Blogging 101

The Otago Rail Trail – Wedderburn to Middlemarch

Steve4 Comments

Departing Wedderburn Cottages saw us head into our longest day on the trail, with a ride of 48km to Hyde. We were feeling pretty good in the knowledge that for the next two days our path should lead us downhill. The climbs were now behind us.

StravaI tracked our ride with “strava”, and it was interesting to note that whilst much of the day was certainly downhill, we also climbed 389m. Whilst on the topic of climbs, please don’t be put off by the seemingly big numbers. Although the Otago Rail Trail topped 618m above sea leave, the maximum gradient during the four days was 1 in 50, meaning that the steepest parts of the ride gained 1 metre in height over 50 metres in distance……that’s not too hard at all.

Before we get any further, let me answer the question I left you with in my previous blog. Lamb, hogget and mutton are all terms used to describe the meat from sheep. Lamb is up to 12 months old, hogget is between 12 and 24 months, and mutton is older than 2 years.

After the summer snow Continue reading →

The Otago Rail Trail – Clyde to Wedderburn

Steve9 Comments

The prospect of heading off on a 152km cycle trip over four days, in the knowledge that the first 2 days would require you to push those pedals and climb a 618m summit is more than a little daunting for we non-Tour de France riders. But that’s what Anne and I, and our very close friends, Mary-Ann and Lawrence did, and our smiles could not be broader.

P1060972 (2)The Otago Rail Trail has not disappointed us, in part due to the wonderful organisation and communication with Sandra and the team at Trail Journeys, based at the start of the trail in Clyde, and also in part to our own preparation. Trail Journeys sorted all the logistics, from collecting us in Queenstown, providing our bikes, booking our accommodation and moving our luggage each day. All that was left for us was push the pedals and enjoy the experience.

Over the past few day’s Continue reading →

Lycra, Prawns & Pinot

Steve2 Comments

Cycling shouldn’t just be about sweat and spinning wheels across the pavement. We mamil’s (middle-aged men in lycra) are far more couth than that!

Prawns & Pinot

The idea of a Prawn and Pinot ride came to me last Easter, when I recognised that our favourite route not only included the parklands and foreshore of Moreton Bay, but went right past the moorings of the Moreton Bay prawn trawler fleet on Cabbage Tree Creek.

Since that time I have enjoyed the experience on three occasions. The latest was yesterday on Continue reading →

One Fine Day We’ll Fly Away (and that day is now)

Video Steve4 Comments

Do you ever have that moment when a song pops into your head and you can’t shake it?

I had that moment last night as I walked in the door at home after my second last day of work before running away. The song was Morcheeba’s “Rome Wasn’t Built In a Day”.

I can’t help think how appropriate the words of the song are for Anne and I.

“You and Me were meant to be, walking free in harmony, one fine day, we’ll fly away, don’t you know that Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Well that fine day to run away is finally here! Its 5pm and we have just walked out the door at work for the very last time in six months.  It feels amazing!

I’m really looking forward to walking free in harmony……… Anne and I were meant to be, so lets go and build Rome together.

I hope you join us.

My Inner Road Rager

Anne4 Comments

I’veP1060765_edited been cycling to work most days for  a year, a round trip of about 15 km, not bad for a 58 year old. It’s been a challenge for me. I’ve never enjoyed exercise but started leisure cycling when we moved to Brisbane  8 years ago. I’d enjoyed riding a bike as a kid so to me it was the least painful way to do some exercise.

On holiday in 2013 I was cycling with a group of women who were in their 70’s and they made it up the hills. I didn’t. This challenged me Continue reading →

Australia Day

Steve2 Comments

How do you celebrate your national day, and do you really know what and why you are celebrating?

P1060936It’s a bit sad when you have to resort to Google to confirm what the origin of the day is all about, but that’s what I did. For the record, Australia Day is celebrated on the 26th of January each year and marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the first fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, and raising of the flag of Great Britain at that site by Governor Arthur Phillip. (Thanks Wikipedia)

Whilst that’s the historic significance, today I’d suggest that most Australian’s use the day to celebrate our freedom, wealth and safety, the diversity of our community, and the spirit of “mateship”, all attributes that allow us to call Australia “The Lucky Country”. That’s how we spent the day.

Whilst we don’t get hung up on tradition, we always seem to find ourselves spending the day with close friends, sharing the good weather, great food, chilled wine, stories from the year just past, and our plans ahead. Always with plenty of laughter. Where would we be without others to share Continue reading →

From Leather to Lycra

Steve4 Comments

I hate the label “mid life crisis”!

The Leather
The Leather

I don’t think I was having one when I bought the Harley at age 45, but I was probably a perfect fit for the stereo typical label. It was just a time in my life when it was what I wanted and could afford it. Did it matter that I didn’t even have a motor bike licence? Not to me it didn’t.

Hang on…..before you get all righteous, let me explain.

When I returned from Papua New Guinea in 2000, I was fortunate to get in early on the Peter Lik train………destination, world domination. I was employed by Peter as his group CEO at the time when Peter had one small photographic Gallery in Cairns, North Queensland. Within four years, Continue reading →

Drowning in documents

Anne3 Comments

imageThis week I discovered an unusual way to get to know people.

As I have said, one of the major reasons for this blog is to develop the discipline of writing often so that I will actually complete the book that I am committed to. It’s the life story of my friend, a Forgotten Australian, so called because they were abused and neglected in institutional care. The working title for that book is now Not Forgotten, who knows what it will be called eventually.

This week I received the medical records from the practise Continue reading →

Choosing the perfect travel bag

Anne6 Comments

I have an obsession with finding the perfect travel bag/purse. My wardrobe is littered with bags that were good, but not good enough to deserve a repeat trip. The bag has to be big enough to carry a jacket or cardigan, and of course my ipad, umbrella, glasses, emergency first aid, maps etc but not big enough to be bulky… after all Steven carries the heavy stuff. Of course it has to look great.

imageA shoulder bag always slips off my shoulder, and a cross body feels awkward. My preference is for a backpack but sometimes having your bag on your back is not the safest. It also has to durable and not black (life’s too short for black handbags). So I was excited to find this Sakroots bag which adjusts easily from crossbody to backpack. It’s made of tough easy to clean canvas, its light and I love the design and colours.  I like that I can read about the artist that created the bag and that my purchase helped to support native birds in Arizona.

imageThen my travel bliss was made complete when I stumbled across this navy Mosey wallet that converts to a tiny bag… perfect for those times when you want to take out nothing more than money, cards and phone.   Not only is it cute it’s also made from LITE Leather and recycled PET bottles.

Two bags, both with a story. There ends my first and probably only fashion blog!

The Enduring Book Club

Anne2 Comments

Book ClubThe enduring book club has been meeting now for about ten years. We were originally all connected through our work but our paths have now separated. There were a few more of us, but now we are just five. We are all counsellors, psychologists, case managers and social workers. We plan to meet about once a month….. but it usually ends up with a bigger gap as we struggle to find a shared date that fits. We sometimes remember to talk about the book.

I love this warm, funny, smart, caring group of woman. It’s a safe place to talk about the challenges of our work, to get suggestions and Continue reading →