Kyle and Alanna get engaged

Congratulations, guys!

Beautiful art by Matt

Radical Reels with the Hiking Gang

I love this annual event at the Seymour Centre and wonderful to share it with my lovely hiking gang.  Adrenaline fuelled extreme sports at its best.  This year featured a wing-suited champion gliding through an archway in China, a very "spunky" 25 year old female rock climber, two climbers doing a "sufferfest" cycling and climbing journey of all the highest peaks in California, para-skiing, crazy Norwegians skiing down a mountain and some amazing mountain biking on some gorgeous trails in New Zealand.  A great night out that started off with grilled salmon at The Rose, a very festive local pub.

The most exciting moment of the evening by far was when they were announcing the prize winners (of some very exciting prizes) and the presenter said "Winner of the car is Graeme ... " and then she paused trying to decipher the surname written on the competition entry form.  "I've won!" I thought, feeling ecstatic, already picturing myself driving the 4x4 beauty that was up for grabs.  After all, "Myburgh" isn't an easy surname and I don't write very neatly.  Anyway, it turned out to be a Graeme "Smith" or something.  Devastating!!!  But then later, I discovered that the prize wasn't a car at all but some hiking socks or something like that and I felt better again!!

Elna, Zante, Liz, Michelle, me, Gavin, Srini

Evening Walk: Chatswood Circular via Fullers Bridge ending at Bavarian Bier Cafe

A nice 7 km walk with Meet Up through the nature reserves of Chatswood and Lane Cove.  

The highlight was doing the last 10 mins through the bush in the dark with spider webs everywhere. Thank goodness I took my powerful head torch! 

We ended at the Bavarian Bier Cafe where I forsook my usual tasty fare of Pork Belly and Weissbeer for a salad and a lemon, lime and bitters.  God, my health craze is killing me I!!

Spiders in the dark!  Great photo by Sherry

Extreme inspiration

If these people can achieve mastery like this in their craft through practice and courage, then what can I achieve in mine? And what is my craft exactly?

 

Illawarra Walk: Thirroul to Wollongong

We did a 15 km hike from Thirroul to Wollongong along the coast. It was a bit too built up for me to rate it as a favourite, but the company was wonderful, although we missed Gavin who was sick with flu.  Srini, as always, set up some great photo opportunities and is becoming quite the consummate leaper and leaping photographer.

Some highlights:

• A lovely swim about half way to give us new energy. Plus a nice coffee.
• The colour of the ocean - a beautiful emerald green in places.
• Perfect weather - lots of sunshine with a bit of wind to ensure we didn't get to hot.
• Losing our leader and venturing forth on our own.  Great that Srini knew Wollongong having lived here when he first arrived in Sydney.
• Meeting the lovely Janice who joined our little group.
• The great lighthouse in Wollongong with secret access to a gorgeous sea pool where we had another swim.
• A great ice-cream in Wollongong to celebrate the end of the hike.

The cottage in Thirroul where D.H Lawrence stayed towards the end of his life.

The Spring flowers were still out.

Views along the way

A refreshing swim and some fun.

The Wollongong Lighthouse in the distance.

Lots of people having picnics and making the most of the weather.

This gull was attracted by a lady's ice-cream!

The beautiful sea pool below the lighthouse

Some final leaps for the day.

Srini, who, unlike me, is unphased by heights

Time for an ice-cream before we caught the train.

I liked this wall painting on a building in Wolongong.  Not sure if it's an advertisement or just a bit of fun.

Chrisèl in Africa

Chrisèl is having an amazing time in Africa learning to be a guide in wildlife parks.  She's based in the Eastern Cape and blogging about her adventures.  Enjoy.

Here she is being a yoga instructor.  Check some of those man poses!!

Spiritual Connection (2014)

Total: 6.6