Sydney

Originally uploaded by meatyokra

Warning – this is going to be a long one.

Elizabeth had two Sydney trips this month, the loads were light, I had the free time – so we decided to take advantage and fly down to Australia for a power vacation.

Well, a vacation for me at least. She worked out and back. In sharp contrast, I flew first class both ways.


Not only is the service top-notch up front, the food is quite good, the seat fully reclines into a bed, there is plenty of room, a great selection of entertainment – this is more space than I had in my apartment in the Marina...

I mean I've never had this much control over my surroundings!

I have to really thank Elizabeth for rallying the morning we landed. Although she worked the all-nighter (with it's weak and ineffectual 3hr break), she managed to head out with me for a long walk around the city. Even though I did nothing but relax the entire flight I wasn't exactly fresh as a daisy; I can only imagine how exhausted She must have been.

We stayed at the Novotel on Darling Harbour (the hotel is in the back, left in this image).


Here is the bridge across Darling Harbour, towards downtown...


We landed first thing in the morning and immediately headed out, through downtown and towards Circular Quay, around which sits the Opera House. It's a tough building to photograph as I'm sure there is no place you can stand where this thing hasn't been shot a million times before – and in much better light.


The Rocks – an older, quaint part of town...


And the, rather San Francisco like, downtown area...


Of course it's not all "San Francisco" like, as our walk through the Botanic Gardens reminded us, what with all of the cockatoos, parrots and hundreds of large, grey-headed flying foxes (fruit bats).






After turning in (relatively) early and getting a solid night's sleep, we were well rested for day two: a perfect weather day for a hike. We did one of E's favorite local walks – Spit Bridge to Manly Beach. A short bus ride to the start of this 10K, light hike through some urban environments, some woodsy terrain – with excellent views throughout.

The weather could not have been better.






They tell me this little monster is a water dragon:


Our hike destination: Manly Beach. A popular beach, much like any other.



Of course we had to reward our hike with classic fish and chips... oh, and beer.


Al right – that's enough! If you've stayed with me this long I really ought to let you get on with your day. Unfortunately there are many more pictures where these came from... :-)

p.s. In addition to having an excellent time I came back with a much better understanding of what Elizabeth goes through on these. I can now see why she's so wiped out coming back from working a Sydney trip!

This Morning

I mean, how can you not like this commute.
These were taken this morning, on my way to work.

It's about time...

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Originally uploaded by meatyokra

Finally! After our hike this afternoon Elizabeth decided to make an apple pie! She picked, peeled, sliced, mixed then baked up a delicious – albeit small – cobbler. I say small because the entire thing is gone now.







Here it is...

... and here is my first of three servings...


Today's hike was another in the Tennessee Valley area. I've hiked northern California for twenty years but today Elizabeth led the way and took me on a hike I'd never done – one that she'd explored several days ago. The weather was great and it was just long and strenuous enough to be a great workout without going overboard.


Saturday we drove up to Petaluma, a somewhat quaint and historic town about a half hour to the north. We headed home along Tomales Bay, stopping in the town of Marshal for BBQed oysters. We stopped at a really nice place called Nick's Cove, an old restaurant that had been closed for many years and has recently reopened.



Sounds like a busy weekend.

Here's how Nancy spent the day...

Arizona

Originally uploaded by meatyokra

Just got back from Tucson where I spent two days at the Center For Creative Photography on the campus of the University of Arizona. I'm currently involved in a project that led me to their archives and it was the first time I had spent any time at all in the state. Well, I have driven across the country via the southern route twice but I'm not counting that. Although I didn't spend much "quality" time in Tucson it is clear that it's a very attractive town – especially from the sky...



And now a little back tracking...
I had said in the last post that our sofa had arrived. It has – and it has made all the difference. Our previous living room chairs (the temporary, folding ones) had all of the comfort of a park bench. This thing, however, is comfortable, spacious and attractive.


(looks huge from this angle!)

Apple tree update:
I'd have to say the fruit is about done. They've reddened up nicely and are dropping at a rate of at least three per night – often more. Last thing I heard Elizabeth say is that she's going to start eating them. That's a little disappointing, as she used to talk about baking a pie...

Lastly I thought I'd drop in a couple of pictures of the Pelican Inn, a little B&B just over the hill from our place, by Muir Beach and Muir Woods. It's an English style pub that often gets too crowded for our tastes on the weekends but has nice atmosphere and a great Guinness pour! Evidently goats are allowed...


Oh yeah – we also drove by the amphitheater up on Mount Tamalpais (our backyard). Haven't seen any shows or productions there yet – the season might be over – but the view is certainly nice!

Payback...

The place is coming together. Well, the deck is anyway.
Actually, the couch is due to arrive today. With all of the delays so far though, we'll try not to get too excited until it's actually in place. ***UPDATE: the sofa arrived. Pictures to follow...***


So the deck is shaping up, thanks to the addition of a couple of adirondack chairs and all weather pillows. Since the deck is the biggest "room" in the house it still feels spacious and uncluttered despite the additional furniture.

Nancy seems to have found a new favorite spot too – the chiminea.
I guess the sun heats it and provides her a warm cubby-hole in which to hide/sleep.


Payback Time
A couple of weeks ago Elizabeth ran me through the family gauntlet at her father's 80th birthday party.

This past weekend I returned the "favor" by hauling her out east, to Durham, NC, to meet some of my immediate family. We also attended the 4th annual John P. "Jack" Bond Memorial Golf Tournament in Charlotte– a fund raising event for a professional organization that my father was very instrumental in and supportive of when he was alive. The event was very successful and, mercifully, not 104º like last year.

My second cousin – an admitted golf addict (though not seeking help) – even flew out from his home in Puerto Rico to attend.



(photo courtesy Jasmine Powell – my niece)

Here we are with my mother at Duke Gardens, on the campus of Duke University in Durham.
Elizabeth had to face my mother, sister, niece and nephew, maternal grandmother, great aunt, uncle, second cousin, assorted family friends (including the renowned historian Dr. John Hope Franklin). Not quite the extended family I faced, but daunting none the less. She doesn't look too stressed in the above photo, does she?

Following are an assortment of photos from our walk on Duke's west campus, including Duke Chapel and Duke Gardens...