Road Trip No. 2 - Wilsons Promontory National Park

On my first visit to Australia in early 2005, Mark and Sharon brought me to Wilsons Promontory National Park, where we had a splendid day of hiking, wildlife watching and gazing at the spectacular surroundings. We did not want to pass up another opportunity to do the same again. This time, however, the view from Mount Oberon was even better...it was not nearly as windy so we could sit and stare at Norman Bay, which we would enjoy a walk on later, and take in the rest of the 360 degree views to our heart's content (although you can never quite get enough of it!). We left the park at dusk and with Shazy's eagle-like eyes and Wally's off-road driving skills, managed to see many kangaroos, wallabys and wombats. No koalas this time, though.

Road Trip No. 1 - Walhalla & Bush Fires

Following the events in Melbourne, I headed to Morwell, Mark's and Sharon's home town. From there, we visited Walhalla, a once-vibrant mining town (like so many!) now only remembered in the history books, and other surrounding areas of the State of Victoria recently ravaged by bush fires. Only a few short months after the fires, regrowth is well underway.

Melbourne & the 2006 Commonwealth Games

I met up with my Australian mates, Sharon and Mark, in Melbourne to catch one night of Track & Field (long jump, high jump, 100 m hurdles, steeple-chase, hammer throw, etc.), the end of the men's road race and the Closing Ceremonies. Melbourne was truly bustling that weekend.

Mondays Don't Have to be So Bad, Do They?

I hate that "Monday" feeling, but much less so now that I'm not working. Recently, I enjoyed a Monday morning breakfast al fresco, appreciating how different life was, at least for the moment...

A Shark Story?

One day in late February, prior to joining the Sydney Aquatic Centre, I had a particularly disorganized morning, having found myself unable to swim in the local Manly pool due to a swim competition and unable to swim in the enclosed swimming area at the wharf due to numerous jelly fish. I thought, I have this beautiful water all around me, and there are swimmers and surfers in these waters all the time, and the lifeguards insist the reef sharks won't hurt anyone. So, after confirming with the lifeguards that conditions for swimming the 800m to Shelly's Beach were perfect, I thought I would do it. The picture here shows the water along which I was travelling.

I set out among the rocks and headed out into the beautiful water as the sun streamed down. I found myself swimming in what felt like an aquarium. Aquatic life of all sorts were about me. It was a bit freaky but very thrilling. The water was not overly deep and very clear so I could see the lovely plant life and coral below. I arrived at Shelly's Beach, turned and started to swim back for my second lap. I was constantly amazed (and still a little freaked out) at the colourful fish and thought how much more interesting this swim was compared to swimming in a swimming pool. Then, about halfway back from where I started, as I was looking to my right slightly under water, I saw the biggest and scariest fish face I've ever seen (up close). My initial reaction was to stop breathing, but I made myself very calmly head over to the rocks that I was swimming along, trying not to thrash about too much, until those last few seconds where the rocks were almost upon me, at which point I proceeded to throw myself into them. I looked back and even stuck my face back in the water to try and see what was there. I saw nothing and wondered if perhaps this was completely a figment of my wild imagination. It may have been nothing, or at most a harmless reef shark, but I have yet to venture back into those waters.

Sydney Harbour at Night

The views from the ferry are even more special at dusk. They are views that are hard to capture, but I keep trying.

I recall the first time I saw the magic of Sydney Harbour at Night. I was rushing out of the movie theatre in front of the Sydney Opera House where I had just seen Capote (fabulous film) and was rushing back to the ferry dock to try and catch the 8:30 ferry. As I was rushing, I noticed how stunning the harbour had become - colourful lights shimmering on the Harbour's water from every direction, the white glow of the Opera House and the pretty candlelights sitting on the numerous tables where patrons sat happily enjoying drinks and meals at the many bars and restaurants. It was light when I had entered the theatre but the sky was now a clear midnight blue. I slowed down and realized how absolutely spectacular the air felt...warm but so purely pleasant I would have chosen that air if there was only one type of air I could have chosen for the rest of my life. It was at that moment that I had an epiphany. I thought, "Where am I rushing to? I spend most of my time in between, and often through, activities rushing and now I am truly rushing without purpose." So, I sat and had a glass of wine and enjoyed the scenery (and used my blackberry to send two emails but still, that was progress enough for one night).

Sydney Harbour and the Ferry

In the past, I've often seen pictures of Sydney's Opera House and now I see it in actuality several times a week, as I travel to and fro Sydney from Manly on the Manly Ferry. As mentioned elsewhere in this blog, Sydney is a lovely ferry-ride away from my hood. Circular Quay, which greets the Manly Ferry in Sydney, is a bustling place, with lovely buildings (including the Opera House) and outdoor cafes and restaurants each offering a glimpse of the harbour.

Getting to my gym wouldn't be so complicated if I didn't have to get on a ferry and a bus to get there, but the Sydney Aquatic Centre in Sydney, home for some of the 2000 Summer Olympics, stole my heart with its great 50-meter pool and community feel (that translates into crummy gym facilities...I do still miss the FI in Toronto and Equinox in NY). In any event, the distance is worth the beautiful views; gazing at the Opera House hasn't yet tired me. See also "Sydney Harbour at Night", located elsewhere in this blog.

Ironman Canada - August 2006

As you probably know, I am training for Ironman Canada to be held August 27, 2006 (God help me). I will be racing as part of Team Diabetes and have committed to raising funds for the Diabetes Association of Canada.

Over 2 million Canadians have diabetes. What you have most likely already heard is that "Type 2" diabetes is on the rise, which none of us can be surprised with, given our increasingly poorer diets and more sedentary lifestyles. What I was not aware of until recently, however, is that only 10% of those stricken by the disease suffer from Type 1 diabetes (a much smaller percentage suffer from gestational diabetes). Type 2 diabetes is indeed on the rise and, unfortunately, our aging population and increasingly poorer lifestyles continue to encourage the discouraging statistics.

If you know me, you know how important health and an active lifestyle are (OK, yes, I love to eat more than what might be considered proper but I do a lot to burn it off!). It is sad that so many people, children especially, suffer a largely preventable disease by poor choices in everyday behaviour; diabetes is a disease that is largely understood and, while we know what can be done to prevent it, we don't, either through ignorance or because it is not taken as seriously as it should be. Diabetes may not be as gory a disease as some others that we have a harder time understanding, but it is scary enough when you consider that dealing with complications of diabetes costs our healthcare system over $13 billion per year and costs people suffering from it a more difficult - and shorter - life.

Please visit www.diabetes.ca to learn more about diabetes and what the Diabetes Association of Canada is doing about it. If you wish to donate to this cause and would like to do so on my behalf, please visit http://www.diabetes.ca/section_donations/TeamDiabetesIndex.asp and select "Pledge A Participant". I am listed under "TD Ironman Canada - Penticton - Aug/2006". Many thanks for your support in this regard but, if you have been sent the link to my blog, more special thanks for your support to date.

Manly Beach

Manly is a unique suburb, with a beach on one side and a harbour on the other. It's rolling-hilled streets make for a very picturesque setting (and hard running, though the boardwalk is generally flat, thank goodness). There is abundant life in Manly, despite it's family-oriented first appearance. The beach is busy and packed on weekends. Surfers and boogy-boarders (is that what they're called?) are in full swing every day...and speaking of swing, one must always watch for surfers carelessly swinging their boards on the sidewalks. Manly's main "Corso" is filled with shops, restaurants, bars and cafes and it is always a lively scene. All in all, a nice little place, and a lovely atmosphere in which to train.