Newcastle 1

It's been awhile since I've last blogged and I've missed a lot but I've got a few hours in San Francisco before my flight so I thought I'd try and catch up.

Lucy took me on a trip up the coast to a town called Newcastle. It's a big mining and shipping town with some beautiful beaches. We had lunch at Harry's Cafe de Wheels, recommended by my favorite foodie and sister-in-law!

Dinner and a Walk

Lucy has been an amazing host, showing me around the Sydney region. These photos are from a part walk we did around Bondi Beach in the city and a lovely dinner she cooked me to celebrate Michael Jordan's birthday(Feb 17th).

A Trip to Taronga Zoo

These pictures were taken awhile ago, on one of my first dates with girlfriend Lucy. We spent almost 4 hours in Taronga Zoo, Mosman. An excellent day with an excellent lady!

Temple of Baal

On our trip to the Jenolan Caves, Adam and I decided to take a cave tour of a couple of chambers called the "Temple of Baal". We were kind of on the fence about the whole thing, feeling that it might be a tourist trap but we were pleasantly surprised by the experience. See the pictures below!

Blue Mountains

Adam and I took a quick road trip to the Blue Mountains. We visited the Jenolan Caves last night and ended up just coming back to Manly to surf today because the weather wasn't cooperating for our hiking plans.

The Double Binks Beach Experience

My oldest brother Adam arrived here on January 30th and we've been exploring Sydney together and taking some time to surf as well.

The weather hasn't been great since he got here but we've still managed to surf every day for a week and we went into the city for a of couple days.

In Sydney we toured the Opera house, went to the Powerhouse Museum, enjoyed one of Hannah's famous pies for lunch and went to the aquarium(where there's a shark tunnel).

Some of the credit of planning this stuff has to go to my lovely girlfriend Lucy, a Sydney native, who had some excellent recommendations.

The New Year

I celebrated new years at a friend of a friend's house near the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

It's been an eventful year for me and everyone in my family really. We welcomed a new addition to our clan, Abram, Luke and Mary tied the knot, my parents moved to Stanley, and Adam and Riva moved to Washington. I graduated from Carleton, spent the summer in Banff then moved to Australia.

Like I said a lot of life changes last year but I've had a great year and I've been lucky enough that the good has far outweighed the bad and I've had the support of some truly amazing family and friends. So thanks to everyone for a great year!

I'll end with one of my favorite Bilbo Baggins songs.

The Road Goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone

And I must follow, if I can, 

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many parts and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.