understanding patterns; connecting dots

not me You know that thing where you want to make a good impression when you meet new people. And you know when instead of creating that good impression something really embarrassing happens that has the opposite effect. Well … that . The story goes like this. We are new to Barwon Heads and therefore to Talking Heads the great little community zine that arrives in our letterbox once a month. It's been a fabulous way to learn about the community we have chosen to call home and among lots of other things we read about a bunch of people who call themselves the Barwon Heads Cycling Club. Seemed like they had fun riding their bikes. And then we discovered that some of our neighbours were part of this lycra brigade. Now you’ve got to understand that I’m one of those blokes who swore never to be seen in tights, and I certainly would not be of the kind that took over large sections of cafes while respectable folk tried to pretend they weren’t there. But then someone lo...

I am not unfamiliar with the coastline that stretches from Anglesea westward toward Port Campbell. So when Rachel asked if Maria and I would join her on the Great Ocean Walk for a couple of days, I expected it would be mainly about the 'walking'. The Great Ocean Road is of course an icon of Australian tourism, but seeing this particular edge of the country from inside a car or a lookout doesn't compare with feeling and smelling it on foot. It is a truly incredible piece of country. stayed at Apollo Bay enroute the lazy Lorne foreshore, hanging on to summer bonding with Don, the new Pat Rachel christening some new boots. After the walk she decided to name them Julie and Chris after I suggested they were duly christened. hahaha setting out from Blanket Bay, feeling fresh big strides early on day 1 gob smacking break number 1 pretty special rock formation at the advice of a local we left the track for an hour and navigated the low ti...

Pinup evil leaders apparently enjoyed popular support. In hindsight we wonder how it is possible because history records the implications their policies. Their power is remembered as a bight on human history. Today I read about how millions of government dollars were spent over a six month period investigating possible conflicts of interest, even after President Jimmy Carter completely divested interests in the peanut farm where he had grown up with his family. President Trump owns circa 500 companies and now has regulatory influence over banks to which he owes 100s of millions of dollars. But apparently it's OK. Things have changed. I also happened to read, maybe like you, his 'achievements' in his first week in office. Some are celebrating that he is getting on wth the job. Some are saying we need to 'give him a go' and to 'wait and see'. I just don't get it. This is not about a decent human being wrestling with compromises in the world of politica...

Had a fun weekend ... Maria has had some family stuff to do and we've made the most of being back in Launie. Dropped in to the Harvest Market for breakfast and enjoyed the familiar smells and ambiance. One of Maria's sisters is renovating, so we picked up crowbars and hammers to help demolish the kitchen. Living in a house reduced to concrete floors and walls and ceilings minus plaster is not for the uncommitted. Respect. I started today by doing some laps in the pool at the gorge ... swimming in the morning sun in a near empty pool in such an amazing environment is a sweet thing. My shoulder will probably need some Voltaren after a session in the cricket nets with the enthusiastic nephews this morning. I thought an ale on the back verandah and a snooze to follow might help ... tomorrow will tell. A feast of tennis ... And I head home with some new wheels. An upgraded Patrol and a Bianchi bike (thanks Gregg). Port Sorell with Bakers and Badgers Beaches ahe...

We've learned a lot about bees by volunteering to help look after the hives at the community garden. Thursday was harvesting day, so we gladly donned some suits to experience the process and score a jar of the local brew. Maria suited up to collect the frames frames scraping off the wax caps the spinner ... plenty of elbow greece needed to extract the honey straining .... next stop, breakfast bottle.

So Rachel brings her bike down and we decided to ride out to Queenscliff, have a picnic lunch and get the stream train back to Drysdale. Fun. ever tried to take a selfie while riding? sideways glance ... morning tea for tea and kiss biscuits while a shower passed look, one hand! home on the steam train executing the 'selfie on the train challenge' ... another photo with my big head in the foreground.

Some really good times have been had in recent days ... When Zac, Jan, Heidi and Alex picked up Johanna from the airport on Christmas Eve, they sent us a 'we'll be there soon' selfie. So those of us waiting for them (Me, Rache, Maria and Cass) sent one back. ... and when they arrived we got to our Christmas Eve tradition and made ravioli for dinner. Christmas lunch with the extended Duthie clan at Michael and Anna's where we wrote on T-shirts for each other. our outdoor table has got a decent workout Heidi brought down a tie dying kit ... ... we stood around and offered commentary whenever a new piece was unravelled. loved having the Wongs around ... and in between catching waves, now that Maria and I are back on our own, the Boxing Day test sits on mute while we graze on a feast of summer reading. probably the most colourful family shot we'll ever take!

It's been a cooking weekend. And the weather warmed up with a northerly, so been in the water too. Finalising presents, trying to get work loose ends tied up ... and even starting to look forward to 2017. Messages from the kids, everyone excited about being together at this festive time. kiss biscuits ginger bread