Hand is about to grab the cross

The aurora

Interesting places...

Storybook Villages: Lavenham, England

Stroll through High Street in Lavenham, England, and you’ll think you’ve stepped into a quirky storybook. The town was built by wealthy cloth merchants in the 15th century and is full of preserved, half-timbered, medieval cottages. In particular, the pastel orange Crooked House, whose second floor can only be described as “catawampus,” was built before Shakespeare was born. The quaint buildings and narrow streets have made it a popular filming location for movies. The Market Square was the setting of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1970 film “Apotheosis.”

Matamata, NEW ZEALAND

Matamata, New Zealand, is the site of a sheep farm that was transformed into Hobbiton for the "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy. Travelers can sign up for a tour of the working farm and step inside some of the hobbit holes that were part of the movie set. The landscape is sure to please, but you won’t find much inside the hobbit holes except perhaps for the “ends of worms.”

Nelson, British Columbia

Nelson was the scenic star of the 1987 film “Roxanne,” and for good reason. Steve Martin and Daryl Hannah were frolicking in a drop-dead gorgeous silver-rush town full of restored heritage buildings. Martin, playing the character of town Fire Chief C.D. Bales, used his magnificent schnoz to sniff out fires from his home base at the local fire hall. Nelson, on the banks of the Kootenay River, is a great base of operations to explore Kootenay Lake and the Selkirk Mountains.

So of this list.. the first.. I will venture to will be Nelson, British Columbia.. only because it will be in close distance to where I will reside. I loved that movie...thinking I might have to rent it out again.. and when I go visit it this summer.. I can see how much its grown.. or maybe it hasn't!!


And of course.. we can't have this list without Switzerland

Grindelwald, Switzerland

As your cable car zips up the alpine slopes to Grindelwald First, one of the world’s most beautiful skiing areas, you wouldn’t be surprised if Heidi of storybook fame came running out to greet you. Grindelwald is quintessential Switzerland, complete with plenty of powder, charming ski chalets, soaring mountains and cozy restaurants for eating fondue. Grindelwald has been a movie location, too. It was the scenic star of the James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” as well as the Clint Eastwood flick “The Eiger Sanction.”

How to ship your bike by plane!

1. When you buy a plane ticket, ask the airline how much it will cost to ship your bike and what the rules and regulations are for shipping. Do you need to ship it in a hard case or can you use a cardboard box? Ask if there maximum sizes that can be shipped. If you decide to go this route, tell them you will be shipping your bike as one of your pieces of baggage.

2. Measure your bike and see how big it is, because you are going to need a box or hard case to pack it in to get it on the airplane. For boxes, you can get them at your local bike store for a small fee. Hard-sided bike suitcases will cost upwards to $350, but you will have it forever and you can also purchase a collapsible one as well. You might also consider what is called a triangular box and in this case you don’t even have to disassemble your bike.

3. When it comes time to pack your bike you will have to minimally disassemble it, depending on the size of the box. Perhaps you will only have to take off the wheels and the handlebars. You might also have to take off the seat and the pedals to fit the bike into the case or box. If you have decided to go with the triangular box then all you need to do is use the quick release on both the front wheel and seat. The bike will be held with the tie downs that come with the box.

4. If you are packing your bike in the cardboard box, you might want to make sure you add some padding. This is in case the bike parts move around and you don’t want anything to accidentally get poked through the cardboard or lost.

5. If you use a hard case to ship your bike, you can even lock it. Be sure and use a TSA approved lock, which you can find at any store.

6. Check your bike in at the airline counter and when you get to your destination you will have to pick your bag up in the oversized baggage area.

For the hard sided carriers PerformanceBike has one for less than $250. or "Ironcase" made by Trico Sports Shipping Case option: For the best protection when travelling, we also recommend shipping your bike in a Bike Travel Case (available for sale or rent from Landry's store)

Keep in mind International flights. Your bike can count as one of your two pieces of checked luggage, usually without any surcharge. So if you can get by with one other piece of checked luggage, this can be a good option.

More info on bike cases:
http://www.biketcba.org/general/bikecases.html

bike cases for sale
http://www.bikemania.biz/Bike_Boxes_s/28.htm

Vancouver

Vancouver and Vicinity

Highlights

• Canada Place
      - Architectural Masterpiece
  
• Storyeum
      - Gastown, main tourist precint
  
• Grainville Island
      -Arts
      -Boats Being Built
      -Market Stalls
  
• Stanley Park
      -Part Of Downtown
  
• VanDusen Botanical Garden
  
• Museum of Anthropology
  
• Grouse Mountain
  

  -Gondola provides views across the city to Mt Baker in Washington State
  

  -Half Day excursion with on mountain activities
  

• Lund
  

  -End of Sunshine Coast
  

  -Fishing Village
  

• Whistler Gondola
  

  -For the Views Alone
  

 

Downtown Vancouver

• Vancouver Lookout
  

  -Harbour Centre Tower
  

  -40 Story High Speed, Stomach Sinking Glass Elevator
  

  -Enclosed Room 167 Metres (550 Ft) above street level
  

  -360 Degree View Extend to Mt Baker in Washington
  

• Canada Place
  

  -Symbol of Vancouver
  

  -Don't miss walking exterior Promenade for splendid views of the harbor, the North Shore, the Coast Mountains and docked Alaska-bound Cruise Ships
  

-

August 11th 2009

As written by myself in a diary that i was intending to write on my first holiday. Here this is written as i embark on my first international flight.

August 11th 2009

Woke up this morning after finally falling asleep about 10.30pm, spent the night watching tv, Ice road truckers and some dog bails officer of which i can’t remember the name of.
I’m sitting in the departures hall as i write this at 8.57am approximately 30 minutes to boarding.
It’s getting exciting. This will be my first time overseas. Woooo. At the moment I don’t actually want anything to hurry because i know its all that much closer to ending. I’m sitting her watching the planes land and take off.

Wishes.. hopes and dreams

http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/product/preview/flash/pdShell.swf?ihost=http://ak.imgag.com/imgag&brandldrPath=/product/full/el/&cardNum=/product/full/ap/3173936/graphic1

had to laugh at that.. kind of felt like that.. sitting.. waiting.. being in the dog house.. LOL..

So Christmas is that time of year that we are to have our hopes and dreams.. and all our wishes fulfilled.. well.. that's what we think when we are children. I remember as a kid... the magic, and excitement of that glorious day.. and we weren't really taught the reason for Christmas... I remember watching the Charlie Brown Christmas Special:

On their way to join the rest of the Peanuts gang all skating on a frozen pond, Charlie Brown confides in Linus that even though Christmas is approaching he still feels depressed despite all the presents and cards and tree decorating. His depression and aggravation only get exacerbated by the goings-on in the neighborhood. Though his mailbox is empty of Christmas cards, he tries sarcastically to thank Violet for the card she "sent" him, though Violet says she did not send him a card.

Ultimately, Charlie Brown visits Lucy in her psychiatric booth. On her advice, he gets involved in directing a school play about the Nativity. She also sympathizes with Charlie Brown about holiday depression, always getting "a lot of stupid toys" instead of what she really wants: real estate.

On the way to the auditorium, Charlie Brown is drawn to Snoopy, who is frantically and gleefully busy decorating his doghouse. After Charlie Brown demands an explanation, Snoopy hands him a flyer about a neighborhood lights and display contest.

Charlie Brown walks away in frustration at his own dog being bitten by the commercial bug. He then gets accosted by Sally, who wants Charlie Brown to take dictation for a letter to Santa, in which she ultimately asks him (Santa) to "just send money", particularly tens and twenties, causing Charlie Brown to run away in exasperation of even his sister's commercial corruption.

Charlie Brown arrives at the rehearsals, but try as he might, he cannot seem to get control of the situation as the uncooperative kids are more interested in modernizing the play with dancing and lively music. Charlie Brown, on the other hand, is determined not to let the play become commercial and to direct the traditional side of the story.

Thinking the play requires "the proper mood", Charlie Brown decides they need a Christmas tree. So Lucy takes over the crowd and dispatches Charlie Brown to get a "big, shiny aluminum tree...maybe painted pink". With Linus in tow, Charlie Brown sets off on his quest. But when they get to the tree market, Charlie Brown zeroes in on a small baby tree which, ironically as well as symbolically, is the only real living tree on the lot. Linus displays surprise upon seeing the tree and exclaims, "Gee, do they still make wooden Christmas trees?”

Linus is reluctant about Charlie Brown's choice of this tree, but Charlie Brown is convinced that decorating it will be just right for the play, and so they return to the school auditorium with the tree, only to be verbally castigated by everyone, especially Lucy, about his choice. Second guessing himself, Charlie Brown begins to wonder if he really knows what Christmas is about, loudly asking in despair. Linus quietly says he can tell him, and walks to center stage to make his point. Under a spotlight, Linus quotes Scripture, particularly the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, verses 8 through 14: [King James Version]

"'⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

Charlie Brown now realizes he does not have to let commercialism ruin his Christmas. With a newly found sense of inspiration, he quietly picks up the little tree and walks out of the auditorium, intending to take the tree home to decorate and show the others it will work in the play.

On the way, he stops at Snoopy's decorated doghouse, which now sports a first prize blue ribbon for winning the display contest. Letting his dog's commercialism roll off his back, Charlie Brown takes an ornament off the doghouse and hangs it on his tree, but the ornament's weight is too much for the small branch and pulls it to the ground much to Charlie Brown's shock.

Unbeknownst to Charlie Brown; the rest of the gang, having also heard Linus' recitation, began to realize they were a little too rough on Charlie Brown and quietly followed him from the auditorium. Linus goes up to the little tree and gently props the drooping branch back to its upright position, ornament and all. After they add the remaining decorations from Snoopy's doghouse to the tree, the kids then start humming the Christmas carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". When Charlie Brown returns, he demands to know what's going on. When he sees what they have done with the tree, he cannot believe his eyes, and the kids give him a rousing "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!" before singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" as the end credits roll.

excerpt from Wikipedia

I too am like Charlie Brown.. was looking for the deeper meaning of it all.. and it is amazing how we can get caught up in the commercialism of the holiday..
Here I am older.. not so much wiser.. but yeah.. I know what this season is about.. I understand who Christ is.. and that He is our Savior.. that God..sent Him to be the propitiation of our sins. (I hope I spelled that right) He is the lamb.. the one that died for me.. for you.. for each and every one of us... we just have to simply believe...

If you find yourself pondering the meaning of Christmas.. I hope you too get a chance to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas special.. and may it touch your heart, your mind and your soul!

thanks for reading.. and Merry Christmas!

Places I’ve Visited

Travel Map

I've visited 99 cities in 3 countries.

My Favorite Destinations

1. Sydney, Australia
2. Kelowna, Canada
3. Santa Monica, CA, USA
4. Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
5. Three Rivers, CA, USA
6. Big Sur, CA, USA

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Discovering Los Angeles

August 2009
My first ever holiday overseas and its to the big city of LA. It is definitely a party town, as long as you leave 2 hours earlier to get to where your going due to all the traffic but apart from that, its well worth a visit. The thing i enjoyed most about my visit was Santa Monica Beach, the Pier and the walk down to Venice Beach and seeing the Market Stalls along the path. I enjoyed the "casualness", casual for LA, of the beach life just walking the beach and enjoying a little bit of sun when it peaked through the smog and marine layer. Santa Monica Pier is a fun and exciting place with Rides and Entertainment such as buskers as you stroll along it.

Having not seen much in life, this trip included a whole lot of firsts for me. My last visit to a zoo was almost 20 years ago at the age of 4 or 5 and i don't remember much of it. Of course my trip to LA had to involve the zoo, so off we went to the zoo for a day to just wander around enjoying some animals. Not

Sunset at Santa Monica Pier

something i could do often but for a new and refreshed experience, well worth it. Seeing Lions, tigers, Elephants, Giraffes, Gorillas and apes is always worth it.

A journey into Beverly Hills is a journey into the richer side of life. People with there fancy cars, clothes and attitudes, a side of life that i may never have or would ever enjoy. But of course, each to there own. Just driving around the streets, you see the "wealth" these people have with there Huge houses with 8 ft high fences, security gates, well manicured lawns.
My visit to LA also involved all the other touristy things such as Griffith Observatory where James Dean filmed part of his film "Rebel without a Cause", visiting the observatory also allows you to get a glimpse of the famous Hollywood Sign. La Brea Tar Pits are very much interesting in that you get to see fossils being cleaned and put back together from the pits they are dug from.
Peterson Car Museum has some amazing cars in its collection and is well worth the visit for any car enthusiast or for just a lazy walk around to see how cars have developed.

Santa Monica Beach Sunset

The museum is well set out with its displays and themes.
A walk down Hollywood Boulevard is a showcase of the crazier side of life. Walking with your head down into a crowd of people as you read the names of the Stars or the names written in cement is a little daunting as you hold onto your camera securely with the strap wrapped around your wrist. Going into a place like Hollywood, a country boy like myself feels a little insecure. The stories you hear in the news don't do much for the courage when you don't really no much better. Will i get mugged by this guy? Oh what about this guy? Oooo he looks suspicious... In all, my little insecurities were nothing to worry about and my journey into Hollywood was enjoyable.

A trip to Los Angeles wasn't to be without Disneyland, so a day was spent at the happiest place on earth. Getting my picture taken with Mickey Mouse and the fireworks and show at the end of the night were highlights of the Disney experience. The atmosphere at a place like Disneyland is quite amazing considering how many people, how many children, how hot

Santa Monica Pier Sunset

it was and how long the queues are, it's a very happy place when you take all that into consideration. Eating pizza in Mickey's Toon Town is something that i thought i would never do, as was walking through his house but of course i did it, ticking it off the list of things to do in life.

Los Angeles, a place for so many millions but not for me. Hours spent in traffic do not excite me all that much just to go 10 mile. A great place to visit to do all the tourist attractions that are available but not something i could do all that often. Give me the wide open country, mountainous locations any day. Having said that, my Los Angeles experience was very good in that i got to see a side of life that i don't very often get to see. Everyone has to experience at least once in life a different view of the world, so that they do not take for granted what they love the most.

Sequoia National Park

August 2009
Sequoia National Park is a place that words and pictures don't do justice. For this trip to Sequoia, the journey started in Los Angeles but this story will start at Reimers Candies and Gifts at Three Rivers, California. Here i enjoyed one of the nicest wildberry icecreams along with a bubble gum ice cream too. A very delicious start to my trip.

Driving through the outer area of the park is quite amazing as you know you are going into something so majestic. If it wasn't enough that i was seeing this wonderful park on my drive into the campsite, i got to see my first real life bear just walking across the road. Very Much a thrill for my first holiday and my first time in a National Park.

Hiking through Sequoia was always planned for this trip and it didn't disappoint. On one particular hike, the Crescent Meadow trail in the Giant Forest which takes you through some lovely areas including the meadow which on a summers morning is very beautiful, taking you past Tharps log which is a hollowed out Sequoia tree in which he lived, we encountered a couple of cubs on a leisurely stroll

Reimers Candies

through the meadow. Another wonderful sight to see.
At 6725 ft, Moro Rock was going to be another huge thrill. Coming from the lowlands of Australia at around 500ft, 6000 ft difference is huge, i was ready to be in awe. And in awe i was, the 400 steps up the rock were well worth it.

A journey inside Crystal Cave was quite fun. Having never stepped inside a cave it was quite a different view of the world. Having no sight in the cave made me appreciate how lucky i really am.
Overall one week in Sequoia National Park was an exciting and amazing time. Something that i will remember for a very long time.

Delicious
Reimers Candies and Gifts, Three Rivers

Christmas Trees and where they came from

Why do we have a decorated Christmas Tree? In the 7th century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, went to Germany to teach the Word of God. He did many good works there, and spent much time in Thuringia, an area which was to become the cradle of the Christmas Decoration Industry.

Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God's Tree, as they had previously revered the Oak. By the 12th century it was being hung, upside-down, from ceilings at Christmastime in Central Europe, as a symbol of Christianity.

The first decorated tree was at Riga in Latvia, in 1510. In the early 16th century, Martin Luther is said to have decorated a small Christmas Tree with candles, to show his children how the stars twinkled through the dark night.

THE EVERGREEN

Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.

TINSEL

Tinsel was invented in Germany around 1610. At that time real silver was used, and machines were invented which pulled the silver out into the wafer thin strips for tinsel. Silver was durable, but tarnished quickly, especially with candlelight. Attempts were made to use a mixture of lead and tin, but this was heavy and tended to break under its own weight so was not so practical. So silver was used for tinsel right up to the mid-20th century.

By the 1870's, Glass ornaments were being imported into Britain from Lauscha, in Thuringia. It became a status symbol to have glass ornaments on the tree, the more one had, the better ones status!

Decorations were not easy to find in the shanty towns of the West, and people began to make their own decorations. Tin was pierced to create lights and lanterns to hold candles which could shine through the holes. Decorations of all kinds were cutout, stitched and glued. The General Stores were hunting grounds for old magazines with pictures, rolls of Cotton Batting (Cotton Wool), and tinsel, which was occasionally sent from Germany or brought in from the Eastern States. The Paper 'Putz' or Christmas Crib was a popular feature under the tree, especially in the Moravian Dutch communities which settled in Pennsylvania.

and there you have it..

Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam)

The flag of Vietnam.

 

Capital: Hanoi
Area: 326,797 km²
Population: 82,689,518 (July 2004 est.)
Vietnam is the 13th most populous country in the world.

1 Aussie Dollar = 16400 Vietnamese Dollars
1 US Dollar = 18400 Vietnamese Dollars

The Vietnam War

The war was fought between the communist North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other anti-communist nations.

Side note: Communism is a social structure and political ideology in which property is commonly controlled. Communism (written with a capital C) is a modern political movement that aims to create a classless society where all goods are publicly owned.

The United States entered the war to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam as part of their wider strategy of containment. Military advisors arrived beginning in 1950. U.S. involvement escalated in the early 1960s, with U.S. troop levels tripling in 1961 and tripling again in 1962.

Involvement peaked in 1968 at the time of the Tet Offensive. After this, U.S. ground forces were withdrawn as part of a policy called Vietnamization.

The war exacted a huge human cost in terms of fatalities, including 3 to 4 million Vietnamese from both sides, 1.5 to 2 million Laotians and Cambodians, and 58,159 U.S. soldiers.

Australia and the Phillipines were also on the Anti-Communist side.

The infamous photo of Phan Thị Kim Phúc.
8 June 1972: Kim Phúc, center left, running down a road near Trang Bang after a South Vietnamese Air Force napalm attack.

Since the war, Vietnam has been slowly turning itself around.
-In 1986, it instituted economic and political reforms and began a path towards international reintegration.
-By 2000, it had established diplomatic relations with most nations. Its economic growth had been among the highest in the world in the past decade.
-These efforts culminated in Vietnam joining the World Trade Organization in 2007.and its successful bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2008.

 Halong Bay
A world heritage site, Historical research surveys have shown the presence of prehistorical human beings in this area ten of thousands years ago.
Nowadays, Ha Long Bay is one of the most popular travel destinations in Vietnam.

Vietnam

Top Gear Vietnam Special

This video was on my flight from Sydney to LA and it is so good that i watched it both flights, back and forth. Well worth the watch.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Canada video

Golden Gate Bridge

From Wikipedia

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, it connects the city of San Francisco on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County. The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed during the year 1937, and has become an internationally recognized symbol of San Francisco and California. Since its completion, the span length has been surpassed by eight other bridges.

In 1999, it was ranked fifth on the List of America's Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects.

Despite its red appearance, the color of the bridge is officially an orange vermillion called international orange.^[24] The color was selected by consulting architect Irving Morrow because it blends well with the natural surroundings yet enhances the bridge's visibility in fog.

Strange Fact
The Golden Gate Bridge is the most popular place to commit suicide in the United States^[42] and is one of the most popular in the world.^[43] The deck is approximately 245 feet (75 m) above the water.^[44] After a fall of approximately four seconds, jumpers hit the water at some 76 miles per hour (122 km/h). At such a speed, water has proven to take on the properties similar but not equal to concrete. Because of this, most jumpers die on their immediate contact with the water. The few who survive the initial impact drown or die of hypothermia in the cold water.

Wind
Since its completion, the Golden Gate Bridge has been closed due to weather conditions only three times: on 1 December 1951, because of gusts of 69 mph (111 km/h); on 23 December 1982, because of winds of 70 mph (113 km/h); and on 3 December 1983, because of wind gusts of 75 mph (121 km/h).

Statistics
Total Length – 8981 Feet (2737 m)
Width – 90 Feet (27m)

Christmas came early in Canada ... hehe

Here I am with my siblings... we are a wacky bunch.. no matter where we are we seem to get along quite well.. which I find so refreshing cuz most times you have some jealousy or animosity..and well.. to be honest.. we don't have that.. Sure we pick and tease each other but hey.. don't we all... I love that no matter where I am.. or what's going on in my life.. I have these two very special peeps! They wouldn't think twice about picking me up... keep in mind I am 2000 miles away!.. Okay they might gripe about who's paying for gas.. or who's buying the coffee.. LOL.. no seriously..they are a reassurance to me, in more ways than just affirming I am nuts. ... and I wouldn't trade my family for anything.. love them dearly!..

Our "mock Christmas" as it was deemed.. was awesome.. we had great food.. and lots of it.. we played games .. which is always hilarious..cuz the 3 you see on the couch.. are all Leo's.. does that tell you anything about the competitive nature.. haha.. we all wanna win..

Well it was great fun, thankfully I have many pics of that day.. some of us dancing.. singing.. (yeah you don't wanna see those) and then posing during the gameplay.. haha..

I hadn't been home for Christmas in let's just say.. way too long.. and it was awesome to be there.. and now.. being back in the US.. I can say.. I miss them all dearly.. and look forward to spending many more holidays with them!....

Great Joy!

Christmas is coming.. and I am not sure why but it seems each year I find myself further and further behind.. well.. I know why.. its because I have lost what it really means... I have been swept away again with the hustle and bustle of having to have things just so.. decorations "all" over the house.. (yeah I go a bit crazy) I mean who boxes up most of their belongings to bring out the christmas stuff.. this year.. haven't done that.. what little is out.. sends the message... Christmas is whats in the heart.. not whats under the tree.. or how your decorations are strewn about the yard... or that you have more then your neighbor.. or that planes are attempting to land on your roof..or front yard...no instead for me this year.. its going to stay simple.. its going to say.. "hey.. I love you".. I will pull out the decorations from years past.. as simple reminders.. of when the kids were younger.. when the "magic" of Christmas was sooo exciting.. it still is.. don't get me wrong..

I had a picture of an old victorian house..a Thomas Kinkade one..
Its a reminder of what was.. a simpler time.. when people weren't in such a hurry.. and they walked down the snow covered streets hand in hand.. waving.. saying hello..

I need to bring the quietness.. and the magic back into my Christmas..

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

A New Dawn, A New Day, A New Bike

A post from Apples go splat regarding a purchase of a new bike, fantastic for exploring the Albury Surrounds. Look out for some adventures on this new blue girl.

Born 16th December 2009 at 2.30pm.
Height - 76cm's , Weight - unknown
Born at - Full Cycle
City - Albury, NSW, Australia
Father - Aaron Barry

http://applesgosplat.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-dawn-new-day-new-bike.html

The RULES to the game!!!

We had some difficulty with our gaming skills and keeping to specific rules, so after much debate we both felt it would be wise to pen the rules down, so Aaron would not be able to randomly change the rules on me..
so here goes:


Punch buggy rules..

rule no 1: There are no rules
rule no 2: Do not follow rule no 1
rule no 3: Punching on the shoulder is only allowed
rule no 4: Must state "punch buggy & colour"
rule no 5: Not stating "no returns" involves the opponent to punch back
rule no 6: Free hits are gained from mistaken colours or cars
rule no 7: Free hits can be used at any time
rule no 8: Aaron is always right (unless he is sitting on the left)
rule no 9: Do not cross out rule no 8 (guess who wrote the rules??)
rule no 10: VW dealerships are void
rule no 11: Play honestly & fairly and within the sportmanship of the game (this was a reminder for Aaron... obviously!! )
rule no 12: Think about rule no 8
rule no 13: There is no rule no 13, its bad luck (yeah for you.. I like the no 13!! was always lucky for me!! )
rule no 14: If your winning, the opponent let you win (this is so Aaron won't feel bad.. we'll keep this rule just so he'll keep playing..)
rule no 15: Pictures of buggies are not allowed
rule no 16: using the same buggy twice.. not allowed..
rule no 17: 5 punch buggies in a row is an ass whopping..(poor Aaron..)
rule no 18: Bridget can change the rules at any time (we initially stated upon Aaron's approval but that was voided the moment he left the continent of north america)
rule no 19: In fairness to Aaron who is on a different continent this was added, you can take a picture of a buggy and email with heading PBNR and thus saving punches to administer at a later time.
rule no 20: you can not use the same picture multiple times either, and they must be actual buggys in motion or on the road.

6- Penticton

Penticton is a place that within 15 minutes of studying a map, you can pretty much know your way around the town. Arriving in Penticton with a phone call that had issues with Mountain Phone Coverage, we headed for our lovely host/hostess. An innovative indoor car wash started the Penticton Stay as well as a quick view of the Lake and the entrance to the town. With a bit of gym and a bit of bootcamp which I handled with considerable ease, the first few days of the stay were quite relaxing and was ready and raring to go over the next few days and over the weekend. With what we had planned, it was going to be busy.

Being hit with reality and realizing that steel cap boots would make our toes fall off, Thursday was a day of shopping where we ended up at Walmart purchasing some nice warm winter boots and a pair of gloves for my finger tips and a nice thermal beanie to keep my head warm. The investment in these pieces of items was well worth the money as we found out the next day when we went snowshoeing up Apex mountain. Our toes were quite thankful as we trudged our way up hill in snow wearing shoes that are way bigger then clown shoes. After an effort and a half, we made it half way up the mountain only to find that it only got steeper, That’s schtoopid. As the saying goes, “what goes up, must come down”, so we went down. We went down in like 2% of the time it took us to climb up, however we did most of that sliding on our ass, straight down the side.

Friday didn’t end there. Friday night was the first hockey game I had watched in full and first game I had ever been to. The Penticton Vees were playing this night and of course were my adopted team, so my support went to the Vee’s. GO VEES. With Wine and $2 beer night happening, along with the company and the hockey, it was quite an entertaining night with dancers on big screens shaking there booties over and over, jiggy jiggy. The Vees with all my support came off triumphant this night.

QUICK!! Someone get the number for 9 – 1 – 1. We have a Popcorn and popcorn dish thief. The night ended with a big clunk and a

Ring a ring a rosie
A pocketful of posies
a-tishoo!, a-tishoo!.
We all fall down.

I pity the poor cleaners who thinking there job was done, to then make there way out of the premises to find popcorn strewn across the floor. The Cleaning bill for the Penticton Ice Hockey Venue has just doubled. The fun continued the next day with my second hockey game as I watched a juniors game with some recovery A&W in the middle and a nice Tim Hortons Coffee to warm us all up. After the Hockey game, it was my turn to try my ice skating ability.

(Excerpt from My Trip to Canada)

Exploring Albury

When the Albury/Wodonga bypass was built, along came with it a bike path that takes you from one end of Albury to the other, wonderful. This is just one bike path within Albury and i quite frequent it. From my door i can ride over a bridge and be taken to anywhere within Albury from that path using many of the cycling friendly roads. The paths are pretty well kept but being a walking path too, glass is often found on the track from broken bottles and people breaking the lamp lights.
A map of Albury paths can be found here Albury Map On the map, the path i am talking about is the Yellow Thurgoona - Albury Trail. I will cover the other trails sooner or later. As you can see, the paths that Albury has are numerous and cover most areas of the town so that bike travellers don't always have to travel by road if they don't want to.