Cathy and David ride Mt Hotham

 I did it the easy way.

Cathy and Marcus did it the hard way.

It was beautiful at the top.

Our New Mural

 Amazing work by Lynton Allan, who painted our mural over just 3 days.

I have a plan....

 

The Route to Winton

Towing

This is one of my paragliding flights - getting a tow at Porepunkah Airport.

Flying again! - Saturday 10th April 2021

Last night we took a flight from Melbourne down to see the Aurora Australis. We flew in a Qantas chartered Dreamliner organised by Chimu Adventures. I'd seen it advertised through Qantas frequent Flyers and thought it would be a fun way of using our points, going on a flight and seeing something very special in the night sky.

We were encouraged to get out our SLR camera and learn how to use the long exposure features with a high ISO as the camera is better able to capture the colours which the naked cannot appreciate. Looking out the window, one could appreciate the shapes of the light which looked milky, but the camera captured the greens and other colours of this natural phenomenon. Soon, we should get a link to the professional photography taken on the night. For now, here are a few examples of what we managed to get. Unfortunately, we didn't score a window seat and had to lean over our neighbour to get a view or take a photo. Whilst it was fun to fly again, it reminded us that overnight flights are definitely better in business class!

I'd rather be up the pointy end.

Captured on the iphone

Here's where we travelled. They flew down to the aurora zone then flew back and forth so people on both sides of the plane could see it. The whole flight was about 9 hours but we were in the zone for about 3 hours. Half way through, there was a seat swap so those in the centre moved to the window seats. Very well organised. Another experience ticked off the bucket list!

"Cheers!" Here's to Boston

Our apartment in Brookline is spacious and lovely and a pleasant 25 minute walk from the hospital. A teacher from MCH School who is on a travelling fellowship has joined me for this part of the trip and we have some combined meetings with various people at Boston Children's. The friendly welcome from everyone we meet has been wonderful and we hope some will come to visit us in Monash one day too.

Last night we decided to head out to find the bar where Cheers was filmed. Although we planned ot catch the tram, we couldnt find a place to get tickets so had a pleasant walk there admiring the homes in Cambridge then caught an Uber back after dinner.

Today has been back to back meetings all day covering everything from a Sim Centre on the 18th floor with great views over Boston, to helping kids with cancer get back to school, to paediatric ICU to integrated care for complex patients. We have also admired the artwork on the walls around the hospital.

Off to the Football - CIncinnatti Bengals vs SF 49ers

With the sun shining and a hometown footy match happening, I couldn't resist buying a ticket to go along. I convinced Ed to come along too. We were advised to arrive early to see people tailgating! Some poeple seemed to spend the whole time in the carpark and didn't even go in to the match.

Before the game there were various activities for kids and adults. I got to meet the Ben-Gals! David wished I'd invited them over to visit us in Oz.

They have a very strict bag policy so you can't even take in a handbag larger than your hand. You can take a clear PVC bag in or just wear something with pockets and minimise what you take. Once inside, we bought hotdogs for lunch. I couldnt believe the amount of junk food I saw people munching on!

The home team came out to flares and cheerleaders in full flight.

We were way up in the top deck but under cover with the sun behind us thankfully. At half time, they had the Ohio University band who played and danced around.

It's such a stop-start game and the 49ers were well ahead so we decided to leave at 3/4 time. I was exhausted and hungry by the end of the day so treated myself at a great Mexican bar and restaurant called Nada. Delicious guacamole and salsa plus lobster in lettuce wraps.

'

Time to pack my bags for Boston tomorrow. One week until I head for home.

Cincinnatti adventures

After a ferry to Providence, train to Boston and a flight to Cincinnatti, I was delighted to find the shuttle to my hotel arranged by Mandy.

The Cincinnatti Children's Hospital team were amazing. They made me feel so welcome and generously shared their experience. The Open House held by the James Anderson team was attended by another doctor from Melbourne, another from Abu Dhabi and 6 senior leaders from Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. Together we explored various aspects of the Patient Safety journey that CCHMC have embedded in their hospital. It was fascinating and inspiring. I had other meetings with various senior leaders and explored some of my ideas about addressing social determinants of health in the community.

On Friday, I saw more of the hospital and particularly the school room. I then had a working lunch with the Director of the school program and also the lead of their Liaison Program. I learned so much about what they are doing and shared about the MCH School journey so it was mutually beneficial. The day was topped off with a 1 on 1 meeting with Uma Kotagal. She is truly generous and inspirational. It dawned on me later, that she began the Anderson Centre at the same age that I am now.

A Fountain near Burnett Woods

Walking across the Roebling Bridge to Kentucky and back.

Sunset towards the Paul Brown football stadium.

The weekend was sunny and warm so I decided to move downtown and explore more of the city. The day began early when the emergency alarms went off in the hotel and we were instructed to evacuate the building! Luckily the all clear came 15 minutes later and it was not cold outdoors.

I got a day pass for the Redbikes and explored along the river in the morning, took an Underground tour of the "Over the Rhine" area in the afternoon and explored the free weekend entertainment events around the city.

Cycled past a funrun for CCHMC.

A barge pushes it's load along the Ohio River.

Heading underground.

We sampled the beer at this brewery at the end of the tour.

Tomorrow, I plan to go to see the Cincinnatti Bengals play American football. Ed from RCH, Melbourne will join me too. I'm told a fun part is watching people "tail gating"in the car parks before the game. This is where they have drinks and food on the back of their cars.

Newport, Rhode Island

After a week in New York, it was time to venture over to Rhode Island to visit Justine and Ian and meet baby Eloise. So exciting to see them as new parents. I brought the sunshine with me so we got out and about to walk along the Cliff Walk past old mansions. I took a tour through Marble House, a Vanderbilt mansion, the next day. Sunsets from their balcony were spectacular each evening.

Gizmo also liked sunsets.

It was wonderful to get some baby cuddles from Eloise too.

7 days in New York at Cathy pace

First time in New York and I’ve been enjoying following my nose with only a little bit of planning.

What I managed was:

3 Broadway shows:

• Rock of Ages

• Come from Away

• Frozen

8 Modes of transport

• Staten Island Ferry

• Amtrak train

• NY yellow taxi

• The Subway

• M bus

• Hop on Hop Off buses – parts of Downtown and Brooklyn tours

• “The Ride” entertainment bus

• WALK WALK WALK

16 Sights and museums

• One World Observatory

• Rockfeller Centre observation tower

• St Patrick’s Cathedral

• New York Library

• Grand Central Terminal

• The Met

• Guggenheim museum

• Statue of Liberty

• Central Park (until it rained)

• The Highline

• Hudson Yards

• Brooklyn Bridge

• Dumbo area and Ample Hills Ice Creamery

• Bryant Park

• Time Square

• Empire State building

Numerous shops including

• Macy’s

• Saks 5th Ave

• Empire outlet stores

• Banana Republic

• A Sunday market on 7th Avenue

Bars, Cafes and restaurants

• Campbell Apartment Bar at Grand Central – very swanky

• One World observatory restaurant – Salmon followed by Pecan Pie

• Wholefoods market restaurant

• Il Forno Italian Restaurant

• Bluestone Lane for good Aussie style coffee

Oh - and I spent a day in Philadelphia at CHOP(Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) and another at New York Sim Centre. Not bad for week one!