After I think 8 years and a half, I skied again for four days this holiday. It was 4 days of gentle skiing on very easy runs, not too many runs with a fair number of hot chocolates in mountain side cafes to rest and recover. There was none of the fast, aggressive black run … Continue reading Skiing again →

From country Tasmania, to big city Melbourne. Trams and people, skyscrapers and bustling shops, packed restaurants and art galleries, such a change and a bit of a shock after a peaceful and very rustic week. A ferry to Williamstown, through the port the size of which I really hadn’t appreciated, followed by a walk looking … Continue reading Two days in Melbourne →

The last two days have been a pleasant series of surprises, unexpected finds, and contrasts within a very few miles. The drive up from St Helen’s on the east coast to Launceston took us down a stunning valley to find a dairy and cheese factory. Turned out the dairy was closed, but we found the … Continue reading Contrasts and surprises →

The east coast of Tasmania is spectacular. Clear water, granite hills, sweeping bays, all with small towns and winding roads scattered between the headlands. It’s such a change, after the wide and boring roads of WA, to actively drive. Freycinet National Park The walk up to the viewpoint was well worth the effort, for a … Continue reading East coast scenery →

Back in Tasmania again, for a week before we go to Victoria and skiing. This is the second visit this year, the first one a few weeks ago was very much to catch with friends whereas this is to be tourists and visit more of the island. My luggage didn't travel with me, for some … Continue reading Luggage found, and MONA →

The Midwinter festival here in Hobart is a festival of renewal, and celebration of the dark that brings renewal and light. It’s joyful rather than dark, forward looking rather than reflection. Given the light starts leaving the sky here around 3pm and it’s dark by 4:30pm right now, knowing there’s a festival after which the … Continue reading Renewal →

I’m in Tasmania again, and now lying in bed after a beautiful day of walking with Kelvin and Amy, then going to Dark MOFO with Amy. Dark MOFO is a celebration of midwinter and is very much about celebrating the night, fire and light. I didn’t get tickets for any events, however was very content … Continue reading Dark MOFO →

The sunsets have been amazing out here, real Turner type colours and so vibrant. It’s very warm and humid, with lightening off in the distance to add to the tropical atmosphere. Hard work, doing anything physical in these temperatures but we all just get pace ourselves and drink lots of water. Yoga on the helideck, … Continue reading A few sunset photographs →

We did it, after a good few months of training Tarryn and I completed the Busselton Jetty 3.6km swim as a duo. I swam 1.4km, she swam 2.2km, along with around 4000 other swimmers. There were Olympic level athletes, keen hobby swimmers, teams of two and four, and many who were so happy just to … Continue reading Busselton Jetty swim completed →

So I decided, in a momentary lapse of reason around November last year, to complete the Busselton Jetty swim with a friend. For those unfamiliar, it’s the longest jetty I think in the world and around 1.6km long. The swim is a beloved tradition where people, either a team or solo, swim to the end … Continue reading A summer of swimming →