Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Pearl Beach hotel
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Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Island cruising
It was rest say of sorts, crusing around the island through the
fishing and farming villages and rubber plantations. We were treated
to seeing the method of processing the raw material.
fishing and farming villages and rubber plantations. We were treated
to seeing the method of processing the raw material.
It was a nice relaxing ride, and great the have some shade during the
midday sun.
Off kayaking today.
Sent from my iPhone
Friday, December 25, 2009
Another great day
Our second day of kayaking in perfect weather. Heading off from Koh
Yoa Noi, we ferried to the northern end of the island and then set off
from there to Koh Kudu and then after a relaxing lunch we headed to
Koh Roi, then catching a ferry back.
Yoa Noi, we ferried to the northern end of the island and then set off
from there to Koh Kudu and then after a relaxing lunch we headed to
Koh Roi, then catching a ferry back.
Tomorrow we stay on the Koh Yao Noi and do some mountain biking :)
Merry Christmas :)
Sent from my iPhone
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tha Thiap Ruea Bang Rong, Pa Khlok
Heading off to the islands, hot hot hot and loving it.
Sent from my iPhone
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Surin Beach
Chillin out on Surin Beach! Very nice, weathers hot, waters warm and the beers cold.
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, December 21, 2009
Enjoying a snack: Thanon Ratchadamri, Lumphini
A bit of sightseeing and a afternoon snack of noodles.
Sent from my iPhone
Santi Suk, Phra Khanong
Time to sleep, my digs come complements of Coll and Tone.
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, December 20, 2009
All checked in!
The back is being loaded and ready to get this show on the road!
I'm trying to enjoy the worlds most expensive muffin!!!
Sent from my iPhone
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Boiler in Canberra
Higgy and I were back in Canberra for this years Urban Polaris. This
year the start was pretty much in the centre of the city, great start.
It appeared to be a course that would be cleared by some, but still
appeared to be tricky in order selection.
year the start was pretty much in the centre of the city, great start.
It appeared to be a course that would be cleared by some, but still
appeared to be tricky in order selection.
It was a lot of fun although very hot, but always worth the effort.
Results to come.
Sent from my iPhone
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
My Current Location
After a great suggestion by cuz dean. I find myself enjoying Oxford St, for lunch.
Sent from my iPhone
Friday, October 09, 2009
Waiting for a plane
Off to Brisbane for the weekend, here's hoping the weather's a bit
better than Sydney.
better than Sydney.
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, October 04, 2009
A windy tour
It was a cold and wind day, it was a relatively calm start, but by the
time the climb really started, so did the wind as the temperature
dropped. 12km with a altitude climb of nearly 550 metres. Tanya did
really well, where Phil was suffering knee problems.
time the climb really started, so did the wind as the temperature
dropped. 12km with a altitude climb of nearly 550 metres. Tanya did
really well, where Phil was suffering knee problems.
Pete 1:19:50 4th overall 3rd open mens
Tanya 1:25 6th overall? 2nd open females
Phil 1:51
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Thursday, September 03, 2009
OxFam Trail Walker 2009 - Wrap Up.
28/08/09 03:45: It was a very early start, as most event days are, but this time I had to catch a train to the starting line. After wolfing down some cereal and a half a cup of coffee, I rang for a taxi, how long would it take , it was a Friday morning there’d be plenty of taxis, with 15mins left to get to the station, hmmm things were getting tight. It did finally show, and it was an anxious ride down Parramatta road to central station, I had to run the last bit, but made it. I guess that was a way of warming up.
I met my other team mate Nick there, as cool and calm as always, we made ourselves comfortable on the 04:45 service to Newcastle. It would take a little more than 1 hour to reach our destination. Mark joined us at Strathfield and Nikita at Hornsby, so the band was together, and ready to play. All was set for the 2009 OxFam Trailwalker.
It was a perfect morning, clear skies and even better warm. W e had a little under an hour to await, I saw some familiar faces in the crowds, people for my other events, adventure racers, rogainers, summer series runners and friends.
The starter’s pistol rang out at 07:00 and we were away! Now the course was changes at the last moment so I wasn’t expecting the near vertical climb up to the ridge line. Perhaps that was for the best, Nikita’s knee injury from 3 weeks ago, had not really had a chance to heal, do it was under the pump from the get go, and it wasn’t looking good. After a heart pounding 15 minutes were reached the ridge line and the trail flattened out and allowed us to gain a regular heart rate. For the next 8kms we headed of without any real issue, but Nikita’s knee wasn’t getting any better and the rough down hill sections were coming up, so the acid test was on its way.
The first 2 sections cover approximately 30km, these are the hardest of the 100km to walk, and comprise a series of steep descents and ascents, and will expose any weakness your knees or ankles may have. The clear skies we enjoyed in the morning were also our foe later in the day as the temperature rose and rose, more like a summer’s day than winters.
While the terrain was slowing Nikita down, she was still persevering and we were only slightly behind schedule. But by the time she made it into Berowra Checkpoint2 (Georgie, our lovely support team, met us here), her knee had finally given up and she was unhappy to have to withdraw from the even. And then there were 3.
Mark, Nick & myself headed of in the heat of the afternoon, we made good time to Apple Tree Bay CP3, meeting up Georgie, Nikita and Alastair who had joined the support team. As a result of making up some time, Mark had run out of water and was starting to cramp up in the legs. The next section was going to test him, especially with the last climb out of the creek line. We pushed on, and while we were expecting to use our light son this section, we made it out of the bush and onto the streets before it was too dark. It was a little win for us. CP4 was a no support crew stop, but by some coincidence, we managed to find some slat tablets for Mark. :-)
The next section to St Ives Showground was longer than I expected, especially as I hadn’t walked it before. The fire trail and concrete covered section were painful on the feet and it wasn’t till we reached CP5 did Nick realise how much, his feet had suffered from a blister attack on the balls of his feet, and while bravely attempting to do the next section it wasn’t to be. Then there were 2.
The journey to CP6 was a quiet one for Mark and I, each of our managing our pain, to get us through to the next section. We finally emerged to our support crew which now numbered 4 as Peter had joined. Nick was on his way home.
And then there were 2.
We now had to find a new team to join to see us through to the end. This brought us in contact with team 188, "Comfortably Numb", a group of school mates that decided to do the OxFam walk as part of a 30yr celebration. Go figure? They were a great bunch, and I think we joining them was as good for there moral as for our moral. While a trudge, it was familiar trail for me, so I was feeling comfortable again, and were within 500mtrs when the rain started to fall. Fortunately, we were able to make it to the tent and heaters without getting too wet. By now, stopping was inviting, was also a trap, the longer I sat the worse I felt. So for me movent was the key.
The section between CP7 and CP8 is one I have never liked, and while I was physically, up for it, it just does my head in. The group worked it’s was through, and felt like it was making good progress. The trail took us past Bantry Bay which is a place I’ve kayaked to plenty of time, and a beautiful spot. But at 4AM it was losing a bit of it’s lustre.. haha, especially the last pinch climb up the plateau. There was a section that they actually had a rope needed!
CP8 was a welcome sight, it brought with it knowledge that there was only 11 km’s left to our 100km journey, but it was also a relatively easy stretch, with the majority covered by roads and street paths. While tired my spirits rose with every step closer to the finish line. Thoughts of next year had already started to permeate my thoughts, did I really want to put myself through this again or was this year it! Like all major events finishing stir my emotional side, the achievement, the effort and determination required to finish and the friends (team mates and support) that come on the journey with you.
24hr40min clicked over as we passed the finish line. It was done, let the recovery begin.
To my fellow team mates, Mark, Nikita & Nick thank you. To our support crew, Georgie, Al & Peter we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank You!.
I met my other team mate Nick there, as cool and calm as always, we made ourselves comfortable on the 04:45 service to Newcastle. It would take a little more than 1 hour to reach our destination. Mark joined us at Strathfield and Nikita at Hornsby, so the band was together, and ready to play. All was set for the 2009 OxFam Trailwalker.
It was a perfect morning, clear skies and even better warm. W e had a little under an hour to await, I saw some familiar faces in the crowds, people for my other events, adventure racers, rogainers, summer series runners and friends.
The starter’s pistol rang out at 07:00 and we were away! Now the course was changes at the last moment so I wasn’t expecting the near vertical climb up to the ridge line. Perhaps that was for the best, Nikita’s knee injury from 3 weeks ago, had not really had a chance to heal, do it was under the pump from the get go, and it wasn’t looking good. After a heart pounding 15 minutes were reached the ridge line and the trail flattened out and allowed us to gain a regular heart rate. For the next 8kms we headed of without any real issue, but Nikita’s knee wasn’t getting any better and the rough down hill sections were coming up, so the acid test was on its way.
The first 2 sections cover approximately 30km, these are the hardest of the 100km to walk, and comprise a series of steep descents and ascents, and will expose any weakness your knees or ankles may have. The clear skies we enjoyed in the morning were also our foe later in the day as the temperature rose and rose, more like a summer’s day than winters.
While the terrain was slowing Nikita down, she was still persevering and we were only slightly behind schedule. But by the time she made it into Berowra Checkpoint2 (Georgie, our lovely support team, met us here), her knee had finally given up and she was unhappy to have to withdraw from the even. And then there were 3.
Mark, Nick & myself headed of in the heat of the afternoon, we made good time to Apple Tree Bay CP3, meeting up Georgie, Nikita and Alastair who had joined the support team. As a result of making up some time, Mark had run out of water and was starting to cramp up in the legs. The next section was going to test him, especially with the last climb out of the creek line. We pushed on, and while we were expecting to use our light son this section, we made it out of the bush and onto the streets before it was too dark. It was a little win for us. CP4 was a no support crew stop, but by some coincidence, we managed to find some slat tablets for Mark. :-)
The next section to St Ives Showground was longer than I expected, especially as I hadn’t walked it before. The fire trail and concrete covered section were painful on the feet and it wasn’t till we reached CP5 did Nick realise how much, his feet had suffered from a blister attack on the balls of his feet, and while bravely attempting to do the next section it wasn’t to be. Then there were 2.
The journey to CP6 was a quiet one for Mark and I, each of our managing our pain, to get us through to the next section. We finally emerged to our support crew which now numbered 4 as Peter had joined. Nick was on his way home.
And then there were 2.
We now had to find a new team to join to see us through to the end. This brought us in contact with team 188, "Comfortably Numb", a group of school mates that decided to do the OxFam walk as part of a 30yr celebration. Go figure? They were a great bunch, and I think we joining them was as good for there moral as for our moral. While a trudge, it was familiar trail for me, so I was feeling comfortable again, and were within 500mtrs when the rain started to fall. Fortunately, we were able to make it to the tent and heaters without getting too wet. By now, stopping was inviting, was also a trap, the longer I sat the worse I felt. So for me movent was the key.
The section between CP7 and CP8 is one I have never liked, and while I was physically, up for it, it just does my head in. The group worked it’s was through, and felt like it was making good progress. The trail took us past Bantry Bay which is a place I’ve kayaked to plenty of time, and a beautiful spot. But at 4AM it was losing a bit of it’s lustre.. haha, especially the last pinch climb up the plateau. There was a section that they actually had a rope needed!
CP8 was a welcome sight, it brought with it knowledge that there was only 11 km’s left to our 100km journey, but it was also a relatively easy stretch, with the majority covered by roads and street paths. While tired my spirits rose with every step closer to the finish line. Thoughts of next year had already started to permeate my thoughts, did I really want to put myself through this again or was this year it! Like all major events finishing stir my emotional side, the achievement, the effort and determination required to finish and the friends (team mates and support) that come on the journey with you.
24hr40min clicked over as we passed the finish line. It was done, let the recovery begin.
To my fellow team mates, Mark, Nikita & Nick thank you. To our support crew, Georgie, Al & Peter we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank You!.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Oxfam Pics
All smiles at the start.
The very first hill to climb out of Brooklyn.
Nikita's knee calls it a day.
Pete and Mark somewhere on the trail.
CP3 Apple Tree Bay.
Al and Mark
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
My Current Location
Just before the bloody big climb out..... We lost Nikita at the last checkpoint a blown knee.
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, August 27, 2009
OxFam "LIVE" images :-)
We'll see how good this technology thingy work? :-)
If I can I'll be up loading some video during the OxFam. Check out this URL link it'll take you to the clips.
http://qik.com/adv_aus
Moving pictures. :-)
If I can I'll be up loading some video during the OxFam. Check out this URL link it'll take you to the clips.
http://qik.com/adv_aus
Moving pictures. :-)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Bring it on! D-Day - 3
The countdown to the 2009 OxFam Trail Walker is well and truely on. the training has been done, and the body rested.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Lake Macquarie Rogaine (15/08/09)
It was a sensational day for the 12hr rogaine, I was teaming up with my GEO buddy Coxy, our plan was pretty conservative, take it easy and injury free as we both has future events we were training for, me the OxFam in 2 weeks and Coxy the 100k Endurance Race in the Blue Mountains.
Our chosen route was pretty straight forward, but did allow for additional controls if we were ahead of schedule. We headed northwards out from the hash house, in a counter clockwise direction. We were both a little disappointed with the accuracy of the map, too many unmarked creek junctions and tracks. But then it affected everyone. The Tea and Damper stop was great a chance to revitalise the batteries with a nice cup of tea and piece of cake. :-) The track out of the control wasn't as straight forward as we had anticipated, I think we did a couple of loops before we could really say where we were.
In the end our progress was better than we planned so we were able to pick up another 5 controls. With our original objectives completed we didn't want to risk an injury late in the night, so we headed back into the hash house early.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
The big walk
It was time to do our last big walk before OxFam. We decided on starting from checkpoint 1 (Cowan) to just before checkpoint 5 (St Ives showground) this was because of access issues getting to the showground). The forecast was for a cool and windy day, it ended up being a great day for walking.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Oxfam training run
It was our first complete team walk for the oxfam. After a shaky
start, we pushed on from ku ring gai creative sckool to mount ku ring
gai, and back 22-23 km's. It was amazing how quickly my walking
condition had dripped off after nearly a month of relative inactivity
after geo.
start, we pushed on from ku ring gai creative sckool to mount ku ring
gai, and back 22-23 km's. It was amazing how quickly my walking
condition had dripped off after nearly a month of relative inactivity
after geo.
It looks like I'll have to knucle down and get some km's under my
feet. 7 weeks to go I beleive, so there is some time to recover the
situation. :-)
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
4945-4949 New England Hwy, McDougalls Hill New South Wales 2330
It's time for some dinner. Heading home for the weekend great to be out of Sydney!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
GeoQuest 09 - Forster (The Wrap)
 |
| GeoQuest 2009 - Forster |
Well it's been about 2 weeks now since the 2009 GeoQuest was run in
Forster, NSW. It was a great event, made even more enjoyable by
having my siblings as part of our support crew.
The race was made up of 2 legs.
Leg1 (bike, rogaine, bike)
Leg2 (kayak, bike, rogaine, trek, raft, kayak, trek/swim, trek, kayak)
It was an early start just to make the start line in the Barrignton
Tops. A last minute issue with my bike made the start even more
interesting. I noticed that on the way up, my front tire had blown due
to the exhaust of the car. Bummer. But Alex out mechanic was able to
sort it out quickly. Cheer Mate.
Once started it was a 30+km ride (nice and quick, and the mud made it
enjoyable although a bit dirty :-) ) to the rogaine section, a change
of discipline is always nice. We need to collect 3 controls in any
order, there was plenty of bush bashing through some thick, wet rain
forest & creek crossings. then it was back on the bikes for a hard
slog over the Copeland Range, but the down hill was a lot of fun. We
finally made it to the end of leg 1 to a cheering support crew... :-)
From here we had a mandatory 3hrs rest period before we could head
out on the kayaks to begin Leg2.
Leg 2 started with a 20 km kayak to our bikes. It was a perfect
night, the moon was full, the lake was a smooth as glass. A nice and
relaxed pace saw us make the distance in 4 hours. As we were making
the transition to the bikes, the fist signs of the forecasted rain
appeared. The bike rogaine section was pretty straight forward, on
paper that is, but we did have some difficulty with keeping track of
the tracks. We did lose a lot of time here, we were planning on
completing this section in 6 hours but ended up taking 10. By the time
we finally made it to the transition area, we'd had pushed through
km's of mud and up plenty of hills. All part of the adventure.
Due to the delays, we decided to only get one of the controls on the
foot rogaine section before heading off to the lake and the much
anticipated rafting section. It was a 14 km walk, we finally reached
the lake at last light. After a quick change and food, we put the raft
together, so far so good. Just as we all climbed aboard the raft,
buoyancy was an issue.... hmmm this was a small problem.... the
support crew needed to inflate the tire a little bit more... take 2...
all's good. :-) We finally launched, and not wanting to waste anymore
time, we headed off into the darkness of the night. :-) finger
crossed. This particular section was to be one of the most challenging
for us. It not only tested us physically, but it also tested out
emotional and mental resolve. We finally made it across, the portage,
and the second paddle.... nearly 6 hrs later. A lot of teams pulled
out or were assisted in the section, after 20-30mins of recovering...
we pushed on to the next kayak section. this kayak section was to be
my greatest challenge... the sleep monsters came for me in a big way.
I was falling asleep and this was risking my kayak buddy as i was
risking rolling the kayak. It got to the point were we had to pull to
the lake shore so i could sleep for 15 mins.
Once we finally reach the section where we need to portage the kayaks
up to 2 kms, it was 4am. After a team meeting, it was discussed that
with another kayak and trek section and final kayak leg we would
either be short coursed by the officials of just pulled off the
course. Time had really run out for us. So it was decided that we
would short course ourselves and head straight to the last kayak leg
and at the very least paddle ourselves home.
It was a bitter sweat experience, great to get home, cross the finish
line, but sad that we had to short course... that has left us with
some unfinished business.
We couldn't have done this without out great support crew... Tim, Alex,
Carolyn, Michiel, Phil & Tanya.
Friday, June 05, 2009
It begins
We've hit the road and enjoying a all day breakfast pita pocket... Mmmm
The clouds have cleared and it looks like it's going to be a great day.
Sent from my iPhone
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Team "No Roads BIGFISH Expeditions & ARea51" ready to go!!!
Not long now... for those who are interested the GEOQuest Team will have a "Live" site up and running over the race weekend, so if you wanted to see how the team was doing you can log on and have a look..
Best place to start is to head to: http://www.gar.com.au/ (click on the GeoQuest image).
See who else is racing and if you you can also check out our team bio's.
It looks as though it'll be a damp race, and cold too... not my favorite combination. But it isn't meant to be easy. :-) It's also a big thumbs up for our support team, this is the first time for the sibling, and maybe they might get the bug and have a crack next year...lol ;-)
I'm hoping they will do some team updated to my blog.... enjoy the pain with us.
Happy trails,
P
Friday, May 29, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Dropped Pin (furthest point)
Couldn't find the track up the hill, the indistinct track will need a
bit of signage I think. Spent about 5 mins trying to find it, gave up
and decided to head back.
bit of signage I think. Spent about 5 mins trying to find it, gave up
and decided to head back.
Sent from my iPhone
Dropped Pin fini
It was supposed to be a 20 k walk but ended up being a 30+ endevour.
The route I want to use was closed for repair so I had to take the
long way round. 5h28m.
The route I want to use was closed for repair so I had to take the
long way round. 5h28m.
Sent from my iPhone
My last training walk?
This may be my last training walk before geo, next week I'll be out at
wiseman's ferry so I may treat myself to a lay in next saturday.
wiseman's ferry so I may treat myself to a lay in next saturday.
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Dropped Pin (the spit)
Just finished my paddle to Bantry Bay taking my new toy for a spin.
It was a wet one, was going to do 3hrs, but half that was plenty today.
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Dropped Pin
Kick off Berowa, next stop Apple Tree Bay.
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, May 04, 2009
Brooklyn to Berowra - the wrap up
Well, it was my intention to attempt the 30km walk within 4 hours, but after a promising start, things started to slow down on the descent to Jerusalem Bay, and while the climb out wasn't to bad (heading to Cowan) it still required effort. I was happy knowing that this was the direction we would be going on the actual day. The reverse direction after 70km didn't bear thinking. Once on the ridge (Cowan Station), Nick and i began the descent to Berowra Waters. Again a steep descent and the inevitable ascent start to take it's toll, but I knew this wasn't going to be easy. Again I'm thankful that the toughest sections are in the first half of the 100km's, and not the back end.
My knee started playing up on the descents, so I'll need to be careful and focus on some isolation exercises.
It ended up taking a tad under 5 and a half hours, not too bad for a section I've never walked before, so that's the baseline.
If we can get to Apple tree bay before night fall I'd be very happy, but now I know what I have to do.
P
Sunday, May 03, 2009
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