2024 Highlights

 

Cape Town

• New Year's day swim at Silvermine with the Hurds and Russell
• A swim at St James with Russell, Shane and Kailey
• A walk in the Greenbelt with Russell and Jason
• Kirsten's Kick Ass ice cream with Mum & Mike
• Watching Wonka at the cinema with Russell
• Park run in the Greenbelt with Russell and Jason
• Matt turns 21: Birthday and party
• 4 nights in Simons Town with mum and Mike
• Llandudno sundowners with Jo, Ant, Russell and Daniel
• Rondevlei without water
• Kalk Bay caves to Silvermine with Russell and Stephen , escaping a fire
• Die Hel in Groot Winterhoek with Russell and Ivor
• Market with Russell, Rob & Dawn, Brandon and Warren
• St James with Russell, Carmen and Heather
• Tapi Tapi ice cream with Russell, Carmen, the Pater and Kobus
• Matt in fancy dress
• Climbing Table Mountain via Dark Gorge
• Bakhoven with Jo
• Silvermine's "The Bowl" with Jo and the girls
• Dinner with Shirley, Kiera, Jo and Antony
• Kirstenbosch
• Devil's Peak with Russell and Brandon
• Camps Bay with Jo and Allison for a swim, then a walk to Clifton
• Playing Mysterium with Russell, Warren and Jo
• Surf at Muizenberg with Ivor and Russell
• Cattle Baron with family and Ivor

Hiking

• Abseiling down Serendipity Canyon, Mount Wilson with the boys (Mar)
• Devil's Peak with Russell and Brandon  (Feb)
• Silvermine's "The Bowl" with Jo and the girls  (Feb)
• Climbing Table Mountain via Dark Gorge  (Jan)
• Die Hel in Groot Winterhoek with Russell and Ivor  (Jan)
• Kalk Bay caves to Silvermine with Russell and Stephen , escaping a fire  (Jan)

Walking

• Camps Bay with Jo and Allison for a swim, then a walk to Clifton  (Feb)
• Park run in the Greenbelt with Russell and Jason  (Jan)
• A walk in the Greenbelt with Russell and Jason  (Jan)

Photography

• Photo Meetup at Redfern and Chippendale (Mar)
• Photo Meetup in Glebe (Feb)

Friends

• Comedy Club and Mardis Gras with Gavin and Rajesh (Mar)
• Birthday lunch with Xenia and co in Manly (Mar)
• Visting Jilly in Bowral (Feb)
• Balmoral with Elna (Feb)
• Playing pool with Srini and Rajesh (Feb)
• Reunion with Sydney friends after Cape Town trip (Feb)

Family

• Mum's 77th birthday (Feb)

2023 Highlights

Antarctica & South Georgia, Everest hike & birding in Chitwan, Cape Town, Carcoar

Priceless moments 

• Penguins galore, leopard seals, elephant seal and much more in Antarctica & South Georgia
• Climbing a glacier in Urshaia with Gavin
• Doing the Everest base camp hike in Nepal with Gavin, Russell and co.
• Living it up like Kings at Tiger Tops in Chitwan and getting to photograph a rhino mum and its baby.
• Photographing birds in Sauraha (Chitwan) with a wonderful guide.
• Christmas with the family.
• A wonderful roadtrip with the family to Prince Albert, Swartberg Pass and Ladismith
• A weekend away at Wolseley (Fynbos Farm) with Russell and Heather.
• Reunited with Ivor at Silvermine and then surfing at Muizenberg.
• Boulder hopping and leaps at Riviersonderend Kloofing.
• A trip down memory lane at University of Cape Town and St Georges and Bertram Crescent.
• A beautiful gift after Mack's passing from my beautiful hiking friends.
• A raunchy Burlesque Show with Elna.
• Gardens of Stone, Wolgan Valley with Srini, Rajesh & Krishna 
• Dinosaur Valley with the boys. 
• Mermaid Falls with Rajesh, Ashesh and Krishna, including an awesome leap.
• Camping and kayaking at Kangaroo Valley with the boys.
• Camping and kayaking at Dunn swamp.
• Tina's 89th birthday in Carcoar
• Tiny Home expo with Shushann.
• Frida Kahlo projected light exhibition with Shushann and Lydia.
• Steve McCurry photo exhibition with Shushann.
• Photographing the Pickleball championship for Chris.
• Whirling Dervishes with Shushann and Xenia
• Watching rugby world cup with Chris. How exciting for South Africa to win!
• Tribute video for Shushann and a slideshow for Michael
• Michael's 80th birthday party
• A party at King Street to see in the new year.

Not so great

• Mackie passes away this year, just short of his 19th birthday.
• Graeme passes away after a battle with cancer.

Purchases

• Airfryer
• Topaz software (sharpening and noise reduction)
• RF 14 - 35 lens
• RF 100 - 400 lens
• Hiking backpack
• Hiking boots

Favourite movies

• The Fabelmans (2022)
• I Wanna Dance With Somebody (2023)
• The Whale (2023)
• Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
• The Black Phone (2021)
• Barbie (2023)
• Blackberry (2023)
• Living (2022)
• Little Women (2019)
• Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)
• Ready or Not (2019)
• Lost Illusions (2022)
• Prey (2022)
• Saltburn (2023)
• Cinderella Man (2005)
• El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
• Wild Tales (2014)
• Finch (2021)
• Wild Rose (2018)
• Beast (2017)
• The Alpinist (2021)

Culinary delights

• Chocolate panacotta & flake from the local grocer
• Banana and mango smoothy
• Mushroom on toast in Orange with Tina and Dom
• Take sushi with Tina, Dom, Shushann (x2)
• Passion Fruit cheesecake (Bamboo Buddha)
• Messina Ice cream (Macadamia Nut Crunch, Lychee & Coconut)
• Steak final night Buenos Airies
• Roast chicken in Airfryer with Martin's seasoning
• Almond nougat (Cape Town)
• Duck, Pork Belly, Steak tapas at Silk (Cape Town)
• Peanut butter smoothie (Nepal & Woodside)
• Lassies in Kathmandu
• Bowral hot donuts
• Prawn dumplings at home

---

2023 Index of Links

Cape Town

• Farewell dinner in Sydney
• Reunited with Jo at airport
• Portraits of Jo
• Kalk Bay to buy a wetsuit
• Sam's graduation
• University of Cape Town nostalgia walk
• Riviersonderend Kloofing
• Climb up Constantia Nek with Russell
• St James early morning swim with Jo & Russell
• Secret Beach, Boulders, with Jo, Antony and the girls
• St James to Muizenberg walk with Jo and the girls
• Weekend away at Wolseley (Fynbos Farm) with Russell and Heather
• Xmas carols at Woodside
• Roadtrip to Prince Albert, Swartberg Pass and Ladismith with family
• Eagles Nest Lookout walk with Russell
• Silvermine walk with Jo & Ivor
• Antony's 55th birthday
• St Georges and Bertram Crescent
• Dinner with Kobus & The Pater
• Surfing with Ivor at Muizenberg
• Beautiful Jason
• Xmas dinner with the family
• Xmas morning swim at St James with the family
• Chapman's Peak hike
• Boxing day with Russell and Lilly
• Kick ass icecream at Constantia Uitsig with Russell and the Hurds
• Kleinmond with Jo and Mary-Ann
• Alan Committie (comedian) at Theatre on the Bay
• New Year's eve walk at Constantia Nek with Russell and Jason
• New Year's eve braai with Russell and Brandon & family

Nepal

• Training walks in Sydney
• Kathmandu (2 nights)
• Everest base camp hike
• Hiking Day 1: Lukla (2860m) to Phakding (2610m)
• Hiking Day 2: Phakding (2610m) to Namche Bazaar (3445m)
• Hiking Day 3: Acclimatisation day at Namche Bazaar
• Hiking Day 4: Namche Bazaar (3445m) to Tengboche (3850m)
• Hiking Day 5: Tengboche (3850m) to Dingboche (4350m)
• Hiking Day 6: Acclimatisation hike at Dingboche
• Hiking Day 7: Dingboche (4350m) to Lobuche (4950m)
• Hiking Day 8: Lobuche (4950m) to Gorakshep (5160m) and then to Everest Base Camp (5,364m)
• Hiking Day 9: Trek up Kalapathar (5554m) for a view of Mount Everest.
• Hiking Day 10: Pheriche (4371m) back to Namche Bazaar (3445m)
• Hiking Day 11: Namche Bazaar (3445m) to Lukla (2860m)
• Tiger Tops (Chitwan)
• Sauraha (Chitwan)

Antarctica and South Georgia

• Antarctica & South Georgia including Antarctica,  South Georgia, Urshaia and Buenos Airies.

Hikes

• Chapman's Peak hike (Dec)
• Riviersonderend Kloofing (Dec)
• Royal National Park Figure of Eight Pools (Nov)
• Everest base camp hike (Sep)
• Gardens of Stone, Wolgan Valley, with Srini, Rajesh & Krishna (Aug)
• Narrow Neck Viewpoint to Mount Solitary with Srini & Rajesh  (Aug)
• Hiking at Centennial Glen with the hiking gang (Jul)
• Pierce's Pass with Srini, Rajesh, Michael and Lucy (Jun)
• Dinosaur Valley with the boys  (Jun)
• Lockley's Pylon, Blue Mountains with the boys  (May)
• Glacier in Urshaia with Gavin (Apr)
• Mermaid Falls (Rajesh, Ashesh, Krishna)  (Jan) 

Walks

• New Year's eve walk at Constantia Nek with Russell and Jason
• Silvermine walk with Ivor (Dec)
• Eagles Nest Lookout walk with Russell (Dec)
• Climb up Constantia Nek with Russell  (Dec)
• St James to Muizenberg walk (Dec)
• Bondi to Coogee (Nov)
• Dee Why to Collaroy with Shushann and Lydia (Jul)
• Manly Scenic walk with Lydia (Jul)
• Bobbin Head walk with Srini, Rajesh, Michael & Lucy (May)
• Ball's Head with Sharon, Lydia, Shushann (Apr)
• Walk in the city (Feb)

Camping

• Dinosaur Valley  (Jun)
• Camping and kayaking at Kangaroo Valley  (Mar)
• Dunn swamp camping and kayaking (Jan)

Trips

• Tina's 89th birthday in Carcoar (Sep)

Outings

• Burlesque show with Elna (Jun)
• Drone show with the boys (Jun)
• Vivid 2023  (Jun)
• Walking to cinema in Glebe to watch Hypnotic (May)
• Tiny Home expo  (May)
• Massage and stop in Coogee (Feb)
• Frida Kahlo projected light exhibition  (Jan)
• Bamboo Buddha lunch and sound healing (Jan)

Photography

• Steve McCurry photo exhibition (May)
• Brennan Park (Feb)
• Pickleball championship  (Jan)

Shows

• Whirling Dervishes with Shushann and Xenia (Jul)
• Burlesque Show with Elna (Jun)

Family

• A beautiful gift after Mack's passing (Aug)
• Mackie passes away (Aug)
• Final photos of Mack (Aug)
• Mike's 85th birthday (Jul)
• Mackie photos taken by Liza
• Mackie (Feb)
• Ally's 50th birthday  (Jan)
• Matt turns 20  (Jan)

Friends

• Visit Jilly with Xenia (Nov)
• Tea at Xenia's new flat (Nov)
• Nepalese dinner in the city (Nov)
• Watching rugby world cup with Chris (Oct)
• Balmoral Beach with Elna (Oct)
• Visiting Jilly and Mandy in Bowral (Aug)
• Inducted into the Sydney Bush Basher's club  (Aug)
• Graeme passes away (Aug)
• Srini gets his citizenship (Aug)
• Watching Oppenheimer with the boys (Jul)
• Tribute video for Shushann (Aug)
• Table tennis with Chris, Shushann and Tina (Jul)
• Coogee with Tina (Jul)
• Take Sushi with Tina, Dom, Shushann and Chris (Jul)
• Lunch with Michael and Sue's friends (Jul)
• Slideshow for Michael (Jul)
• Dinner with Gavin and Tania (Jul)
• Watching Barbie with Elna (Jul)
• Balmorral with Elna (Jul)
• Sitting by the fire with Shushann (Jun)
• Drone show with the boys (Jun)
• Dinner with Anusha and Ashesh (Jun)
• Visit Jilly in Bowral with Mack  (May)
• Meeting Dot for lunch (May)
• Heavy Metal gig with the boys (May)
• Lydia's birthday lunch (May)
• Michael's 80th birthday party  (Apr)
• Kayaking with Chris at the private beach  (Apr)
• Evening with Upschool (Feb)
• Ten pin bowling (Feb)
• Dumplings and Brother Grimsby  (Feb)
• Lane Cove picnic with friends  (Feb)
• Bowral to visit Jilly for her birthday (Feb)
• Coogee lunch and stroll with Lydia and Shushann  (Jan)
• Seeing in the new year (party at King Street)

Related

• Spiritual journey (2023)

2022 Highlights

Carcoar twice, The Arctic, Cape Town

Priceless moments

• A weekend away in Alpine with beautiful people.
• Table tennis with Chris.
• Camping at Dunns Swamp with Elna and others.
• Canyoning with Srini and John and conquering my fears when we navigated a knife-edged cliff.
• Conquering my fear of heights again by leaping from a high cliff at Mermaid Falls.
• The Grand Canyon and Centennial Glen after the rain.
• Some great hikes with the boys including Bungonia National Park Red Track, Gardens of Stone, Wolgan Valley, Bonnum Pic trail and Corang Arch in the Buddawang.
• Practicing my new Canon R5 camera at Taronga Zoo and be amazed by its extraordinary eye detection. 
• The experience of a lifetime in the The Arctic (Svalbard). Eye dropping scenery from zodiacs and shore landings.  Close encounters with great white bears and amazing birds.  
• My photos of The Arctic featured in the New York Post.
• Being inspired to get back into bird photography at Barton Park.
• My gratitude expressed to Michael for his generous gift that allowed me to get the Canon R5.
• Lunch with Michael and Sue's friends.
• Jo graduates as a Zoe Project birth companion.
• Hiking to Ystervark Grot at Silvermine with Russell and Brandon and squeezing ourselves through narrow cave passages to reach larger caverns.
• Squeezing through the Wolfberg Cracks in The Cedarberg with Russell to ascend the mountains to spend the night at the spectacular Wolfberg Arch.
• Birding photography at Rondevlei where, to my absolute delight, I got photos of mating malachite kingfisher.
• Thousands of flamingoes at Strandfontein Sewerage Works.
• Getting photos of sunbirds and sugarbirds at Kirstenbosch during two vists.
• Photos of a Paradise flychatcher on its nest in the Greenbelt.
• A stunning hike with Russell and Jo in the mountains in Hout Bay.
• Listening to the Ndlovu Choir and being moved to tears.
• Doing a video tribute for Jo's 50th birthday and for Elna's 50th birthday.
• Planning our Antarctica trip for March 2023 with Aurora.
• Sitting & Being at the park with Mack.
• Visiting Tina in in Carcoar in January and  also spending Xmas with the family.
• A really fun New Year's party at my place, and going off to watch fireworks from a good spot, thanks to me pitching a tent there earlier in the day.

Not so great

• Mike has a heart attack. He recovered but it really took it out of him.
• My Wisdom Trove visitors keep going up, but then plummet in October after Google changes its algorithm.

Culinary delights

• Portuguese Charcoal chicken with Srini after hike
• Messina icecream
• Jo's coffee and rum & raisin icecream
• Thick chocolate milkshake in Cape Town
• Eat Greek prawn wrap after Coastal Track walk
• Cape Town meat & fish: Cattlebaron steak, Ocean Basket, Ribs at market
• Xmas feasts: Ruth: Duck, pork belly, chicken, amazing potato bake Xmas day at Shalow: Lemon curd trifle, turkey

Purchases

• Canon R5 with 100 - 500 lens.
• Air Fryer
• iPhone 14
• Air tags

Favourite movies

• Top Gun Maverick  (2022) (*)
• King Richard  (2022)  (*)
• The Menu (2022)  (*)
• Ennio, The Maestro (2022)   (*)
• The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
• CODA (2021)
• Thoroughbreds (2017)
• The Descent (2005)
• Palm Springs (2020)
• Fall (2010)
• The Platform (2019)
• Mr Nobody (2009)
• Easy A (2010)
• Booksmart (2019)
• The Perfection (2018)
• The Banshees Of Inisherin (2022)
• Triangle of Sadness (2022)
• Ozark
• Better Call Saul

---

2022 Index of Links

Cape Town  (Oct)     All posts 

Arrival

• Flight to South Africa
• Reunion with the family

Hikes & Walks

• Hout Bay hike   (Jo and Russell)
• Silvermine hiking to Muizenberg peak   (Jo)
• Llandudno rock hopping   (Russell)
• Hike in the mist at Silvermine   (Jo)
• Hike to Ystervark Grot at Silvermine  (Russell)
• Wolfberg Cracks and Arch in The Cedarberg  (Russell)
• Greenbelt walk   (Jo and Sam)
• Walk at Groot Constantia  (Jo)
• Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch  (Jo)
• Walk in The Hel  (Russell)
• Walk Muzenberg to St James  (Jo)
• Eagle's Nest (Russell)
• St James to Muizenberg to Kalk Bay  (Jo)

Birding

• Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch  (Jo)
• Rondevlei
• Kirstenbosch revisted
• Mating malachite kingfishers at Rondevlei
• Flychatcher in The Greenbelt
• Intaka Island
• Strandfontein Sewerage Works

Outings

• Camps Bay 
• Ndlovu Choir

Get togethers

• Llandudno sundowners (Russell)
• Get together with hardcore hiking club
• Pub Quiz
• Learning to paint rocks
• Constantia market with Russell and Heather

Meals

• Fishhoek and Simons Town for lunch  (Jo, Mum, Mike)
• Dinner at Woodside
• Cattle Baron with family
• Ocean Basket
• Lunch in the garden with the family

Arctic trip   (Jul)    Overview     All posts       Video

Getting ready

• Researching content for our Arctic lessons
• Getting my photography juices flowing for the Arctic
• Arctic farewell picnic

Getting there

• Building team spirit in Singapore on the way to the Arctic
• Singapore to Oslo
• Arriving in Longyearbyen, gateway to the Arctic

In the Arctic

• Introducing the star of our Arctic expedition: The Greg Mortimer
• Exploring the Arctic by zodiac
• Exploring the Arctic through landings on shore
• Arctic scenery that took our breath away
• A wonder world of sea ice just 1100 km from the north pole
• Close encounters with great white bears
• Other animals we saw in the Arctic
• Birds we saw in the Arctic
• Creating video lessons on location in The Arctic

Getting home

• A long and very winding road

Home

• Our Arctic trip in the news
• Planning our Antarctica trip for March 2023 with Aurora

Journals

• Journal of our Arctic adventure (written by Tanya)
• Journal of our Arctic adventure (written by Aurora Expeditions)

 

Weekend away

• Visit Tina in Carcoar for a family Xmas (Dec)
• Weekend away in Alpine  (Mar)
• Camping at Dunns Swamp (Jan)
• Visit Tina in Carcoar (Jan)

 

Hiking     (23 hikes)

• Silvermine hiking to Muizenberg peak   (Oct)
• Llandudno rock hopping   (Oct)
• Hike in the mist at Silvermine   (Oct)
• Hike to Ystervark Grot at Silvermine  (Oct)
• Wolfberg Cracks and Arch in The Cedarberg  (Oct)
• Hout Bay hike   (Jo and Russell)
• Another Colo River hike with Srini and Rajesh (Sep)
• Colo River hike with Srini and Rajesh (Sep)
• 2 hikes in The Arctic
• Nattai outlook hike  (Jun)
• Gardens of Stone, Wolgan Valley (May)
• Nattai river hike (May)
• Corang Arch, Buddawang (May)
• Pierce's Pass  (May)
• Bonnum Pic trail (Apr)
• Berowra to Hornsby (Mar)
• Royal National Park Garie Beach to Eagle Rock (Mar)
• The Grand Canyon and Centennial Glen after the rain (Mar)
• Uloola Track  (Feb)
• Bungonia National Park Red Track (Feb)
• Mermaid Falls leaping  (Feb)
• Canyoning with Srini and John (Jan)

Walking

• Stroll at Coogee with Shushann & Lydia  (Dec)
• Walk to Balmoral with Sharon, Elwin, Stewart, Lydia, Shushann  (Dec)
• Berry Island and Balls Head with Shushann  (Nov)
• Greenbelt walk   (Oct)
• Walk at Groot Constantia  (Oct)
• Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch  (Oct)
• Walk in The Hel  (Oct)
• Walk Muzenberg to St James  (Oct)
• Eagle's Nest (Oct)
• St James to Muizenberg to Kalk Bay  (Oct)
• Fishhoek and Simons Town for lunch  (Oct)
• Newport to Whale Beach with Sharon, Shushann and Lydia (Apr)
• Walk with Srini along the coast near Cronulla (Apr)
• Le Perouse walk with Elna and the boys (Apr)
• Malabar Headland with Shushann (Jan)

Photography outings

• Sculptures by the Sea (Nov)
• Taronga zoo practicing for Arctic with new camera  (Jun)
• Vivid  (Jun)
• Redfern   (Feb)

Birding outings

• Strandfontein Sewerage Works (Oct)
• Kirstenbosch (Oct)
• Rondevlei  (Oct)
• Flychatcher in The Greenbelt (Oct)
• Kirstenbosch revisted (Oct)
• Mating malachite kingfishers at Rondevlei (Oct)
• Intaka Island (Oct)
• Barton Park (Sep)
• The Arctic (Jul)

Spiritual

• Sit & Be at the park with Mackie (Nov, Dec)

Shows

• Ndlovu Choir

Friends

• A really fun New Year's party at my place  (Dec)
• Being a kid again at the park (Dec)
• A swim at Bronte with Gavin & Tanya (Dec)
• Ball's Head with Xenia  (Dec)
• Annual Xmas party at Gavin & Tanya (Dec)
• Visit Jilly in Bowral (Nov)
• Music festival at Marickville with Elna (Nov)
• Lunch with Michael and Sue's friends  (Nov)
• The Flying Bear with Chris (Sep)
• Chris birthday at The Botanica (Sep)
• Manly with Elna (Aug)
• Elna's 50th birthday (Aug)
• Birthday tribute video for Elna (Aug)
• Top Gun Maverick  (May)
• Bowral to visit Jilly (May)
• Anusha's birthday party (May)
• Yoga day with Elwin and Sharon (Apr)
• Bowral to visit Jilly (Apr)
• Catch up with Roger (Mar)
• Lunch with Chris at Thelma & Louise (Mar)
• Dinner at Gavin and Tanya (Mar)
• Table tennis with Chris (Feb)
• Krissula's birthday lunch  (Jan)

Family

• Dinner at Woodside (Oct)
• Cattle Baron with family (Oct)
• Lunch in the garden with the family  (Oct)
• Mack turns 18  (Nov)
• My 52nd birthday (Sep)
• Jo's 50th birthday including my tribute video (May)
• Jo graduates as a Zoe Project birth companion (May)
• Jo delivering babies (Mar)
• Mum's 75th birthday (Feb)
• Matt gets 5 A's for matric (Jan)

Related

• My spiritual journey (2022)

2021 Highlights

Carcoar with Chris, 100 day Covid lockdown, launch Wisdom Trove

Priceless moments

• Movie orchestra music with Shushann and Aimee 
• Zante and Andrew wedding
• Visit Tina in Carcoar with Chris
• High tea at Vaucluse House
• MDMA weekend at Blue Mountains with Shushann and Aimee
• Aimee book launch  with Sharon and all the beautiful thanks and affirmation
• Install glass panel to create private study
• New housemate (Christina) is lovely
• Roger and Jocelyn visit Sydney
• Hike to water holes with Srini and Gavin 
• Outing with Elna to waterfall 
• Malabar Headland with Elna
• Table tennis with Chris
• Milson's Park with Xenia during lockdown
• Online Zoom quizzes for lockdown
• Mermaid Falls with hiking gang after 100 day Covid lockdown (freedom!)
• Waverton to Milson's Point with Liz and Mark
• Hiking in Blue Mountains with Andrew and Zante 
• Wisdom Trove development with Rujuta (secondary navigation, random owls etc.) 
• Soft launch Wisdom Trove (Sep)
• Watching many movies with a twist
• Nic's web site
• Hike to Colo river for an amazing swim with Srini and discovering the joy of video
• Michael's gift - such generosity

Less happy moments

• Covid 100 day lockdown  (June 26 - Sep 26)

Culinary delights

• Lamb after Dune
• Botanica breakfast bowl
• Four Cheese Toastie at The Flying Bear
• Love.Fish with Elna to celebrate new year

Purchases

• iPhone 13,  Mackbook Pro, Sony headphones

Movie highlights

• Blood Punch
• Dune (*)
• Free Guy
• High Ground (*)
• Last Night in Soho (*)
• The Rescue (*)
• Marianne and Leonard
• No Time to Die (*)
• Portrait of a Lady on Fire
• Promising Young Woman (*)
• Soul
• Sound of Metal
• Succession
• The Handmaiden (2016)
• The Hidden Face
• The Last Duel (*)
• The Power of the Dog
• The Worst Person in the World (*)
• Triangle

---

2021 Index of Links

Outings

• High tea at Vaucluse House  (April)
• Contemporary Art Museum with Elna (Feb)
• Outing with Elna to waterfall  (Feb)
• Crown Tower (Jan)

 

Hiking

• Hike to Colo river for an amazing swim (Dec)
• Hiking in Blue Mountains with Andrew and Zante (Nov)
• Mermaid Falls with hiking gang (Oct)
• Malabar Headland with Elna (April)
• Royal National Park with Srini (May)
• Hike to water holes with Srini and Gavin  (Feb)

Walking

• Waverton to Milson's Point with Liz and Mark (Oct)
• Shushann and Lydia Watson's Bay walk (Aug)
• Watson's Bay with Srini and Gavin (Jul)
• Watson's Bay with Shushann and Lydia  (April)
• Manly with Shushann and Lydia  (Mar)
• Waverton with Des (Mar)

Weekend away

• Visit Tina in Carcoar with Chris (May)
• Zante and Andrew wedding  (Mar)

Friends

• Xmas at Shushann (Dec)
• Martin's 65th birthday party at the park (Dec)
• Gavin and Tanya Xmas party (Dec)
• Japanese dinner with Chris (Dec)
• Music evening with Elna (Nov)
• Botanica with Xenia (Oct)
• Swimming with Elna (Oct)
• Balls Head with Chris and Xenia (Oct)
• Waverton Park (my birthday) (Sep)
• Online Zoom quizzes for lockdown (Aug)
• Table tennis with Chris (Aug)
• Mack loves Martin (Aug)
• Milson's Park with Xenia (Aug)
• Visit Jilly (Jul)
• Lunch with Xenia and Jane (Jul)
• Moon eclipse with Gavin, Srini and co (May)
• Roger and Jocelyn visit Sydney (April)
• Xenia 50th birthday party (Mar)
• Xenia 50th birthday dinner  (Feb)
• Aimee book launch  (Feb)
• Jilly's birthday  (Feb)
• Dinner at Gavin  (Feb)
• Orchestra music with Shushann and Aimee  (Jan)
• Aimee book getting love  (Jan)
• Aimee web site  (Jan)
• Wiley Pool with Shushann and Catherine  (Jan)
• Visit Jilly  (Jan)

Work

• Lauch Nic site (Dec)
• Launch Wisdom Trove (Sep)
• Nic branding for site (Aug)

Home

• Glass panel  (April)

Related

• Spiritual journey (2021)

2020 Highlights

Deva Premal, hikes with Gavin, Srini, Lydia, Shushan, Carcoar twice,  Covid

Priceless moments

• My time in Plett with the Boting family, including the beautiful Robberg hike and beaching and boating.
• Going to The Silo for high tea with Jo, Mum and Mike.
• Deva Premal concert with Shushann, Aimee, Sharon and Lilo.
• Two visits to Carcoar to be with Tina.  First, helping Tina settle in. Then a visit with Shushann where I stayed at a Christian monastery.
• Many amazing hikes with Gavin and Srini, especially Centennial Glen and the hike down to river  and two canyoning trips, the second with snakes!
• Many walks with Lydia and Shushann especially Le Perouse. and Manly Dam.
• Blue Mountains weekend with Lydia and Shushann
• Supporting Gavin with his Ted Talk.
• The Van Gogh digital exhibition.
• Two photo meet ups: Manly  and Newtown Photo Meet Up.
• Creating a cover for my air conditioning unit.

Less happy moments

• Living in a time of COVID,   Sydney bushfires

Great movies

• A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood
• Won’t You Be My Neighbor (Mr Rogers)
• The Translator (French)
• Queen’s Gambit
• Us
• Oliver Sacks
• The Last Dance (Michael Jordan)
• Magnus

---

2020 Index of Links

Cape Town

• Fly home 
• The Silo for tea
• Llandadno with Russell 
• Green Belt with Jo  
• Robberg hike
• Plett 

Away

• Carcoar with Tina and Shushann (Nov)
• Helping Tina settle in (Aug)
• Deva Premal  (Feb)

Hiking  (16 hikes)

• Snake Canyon (Nov)
• Victoria Falls in Blue Mountains  (Nov)
• Canyoning at Blackheath (Oct)
• Blue Mountains with Srini (Sep)
• Blue Mountains hike down to river  (Sep)
• Blue Mountains hike near Hanging Rock (Sep)
• Blue Mountains with Srini and Rajesh (Jul)
• Blue Mountains weekend with Lydia and Shushann (Jun)
• Nattai National Park outlook (Jun)
• Newnes hike with Srini and Gavin (Jun)
• Blue Mountains with Srni and Gavin (May)
• Blue Mountains with Srini and Gavin (May)
• Royal National Park with Srini and Gavin (May)
• Centennial Glen, Blue Mountain with Srini and Gavin  (Feb)
• Canyoning in Blue Mountains  (Feb)
• Robberg Hike  (Jan)

Walking (18 walks)

• Watson's Bay walk with Shushann and Lydia  (Dec)
• Dee Why to Manly with Shushann and Lydia (Nov)
• Zoo to Balmoral walk with Shushann and Lydia (Sep)
• Watson's Bay walk with Shushann and Lydia (Jun)
• Manly Dam with Lydia (Jun)
• Walk Zoo to Balmoral with Lydia (May)
• Manly Scenic Walk with Lydia (May)
• Le Perouse with Shushann and Lydia (May)
• Centennial Park walk with Shushann (May)
• Bradley's Head with Lydia (May)
• Botany Bay with Srini and Gavin (Apr)
• Stroll with Srini and Gavin (Apr)
• Manly Dam with Shushann  (Apr)
• Waverton walk (Mar)
• Meeting up with the boys (Mar)
• Manly Dam with Shushann (Mar)
• North Sydney  (Feb)
• Waverton walk (Jan)

Photography

• Van Gogh digital exhibition (Nov)
• Zoo  (Sep)
• Cockatoo Island (Aug)
• Sydney CBD (Apr)
• Queen Victoria Building (Mar)
• Manly Photo Meet Up  (Mar)
• Newtown Photo Meet Up  (Feb)

Milestones

• My 50th birthday

Friends

• Pre New Years Eve with Elna (Dec)
• Kayak with Chris  (Dec)
• Xmas at Sushann  (Dec)
• Xmas gift and card from Liza (Dec)
• Gavin's Xmas party  (Dec)
• Gavin Ted Talk (Nov)
• Visit Jilly in Bowral (Dec)
• Mack and Chris at The Bot  (Nov)
• Bowral to visit Jilly (Nov)
• My dinner party with the boys (Nov)
• Botanica with Jane and co (Nov)
• Aimee photo shoot  (Nov)
• Visit Jilly after lockdown (Oct)
• Nic birthday (Oct)
• Chris at Balmoral (Sep)
• Elna at Balmoral (Sep)
• Catching up with Nicola (Jun)
• Aimee book cover (Aug)
• Dinner at Gavin (May)
• Catch up at Flying Bear (May)
• Lauren bagpipes (Apr)
• Kiribilli with Xenia (Apr)
• Catch up with Xenia (Apr)
• Living in a time of Covid (Apr)
• Zante Housewarming  (Feb)
• Bowral to visit Jilly  (Feb)
• Elna dinner  (Feb)
• Nic help (Feb)
• Balmoral with Chris (Jan)
• Bowral to visit Jilly (Jan)
• Srini gets PR (Jan)
• Coogee for lunch (Jan)

Home

• Whiskers (May)
• Cover for air conditioning (Feb)
• Bathroom ceiling  (Jan)
• Next door going up  (Jan)
• Smokey skies (Jan)

Related

• Spiritual journey (2020)

2019 Highlights

Deva Premal, connections with friends, Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe

Priceless moments

• Deva Premal concert with Lydia, Sharon and Lilo
• Getting to treat my friends at the Fish restaurant after cashing in my coins
• Royal National Park twice with Srini
• Dee Why to Manly with the hiking gang
• Glenbrook with Srini and Rajesh
• Cowan with Gavin and Srini - especially the bracing swim at the end.
• Cherry Blossom Festival with Elna 
• Getting inspiration at art galleries: NSW Art Gallery and Museum of Contemporary Art
• The Powerhouse Museum 
• Sydney CBD with photo meet up
• Wollombi weekend away  - especially photographing all the wacky things at The Forge
• Really feeling the photography muse at Manly after seeing Mary-Ann.
• Sydney CBD with photo meet up 
• Editing Aimee's book at The Botanica and really feeling inspired
• A photography outing to Watson's Bay
• Sculptures by the Sea 
• Manly beach to Manly Heads walk.
• Liz and Mark's wedding where I got to put my new iphone camera to the test.
• Our amazing and unexpected Rugby World Cup win which I watched with Lauren and Christian.
• A trip to Victoria Falls and Chobe with the family.
• Ziplining in Ceres
• Beaverlac camping with Russell, Lisa and Brandon with swims in mountain pools.
• Hikes in Cape Town: Elephant's Eye, Tweede Waterfall, Agatha Gully, Tranquility Cracks 
• An invigorating swim on Xmas day with the family.

Not so happy

• Visiting Srini with Gavin after his accident
• Sue's funeral - where I got to do the slide-show
• The terrible fires Australia has been experiencing

Culinary delights

• Prawn soup  (The Botanica)
• Ko Pla (Thai) with Brendan and Eva
• Ginger drink   (The Botanica)
• Oven roasted vegetables with smoked almonds (my speciality)
• Hummus and Mushrooms  (Grumpy Baker)
• Monkfish with Chris, Xenia, Christina, Shushan
• Meal at Devil’s Pools
• Jo’s rum and raisin ice-cream  

Purchases

• i-Phone 11 Pro
• Canon 90d
• 30 inch screen
• Air conditioning

Service

• Aimee's book at The Botanica 
• Shushann's site

Favourite movies

• Cold War
• Avengers End Game
• Game of Thrones Final season
• Yesterday
• Spiderman: Far from Home
• John Wick Chapter 3
• So You Think You Know Me
• Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
• The Joker
• The Irishman
• Diego Maradonna
• Documentary about Roosevelts

---

2019 Index of Links

Mullumbimby

• Deva Premal concert (Mullumbimby) with Sharon, Lydia and Lilo  (Jan)

Zambia and Zimbabwe

• Victoria Falls
• Chobe

Cape Town  (Dec)

• Truth Coffee with Matt and Sam
• Xmas day (beach and dinner)
• Elephant's Eye
• Tweede Waterfall
• Ziplining in Ceres
• Beaverlac camping
• World of Birds
• Photoshoot
• Hike to Agatha Gully (with Russell) 
• Hike to Tranquility Cracks 
• Reunion

Hiking   (13 hikes)

• Elephant's Eye  (Dec)
• Tweede Waterfall  (Dec)
• Beaverlac camping  (Dec)
• Hike to Agatha Gully (with Russell) 
• Hike to Tranquility Cracks 
• Hiking at Cowan with Srini and Gavin (Sep)
• Glenbrook with Srini and Rajesh (Aug)
• Botany Bay with Srini and Rajesh etc. (Jul)
• Dee Why to Manly with the hiking gang (Jun)
• Royal National Park (Wattamolla to Eagle Rock) with Srini (Mar)
• Blue Mountains (Evans Lookout to Pulpit Rock) with Srini (Feb)
• Royal National Park with Srini, Rajesh and Pooja (Feb)
• Illwara Range Grande Escarpment walk with Gavin and Meet Up (Jan)

Walking

• Manly beach to Manly Heads (Oct)
• Waverton stroll along rocks (Sep)
• Walk with Lydia, Sharon and Aimee  (Aug)
• Stroll in Waverton (Jun)
• Walking with Srini after his English exam (Jun)

Outings

• Jacarandas in Kiribili (Nov)
• Sculptures by the Sea (Nov)
• Birding at Centennial Park (Nov)
• Hyde Park and War Memorial (Nov)
• Bondi graffiti (Oct)
• Wollombi weekend away (Oct)
• Manly beach to Manly Heads (Oct)
• Chinese Gardens  (Oct)
• Watson's Bay (Sep)
• Frenchy's (Sep)
• The Powerhouse Museum (Sep)
• Cherry Blossom Festival with Elna  (Aug)
• Sydney CBD with photo meet up  (Aug)
• Manly to visit Mary Ann  (Aug)
• Swain Gardens with Des  (Aug)
• Walk Waverton to Milson's Point (Aug)
• St Mary's cathedral (Aug)
• Sydney Botanical Gardens (Aug)
• NSW Art Gallery  (Aug)
• Museum of Contemporary Art (Aug)
• Chatswood for Spiderman   (Aug)

Friends

• Knives Out with Gavin and Srini  (Nov)
• Visit Jilly in Bowral (Nov)
• Dani has a baby!  (Nov)
• Newtown Festival with Elna (Nov)
• Playing crochet (Nov)
• Yogi back in town  (Nov)
• Liz wedding (Nov)
• Mack and Xenia at the park  (Nov)
• Rugby World Cup win (Oct)
• Mack's 15th birthday (Oct)
• Chris pickleball (Oct)
• Lunch at Srini (Oct)
• Visit Jilly in Bowral (Oct)
• My 49th birthday picnic (Sep)
• Visit Jilly in Bowral (Sep)
• Shushann's birthday (Aug)
• Darling Harbour with Gavin and Srini  (Aug)
• Eckhart evening (Jul)
• Chris with Mack at The Bot  (Jul)
• Srini photoshoot (Jun)
• Srini passes his English exam. Celebrate New Town.  (May)
• Coffee with Chris  (May)
• Kayaking with Chris  (Apr)
• Sue's funeral (Apr)
• Eckhart (Jan)
• Visiting Srini with Gavin after his accident  (Jan)
• The Flying Bear with Christina, Xenia, Jane (Jan)
• Fish restaurant with Christina, Chris, Shushann, Xenia (Jan)
• Movies (Vice) with Chris  (Jan)

Home

• House going up next door
• Building a trellis  (Oct, Nov)

Related

• Spiritual journey (2019)