Playing with model electric trains as a child

I addition to stamp collecting,  my greatest passion as a kid was to play with my electric model trains. I spent countless hours in the outside room at our house in Bertram Crescent, making them run. My model trains were one of the things that deepened my connection with dad. He was as passionate about trains as I was.

I've just spent a wonderful hour trawling the Internet for photos for some of the exact trains I owned. Pure and utter, glorious nostalgia.

I brought my train collection with me to Sydney but a couple of years ago, I gave them to Andreas's son, Sebastian. They really are meant to be played with rather than collecting dust. He was so ecstatic.

iPhone 16 Pro with 5x zoom

The camera now is effectively optically 0.5x to 5x zoom.  I love it. 

Airpods Pro 2nd generation

The sound on these is out of this world.  They are noise cancelling and a delight on plane flights or wanting to immerse myself in music. The catalyst to buying them was my long flight to Antarctica.

iPhone 14 Pro

I took this phone with its 0.5x - 3x optical zoom and 48-megapixel main sensor with me to Antarctica and Nepal. 

Apple Airtags

I bought 4 Airtags which allow me to find things if I lose them. I put on in my wallet, keys, backpack and suitcase.

They have proved invaluable. They helped me find my wallet 3 times: In Argentina in the mountains, in The Falklands and when I dropped it when taking Pickleball photos for Chris.

They also put my mind at rest when flying because I put one in my luggage and know, before it appears, that the luggage has arrived ok.

iPhone 13 Pro with 3x lens

The iPhone 13 has a 3x lens which makes it possible to zoom in more on an object. It now provides an effective range of 0.5x - 3x making it a versatile camera. I took this phone with me to The Arctic. 

iPhone 11 Pro with a 0.5x wide angle lens

Having a 0.5x wide lens feels revolutionary for me.  It now has a 0.5x, 1x and 2x optical lens.  It greatly increases the versatility of the camera. 

iPad Pro (2nd Generation) 12.9 Inch with Apple Pencil

I love the idea of being able to create diagrams and brainstorm ideas with a large iPad and a pencil as part of Compass.  It has a beautiful, bright display and being a Pro model, is lightning fast. 

Sony WH-1000X noise cancelling headphones

My Bosch headphones were getting rather worn. I absolutely love this replacement. The sound is out of this world! 

My first smart watch: An Apple 3

I got the Apple watch mostly to keep track of my steps during the day. Also nice to be able to tell the time without taking out your iPhone. It's an incredible gadget, even allowing you to take calls and read messages. 

 

iPhone X

 The 10th anniversary of the iPhone coming out. The iPhone X has bezel to bezel glass. It's absolutely beautiful.

My first iPad: An iPad Mini 2

I love the small size of this iPad. It has a beautiful bright display. I mostly use it for reading books. My Kindle Reader has taken a back seat.