Ade Steward in Oz: 2012

Saturday 29 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety Seven

Sunday December 30th

Today we did a tour around the Hunter Valley visiting Vineyards. We started at Tyrells and them went to the Wyndhams Estate. We had a lovely lunch here too. We followed this by a visit to the Pepper Tree vineyard and finally the Bimbadgen Estate.

Kate bought 5 bottles of wine along the way.

In the evening we ate in the hotel restaurant which wasn't too bad.

http://www.tyrrells.com.au/

http://www.wyndhamestate.com/

http://www.peppertreewines.com.au/

http://www.bimbadgen.com.au/bimbadgen_wines

Tyrells

Wyndhams

Pepper Tree

Bimbadgen

Friday 28 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety Six

Saturday 29th December

Kate awoke with her Tonsillitis kicking in so onto the anti-biotics. We delayed our journey up the Hunter Valley so rather than leaving early and going to Port Stephens we departed mid afternoon and drove directly to Hunter Valley. This gave Kate a bit of R&R time which she needed.

We arrived at Hotel late afternoon and checked in. We wandered around the grounds to get our bearings. We had room service for dinner and headed off to bed not too late.

Thursday 27 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety Five

Friday 28th December

Today we had some of Kate's family over for lunch. Leena, Erin and William came for lunch and then they went to Balmoral Beach with Bill and Carol for a few hours in the afternoon. Kate and I stayed at home as Kate is showing signs of Tonsillitis.

Quiet night at home with a Skype call to folks in thier conservatory this time on Crystals new laptop.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety Four

Thursday 27th December

This morning we went to Chatswood Chase to see if we could pick up any bargains in the sales. I bought a new cover for the Ipad, Kate bought some clothes from David Jones and Withchery. It was pretty crazy and we dint last much longer after having some lunch there.

The rest of the day was relaxed with a steak dinner in the evening.

Wednesday 26 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety Three

Wednesday 26th December

Boxing Day

A relaxed affair at home today getting over the excesses of yesterday. In the evening we both went over to Pru and Paul's place in Alexandria for drinks and nibbles. Was a nice relaxing evening on the balcony with chat and games. We headed home just after midnight and got to bed at about 1am.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety Two

Tuesday 25th December

Christmas Day! Happy Christmas to everyone in UK and Australia.

It was a very rainy day here in Sydney today, despite that we had a lovely Christmas Day. We had a lovely Turkey Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. We had a couple of sessions at opening presents and everyone did very well.

In the afternoon Kate's cousin Fiona came over and the Trivial Pursuit came out, it was men v women, the men lost....

In the evening we Skyped UK to wish them a Happy Christmas as they started their day at Hazels and Peters before they headed to lunch along with Ray and Doris to the Crown round the corner.

Some pics of tree and table

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety One

Monday 24th December

Christmas Eve!

A quiet day as we had gone into lock down with plans not to visit the shops at all today,despite that we went to the local supermarket for a few last minute bits and pieces and the local bottle shop to get just few more drinks in for the festivities.

A nice evening in before a Skype call to UK to share present opening with them before our bedtime.

Saturday 22 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety

Sunday 23rd December

Not actually left the house today beyond a brief walk to the post box at the end of the street. Had a very relaxing day at home catching up on a few bits and pieces like paperwork and doing some family history stuff with Kate. Also did 3 loads of washing.

Had a nice dinner and few drinks and a couple of games of Scrabble this evening. A nice relaxing lead into the Christmas festivities to come.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty Nine

Saturday 22nd December

Today we had the Newtown Christmas dinner at Rubyos. This was avery nice affair with lots of
food and drinks. there was a secret Santa thing and I landed an bottle of Vodka and Kate got a Kookai Bracelet, shown in pics below. We then went to a bar on King St with a weird beer garden much like a back yard, followed by drinks at the Bank Hotel also on King St. We headed home at about 9.30pm. There is a selection of pictures below.

Caroline, Kate and Pru

Paul and I

Adam and Caroline

Glynn, Michael, Andrew and Andrew

Colleen, Alex, Ben and Paul

John, Pru, Colleen

Adam and Caroline

Weird Beer Garden with tiny chairs

More Weird beer garden

Andrew and Caroline

Kates Secrent Santa Gift

Pru, kate, Paul

Andrew, Michael, Me, Adam, Paul, Andrew, Glynn and John

Alex, Kate, Pru, Sam, Colleen

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty Eight

Friday 21st December

Took the train to work for the last time this year. Did very little of value at work and knocked off at about 3pm to come home. Met Kate at the station and we went home.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty Seven

Thursday 20th December

Happy Birthday to my mother!

A normal day in the office, although spent some time throwing away a load of unwanted items which were cluttering up the store room.

Dinner at home, followed by a Skype call to folks to wish Crystal many happy returns.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty Six

Wednesday 19th December

Another normal day at work, not much to report!

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty Five

Tuesday 18th December

Took the train to work after walking to the station. Work is winding down for Christmas so just doing wrap up things so in better shape for 2013.

Monday 17 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty Four

Monday 17th December

Kate started her new job today so change to order getting ready order this morning. Also I walked the 2.5km to Artarmon station, trying ot get a bit more walking in.

Came home at 5ish, Kate picked me up and told me all about her first day, all seemed ot go very well which is great.

Cooked garlic and lemon lamb shoulder for dinner.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty Three

Sunday 16th December

Lazy Sunday morning. Kate and Carol did some Christmas shopping up the Chase and I hung out at home. In the evening we Skyped folks.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty Two

Saturday 15th December

Weekend! The weather in Sydney picked up nicely this morning. Despite vowing not to go back to the shopping centre again, Kate and I ended back up there to get a few final pieces. The afternoon was spent wrapping up pressies.

In the evening we watched 'The Sapphires' on DVD.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty One

Friday 14th December

Last day of the week. Today was Kates last day in her current job. All seemed ot go off well at the end.

At work for me it was the end of year Christmas Party. Lots of fun in the office during the afternoon.

Thursday 13 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty

Thursday 13th December

Drove to station this morning and spent day pouring over GPS data for next years trail. All got a bit much after 6 hours so knocked off a bit early and came home.

Kate bought some more Christmas stuff including a funny little USB Christmas Tree (very kind of her) and lights for outside the house. After dinner I put them up and here is the result.

Also bought some tickets for Open Air Cinema in Botanic Gardens in January.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy Nine

Wednesday 12th December

A normal day at work, came home and relaxed. Weather is starting to pick up at last, beautiful blue skies this afternoon.

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy Eight

Tuesday 11th December

Not a great deal to report today, normal work day and home. UK have received Christmas package unopened which is good news. Lots of emails about Ireland trip flying around between the folks.

Monday 10 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy Seven

Monday 10th December

A fairly typical day at work and then cooked a curry for dinner this evening. Still more news all over press about death of nurse in UK after prank call by DJs on Australian radio.

Sunday 9 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy Six

Sunday December 9th

Sunday morning with tea and the papers in the garden and then some more Christmas shopping up at Chatswood Chase. Back home for lovely cup cakes baked by Carol.

An evening of Skype to UK.

Saturday 8 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy Five

Saturday 8th December

We were both awake early today, I was awake form 6.15am and Kate was awake not long after 7am. We had a lazy morning at home and then at midday I drove Kate and her folks out to the airport so we could have lunch with Chris and Hannah who were passing through from Adelaide on their way to LA to start their 4 week holiday around the US.

Was very nice to catch up with them over lunch.

We drove home and then sat in garden before going to Kennards ot get a few bits out of storage, walking to the bottle shop and thne having dinner. In the evening we watched the Commitments DVD, hard to think that movie was made 21 years ago!

Also got news from UK our Christmas presents parcel has been stung for import duty, bloody UK Goverment!

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy Four

Friday 7th December

A normal day at work doing more maps and not much else.

Got home and then Kate and I walked around the corner to the local Scout Hall and bought a Christmas Tree. It's tradition over here that local Scout groups sell Christmas trees. We bought a larger one of the 'smaller size' and I carried it home.

Time was spent decorating it and the final result looks good!

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy Three

Thursday 6th December

This morning I drove to Hornsby for a meeting with the Shire council to discuss a proposed relocation of a checkpoint to give one of the local communities a break from the event this year. Meeting went surprisingly quickly (about 15 mins in total) and they had no objections or issues.

Drove back to Artarmon and caught the train into the city. Spent rest of day continuing with book work. We had a team lunch in town and met our old colleague Louise.

After work I went into the city to do some Christmas shopping for Kate which went well. Had some dinner in the Myer food court ad then caught the train home. Kate was out in town also having dinner with Pru and Caroline, they went ot the Mint Cafe on Crown St. Waited up for Kate and picked her up from Artarmon station shortly after midnight.

Back home and off to bed for the pair of us.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy Two

Wednesday 5th December

Got a lift to station and carried in with usual map activities during the morning. In the afternoon Marcus and I drove out to Hurstville for a meeting with national Parks to discuss proposed changes to next years trail. Went fairly well and now we have to get feedback from rangers who know the trail. All looking fairly positive though.

Back to the office and then headed home where Kate picked me up from Artarmon.

Skyped folks in the evening.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy One

Tuesday 4th December

Much the same as yesterday I spent all day at work working on maps. Dinner and quiet night at home.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy

Monday 3rd November

Carol dropped me to the station and I caught train to work. Worked solidly on maps all day and then headed home on train and Kate picked me up and drove us home. We pulled together some Mexican food for dinner.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Nine

Sunday 2nd December

We stayed home most of the day, wrote Christmas cards and then Kate went with Carol to do some shopping. Quiet evening with Skype call to UK.

Saturday 1 December 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Eight

Saturday 1st December

A super hot humid day in Sydney today, only reached about 31 in the city but felt hotter, they were predicting 36-27 at one stage. Kate and I took the train into the city in the morning, we went to watch James Bond Skyfall movie in Gold Class on George St. Very good movie with good British humour.

We dis a bit of shopping/browsing in town before getting train home. Both trains were non air conditioned, sticking hot and horrible.

In the evening we relaxed at home.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Seven

Friday 30th November

Back to work and spent all day creating base maps for next years map book. Long and intensive process, I've done 3 of about 14 so far. Al next week will be map book work too.

In the evening we watched a rented DVD called 'Into the Wild' base don a true story its quite long and I would gibe it a 5/10.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Six

Thursday 29th November

Took the day off today, still trying to shift this sniffly cold thing I've got, so decided after a restless night to stay at home and try and get over it. Not much to report therefore today!

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Five

Wednesday 28th November

A day at work working on map books and helping out Brisbane folks with questions about the event and their map book work also.

Seems to have a cold which I picked up last week which is taking a while ot shift. Kate seems to be getting it too.

Spoke to folks on Skype in the evening.

Tuesday 27 November 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Four

Tuesday 27th November

Spent first part of the morning on a Skype call to my counterpart in New Zealand, a good opportunity to share ideas between events.

As I left I passed Beau having his wash and cut on the trailer outside the house.

Got into work and carried on with mapping, also led a four way meeting between myself and counterparts in VIC, WA and QLD.

Came home, had some dinner and TV. Big thunderstorms here tonight.

Monday 26 November 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Three

Monday 26th November

Back to work, spent all day doing battle with the graphics software on my work machine which lacks the memory to cope with it. Should be getting it upgraded this week.

Wore my new boots to work and they cut into my ankles, thankfully took my trainers as backup and wore them home. Good old Dr Martens, forgotten how rough they can be on the feet.

Muggy day with a thunderstorm this afternoon.

More backdated updating of blog will happen during the week.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Two

Sunday 25th November

A lazy morning around the house followed by a bit more shopping and lunch at the Chase. In the evening we had Skype calls with H& P, brief chat to Adelaide and then more Skype with Alvin and Crystal.

Kathleen from UK also gave birth to her first child Ethan Thomas today, congratulations to her and Tim.

Saturday 24 November 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty One

Saturday 24th November

A day spent finalising Christmas shopping for UK family so we can get stuff in the post.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty

Friday 23rd November

Got up and walked to Brisbane office after checking out of hotel. With the others went for a meeting at Parks HQ to talk through new trail plans for 2013, all went very well. We spent 10 mins checking out the creatures inthe wildlife centre where Kate used to volunteer, took some pics to show her later when I got home. We drove back to office at lunchtime.

After a quick lunch I caught train back to Brisbane airport and flew back to Sydney. Kate picked me up at the airport and we headed home for some dinner. Nice to be back in Sydney after heat of QLD.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Nine

Thursday 22nd November

Met the Brisbane team in Toowong in the morning, (I caught train there from the valley) and we drove to the majority of checkpoint sites so I could explain my reasoning for why things are like they are at the event. We grabbed a late lunch at the Mt Coot-tha lookout cafe. Was a good day and handed over lots of information.

After work we went for some dinner in Chinatown in the valley before I headed back to hotel for some sleep.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Eight

Wednesday 21st November

I caught the train to the airport this morning and flew up to Brisbane. Upon arriving caught the train to the valley and headed to the office. Primary purpose of the trip is to handover knowledge to new Brissie Team.

Later in the day after checking into hotel we headed to the Suncorp Stadium to Coldplay gig. We were there to campaign for Oxfam in return for a free ticket. Campaigning is hard but between 20 of us we got about 900 signatures from a crowd of 50000 people.

Then we watched the gig and managed to get within 2m of Chris Martin as they walked through the stadium ot B stage.

I legged if 2 songs from the end to avoid craziness of getting out of Suncorp Stadium, I have learnt form U@ experience that it takes ages to get out.

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Seven

Tuesday 20th November

A normal day at work and in the evening I spent time packing for trip to Brisbane tomorrow.

Monday 19 November 2012

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Six

Monday 19th November

Back to work. Got a few bits done including some copyright access to maps we want to use in next years map books.

Met Kate at Artarmon, came home, cooked dinner and then spent time updating this blog!

Day One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Five

Sunday 18th November

An easy day around the house before headed to the Allianz Stadium to catch Coldplay concert. We parked the car at work and grabbed the bus to the stadium. A superb gig, very visual with many cool effects including cool wristbands that lit up. You can see some of it in the pictures/video below.

Pics