Tania's birthday

We met at The Glebe Hotel to celebrate Tania's 42nd birthday. Rajesh and Srini recently returned from India and Gavin from Nepal. It was blissful to all be together again. I love this beautiful group of people so much.

Gavin's book launch

You would never have thought that Gavin had just spent two weeks in bed with Dengue Fever. His presentation at The Manly Library was amazing, full of energy. As always he had the audience eating out of his hand and many books were sold and signed after.  

Here is the book blurb

A life-changing 7-step program for parents who are struggling to help their kids navigate today's complex world, written by one of Australia's most influential teachers.

 

As school refusal, mental health struggles and social challenges in the playground continue to rise, trailblazing teacher Gavin McCormack is redefining what it means to receive a `good education’.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Gavin’s transformative methods can be used by parents, carers and educators alike. He highlights the power of modelling positive behaviour and prioritising essential life skills over academic scores, helping children build resilience, develop emotional intelligence, and thrive beyond traditional measures of success.

 

Drawing on the latest neuroscience of learning and years of teaching experience in mainstream and Montessori schools, he offers practical strategies that will help children navigate life's challenges, learn with passion and grow into capable, confident and compassionate human beings. Gavin believes when children are given independence, the right tools, and the encouragement to build on their strengths, their potential is limitless.

Overnight hike at Warrumbungles National Park

A super weekend of hiking with Gavin, Jack, Ashesh and Rayu.  Warrumbungles National Park is a 6 hour drive from Sydney.  We left on Friday afternoon and overnighted at a pub hotel in Capertee Valley which is half way and then drove the rest of the way on Saturday morning.  

After a lovely 5 km hike, we arrived at a wonderful hut where we overnighted before completing the rest of Grand High Tops circuit on Sunday after our usual delicious breakfast of sausages and garlic butter. The scenery was absolutely spectacular. The highlight was watching the sun set as it lit up the Breadknife and other granite structures.  

We met a lovely fellow hiker, Sarah, who alerted us to a great sunset spot and joined us. We also met two very friendly climbing guys who had done a 10 hour marathon climb up one of the huge rock structures in the park.

Hotel in Capertee

Warrumbungles

Amazing clouds on the drive home