Shelley Beach once more

Never tire of early morning walks through the park to Shelley beach. Watching the surfers as they do their morning run, eager to catch the waves as the sun comes up!

Fab to be able to recognise the flowers and know their names!

Walked up through Shelley and over the top to North Head with Caleb. Watched the dolphins play climbed through the secret wall on up to the rock pools, where the frogs croaked contentedly in their new pool.

Birthday gals nail it!

Loved being able to celebrate Diana's birthday... what a great cook she is!

Rediscovered Manly Wine Bar.... Martinis and Manicures - now that is a fab idea!

Back to the Opera

Seems like all the orchestras have guest conductors at the moment. Benjamin Schmid did a great job both conducting and on the violin. Missed Richard Tognetti.

Good program.

BACH Concerto for two violins, BWV1043
SCHUBERT Rondo in A, D438
KORNGOLD Lento religioso (from Symphonic Serenade)
HK GRUBER Violin Concerto, “Nebelsteinmusik” (Australian Premiere)
LANNER Waltzes: Die Werber & Die Romantiker
BREINSCHMID Jazz: Musette pour Elisabeth & Wien Bleibt Krk (Australian Premiere)

Helena Rathbone Violin

Oh my goodness Caleb!

While we were cheerfully going to composting courses, upgrading our computer skills and playing golf, Caleb was going through an amazing life experience. An aneurysm of the brain. What a scare for us all. One minute everything is fine and then it is off in the ambulance to Neurosurgery and intensive care.

All looking well. Bravo Caleb we are so proud of you.

Eco fun

We know how to have fun......went to the tip, to do a course in composting and all that kind of stuff. Now have a very successful compost, worm farm and veggie garden.

September in Manly

So back to Manly. Great being back, spent a day doing the things we love. Walking on the beach at daybreak, breakfast on the verandah... and getting our birthday presents... for Roger "potty putter" from Caleb

Yeah finished 2011 travel blog!

Hey... This is an all time first. I managed to finish my travel blog!

We returned from Thailand to Manly..... ready to relax but of course you all know the story from there.

So now to the future .........we have just booked our trip for 2012 and it looks VERY exciting!

We have booked with Royal Jordanian airlines so we can go to Petra and Amman. Can't wait to float in the Dead Sea.

Then onto France to pick up our home exchange. They sound a really lovely family.

We then go to Cuba before heading back to our Derbyshire cottage.

Usual mad rush for Christmas, weather is warming up so all is well.

Temples glorious temples

No trip to Bankok is complete without a temple visit. We ducked through stormy squalls to visit one of the most famous temples. Absolutely stupendous. At first we didn't know what the tinkling sound was... and then realised. Hundreds of coins being dropped into metal dishes lining the temple!

Everything to order

What do you want? It's all there in Thailand. Mail order bride? Original oil painting where you are the centrepiece of a Renoir, Goya or even a Picasso.

Sadly we were just boring and chose the tailoring option... new trousers and shirts!

Mmmm not a bad choice!