Sunday 15 January 2006
So, is it too late to 'post' (well, not that I really class this as a post, or this site as a blog for that matter) happy new year? Maybe, but happy new year anyhow!
Must admit, the silly season was quiet good this year. Haven't been diving for a while so took the chance to take in a couple of Sydney sites. Check the pictures (click the thumb to the left) of some of the stuff you can see here, really rather nice, eh?
Of course there was the usual parade of social gatherings, days at the beach, a little surfing and MTB'ing to be had. It's all good - you know how it is? 
Thursday 1 December 2005
Did you know - this site has been running on some home-brew templating system since 1998? Long before I heard anything about XML & XSL (technologies that essentially do the same thing) I hacked up a little engine to allow text files to be formatted as HTML. Of course it was extensible too 'cos that's how all the pictures work. Easy as it is to update, it coule be even easier with one of the fully fledged blogging systems about now and am thinking that part of this site at least could go that way. Don't hold your breath though - plenty of more useful things before that in the todo list!
Talking of blogging systems, take a look at NoBMoB.com. A little site slapped together that has news of the aforementioned MTB thingos - FWIW, the Highland Fling turned out to be a bit easier than anticipated and I came in close to an hour faster than my previous 100Km best (actually it was 103Km - 6h36m on the computer, 7h28m officially).
Tuesday 20 September 2005
So, was about to update the Rob's World graphic and thought I should write something to make the rsync more worthwhile.
Erm... so... news? Well, I've entered a couple of upcoming MTB events, and this seems to be taking over as my main sport. This is partly as it's completely awsome stuff, and partly because was I given doctor's orders a while back to quit squash. And funnily enough, no, nothing to do with the right arm which was doing very well, but rather because of a diagnosis of hip dysplasia! More a condition that afflicts cats and dogs (Google it), one that you are born with, and that would probably not have come to light for many years without the pounding on that joint that squash and running puts in.
Seems a hip replacement is a certainty, but if I quit the high impact stuff now they'll have 'better than the real thing'TM ones by that time. And look on the bright side, better to wear it out young and get that done when you can recover than in 40 years time when... well, OK... when one might be able to get a whole new body anyhow!
Sunday 21 August 2005
What no pic? Don't worry - they are coming, as last night arrived back from a couple of weeks in NZ. Actually took the time to look around a bit at something other than snow and stuff. Although was very lucky with said snow and it was much fun.
Anyhow, there was another motive for this trip, am now a proud holder of label in passport which reads, "Permitted to remain in Australia indefinitely." Cooooool. 
Sunday 5 June 2005
Oh dear - almost 2 months without updates. I should be ashamed, eh? Don't know whether to go for Dan like waffles more often or not. I'm sure not, because now I come to think about the thoughts I almost shared I forget them. So you have to ask yourself - how interesting were they anyhow?
Anyhow - the pic here is from a couple of weekends ago where a group of us were up in the Blue Mountains (well - Megalong Valley to be precise) doing some horse riding and hanging out by the camp fire and all that. Very nice as usual.
Wednesday 13 April 2005
Well - the results are in, and they don't look good. 
What Am I talking about? The Dirtworks 100Km classic of course. Did this on Sunday and came in 199th place, 94th in class, in a time of 8:43:41. Now, that's eight hours for those of you who can't figure out the units, but this was a 100Km off-road cycle race after all. According to the altimeter of a fellow competitor we climbed (and descended) 2100 vertical metres. Erm... that's around 1.5 times the height of the UK's highest peak - Ben Nevis!
My excuse is that I stopped to take far too many pictures and had far too leisurely a lunch. I made it 7h27m on the cycle computer at the finish and hence 1h16m of breaks. Very hard work, but much fun nonetheless.
Sunday 10 April 2005
Phew - still really busy. Very tiring weekend, but more of that later. After all those hols last year there's some good and some bad points about going back to work and a more settled life. Not that settled means at all dull, least I've not found it that way... but I digress.
Part of the working and all is knowing where you'll be in six months time. Yeah, I know - scary! Because of this I've been able to see a few large-ish concerts lately, some that were booked a long time back. It's just something that you can't do if you move around a lot. Have also found it easier to get hold of tickets to gigs here in Sydney than similar events London. Ah... aside from that time some dude gave me Coldplay tickets in a pub 3 hours before the concert. Cheers!
Anyhow - I indulged in Mark Knopfler & Norah Jones for pure entertainment. Geeze - Mark can still strump that gui-tar! REM proved awsome and Ben Folds was brilliant in the much more appropriate Enmore Theatre. A few snaps of all this here.
Monday 28 March 2005
Ah... Easter has passed, and although I didn't get out of Sydney, really didn't feel the need. Friday was spent bushwalking in the Royal National Park where I returned on Saturday morning for some cycling. Footie game to see in the evening, some beers, lazy dinner and wondering by the beach on Sunday, more cycling Monday, etc, etc, etc. Pics of all this, and the previous weekend's MTB are around.
Saturday 12 March 2005
Still having a top time of late. This past weekend went back to Stockton Beach with the guys from OFFROADSUBARUS.com. Great to do this in a group as you can venture a lot further then you might alone. In fact, a lot, lot further, we drove from Lavis Lane right up to Anna bay on the dunes and beach front. Great day, there are pics here.
Oh, which brings me to another point - 997 pictures in the gallery now... hmmm... wonder what we'll find to break that 1,000 mark!?
Wednesday 12 January 2005
Here's a piece of good news - and perhaps another coincidence? Found out on Monday I've been enrolled into the summer squash comp (oh, as a captain apparently - only didn't discover this 'til last night). Anyhow, none too exciting, aside from the game last night was 6 months to the day since my operation (you know - to repair the right bicep distal tendon - are you not keeping up!?). Not a bad effort, rather pleased to be back playing seriously and feeling good, almost as if this was predicted!
Oh, spell checked the news too... oops! 