There’s been a lot of this going on here in Newcastle:
The other night we (in other words, me) decided we’d play a silent hand. Here it is:
And, as a bonus video, here’s me at the San Jose science museum about 5 or 6 years ago:
Quite talented, aren’t I?
It’s madness here! They’ve got me performing like an ape:
Although the photo may suggest that my 6-day (so far) long binge of garbage food and nonstop candy may have distended my belly to hitherto unseen levels, I can assure you I haven’t expanded that much, and it’s actually an optical illusion.
Speaking of garbage food, I forgot to reveal what I had for lunch yesterday at the rest stop on the way back from Sydney (Bernard rented a car and we drove):
Yep, that’s a god-damn Pluto Pup! Delicious!
Anyway we arrived yesterday and had a delayed Christmas. Here’s a snap of the giftees receiving their gifts:
And here’s another snap of the giftees checking out their other new gift:
Yep, that’s an iPad. Mum and Dad now have their very own 🙂
So, so, so, so, so. Here’s what today looked like:
If it looks hot, then that’s because it is. All those reports of Australia having unseasonable cold and lots of rain? Damn lies, the lot of them! It’s hot and humid and frankly brutal, but I don’t care 🙂
Here’s a couple of random food shots:
Donut King on the left (don’t think USA donuts; think USA fried dough), Ham and Pineapple ‘pizza’ on the right (actually a flat piece of bread with cheese and ham and pineapple on it sold by a baker).
And here is Bernard shooting a mountain goat:
He was actually very good at it, and at the end of his second game was the new Hunting Hero for the ‘moose’ level. He downed five of them in one round!
And…… then he went and won another $60 (on a $20 bet) on a poker machine 🙂
Tomorrow I’m going to kill myself (and SMC!) with a 32+ km walk in very hot weather. Look forward to the details!
Just a quick update to say we’re now in Newcastle with mum and dad. Here’s proof:
Later this evening we’re off to see doggies trot. I was my usual hyperactive self this morning, and decided to go for a walk. Yesterday I’d done the Randwick ->The City stroll I’d never gotten around to before, so it made sense this New Year’s Day to walk to Bondi Beach.
I decided to go via the two beaches between there and here, namely Bronte and Tamarama. Check them out on a map!
The sky was blue, the sun was out, I was lathered in sunblock and I set out. It took about 40 minutes to get from Randwick to Bronte Beach, which is a lovely and well tended beach in a cove surrounded by expensive tourist homes.
Bronte was popular with dogs and kids, having both a large field adjacent and an ocean-fed paddling pool. As you can see there were many people out even before 10 am on New Year’s Day. The surf club had a thermometer which said 28 C. I was hot but bursting with energy. My feet hurt but I felt I could walk forever. I think the past three days have gotten me back into form and the limiters have finally been removed.
After a good gander at Bronte I continued along the coast, along the bluff you can see in the above photo, to the tiny and beautiful Tamarama beach nestled between two cliffs:
The top photo is taken from the south looking north, and the bottom photo is vice versa. If you can see through time you may be able to see me actually taking the photos in each of them.
There were quite a few model types at Tamarama. Adam says the suburb is nicknamed ‘Glamarama’ due to the richies that live here, but I’m inclined to think it may be due to the high frequency of ‘glamma’ types jogging and dog-walking and working out in and around this pretty little beach.
Next I continued north along the coast, walking high on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. The wind was strong and it was really a wonderful walk (if very hot!). Here’s an example shot of what the scenery looks like:
Look at the colour of the water! Despite the beach and the perilous appearance of this little bay, there was actually a surfer down there. If you look closely you may be able to see him in the picture.
Continuing up and around the cliffs seen in the distance of the above shot led to the world famous Bondi Beach:
Having been here a few times I didn’t linger. Besides, I was hot and hungry (it’d been about 2 hours by now). I had originally planned to bus it back to Randwick, but since I’m young and full of vitality I said to myself “What the heck!” and walked.
Coincidentally, the return trip went past Bondi Junction mall, which led inexorably to the food court and this:
I’m back now, collapsed on the couch waiting to go and see hounds. Adam and B traipsed off to the city in my absence to do some shopping and museuming. I think I’ll take this chance for a little nap…
Happy Christmas to all! I received many fabulous gifts, many of which I’ll surely blog about in the new year, but for now I’ll showcase just one:
Yes, that’s #58, the rarest of all FF books and the one that now makes my collection complete! Thanks brother 🙂
Tomorrow I head to Australia for fun times and fine dining. As always, you can follow my exploits on this very blog…