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.

Right>>at the steakhouse in the city.

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. We went out a bit afterward, which explains this picture here of Tony with a Lambo.

Other stuff that happened: had breakfast with Mohammad and Farnaz as he was on S1 call out duty, so could not really go anywhere.

Holy and Lola's 18th was one Saturday aftrernoon, followed by another with all their friends a week later night. We kind of helped on bouncer duty but there was zero trouble on the night. In the morning, they found out one guy had drilled holes in several paint tins, making a big mess and costing a fair bit in lost product. He was trying to bargain own the damage cost as well. So they threatened to get police,parents involved, and anyway, he's being an ass but will do small repayments.

Right, after breakfast at Summer Hill with Jaime.

Had lunch with Fil and David, yum cha at Burwood, v delicious! A great idea.

Left>>Rishabh holding apples during the harvest, Kiari, Kothkai, Himachal Pradesh.

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.

Sunday lunch at the Peruvian restaurant in at Town Hall. v nice.

Another Sunday session at ping pong. I only got a snap of Tekkie but there were other people! good times.

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.