Starting this in August! What a year for the planet. Each and every one of us, I’m sure has a tale to tell and I’m sure it’s not all beer and skittles – and what a stupid saying that is!
We left you last year with Canberra being enveloped in some of the worst air quality in the world. After our amazing Maldives escape, the air was getting progressively worse. I seemed to have caught a bug which the air quality didn’t help. I spent XMAS Eve asleep and didn’t join in the usual festivities. Many Canberrans were taking to wearing masks. Ha !
We had booked Wombara for a week from Boxing day as it wasn’t going to be available at Easter. I toyed with the idea of riding the bike down but decided against it. On arrival, the air was clear which was great but each day, the air quality got worse – still, not as bad as Canberra. Still, we ate well, the 3 dogs seemed to have a good time and a new fish and chippery became the new favourite, though it was a bit further away. And you can’t beat the sounds of waves!
The bush fires that caused the smoke were still of a serious concern, hence the air quality not getting any better. Tragically, a C130 tanker crashed to south of Canberra with the loss of the entire crew. Much of Namadgi National Park to the South and West of Canberra was devastated and this caused much concern to those living on Canberra’s fringe. Only this week has there been a partial re-open of the park. I can’t remember when the smoke actually cleared but there was a massive dust storm on Jan 19 followed by a massive hail storm the next day that literally damaged /wrote off at least 20,000 cars, including Eva’s.
Access to the South Coast from Canberra was extremely limited with the Clyde Mountain being made unpassable because of the fire damage – for a while, access was only available via Cooma/ Brown Mountain but that also had a massive boulder slide. I managed one ride to the coast and was very saddened by what I saw. The lovely little township of Mogo lost half of its businesses, thankfully the zoo was saved by brave staff. I had a nice burger and fries at Malua Bay, which also lost many houses.
The observant amongst you may remember the breaking news included in last year’s letter. There was a certain addition to the clan due by April 1st. March 26, a certain little lady didn’t want to wait any more and Jetemia was born. At home! This was not the plan. Mid wife arrived minutes before the actual birth and ambulance came a bit later. Everyone was fine and she is absolutely gorgeous!
She was born during the first Canberran COVID-19 lock-down so contact was very limited. On the lock-down, I believe the State and Territory Governments, on both sides of the political spectrum, have done a good job during trying and untested times. The Feds were slow to start (PM still wanted to go to the footy) but have done a reasonable job since. The whole shebang has actually changed my view on the federation, I used to think the States were only good for sporting boundaries and contests. I think the Qld, NSW, WA, and especially Vic and ACT Governments have done well, some of the State Oppositions have just been busy being hypocritical and focused on point scoring. And on a related note, President Trump will go down in history as the most ineffective American president ever.
Had a couple of International Head of State Visits for COMCAR. Cook Islands wasn’t overly exciting as I drew the short straw and drove the Baggage Van. The Israeli visit was much more exciting with top notch security. High speed transfers with Police Escorts and Motorcycle Outriders. Certainly, was an exhilarating day. The new COMCAR fleet is being progressively rolled out. In the ACT, it is a mixed fleet of BMW 620D GT’s and Hybrid Camrys, black in colour which is an absolutely stupid idea and you can quote me on that. I actually think the Camrys look better from the outside. Inside, the Beemers are a few classes above but as the Press have reported, no heated seats. I sincerely hope when the lease runs out in 3 years, they will revisit the colour decision (which was a Ministerial call). I managed to slightly mark a wheel’s rim protector so they allocated a Camry to me in its stead. Later in the year, a malfunctioning Depot Gate managed to dent my car’s rear wheel arch (which proves the mechanism that is meant to detect a car so that the gate ceases to close, wasn’t working). The Editor in Chief has suggested the following is not in the Xmas spirit - REDACTED **********.
Errrr, had my yearly colonoscopy – all good and highly recommended to those over the age of 50.
The BMW C650GT has now been replaced by a BMW F750GS which despite the naming convention, is actually a 850cc powered beast – I call it the “Storm”. There was a brief period where I owned a R1250GS but I dropped it on its first day – it was just too large and tall for me. The Storm is terrific and I can now explore dirt roads with confidence, don’t worry, I won’t be riding on gnarly single tracks, that’s not my scene. My first bike to have Cruise Control which really is great on the freeways. Have taken it down the coast a couple of times and it really is a blast.
Parliament had a greatly reduced sitting calendar and when it did sit, many Members and Senator’s did not attend in person. Accordingly, there was much less driving work for COMCAR. I have to say that Management did try to look after us by introducing “on-line learning” on a range of topics, some even relevant. Up to 9 hours a week which meant that I was getting paid more than I used to be, during non-sitting periods.
A few day trips to Wombarra to look at Real Estate. Nice to have lunch at the Scarborough Pub and watch the whales swim by. The local MP there gave me his mobile number, very nice of him!
The stench that was the Trump Presidency is almost at an end. I am still hoping he ends up in jail along with as many of his cronies as possible. I’m in awe of NZ electing such a warm, thoughtful intelligent leader, then I look at our leader who is always on the lookout for his next photo opportunity. Sigh.
Our magpie family managed to have their first chick. They built a nest across the road but overhanging busy Kent St. One very cold, windy and wet Spring day, we found the tiny chick on the nature strip, drenched and too young to fly. Put a box near it to give it cover and the parents were always nearby. Over the day, it managed to move to our side of our hedge where it was more protected. We didn’t see it for over a week and we feared the worst but then it appeared much bigger and capable of wonky flight. Much joy but it was sadly not for long. We think Squeaky was hit by a car, poor little fella. Parents grieved, as did we.
As COVID restrictions slowly ease, no big trip like the 2 last years for our anniversary. Instead, an AirBnB overnighter to Scarborough, just North of Wollongong. Firstly, we stopped at the Lookout at Stanwell Tops and admired the views. Lots of Motorbikes about, don’t you guys have work ? Then, lunch at the Scarborough Hotel which is becoming a bit of a regular occurrence for us. Nice food and great views.
Errrr, an unusual cabin in someone’s back yard, perched on a cliff top. Access via the Host’s garage. Spectacular views, beautiful sounds of the waves crashing below. I wasn’t overly impressed with the ensuite with its glass wall separating the ensuite from the rest of the room. Surely a bit more frosted glass could have been possible?
Now back to Jetemia for a moment. I’m not biased, there are none of my chromosomes floating around in her but she is the most gorgeous baby ever born. And you can also quote me on that.
And on that note, we have no plans for 2021, it’s just too difficult to know what the world will be like. Europe is not doing a good job of managing the Pandemic – thankfully, Krysia’s relatives are all safe but I can’t see any long-distance travel happening. To you and yours, wishing you a safe and merry Xmas and a better 2021.
We left you last year with Canberra being enveloped in some of the worst air quality in the world. After our amazing Maldives escape, the air was getting progressively worse. I seemed to have caught a bug which the air quality didn’t help. I spent XMAS Eve asleep and didn’t join in the usual festivities. Many Canberrans were taking to wearing masks. Ha !
We had booked Wombara for a week from Boxing day as it wasn’t going to be available at Easter. I toyed with the idea of riding the bike down but decided against it. On arrival, the air was clear which was great but each day, the air quality got worse – still, not as bad as Canberra. Still, we ate well, the 3 dogs seemed to have a good time and a new fish and chippery became the new favourite, though it was a bit further away. And you can’t beat the sounds of waves!
The bush fires that caused the smoke were still of a serious concern, hence the air quality not getting any better. Tragically, a C130 tanker crashed to south of Canberra with the loss of the entire crew. Much of Namadgi National Park to the South and West of Canberra was devastated and this caused much concern to those living on Canberra’s fringe. Only this week has there been a partial re-open of the park. I can’t remember when the smoke actually cleared but there was a massive dust storm on Jan 19 followed by a massive hail storm the next day that literally damaged /wrote off at least 20,000 cars, including Eva’s.
Access to the South Coast from Canberra was extremely limited with the Clyde Mountain being made unpassable because of the fire damage – for a while, access was only available via Cooma/ Brown Mountain but that also had a massive boulder slide. I managed one ride to the coast and was very saddened by what I saw. The lovely little township of Mogo lost half of its businesses, thankfully the zoo was saved by brave staff. I had a nice burger and fries at Malua Bay, which also lost many houses.
The observant amongst you may remember the breaking news included in last year’s letter. There was a certain addition to the clan due by April 1st. March 26, a certain little lady didn’t want to wait any more and Jetemia was born. At home! This was not the plan. Mid wife arrived minutes before the actual birth and ambulance came a bit later. Everyone was fine and she is absolutely gorgeous!
She was born during the first Canberran COVID-19 lock-down so contact was very limited. On the lock-down, I believe the State and Territory Governments, on both sides of the political spectrum, have done a good job during trying and untested times. The Feds were slow to start (PM still wanted to go to the footy) but have done a reasonable job since. The whole shebang has actually changed my view on the federation, I used to think the States were only good for sporting boundaries and contests. I think the Qld, NSW, WA, and especially Vic and ACT Governments have done well, some of the State Oppositions have just been busy being hypocritical and focused on point scoring. And on a related note, President Trump will go down in history as the most ineffective American president ever.
Had a couple of International Head of State Visits for COMCAR. Cook Islands wasn’t overly exciting as I drew the short straw and drove the Baggage Van. The Israeli visit was much more exciting with top notch security. High speed transfers with Police Escorts and Motorcycle Outriders. Certainly, was an exhilarating day. The new COMCAR fleet is being progressively rolled out. In the ACT, it is a mixed fleet of BMW 620D GT’s and Hybrid Camrys, black in colour which is an absolutely stupid idea and you can quote me on that. I actually think the Camrys look better from the outside. Inside, the Beemers are a few classes above but as the Press have reported, no heated seats. I sincerely hope when the lease runs out in 3 years, they will revisit the colour decision (which was a Ministerial call). I managed to slightly mark a wheel’s rim protector so they allocated a Camry to me in its stead. Later in the year, a malfunctioning Depot Gate managed to dent my car’s rear wheel arch (which proves the mechanism that is meant to detect a car so that the gate ceases to close, wasn’t working). The Editor in Chief has suggested the following is not in the Xmas spirit - REDACTED **********.
Errrr, had my yearly colonoscopy – all good and highly recommended to those over the age of 50.
The BMW C650GT has now been replaced by a BMW F750GS which despite the naming convention, is actually a 850cc powered beast – I call it the “Storm”. There was a brief period where I owned a R1250GS but I dropped it on its first day – it was just too large and tall for me. The Storm is terrific and I can now explore dirt roads with confidence, don’t worry, I won’t be riding on gnarly single tracks, that’s not my scene. My first bike to have Cruise Control which really is great on the freeways. Have taken it down the coast a couple of times and it really is a blast.
Parliament had a greatly reduced sitting calendar and when it did sit, many Members and Senator’s did not attend in person. Accordingly, there was much less driving work for COMCAR. I have to say that Management did try to look after us by introducing “on-line learning” on a range of topics, some even relevant. Up to 9 hours a week which meant that I was getting paid more than I used to be, during non-sitting periods.
A few day trips to Wombarra to look at Real Estate. Nice to have lunch at the Scarborough Pub and watch the whales swim by. The local MP there gave me his mobile number, very nice of him!
The stench that was the Trump Presidency is almost at an end. I am still hoping he ends up in jail along with as many of his cronies as possible. I’m in awe of NZ electing such a warm, thoughtful intelligent leader, then I look at our leader who is always on the lookout for his next photo opportunity. Sigh.
Our magpie family managed to have their first chick. They built a nest across the road but overhanging busy Kent St. One very cold, windy and wet Spring day, we found the tiny chick on the nature strip, drenched and too young to fly. Put a box near it to give it cover and the parents were always nearby. Over the day, it managed to move to our side of our hedge where it was more protected. We didn’t see it for over a week and we feared the worst but then it appeared much bigger and capable of wonky flight. Much joy but it was sadly not for long. We think Squeaky was hit by a car, poor little fella. Parents grieved, as did we.
As COVID restrictions slowly ease, no big trip like the 2 last years for our anniversary. Instead, an AirBnB overnighter to Scarborough, just North of Wollongong. Firstly, we stopped at the Lookout at Stanwell Tops and admired the views. Lots of Motorbikes about, don’t you guys have work ? Then, lunch at the Scarborough Hotel which is becoming a bit of a regular occurrence for us. Nice food and great views.
Errrr, an unusual cabin in someone’s back yard, perched on a cliff top. Access via the Host’s garage. Spectacular views, beautiful sounds of the waves crashing below. I wasn’t overly impressed with the ensuite with its glass wall separating the ensuite from the rest of the room. Surely a bit more frosted glass could have been possible?
Now back to Jetemia for a moment. I’m not biased, there are none of my chromosomes floating around in her but she is the most gorgeous baby ever born. And you can also quote me on that.
And on that note, we have no plans for 2021, it’s just too difficult to know what the world will be like. Europe is not doing a good job of managing the Pandemic – thankfully, Krysia’s relatives are all safe but I can’t see any long-distance travel happening. To you and yours, wishing you a safe and merry Xmas and a better 2021.
