All the way across the map

First time on Singapore Airlines, and first time in Singapore (airport only). Possibly also the first time flying over Iran.
Not a bad list of firsts for one day. So how do I rate them?
Flying overRead more
And more map

Landed at Sydney - a very slick airport with machines for everything. To save queues at the e-epassport gates, there are preliminary e-tickets. So you queue for an e-ticket from a machine that scansRead more
That's a funny looking pigeon

Having had dinner, breakfast, dinner, breakfast over the past 3 days, and somehow lost a chunk of Sunday down the back of the sofa, the first order of business on Monday was a walk in the sunshine toRead more
Obligatory opera house photo

We saw the traditional view of the opera house from across the harbour, but what's the point of taking a photo of something so well known? It's much more interesting close up - the roof is tiled in aRead more
Victoria and Elizabeth

Breakfast of fruit loaf in the beautiful Queen Victoria building, then up to see the clocks in action. The more elaborate one just turns round; the more modern castle clock displays a series of royalRead more
First day of explorations

After breakfast amd shopping we explored a bit of the city.
Up to the Observatory first to get an overview and meet some new birds - I've not identified these ones yet. There were a lot of exerciseRead more
Miscellany

Random things from the day - working gas lamp, pavement graffiti, architecture, dinner, and the alleyway behind our hotel.
Naked Duck

After the previous night's Indian banquet we only wanted a light breakfast. Bit of French toast with some fresh fruit seemed a suitable choice.
What turned up wasn't quite as light as expected.
Are you being served?

"What's interesting over there?", a confused local asked as we were taking photos of buildings that are entirely unremarkable to locals, and never make the guide books. Where to start with explainingRead more
Springwood

Wednesday was hot - 29°C - so we looked forward to a day up in the mountains on Thursday for a bit of relief. Turns out the Australian climate doesn't work the same way as the Austrian one. Here theRead more
Three sisters

Our first stop in the Blue Mountains was a lookout over the 3 sisters - figures from the dreamtime. The views are spectacuar, but the part that cannot be captured in a photo is the fragrance. SteppingRead more
Scenic point

Most of the scenic views are on my other camera, so will need to wait for a later post. Its a beautiful area, also overlooking the 3 sisters, with lots of ways to view it.
We started with a short,Read more
Clyde

There is a very secure rail yard at Clyde. Train shed and loading yards all surrounded by high fences topped with razor wire. There's just one tiny flaw in the system - they need to be able to get theRead more
Tasman sea

Friday was another scorcher of a day, and Derek had a pile of marking to do, so we took the ferry to the end of the Harbour - about a 40 minute ride on a fast catamaran. Watson's Bay is on a tinyRead more
An ideal fragment of China

The Chinese Friendship Garden is quite small on the outside - no more than a 2 minute walk along each edge - and most of the middle is taken up by a lake, but it still manages to be a good 2 hour walkRead more
Off to Surfers Paradise

After a week on the lookout, I finally tracked down a lamington at the airport. I'd already had banana bread, a breakfast of fruit loaf, and tried vegemite (verdict: marmite after a partiallyRead more
Persian feast

Wonderful dinner - the dips are smoked aubergine, hummus, and a raita-like yoghurt and cucumber dip topped with dried mint and dried rose petal powder. The main dishes are ghorme sabzi (halloumi, redRead more
Why I'm not swimming in the sea

Normally I like to swim - or at least paddle - in every sea I encounter. Even in wintry Vladivostok I found a crack in the ice large enough to briefly dip a finger in the water.
Surfers ParadiseRead more
The clock

Our hotel balcony overlooks the Clock Hotel. The notable feature of which is, unsurprisingly, a clock. This lives on a turret on one corner of the building, and at every quarter hour it plays a tuneRead more
Stroll along the prom prom prom

Evening walk along the esplanade.
Witches Falls winery

If you ever find yourself heading for the Gold Coast, immediately contact Helen at Ambience on Tour and book yourself a day trip. She has various types on offer - art, breweries and cheese,Read more
Tambourine mountain distillery

Wattle toffee
Toasted wattle seed liqueuer - 20% gorgous smooth nutty, maply, smoky.
Vodka (lemon), Limnoncello. Chocomint (taste like a bittermint), butterwhisky (more complex butterscotch), wildRead more
Mason wines

Verdelho 2017 steel tank nose has the creaminess of a macadamia, apppe with a hint of papaya; flavour much crisper - crunchy apple, sharper than the nose - vinho verde youth. Prob needs food.
2015Read more
Scenic point and Heritage wines

Witches falls winery - Tambourine mountain
2018 Verdhelo , granite belt
2 yeasts (1 French 1 South African), stainless vat 6 months. Light straw colour, soft yeast on nose with pale tropical fruits.Read more