Life Trove: Highlights of 2014

7 amazing weeks in Cape Town, making wonderful friends through Meet Up and doing 30 hikes.

Priceless Moments

Watching the exhilarating start of The Sydney Hobart yacht race with Nicola and getting to see inside one of the yachts thanks to John who did the race this year.
Looking down onto the sublime alpine lakes of Mount Kosciuszko, leaping as a group at the summit and the way our wonderful hiking group bonded to form The Hiking Gang.
Getting to do the stunning Manly Scenic Walk at last.
Seeing Su and Alex's gorgeous little baby, Amilie, for the first time.
Taking photos of Mandy's adorable puppy, Jessie.
Mum commissioning a portrait painting of Mack that totally captured his spirit.
Any time I spend with gorgeous Mack.
A beautiful celebration of Geraldine's life after she passed away in February.
The stunning sea cliffs on The Burning Palms walk in The Royal National Park.
The amazing pot holes in the Berowra National Park and getting to meet lovely Chrisèl again.
Mindful walking and the stunning city skyline on my nightly stroll through Waverton.
Nourishing soup and fellowship with Jilly's lovely Eckhart group on Tues nights.
The stunning reflections in the lake on The Goanna Track circuit in The Royal National Park plus a wonderful swim and getting to meet Lauren who joined our hiking group.
Being blissfully reunited with my family in Cape Town.
A bracing but gorgeous swim at Clifton with Mary-Anne.
Cavorting round the pool at a party in Elgin with Matt.
Doing The Two Ocean's Fun run and getting to bond with Jo after we both decided to walk.
Leaping with Sam at Llandadno at sunset.
Going on some wonderful photographic outings with Jo including World of Birds, Kirstenbosch and Bo Kaap. It's so special that we share the same passion.
Getting to go into the monkey cage at World of Birds and having them clamber all over us.
Playing hide and seek with Matt at Boulder's beach.
Exploring the dungeons of Groot Constantia with Matt. He was far more cautious of the dark than me!
Being blissfully reunited with my wonderful friend, Russell.
Lots of leaps with Russell, including a daring leap on an overhanging rock on Table Mountain.
Watching hundreds of dolphins doing leaps and even back flips near Llandadno with Russell.
Skinny dipping at the top of Table Mountain after a hike up with Russell and doing a naked leap.
Paddling solo along the Breede River at sunset, in awe at the stunning reflections in the river.

Paddling up the Breede with Brandon and Russell and getting to navigate some rapids.
Getting the old volleyball crowd together again and getting to show off my rampant volleyball serve on Camps Bay beach.
Getting hooked up to Matt and Sam at Ratanga Junction and getting slung shot 100 metres into the air!
Paragliding off Signal Hill with Russell and then watching the sun set over Lion's Head, exhilarated to still be alive!
Hurtling down a hill on a taboggon - such a great experience to share with Sam and Matt.
Being reunited with Mack in Sydney after 7 weeks away.
Sue and I getting to see our faces form part of the show at The Sydney Vivid Lights Festival.
Doing two beautiful hikes with The Hiking Gang in The Blue Mountains and a highly fun but competitive game of Foosball with Liz.
Horse riding on a giant horse called Zorro through gorgeous scenery in The Blue Mountains.
Getting stuck into DIY in my house and learning lots of new skills, thanks to my wonderful friend, Chris.
The delicious smoothie at The Sappho Book Store where our hiking gang sometimes meets.
Getting introduced to the hidden gems of The Central Coast by Chrisel, including the gorgeous Maitland Bay.
Lots of delicious meals with Chrisel.
Exploring the beautiful flowers and vistas at The Muogamarra Nature Reserve.
Listening to Quanta Qualia, one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.
Seeing the breathtaking Mermaid Pools for the first time, then getting to introduce it to my hiking gang.
Being introduced to the deliciousness of The Lindt Chocolate cafe by Chrisel and getting treated to an orgy of chocolate on The Sydney Chocolate Tour.
Facing my fear of heights and clambering over a rickety suspension bridge in The Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains, then coming face to face with a beautiful snake that swam across the rock pool that we'd been swimming in only moments before.
The light filtering through the indescribably beautiful Blue Gum Forest in The Blue Mountains and the moon rising over the valley in the late afternoon. Also, the stunning Victoria Falls.
Leaping as a group at Liz's 40th birthday party, she in her high heels!
Watching Bryan Smith present his inspiring adventures at The Opera House, and David Doubilet, National Geographic photographer extraordinaire, show off his sublime underwater photographs.
A freezing, but exhilarating swim in a forest pool in The Barrington Tops that I don't think had ever felt the sun. I screamed like a little girl when I hit the water!
Adventurous bundu bashing and clambering down the walls of a canyon to reach a pristine river adorned in orchids for a refreshing swim at The Wingello State Forest.
Some of the best swimming of the year at Shoalhaven Gorge.
Hiking to the surreal flooded forest in The Kangaroo Valley.
Hiking in the bucketing rain and feeling very alive in The Canyon at The Blue Mountains.
Exploring the abandoned mine and glow-worm tunnel in Newnes.
Buying a sexy i-phone 6 and falling in love with its panorama camera at the Meet Up Xmas party.

Less happy moments

Henk, Antony's dad, passing away.
Saying goodbye to Alex, Su and Amilie who left for Europe after living with me for 3 years.
Saying farewell to Chrisel who has gone to Africa for a year.
Getting bitten by a bull ant where men don't want to get bitten on Mt Kuring-gai!
Seeing 18 year old Sally, Heather's dog, and bursting into tears when it hit me that Mack too is going to get old.
Getting lost in The Snowy Mountains.