Although men flatter themselves with their great actions, they are not so often the result of a great design as of chance. -Francois, duc de La Rochefoucauld, moralist (1613-1680)
Tess and Adrian and Anu welcomed a new baby boy into their family.
His name is Faolan (accent on second a!) it's Gaelic, for little wolf. (pronounced (FAY-lan). 
Greetings family and friends!
Tess,
Anu and I are proud to introduce the latest member of the clan,
Faelan--"little wolf". He welcomed us into his warm glow at a furious
pace, in the wake of yet another raging west coast storm, in
the waning minutes of April first.
Warmly, Adrian
Takes a Drama Queen to know a Drama King!
Well he is related to Mayaxx
I am only dramatic when ignited via mi familia...here in Hollywood I am
known as the grounded one
Grounded One, indeed! Ground Zero!!!
Takes a Drama Queen to know a Drama King!
Keep it up and we're smothering you at 80...
You are all crazy!!!!! xxx
Picture from balcony at Rye Beach
Pat,
The Mornington Peninsula was one
of my favourite areas in Australia. We had a friend form my home town who lived
in Rosebud and we spent quite a bit time with her during our year there.
Terribly, Janet passed away several years ago.
Very pleasant evening with the
Carters yesterday and took a bottle of Kiwi Walk. They showed us their
pictures from NZ projected onto the TV screen and they intend to return next
year. Some fabulous beaches!
Mike was pleased that he and
Pauline were able to hike a 2600m mountain doing a total of 19 km. on the
day. With access to a property over there, I became quite interested in a trip
in the near future. Mike keen to have a go on the bike again, so I'll give him a
call soon and see if we can manage a short distance one day. The bike rentals
seem quite expensive. I suppose it would be a lot cheaper if you were able to
hire for a longer time but not possible when you are moving
frequently.
Easter weekend coming up and
hoping to do some more planting.
Regards to all. Ray
Mornington peninsula looks a bit like the Rock
Hi Tiptoe!
Trust you are well. Lots to relate but for now, just a couple of things. We will be staying in Darling Harbour for two nights, tomorrow and Thursday night. Wonderfing if you'd like to join us for dinner, at least one of those nights? Flamin' and Sarge would probably enjoy the Thai spot if that works for you, and Kevin, if he is available/interested. As well, wondering if we can leave another bag with you? Plan to buy one in Sydney as we are allowed two bags on Cathay Pacific and will be able to combine all the souvenirs we've picked up along the way. Let me know about dinner and what works best for you. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrice!
Greetings Patrice,
Sounds like a plan. I'll keep you posted. Which hotel are you staying at and is it in your name? Also what is your eta @ DH? Chat soon TK
At the hot springs in Rye Beach and panoramic view of Mornington Peninsula
Hi Steve
We are trying to figure out our stay in hunter valley. Can you tell me where you are staying. I believe at this point we are an hour's drive away from each other. We are thinking of trying to get a bit closer if possible. Cheers. Michele
Hi steve
Got your text message on phone that you are arriving Friday afternoon, we are staying in Charlestown which is just outside Newcastle. I can't figure out how to text on the old phones! Perhaps we can meet when u arrive in Newcastle.
Cheers Michele
Hi Tiptoe:
We are staying at The Oaks Goldsbrough Apts, 243 Pyrmont St, 612
95185166, under Sutherland. Believe we will be there before noon,
depending on traffic in City. Not sure if we can check in before 2:00pm.
Plan is to have lunch at Bondi Beach.
Can you remind me of name and address of the Thai restaurant, as well as
your cell number. Thanks. Chat soon. Cheers, Patrice!
Greetings,
The restaurant name is Khaosan and it is at 413 Pitt Street, Haymarket.
I'll check with Kevin at lunchtime as to his availability. On the
Storage front, that could be difficult as my flatmate Al informed me
that his co-owner is moving back in so Im moving out probably before the
end of the month. Never the less we can talk more tonight.
Safe driving. Tim Kelly
We are trying to figure out our stay in hunter valley. Can you tell me where you are staying. I believe at this point we are an hour's drive away from each other. We are thinking of trying to get a bit closer if possible. Cheers. Michele
Hi steve
Got your text message on phone that you are arriving Friday afternoon, we are staying in Charlestown which is just outside Newcastle. I can't figure out how to text on the old phones! Perhaps we can meet when u arrive in Newcastle.
Cheers Michele
Hi Tiptoe:
We are staying at The Oaks Goldsbrough Apts, 243 Pyrmont St, 612
95185166, under Sutherland. Believe we will be there before noon,
depending on traffic in City. Not sure if we can check in before 2:00pm.
Plan is to have lunch at Bondi Beach.
Can you remind me of name and address of the Thai restaurant, as well as
your cell number. Thanks. Chat soon. Cheers, Patrice!
Greetings,
The restaurant name is Khaosan and it is at 413 Pitt Street, Haymarket.
I'll check with Kevin at lunchtime as to his availability. On the
Storage front, that could be difficult as my flatmate Al informed me
that his co-owner is moving back in so Im moving out probably before the
end of the month. Never the less we can talk more tonight.
Safe driving. Tim Kelly
Pat or Corinne,
I am resending to this e-mail address
hoping it may work…W
P,
Pleased and surprised to learn that you
are finding the occasional tipple to keep your spirits up -- so to speak.
The alley-oop applies to you and Sarge and
the pouring of the malt -- late in the indulgence.
Big Al kindly welded the frame for me on
Sunday and the bike should be back on the road today. I took Jake out to see
his shop and witness his craftsmanship and of course they hit it off and Cobby
was thrilled out of his gourd.
Please recommend a gift in the form of
hooch for Big Al. I thought a bottle of malt would be in order. What think
thee?
Also great to learn that you are getting
out on the saddle. I am hoping to get a ride with Ray and the other laggards
tomorrow -- should the weather actually break as forecasted.
Be well and fond regards to the rest if
the Travelling Wilburys. W
Patrick,
I am just leaving work and should be home in the hour. Would you like to
do the Thai at about 7pm?
Patrice,
Just called the hotel, however they could not find your booking. Is it
booked in Dunn?
Hello Jugos Dom Pedro and LL!
Trust you are both well. Sarge wanted Peter's email so thought that I'd take opportunity to send along an entry for The Now called, Infernal Diaries! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
Greetings from Bondi Beach!
Hello Goils!
Just arrived at Bondi a few minutes ago. Parked, ($21 for 2-3 hours!), and Flamin' and Sarge have gone for a swim. Wonderful day, cooling breeze, so very pleasant. Nana has gone to scope restaurants for lunch and shopping possibilities while I enjoy a cappuccino and take advantage of the free WiFi! We can't check in to our place in Darling Harbour, not far from Circular Quay and the Opera House, until 2:00pm. Not sure what we will do after that. I will probably look for another cheap, large bag as we are allowed two per person on Cathay Pacific when we fly to Japan and then back home. This way we can leave all the souvenirs and clothes we won't need in Quensland and Darwin, here in Sydney, until we return on May 1st. Virgin Blue is like all the other cheap flight airlines, inasmuch as one is really hit for more than one check-in. We also don't really want to lug stuff around. Hope to see Tim for dinner tonight or tomorrow evening. Will say hello to him for you both.
After we enjoyed lunch we made our way to from Bondi towards downtown. Since we were fairly close to where Ania lives wanted to show F/S the area, Bellvue Hill, and environs. Road we took up from beach took us into Vauclause, another gorgeous, neighbouring Eastern Suburb, (Shaughnessey would be the Vancouver equivalent), and Flamin' had a short-circuit, a la Ayn, The Drama Queen, claiming that we were "miles" from where I said we were going so I let her navigate with MapQuest after her melt-down. In fact, the route we eventually took, (my inteneded route was essentially parallel to one computer showed), once we had a better idea of where we were, a few minutes after leaving beach, had us passing not far from Bellevue Hill. By this time I'd given up trying to suggest anything, (When we arrived in Canberra, the day before, Flamin' was so set on checking intot he hotel that she refused to entertain a short drive, not really out of our way since it was directly on main thoroughfare we were already on and on which hotel was situated, towards the lake in the centre of the city and which would have afforded an overview of the various national museums, galleries and parliament building. Your Mother annd I didn't mind as we'd been before, as you know, but I thougth that she and Sarge might like just a glimpse of capital. Same held true on on our way from Coonawarra to Mornington Peninsula. She decided that she didn't care about seeing the best past of The Great Ocean Road and yet wanted to stop for views that were really nothing in comparison to ones we'd suggested they might want to see but had been bypassed because chosen route, given her demand that ioverall travel time be as short as possible, missed that section of the highway altogether. I felt, and still feel, that an hour or two more were hardly an imposition, (Would you not visit the Eiffel Tower when in paris?), but Flamin' really cannot sit still for very long. In my estimation she suffers from a severe case of "Dad, are we there yet?" Syndrome!), so we made our way, without much difficulty to the hotel, Oaks Goldborough, (A huge, huge complex, originally an incredible woolshed wharehouse, massive beams, etc., now converted into condos and businesses, offices, etc. About 25% of the units are lived in by the owners, rest are leased or rented on a short/long-term basis.), on Pyrmont Street, near the bottom, west shore of Darling Harbour.
Sarge parked across the street and we unloaded car, (took a few trips, let me tell you), and hauled our luggage tot he 5th floor where we found ourselves in a very comfortable, spacious, two-level condo: two bedrooms, two bathrooms on lower level, kitchen, laundry and open living/dining room on entrance level. We unpacked and then F/S headed out o explore Circular Quay and environs. Nana and I wanted to buy another large suitcase so we obtained directions for nearest shopping complex, just a short distancefrom our hotel. Passed one of the Monorail Stations and for $10/day it's route takes you past most places/neighbourhoods of interest in inner city. Your Mother thought it would be her choice of transportation for the following day and we learned later, that F/S had taken it as well. Anyway, once we reached the Harbour Mall, it soon became evident that shops there were reasonably high end so I knew that any bag we liked there would be very expensive. I knew there were cheaper outlets on George Street, one of main drags, not far away, so I left te Power Shopper, (her foot is still an issue and I didn't think that traipsing around looking for cheap luggage would do it much good. She was happy to staiy in air-conditioned comfort, (Think it was 27C and sunny!), while I tried to find a shoe repair kiosk for one of her 60 pairs of shoes!
we had arranged to meet F/S back at the hotel around 7:00pm and it was about 4:00pm when I set off on my quest. Funnily enough each time I asked for directions the person I approached couldn't help but a friendly passerby, overhearing my request, proffered suggestions. Found a shoe repair spot and chap said he could have strap re-attached by 1:00pm next day. Paid $10 for Imelda's favourite wlaking shoe and made for Chinatown at the suggestion of man behind the counter when I mentioned I wanted a cheap bag. Few streets away and I entered Paddy's Market, the eqivalent, sort of, of Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, and found a possible bag for $85. Thought that I'd look further and almost immediatley I bumped into a woman pulling a large, wheeled suitcase. iasked her where she bought it and it was only a few stalls away. She had picked up last one of its type but I found an even larger case fro $45. Very pleased as it was just what we wanted and at a price that made sense. A "seven wheeler" as the saleswomen was keen to show me, twirling it around with the flick of her finger!
Delighted with my purchase, I set off, through Chiantown, back to hotel, stopping at an ATM for cash and a small grocery store in Harbour Mall for yogurt and apples for the next's day's breakafast. Was backa t the condo by 5:00pm, Nana watching TV and sipping a glass of Chaarrddddddddddonnaaaaaaaaay! She'd just recently returned herself, having spent her time quite productively in the mall. I made a cup of coffee and we proceeded to amalgamate items we planned to leave in Sydney, (heavier clothing, souvenirs, and the like), before quick showers. We were back upstairs sipping wine when tourists arrived and we chatted about their afternoon. Around 7:30pm we set off for Darling Harbour. Flamin' had scoped a couple of possible restaurants that were closeby. After looking at a few menus we settled upon Olivo and were seated at an outdoor table in the covered patio area.
Special of the night was an entree and a main, with a complimentary glass of wine, white or red, for $35 per person. A very good deal,as it turned out as most of main dishes were $28-$32, entrees $9-$12 and a glass of wine $7-$9! Nana and Flamin' had shrimp, Sarge calamari and I a rocket salad with gorgonzola, roasted red peppers, walnuts and balsamic dresssing. For main courses, Nana had John Dory, a whitefish filet on a bed of scallopped potatoes, flamin a rib-eye steak, Sarge the Skippy and I chose the lamb. every dish was remarkable, perhaps one of the very meals we'd had on the trip. Furthermore, the wine was respectable. To make the evening even more enjoyable, we were served by a delightful young woman, Isabel, from Istanbul. She was lovely, gracious, friendly and we bantered throughout the entire meal. She said we were the best customers that she'd ever had inasmuch as she had never really had the sort of interaction before and felt that service and hospitality were more important than worrying about tips.
Love and Cheers, Dad!
Hello Tiptoe!
Just arrived a few minutes ago. We can't check in to our place in Darling Harbour until 2:00pm. Not sure what we will do after that. I will probably look for another cheap, large bag, while rest explore/shop. Any suggestions for where to look for luggage? Again, not a big deal, but if we can't leave our possessions with you, do you think Kevin might have room? Anyway, we can chat.
Sipping a Bowen Estate, Coonawarra, 2011 Chardonnay, 12.5% as I scribe. Will move to the Warrabilla, Cleanskin, 2009 Durif/Shiraz, 80%/20%, 15.5%. The 2009 Parola's Limited Release is 18%. Glad we don't have to walk very far! Cheers, Patrice!!!
Hi San Bernardo!
Thanks for follow up on cheque. Much appreciated! Hope to see friend, Tim, (met in 1992 in Raratonga), for dinner tonight or tomorrow evening. Will say hello to him for Chloe as she was with us on that trip.both. Time to devour our warm salad of sliced 14 hour slow roast pork shoulder with shaved zucchini, witlof, (whatever that is!), baby onions and quinoa and Bucket List's, (name of restaurant on the Boardwalk), crisp battered local fish with chips, pickles and tartare sauce. Flamin' is telling me what to so hello and goodbye from The Gang of Four! Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Tippers!
F/S are just back from their Walkabout. We plan to stroll to a restaurant that takes our fancy, not far from here, as Cora Lee's foot is still a limiting factor. Call us at 0420719122 and we'll chat. If you can't make it for dinner, call anyway and come by for some Warrabilla DURIF, right from the winery, back at our comfortable pad!
Patrick,
I am just leaving work and should be home in the hour. Would you like to
do the Thai at about 7pm?
Patrice,
Just called the hotel, however they could not find your booking. Is it
booked in Dunn?
Hello Jugos Dom Pedro and LL!
Trust you are both well. Sarge wanted Peter's email so thought that I'd take opportunity to send along an entry for The Now called, Infernal Diaries! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!
Greetings from Bondi Beach!
Hello Goils!
Just arrived at Bondi a few minutes ago. Parked, ($21 for 2-3 hours!), and Flamin' and Sarge have gone for a swim. Wonderful day, cooling breeze, so very pleasant. Nana has gone to scope restaurants for lunch and shopping possibilities while I enjoy a cappuccino and take advantage of the free WiFi! We can't check in to our place in Darling Harbour, not far from Circular Quay and the Opera House, until 2:00pm. Not sure what we will do after that. I will probably look for another cheap, large bag as we are allowed two per person on Cathay Pacific when we fly to Japan and then back home. This way we can leave all the souvenirs and clothes we won't need in Quensland and Darwin, here in Sydney, until we return on May 1st. Virgin Blue is like all the other cheap flight airlines, inasmuch as one is really hit for more than one check-in. We also don't really want to lug stuff around. Hope to see Tim for dinner tonight or tomorrow evening. Will say hello to him for you both.
After we enjoyed lunch we made our way to from Bondi towards downtown. Since we were fairly close to where Ania lives wanted to show F/S the area, Bellvue Hill, and environs. Road we took up from beach took us into Vauclause, another gorgeous, neighbouring Eastern Suburb, (Shaughnessey would be the Vancouver equivalent), and Flamin' had a short-circuit, a la Ayn, The Drama Queen, claiming that we were "miles" from where I said we were going so I let her navigate with MapQuest after her melt-down. In fact, the route we eventually took, (my inteneded route was essentially parallel to one computer showed), once we had a better idea of where we were, a few minutes after leaving beach, had us passing not far from Bellevue Hill. By this time I'd given up trying to suggest anything, (When we arrived in Canberra, the day before, Flamin' was so set on checking intot he hotel that she refused to entertain a short drive, not really out of our way since it was directly on main thoroughfare we were already on and on which hotel was situated, towards the lake in the centre of the city and which would have afforded an overview of the various national museums, galleries and parliament building. Your Mother annd I didn't mind as we'd been before, as you know, but I thougth that she and Sarge might like just a glimpse of capital. Same held true on on our way from Coonawarra to Mornington Peninsula. She decided that she didn't care about seeing the best past of The Great Ocean Road and yet wanted to stop for views that were really nothing in comparison to ones we'd suggested they might want to see but had been bypassed because chosen route, given her demand that ioverall travel time be as short as possible, missed that section of the highway altogether. I felt, and still feel, that an hour or two more were hardly an imposition, (Would you not visit the Eiffel Tower when in paris?), but Flamin' really cannot sit still for very long. In my estimation she suffers from a severe case of "Dad, are we there yet?" Syndrome!), so we made our way, without much difficulty to the hotel, Oaks Goldborough, (A huge, huge complex, originally an incredible woolshed wharehouse, massive beams, etc., now converted into condos and businesses, offices, etc. About 25% of the units are lived in by the owners, rest are leased or rented on a short/long-term basis.), on Pyrmont Street, near the bottom, west shore of Darling Harbour.
Sarge parked across the street and we unloaded car, (took a few trips, let me tell you), and hauled our luggage tot he 5th floor where we found ourselves in a very comfortable, spacious, two-level condo: two bedrooms, two bathrooms on lower level, kitchen, laundry and open living/dining room on entrance level. We unpacked and then F/S headed out o explore Circular Quay and environs. Nana and I wanted to buy another large suitcase so we obtained directions for nearest shopping complex, just a short distancefrom our hotel. Passed one of the Monorail Stations and for $10/day it's route takes you past most places/neighbourhoods of interest in inner city. Your Mother thought it would be her choice of transportation for the following day and we learned later, that F/S had taken it as well. Anyway, once we reached the Harbour Mall, it soon became evident that shops there were reasonably high end so I knew that any bag we liked there would be very expensive. I knew there were cheaper outlets on George Street, one of main drags, not far away, so I left te Power Shopper, (her foot is still an issue and I didn't think that traipsing around looking for cheap luggage would do it much good. She was happy to staiy in air-conditioned comfort, (Think it was 27C and sunny!), while I tried to find a shoe repair kiosk for one of her 60 pairs of shoes!
we had arranged to meet F/S back at the hotel around 7:00pm and it was about 4:00pm when I set off on my quest. Funnily enough each time I asked for directions the person I approached couldn't help but a friendly passerby, overhearing my request, proffered suggestions. Found a shoe repair spot and chap said he could have strap re-attached by 1:00pm next day. Paid $10 for Imelda's favourite wlaking shoe and made for Chinatown at the suggestion of man behind the counter when I mentioned I wanted a cheap bag. Few streets away and I entered Paddy's Market, the eqivalent, sort of, of Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, and found a possible bag for $85. Thought that I'd look further and almost immediatley I bumped into a woman pulling a large, wheeled suitcase. iasked her where she bought it and it was only a few stalls away. She had picked up last one of its type but I found an even larger case fro $45. Very pleased as it was just what we wanted and at a price that made sense. A "seven wheeler" as the saleswomen was keen to show me, twirling it around with the flick of her finger!
Delighted with my purchase, I set off, through Chiantown, back to hotel, stopping at an ATM for cash and a small grocery store in Harbour Mall for yogurt and apples for the next's day's breakafast. Was backa t the condo by 5:00pm, Nana watching TV and sipping a glass of Chaarrddddddddddonnaaaaaaaaay! She'd just recently returned herself, having spent her time quite productively in the mall. I made a cup of coffee and we proceeded to amalgamate items we planned to leave in Sydney, (heavier clothing, souvenirs, and the like), before quick showers. We were back upstairs sipping wine when tourists arrived and we chatted about their afternoon. Around 7:30pm we set off for Darling Harbour. Flamin' had scoped a couple of possible restaurants that were closeby. After looking at a few menus we settled upon Olivo and were seated at an outdoor table in the covered patio area.
Special of the night was an entree and a main, with a complimentary glass of wine, white or red, for $35 per person. A very good deal,as it turned out as most of main dishes were $28-$32, entrees $9-$12 and a glass of wine $7-$9! Nana and Flamin' had shrimp, Sarge calamari and I a rocket salad with gorgonzola, roasted red peppers, walnuts and balsamic dresssing. For main courses, Nana had John Dory, a whitefish filet on a bed of scallopped potatoes, flamin a rib-eye steak, Sarge the Skippy and I chose the lamb. every dish was remarkable, perhaps one of the very meals we'd had on the trip. Furthermore, the wine was respectable. To make the evening even more enjoyable, we were served by a delightful young woman, Isabel, from Istanbul. She was lovely, gracious, friendly and we bantered throughout the entire meal. She said we were the best customers that she'd ever had inasmuch as she had never really had the sort of interaction before and felt that service and hospitality were more important than worrying about tips.
Love and Cheers, Dad!
Hello Tiptoe!
Just arrived a few minutes ago. We can't check in to our place in Darling Harbour until 2:00pm. Not sure what we will do after that. I will probably look for another cheap, large bag, while rest explore/shop. Any suggestions for where to look for luggage? Again, not a big deal, but if we can't leave our possessions with you, do you think Kevin might have room? Anyway, we can chat.
Sipping a Bowen Estate, Coonawarra, 2011 Chardonnay, 12.5% as I scribe. Will move to the Warrabilla, Cleanskin, 2009 Durif/Shiraz, 80%/20%, 15.5%. The 2009 Parola's Limited Release is 18%. Glad we don't have to walk very far! Cheers, Patrice!!!
Hi San Bernardo!
Thanks for follow up on cheque. Much appreciated! Hope to see friend, Tim, (met in 1992 in Raratonga), for dinner tonight or tomorrow evening. Will say hello to him for Chloe as she was with us on that trip.both. Time to devour our warm salad of sliced 14 hour slow roast pork shoulder with shaved zucchini, witlof, (whatever that is!), baby onions and quinoa and Bucket List's, (name of restaurant on the Boardwalk), crisp battered local fish with chips, pickles and tartare sauce. Flamin' is telling me what to so hello and goodbye from The Gang of Four! Cheers, Patrizzio!
Hi Tippers!
F/S are just back from their Walkabout. We plan to stroll to a restaurant that takes our fancy, not far from here, as Cora Lee's foot is still a limiting factor. Call us at 0420719122 and we'll chat. If you can't make it for dinner, call anyway and come by for some Warrabilla DURIF, right from the winery, back at our comfortable pad!
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