Sailing on Lake Macquarie

Jenny and I have always wanted to try out sailing and were offered a boat for free by a friend. After some deliberation and advice from an old sea scout (thanks Ray) we decided not to throw our money down the toilet but instead invested in a share syndicate called sailtime. We have a 12 month taster of sailing on Lake Macquarie on a 34' yacht called 'dreamweaver'. From the pics following you can see that a number of family and friends have come out with us and have had a wonderful time. Getting more and more game hoping the wind gets over 20km/h next time.



Getting a lean in 15km/h winds

Phill, Chris & Cody

Sailing into the sun heading to our overnight destination



Ray the old sea dog!

Aye Aye Cap'n: Mike n Kez with Jenny and I on ANZAC day

Sunset at the marina

Em n Steve: they are so lucky!



Bacon & eggs for brecky Christmas day!

La!

New Zealand



Cheers: NZ beer!

This was Jenny and my first trip to New Zealand and we saw the event as putting the toe in the water with our neighbours over 'the ditch' as we definately want to explore the country in depth later. We had Mike n Kez in tow (or should I say they had us in tow as Mike is a Kiwi after all) and planned a look see around parts of the North Island with 5 days sking. So the usual trip on the train to Sydney airport followed by a short plane trip got us to Aukland. We stayed at the Bella Vista Hotel, near the airport and tasted a NZ beer (Stokes) before a trip into Aukland for dinner at the waterfront.



Aukland waterfront first night

Next day our adventure really began as we booked two campervans. After a slight hiccup (and a very bloody expensive taxi ride trying to find the campervan shop) we picked up our vans. Jenny and I opted for the offer of an upgrade to a larger 6 seater van which came in very handy later in the trip.

The Tardis

We took our time travelling south towards Rotarua, stopping occassionally to check out small towns and pick up some supplies. Rotarua turned out to be a very interesting town. The expected pong of the hot sulphur springs was quite minimal as we drove in. We stayed at the Rotarua Thermal Holiday Park which had its own hot spring baths!!! Before a soothing dip however Jenny and I headed to the Mitai Maori Village for a Hungi and cultural experience which we enjoyed emensely. Learnt a few Moari traditions, songs and different Hakkas. Kez n Mike went to the pub to watch the Rugby final as they have done this stuff many times before. We met back in the hot pools at the park and it was wonderful. Stayed there and got pickled for quite a while until we were kicked out. Next day we went to the Pohutu geyser and hot springs and enjoyed being tourists mingling with predominately Japanese, Korean and Chinese visitors. We were very fortunate to be on time for the 10am geyser eruption which was actually very impressive.

 

With Rotarua out of the way we headed to the mountains via Lake Tapau. Lake Tapau empties itself at a place called the Haka Falls (pronounced hooker) which is a very tight channel with loud rushing water gushing through at a pace that would fill 5 olympic swimming pools each minute. A bit Niagara fallsish but without the expansive width and height. Arrived at Discovery Lodge our main ski camp in the arvo in time for happy hour. Happy hour turned out to be a tradition each night in the dibbenmobile as we had the space. The van was a bit like the Tardis with heaps of room and we found the whole van experience fantastic. Jenny wants one.

Curry Night

Had a get together with our mates Rommie & Steve and KeznMike. Whenever we get together with KeznMike we always have a theme and usually dress up. After chatting with Kez (the one and only Kezzie) I got inspired and created an outdoor Indian style area to ahve our entrees and also got dressed up. What do you think?

Year 12 Industrial Tech

As I have been telling you, I inherited a year 12 Industrial Technology-Timber & Furnishings class from a teacher who got medically retired at the end of last year. So I was sort of thrown in the deep end with this class not knowing what they had planned to make and not knowing what they were like. To top it off we had no workshop to make the jobs. I had to line up a classroom and negotiated the use of a woodwork room at a special school that was not used.

It meant that the class had the place to themselves and could spread out. Even though it was a drive to the other school the students did really well and even enjoyed the experience. I had a good time too, only getting mildly frustrated later in the piece with students not getting their act together. Here are their jobs.

North West Island July 2011

Yet another trek to the Barrier Reef yielding the same fantastic, relaxed and enjoyable time. You guys really should get your act together and come with us next time. This journey included Wayne (Baz) Barry and Pino (the Italion stallion) Iearoiarni and family.

It was the first time I have been on North West Is and the first time I have been to the Capricornia Keys group of islands in Winter. The last time I went on the barge to these islands I was violently ill so I made sure I had enough travel pills for the trip and all was good. We arrived at North West in the wee small hours of the night and unloaded with a large group of people from the Lismore/Glen Innes area. We originally thought that we would just get into a sleeping bag and wait till morning but were wide awake so made camp under the huge Pisonia trees that dominate the centre of the island. These trees harbour a plethora of birdlife in summer but in winter are deserted except for some Rails(like quails) and little silver eyes (like finches). We have previously avoided these trees because of the birds as you get crap all over you, so one good thing about camping in July, no crap.



So, here we were, 11 days on a tropical island, in the middle of winter. And yes we jagged the good weather. Whilst everyone at home froze their little tootsies, we had 24C days, blue skies (the only downfall was pretty boring sunsets) and no commitments except catching enough fish for dinner. Life was tough.

I was hoping to perfect my spearfishing skills by catching some dinner (in the form of Coral Trout currently selling at the Gladstone fish shop for $70/kg) and also check out my ability to dive deeper and conquer my fear of deep water/sharks/bloody big sting rays and the fear of drowning and my stupid sinus problem. This was all good except i picked up a virus and played duelling nose bugle blowing with Wayne. All in all however, the expedition was great. I caught some good sized Coral Trout and other very edible fish. I won't tell you about our boating misshap, but it was an interesting and rather scary situation. Can't wait to go again. Who's coming with me?

Morpeth Bike Ride

Rode to Morpeth today for a Sunday ride. Went a total of 80kms. We practised a style of group riding called pace riding where we ride in two lines with the left line riding slower than the other. The fast or pace line leader rides past the slow line leader and then moves left into the slow line. At the back the last slow line rider joins the pace line and moves forward. This circular pattern allows the group to move faster and at the same time give riders a break. We had an hilarious time trying to perfect this with lots of gaps and stuffups, plenty of ride leaders to dictate what should and shouldn't happen showing that we need to a lot more practice and of course get a lot more serious if we want to do it properly.

Whale Watching

Jenny won a whale watching cruise at a function we went to last year and we kept putting it off untill the last minute. So we had to go this weekend or lose the ticket. So we went out to Nelson's Bay and checked out the whales. Actually saw whales but not as galmorous a trip as you would expect.

Easter Bike Ride at Gloucester

Went to Gloucester with the bike group at Easter this year. Camped at the Gloucester Caravan Park and did a ride around Gloucester each day followed by coffee back in town then back to the camp site for beers and dinner. Good fun, great weather and very relaxing. We put up the big tarp and everyone joined us under the tarp. It was very good to meet new people from NCM (Newcastle Cycleways Movement) who you see doing other rides and they turn up for coffee on Sat mornings but you don't say hello.