Friday the 13th and Valentines Day (Jenny's Birthday)

As it was 13 years since David proposed to Cathy, we celebrated "Black Friday" at Chris's Beacon Point Restuarant last night. We had a delightful meal wih lots of fine wine and great discussion about life, infinity and beyond!! We are blessed to be together.

From Apollo Bay 2009

After a week of variable weather (strong easterlies, wild surf) we finally had the perfect beach day. David hid in the beach shelter - sleeping, Cathy built sandcastles with the local creche - "The Great Wall of Apollo Bay".

The remainder of the afternoon was spent drinking champagne before another sparkling dinner at "The Vista".

Tuesday 10 February

A cooler day in Apollo Bay. We headed off for a drive to the Cape Otway Lighthouse.

We took the long way home with a detour via Turton's Track - definitely some of the most beautiful southern rainforest anywhere.

And the Troopy enjoyed being on the dirt.

Saturday 7 February

From Apollo Bay 2009

Whilst David sat on the couch reading the Movie guide, Cathy went out early in the morning to defend her title in the 5km Wild Dog Run. The tide was extremely high and the wind was strong along the beach - very difficult conditions. In an excellent effort - Cathy came a close second **OVERALL**. She was interviewed by the on-course commentator (something about 14 year olds should be banned from running - but I didn't have my hearing aids in).

Cathy received her Gold Medal for the female Masters division. She may take off the medal sometime in July :)

Later in the afternnon the temperature jumped from 30 to about 44 degrees in 5 minutes. We hit the water and enjoyed the waves rolling in from Antarctica - and water temperature to match.

Sunday 1st February

Cathy had warned me off red wine the night before. I had no idea what was going on when a limo turned up at the front door. I thought we were going out to get me a trailer (According to Cathy - "Every old man needs a trailer. You spend 50 years collecting stuff, you can spend the next 50 getting rid of it!!!"). No tow ball on the limo. To cut an exciting story short - we ended up at Essendon Airport. Airports are my second favourite places to visit :)

We had a glass of champagne whilst waiting in the terminal. Waiting for Daryl and Vicki to suddenly appear behind me. Then a "piloty" looking man turned up. Tall, stripes on his shoulders, a big smile and "Heli Experiences" on his chest. At last....a clue. Yes a helicopter flight. But to where?? Everyone was enjoying keeping me in the dark.




Double Bonus....the pilot put the dual controls in place....wooohooo. We took off from Essendon, flew over the city and onwards to Lilydale via Mt Waverley.



Melbourne is brown and very dry from the air. I had a chance to take the controls which was a *huge* buzz.




After landing at Lilydale, we met Travis. Travis has a YAK-52. A plane that's used as a trainer in Russia and very good at aerobatics. We took off for a half hour flight which included steep turns, wing overs, barrel rolls and a cuban eight. After experiencing up to 5G my stomach decided enough was enough and we went straight and level back to Lilydale (with sick bag in hand....just in case). Didn't need it :)




Vicki was there to pick us up and we went to Chateau Yering for a lovely lunch and a glass of wine.

All in all, a sensational weekend with family, friends and my sensationally sneaky wife, Cathy.

Saturday 31st January

I am, of course, very lucky to have made it to 50 years old. I'm not sure how my mother didn't kill me when I was a teenager, how I didn't kill myself driving my car, riding my motorbike or flying my paraglider. But I made it.

It's quite depressing approaching 50. The joints in my fingers are swollen with arthritis, my eyes are rapidly getting worse and I need my new hearing aids to hear in a group (and at work - you should hear 'em scream at me if I don't wear them!!!). Any one know a good audiologist??

The day itself was sensational. Warren and Jill from "Pancake Perfection" came and cooked pancakes for my birthday brunch. It was the McAdams, Russells, Jones and Dawsons that showed up to start the celebrations. The pancakes were sensational.



As was the birthday cake that Cathy had assembled from raw ingredients (same receipe as our wedding cake!!) and various relevant objects from every cake decorating shop within 20km :)

At night, we had a small but brilliant night at Enzo's Restuarant (where they treat Cathy like a princess). It was difficult choosing whether to have large and inclusive party or a small celebration. In the end it seemed appropriate to celebrate with some long time and special friends. I had a special night. I think everyone else did too. So special thanks to the Bob and Vicki, Ross and Caroline, Russell and Alice, Pat and Jenny, and Luke and Melissa.