the bus on the way home...after the result, I felt much the same way.
Sunday was a lazy day spent with Mick but went along to his local club for some free APL poker. I did OK, and made the final table but in the end, never got the hands when I needed them. However, in good news for the family, Alex went on the win the whole thing so in the end a decent Quirk showing.
Monday was spend at the house getting ready for our Sydney trip on Tuesday...
Saturday brought a trip down to see the mighty Eels against the filthy Broncos. A bus was acquired for the day - Andrew drove us down, participants were the 5 of us, Andrew, Linda, Mick, Margaret and Alex. Went to the Leagues Club for lunch followed by a visit to the Eels store where much stuff was purchased - new sweat shirts for Mindy and me; t-shirt for Naomi; ball for Fiona (but later this became a shared ball) and a scarf for me. Inflatable hands where bought for the girls (thanks Uncle Mick) and so we did our part for giving the team a few $$$.
Before the game, we decided to go for a walk around the stadium. We then were hanging around outside our gate when some of the players started to walk by. A marker was acquired and Angus in his mini-jersey was thrust in front of several players for signing purposes. First Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt, followed a few minutes later by Fui Fui; Daniel Mortimer and Jarryd Hayne! Not a bad little collection in the end. Was on the lookout for Nathan Cayless but I guess he came earlier or used a different entrance.
As for the game...well, the night was a lot of fun but from a league perspective, quite disappointing again. The Eels played poorly and came up short in the end. We were then treated to 2 hours of Angus screaming in the bus on the way home...after the result, I felt much the same way.
Sunday was a lazy day spent with Mick but went along to his local club for some free APL poker. I did OK, and made the final table but in the end, never got the hands when I needed them. However, in good news for the family, Alex went on the win the whole thing so in the end a decent Quirk showing.
Monday was spend at the house getting ready for our Sydney trip on Tuesday...
Friday, June 25, 2010
Australia - Week 1
First achievement was actually making it here in one piece with 3 kids! Actually they all did fantastically on the flight, all the flights were on time and so we really could not have asked for much more. iPods loaded with movies was a good way to keep the older two in check...breast feeding seemed to work for Angus! Also, the first drive on the other side of the road was quite uneventful whihc is nice, especially when doing it after about 3 hours sleep on the flight!
Upon arrival it took us a few days to adjust to the time zones. The kids were waking up at 4:00am for the first few nights but are now on Aussie time. So far...some relative visiting and spending time with my mother have been the main activities. I did go to see the Eels play the Knights in the rain on Monday night - a fun night but losing in the last two minutes was not a part of the plan.
Have tried to consume as many pies as humanly possible. Consuming beer and Solo whenever possible. Other junk foods and assorted crap being thrown down at a rate of knots. Will seriously need a purge when I get back to the USA but that is something to worry about later.
Managed to catch up with a couple of (close to) Newcastle based friends. Evo - an old cricket mate from Richmond - works in Newcastle on occasion so we caught up for lunch. Maybe can arrange another meeting involving beer in a few weeks. Daniel and Alethia also came up during the week - always good to catch up.
Last night we went to my brother's house for a BBQ and some beer. Fat Yak was recommended to me before the trip and it has not disappointed. Of course, several other brews were sampled as well last night. A lot of "James" beer (Bogues and Squire). Today we are off in a bus to see the Eels play the Broncos in Parramatta. Kids will be kitted out in blue and gold...just hope the rain stays away...and we don't blow this one!
Next week...still unknown - maybe a couple of days in Sydney to catch up with some people but nothing planned as yet. Much beer and many pies in my future...that is for sure!
Upon arrival it took us a few days to adjust to the time zones. The kids were waking up at 4:00am for the first few nights but are now on Aussie time. So far...some relative visiting and spending time with my mother have been the main activities. I did go to see the Eels play the Knights in the rain on Monday night - a fun night but losing in the last two minutes was not a part of the plan.
Have tried to consume as many pies as humanly possible. Consuming beer and Solo whenever possible. Other junk foods and assorted crap being thrown down at a rate of knots. Will seriously need a purge when I get back to the USA but that is something to worry about later.
Managed to catch up with a couple of (close to) Newcastle based friends. Evo - an old cricket mate from Richmond - works in Newcastle on occasion so we caught up for lunch. Maybe can arrange another meeting involving beer in a few weeks. Daniel and Alethia also came up during the week - always good to catch up.
Last night we went to my brother's house for a BBQ and some beer. Fat Yak was recommended to me before the trip and it has not disappointed. Of course, several other brews were sampled as well last night. A lot of "James" beer (Bogues and Squire). Today we are off in a bus to see the Eels play the Broncos in Parramatta. Kids will be kitted out in blue and gold...just hope the rain stays away...and we don't blow this one!
Next week...still unknown - maybe a couple of days in Sydney to catch up with some people but nothing planned as yet. Much beer and many pies in my future...that is for sure!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Australia!
We are close to being ready for our trip on Friday. I think I remember Mindy saying something about packing some clothes and things for the kids...so I am assuming that is done. My main focus is getting content downloaded to our new Apple devices. In addition to Mindy's iPad and Naomi's iPod Touch, we decided that with the looming trip, it would be quite tough for Fiona to sit there and watch Naomi play on her iPod for 24 hours. Alternatively, it would be quite tough for Mindy to sit there and watch Fiona play on her iPad for 24 hours! So we brought forward her birthday present and got her one the other day. However, that is not all... Mindy has been hitting the gym and the MP3 player she had been using had some issues with it, so we decided to get her an iPod Nano. And, not wanting to feel left out, I was eying the 160GB capacity of the classic, so with a shrug and a "what the hell", decided to get one of these for myself. Since then, the computer has been running 24x7 ripping CDs for everyone to load. Also, this week, we have been ripping some DVDs for the girls to watch while on the trip.
Looking forward to the holiday there. Not sure what we will be doing. The only thing that is somewhat planned is a trip to watch the Eels play on the 26th. Certainly a trip to Sydney will be happening at some point and I think Mindy has been sorting out some other options as well. Prime focus of the trip is visiting family, friends, drinking beer and eating pies. Pretty sure all of this will not be an issue.
Looking forward to the holiday there. Not sure what we will be doing. The only thing that is somewhat planned is a trip to watch the Eels play on the 26th. Certainly a trip to Sydney will be happening at some point and I think Mindy has been sorting out some other options as well. Prime focus of the trip is visiting family, friends, drinking beer and eating pies. Pretty sure all of this will not be an issue.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Harley-Davidson
Spent the last couple of days at Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee and will be back there next week. Quite an interesting place. Jeans are the dress code and Harley shirts are everywhere. Cool cubicle decorations...instead of the toothpaste, soap etc from Colgate, the place is adorned with helmets and fuel tanks. Nice section of the parking lot devoted to Harleys of course. Apparently the employees get a 20% discount on buying a Harley...every year! Not a bad benefit, although my wimpy self you take advantage of this benefit exactly zero times.
Was supposed to be home today but weather meant my flight was cancelled. So had to hop a BUS to Chicago and have a mid-morning flight out tomorrow :-( .
Was supposed to be home today but weather meant my flight was cancelled. So had to hop a BUS to Chicago and have a mid-morning flight out tomorrow :-( .
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Pearl Jam - MSG
On Thursday night I saw Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden. A fantastic show and a great set list, probably only topped by MSG the next night (a show I sadly could not get tickets for)...anyway... From the opening number they were on fire, hitting song after song on their way to a 2.5 hour set. Highlights...Elderly Woman, last Exit, Jeremy and Do The Evolution.
Many drinks were had pre-show with Tim. Luckily made it home after falling asleep on the train and waking up one station before I had to get off. Friday was a struggle, not getting much sympathy (deservedly so) from Mindy and the kids.
Here is the set list...
Set 1
Sometimes
Breakerfall
Last Exit
Animal
The Fixer
Severed Hand
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
I Am Mine
Comatose
Force of Nature
Even Flow
Low Light
Down
I Got Id
Army Reserve
Insignificance
Unthought Known
Do The Evolution
Encore 1
The End
Lukin
Just Breathe
You Are
Love Reign O'er Me
State Of Love And Trust
Once
Porch
Encore 2
Jeremy
Leash
Mankind
Crazy Mary
I Believe In Miracles
Alive
Indifference
Many drinks were had pre-show with Tim. Luckily made it home after falling asleep on the train and waking up one station before I had to get off. Friday was a struggle, not getting much sympathy (deservedly so) from Mindy and the kids.
Here is the set list...
Set 1
Sometimes
Breakerfall
Last Exit
Animal
The Fixer
Severed Hand
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
I Am Mine
Comatose
Force of Nature
Even Flow
Low Light
Down
I Got Id
Army Reserve
Insignificance
Unthought Known
Do The Evolution
Encore 1
The End
Lukin
Just Breathe
You Are
Love Reign O'er Me
State Of Love And Trust
Once
Porch
Encore 2
Jeremy
Leash
Mankind
Crazy Mary
I Believe In Miracles
Alive
Indifference
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)