August-26

Started August by getting totally sick. The first weekend was spent pretty much entirely in bed, which is fine by me, as it was excellent to catch up on some rest. Still was coughing it up Monday, so took a day off work also.

On the 6th and 7th, me and Marie flew to Perth, along with Fil, Ceal, Will, Tess, John, Peter and fam, for Peter Newsome's funeral. On the first night we all went out to dinner. Many family members had flown in from England.

The funeral was on Friday. The eulogies were very touching, even including a mention of Peter ironing the kids underpants. That brings back some memories, of Peter ironing in the TV room. I stayed at Maryanne and Peter's quite a few times with work, staying for a week each time. My memories are of going up to the local park with Peter to walk the dog. As they said in the speech, he was very outgoing, always making friends everywhere, and improving people's moods. He always sat in poll position at the massive bench in the kitchen, catching up on things on the tablet, or doing some weird home repairs. You will be missed!

We were back in Sydney Saturday. I spent half a day with Yves and Elliot after popping out for a coffee. Elliot is really growing quickly. They had plans to demo half the house, but after getting bills for 2 million, the plans are to more lightly renovate. We both are shaking our heads at the right wing nuts running the world.

Me and Marie popped over to Trish at Tims for Trish's birthday. Happy birthday Trish.

Happy birthday to my beautiful boy!! We went to Noi Friday night fir a menu prix fixed. It was ok. I was expecting more.

Me and Oli went for a 1 hr 20 drive to Parra Saturday  thanks to how slow Parramatta Road goes past Homebush. I can get there in 20 if I leave early in the morning. We checked some records at the vintage markets, had a Falooda on Church St, v nice. Tonight it's dinner w McCabe's  at the steak house. A lump of meat is not my cup of tea, so I ended up with a lump of beetroot instead. The caper toast and ceviche were very good.

July 26

We went up to Erina to see Pnau. They were pretty good. Probs needs something to truly appreciate this electro music but even so, had a good dance. Sev, Vonne, Brett, Marie here.

I think this was a trip to Bar Italia. A good excuse for a walk to get them out!

Went to a Hari Krishna festival at Liverpool 

The Persian restaurant at Merrylands (close to the Kabul one), seems it's the home of sensational food.

Another shot at the Hari Krishna show with Mohammad and Avinash. We danced in the streets, got an Indian Halva afterwards as well. This is pretty similar to the end of service snacks that the Sikhs hand out. The music is not as good as the Sikh stuff, but not all religions pump up the beats fully eh.

Lou went up the coast with some buddies during the school holidays. I stayed at home with Oli all very nice.

On the 26th I had my family over for lunch. Fil, David, Ceal, John came over. Ceal gave me a Tequila reposado in oak for Vanilla and caramel notes. Have to say it is a nice drop!

Right, in Merrylands for some pretty good gelato.

Peter Newsome passed away. Fel and Ceal got a flight straight over, and made it there in time to see him in the hospital. Very traumatic times. It was lucky that everyone could be there. Julia and Joe are living at home with Maryanne while their place is being rebuilt, which also helps. 

June 26

 

Thanks to Oli,  who is keen on racing, we went to Narooma to watch the Rally.

On Friday night, they had the cars on display. I asked the VW Beetle guy about his. It's a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo with a VW shell and wiper motor. The rest is Evo. It cost about 200K to build and about 50K more over 4 races so far. I don't think we'll be joining it any time soon. (pictured left here by coincidence.)

We're staying in Moruya, and stopped at a pizza place with the doors open, about 2-5 deg C outside, and concert floor and metal seats. We played Coup at the dinner table,  v fun. Charlie had cheese pizza. The cheese slid off but it was pretty ok. Me and Olis was boring but o on, with over cooked rock solid crust. Lou had a fettuccine carbonate, that was salty,  and creamy, as hell, and mostly didn't get eaten. 

Saturday we got to the spectator area. It was packed.  Viewing was not excellent,  but ok. The speakers were to loud, interfered with the view. Lou climbed up a tree and had the best view in the house. 

Cats 1 and 3 were so fast. Others were very smooth. The Ford Escort spun 180 in the corner,  coming to a stop before hitting something. 3 others damaged their front end, or punctured tyres. 

After we celebrated with donuts and a thick shake in Bodalla. They have friendly spotless huge chickens strolling the footpath. 

We got to Big Rock road,  got turned around by officials. Went the long way, past homes, wondered if it was allowed, moved a tree blocking the track,  and stopped where 2 huge trees had fallen over the road. The consensus was park and walk. We didn't know the way but got to a tremendous spot with awesome views and long sweeping bends. Such an unexpected and fun experience. 

Lastly in Narooma, we wandered around the repair and inspection area to get some more snaps of the cars being looked at. 

Dune was at our Motel in Moruya, Karaage chicken burgers, Schmitt, fish chips, all pretty good. 

I was on S1 call out duty for 2 of the weeks here. We also did a visit to the Entrance.

May 26

Mothers Day walk. 

Oli fancy dressed as an 80s icon singer.

Dinner at the club, then back at Zdenka's place here.

Mohammad pretending to cook.

We really did cook. At our place.

April-26

The first weekend was a 4 day weekend for Easter. Went to John's property. Camped, rode bikes, sat around the fire, got smoky. We had a nice time.

Monday, had lunch with my side of the family at Kiama, with Alex and Susan.

 

Went to Canberra Friday. Marie went down to babysit Tom and Casey's boys. They are doing really well, just sold their home and looking to move to Woden, close to the city and surrounded by large park lands. Good luck guys.

Saw the Project Hail Mary movie, which was good but kind of dumb and dragged on a bit. The main character meets a cute alien in deep space who cracked funny jokes and looked like a few rocks strung together. Everyone else really enjoyed it.

Saturday night at Bent Spoke Brewing with Tom and the boys, plus a hamburger place.

Went to Melbourne. Took Thurs Fri off. Wandered around. Went to Art Gallery, saw lots of designer clothes. Can't say I'm a fan. 

All the alleys and laneways are a big surprise,  so many little restaurants, bars, cafes. People living well. Starting their Thursday night real early. Melbourne is just like European cities such as old Nice or Genova.

 

Friday, I took an electric bike from the hotel. Went to Albert Park to find the F1 circuit. The ripple strips are clear, along with a yellow edge guideline. The ripple strips have some seriously vicious bumps.

Wandered with Marie. 

Went to Brunswick St Fitzroy with Marie and Vonne. A tram had broken down so we walked the rest of the way, op shopping, lunch at French Resto, some Japanese stand up to order place with 3 boys that were or boys age. 

Saturday,  train to Windsor, wandered Chapel St/Toorak Rd, got shoes, had beer later due to my bladder. More drinks at home, gummy, went Mexican Resto evening, felt sick, went straight home to sleep. 

Sunday, saw a kinda artsy boring photography exhibition. The American photos from the depression era were great,  plus sites of kids playing in the street. Flew home to see my wonderful boys.

Cobble Creek, in the colllllddd.

Cobble Creek
 

South Coast with Kyle at Vincentia.

Melbourne is go! The GP track at Albert Park. I cycled around it, as there's a bike lane the whole way round.

A random Melbourne bar.

Random alley in Melbourne. There are a million of them, and they're all great.

In Canberra with Fox and Leo, in Fadden.

At the North Ryde RSL for lunch.

North Ryde RSL.

March-2026

Left: Oli had to get dressed up like a musician. He chose Don West; shoes are Vinnies, belt is Marie's and voila. It's pretty close.

The start of this month I was on call.

We went over to Vonnes to assist her finish her celebrants course for both days. Me and Marie got married 5 times. On Sunday there were 20 guests to witness our marriage. I had to lean over to read my views because my name was the words and I did not know my name. Good times. 

 

Next weekend, Lou went with some friends to the coast, while me and Oli stayed home. We walked the dog. The grand prix was on so we watched.  

Max Verstappen crashed in practice due to endings breaking locking the rear. Once you have a decent lock up, it's hands over, hello tyre barrier. He will start from the rear. Oli is still strongly interested in F1. Me too but I don't follow it. 

I'd better clean the house before Marie comes back hey. It's a mild disgrace today.

 

Above: we picked up some ceramic bread container for the over, so I had a go at bread making. It was pretty good, just a bit plain. I'm working on it.

Had lunch at Fils while still on call, John pictured at hers on the right here. 

 

I ate way too much. Marie and Lou were up the coast. Oli was at volleyball.

Ceal and Fil were at Fil's place. No sign or message from Peter.

First weekend after,  was nice to be free.  Nothing special happened. Walked dog. 

Last weekend: Walked dog. Attempted to make Olis fly screen to swing out for access to the roof. Aye, there's a decent gap to the side that needs some kind of fix.

Joe and Julia's wedding

3rd weekend in March was Julia's wedding. It was beautiful, touching and we had a very nice time.

The wedding itself was at Joe's family's place, which is a large estate. I think there was golf there?

It's got several self contained units, next to a lake. The bridesmaids, bride stayed, and got ready there. Then they arrived the short trip by golf cart, nice.

Froze our arse off at the ceremony. Bride and groom have wonderful vows, very touching and personal.

Julia had a cathedral sewn into her dress.

Much getting, drinking and dancing was done in the main building. 

Our kids are the coolest.

I go the vest at St Pats in Freo, and the shirt was a local vintage shop. Everyone else was orthodox.

Fil, Maryanne, Ceal, Julia, Joe, Peter, John, me and Peter Joel.

My boys are the most handsome creatures.

Before the wedding: I worked from home Thursday, including a 4 hour flight. I got off at Mascot and walked for 10 minutes as I didn't want to pay $23.30 to go the extra stop. I paid $5.38, train took 30 mins. My work laptop battery lasted 3 hours,  and I ran out of things I could do on the flight.  In Perth, the airport train is modern, excellent, cost $3.50 and is valid for 3 hours. Wtf NSW govt??

Got out at Freo. Stopped at the excellent St Pats Op Shop where they upcycle jeans, jackets and bought a vest. The walk to Anne Sophie's is beautiful and brings back great memories. She's retired. We bemoaned the state of democracy and war in the world.

Drove directly to dinner at Margaret River with Julia, Joe and 30 odd family members. Another great day.

I'm awake and it's 5am, 8am NSW time. Will try to get back to sleep or I'll bomb at 8pm tonight.

Went for a walk at the beach along a bit of the coastal walk, a really beautiful area, low tick green shrubs, perfect sand. 

 

Ellen's just moved in here. Her new place is a lovely new town house,  open plan with a mezzanine style 2nd floor, in a strata  of 8. There is a locked gate entry. A single driveway access is lined with mature trees like it's a street in a French village. We all had dinner together at Anne Sophie's. 

She's started to work 2 days a week. Said hello to George, Yannick and David, who are in good health.  

Me and Anne Sophie went for a swim at Coogee Beach, following the shark net. I had to cut out after about 200m due to the nausea caused by the bobbing ocean. A seal had jumped the fence and was cruising around inside the area. 

Walked Freo, via a gorgeous viewing point, to collect a hire car for AS. I checked if I could change Marie's booking by chance,  and yes all good,  I picked up a car also.

Marie and my boys arrived at Freo station directly from the plane. We met them there and wandered to get a coffee (image directly above) and did a bit more op shopping.

After the wedding weekend, we drove to Perth and stayed at Ellen's place. Went to the market with the boys, got a couple of belts, take away food. 

Bought more stuff at the vintage testify St Pats Op Shop, trained it, flew home. Got into a car that's not a taxi or uber but charged $65. He was from Karachi Pakistan.