The Rock

This week its another around the world trip back to the UK for me (Martin). I've got a work conference in Birmingham which to some extent is going to be handy as our UK tenant moves out this week too. Anyway, on the way over today, the pilot flew almost directly over Uluru (Ayers Rock). So here is the picture I took from the window.  The rock from 38,000 ft doesn't look quite as large as it does from the ground. More like Ayers Pebble.

First Swim of the year

Yesterday we had our first swim outside (pool got up to 27 degrees).  Summer has arrived !   Looking back at the blog, it's 4 days earlier than last year ..... proof of global warming if any was ever needed. Temps are surprisingly up to 29 degrees in Melbourne today, so the pool should be even warmer for a dip tonight after a hard week at the office ;-)  Where's them beers.........

Ethans fun walk & picnic

Ethan participated in a 'fun walk' around the school playing fields yesterday followed by a picnic with the parents.  The weather gods turned up nicely and we got a beautiful day for the event. Ethan managed 8 laps in an hour, slowed by the plodding pace of his younger brother .... and his talking to fellow 'athletes'. The parents even got roped in for a couple of laps.....  International readers of this blog are more than welcome to put their hands in their pockets and nominate their donations !  All proceeds are going to a new playground / playcentre at school.

Humpbacks to the starboard!

OK, so us land lubbies finally went whale watching ...... on the most violent seas that were possible!  We did well to hold on to our breakfasts (some other passengers were not so lucky).   Byron Bay is right on the northern migration path of humpback whales as they head to warm waters for the mating season.  Coming in as close as 500m from shore, you can actually see them from the beach - but its much better to get a closer view from the sea. It was amazing to be so close and see the mothers & calfs swimming on by and popping up to take a look at us. I won't lie & say this is my picture (the boat was rocking too much for that!) .... but you get the drift.  The real pictures from the boat & all the rest of the holiday pics here.

Byron Bay

This is the second week of school holidays in Victoria so we've flown up to Byron Bay on holiday for a week. Byron is Australia's most easterly point (about 500 miles north of Sydney) and is a surfing hot spot in Australia (not that we're partaking). It also is a major whale watching location, so we plan on doing that while here..... the weather forcast is good for the first couple of days buy could be turning a bit 'tropical' later in the week (i.e. its going to rain...).