Life Trove

24 December 2006

23 December 2006

Mike has just won the Keith Inner Scramble Golf Annual Tournament - a marvellous achievement to be sure. Only just a week ago, he also won a big Christmas Turkey. Well done Mike - at this rate you'll need to add the Tiger Woods pump fisting victory manouvre to your golfing skills!

22 December 2006

My favourite South American video

...and how I got that face!
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Our latest Xmas decoration

It's Mr Wynne holding sway at the annual Hiking Club party

Mr Wynne was back in full flow this year at the annual Cape Town "Hard Core Hiking Club" Xmas party. I had lots of fun filling in for him last year. I think James is probably a lot better at it than me - I so traumatised the little kids with my raucous "ho, ho, ho's" that some of them were in tears and refused flatly to sit on my lap. Having said that, I was a real hit with this little one.

Nothing like a straw fight...

...so wish I was there to join in! Thanks for the photos mum.

Ally gets all Xmassy at work

Ally chose to dress up in her Xmas finery for the corporate Secret Santa event at Orange. I was delighted - always a sucker for a red dress! She even wore her Xmas earings from Sweden which were a big hit.

17 December 2006

View from our flat

There is always action going on in the river below our flat. Ferries taking people to work. Enormous cargo ships guided by tugs. Party boats at night - especially at this time of year. Hundreds of yachts on the weekend - often racing. And the occasional cruise ship like this one. I love it - makes me feel connected.

And after dark, it doesn't stop. They just keep floating by. Can't sleep? Just count passing ships in the night.

Taronga Zoo

We explored Taronga Zoo today - Sydney's famous zoo which celebrates its 90th birthday this year. It provided lots of photographic opportunities which of course, was one of my main reasons for wanting to go.

The giraffes have the best view in Sydney.

And the cutest of them all, the golden mained Ally.

Mr Wynn in full swing

Beautiful parrots

In the midst of our Christmas Party, these wild parrots came down into the garden to feed. Couldn't resist taking some snaps. Aren't their colours beautiful!

Agency Fusion Christmas Party

So here are some pics of my new work mates from Agency Fusion (with spouses in tow.) We had a great Christmas Party at Warren's house and were treated to the ultimate Aussie barbie with succulent beef and prawns dressed in bacon jackets. Absolutely awesome food - and no shortage of alcohol! Lots of fun and good laughs. Ended up with a late swim and a hilarious game of charades. Its great to be working with such fun people.

So here are the 4 intrepid "Agency Fusioners". Warren (MD) and Louisa (left) are the co-founders. And that's Elsa to the right.

Here we all are tucking into the great food. For my memories sake: Louisa & Steve, Elsa & Val, Warren & Sonya, Me and Ally!

Here's Warren proudly manning that ubiquitous Aussie icon - the Barbie" I'll always have a special spot for the South African braai with its hissing wood and sizzling flames - but this certainly isn't bad either. And there is no smoke in your face.

Warren's two little youngsters are awfully cute, Made me miss little Sammy and Matthew very much. We had a couple of good play sessions.

Warren has a great sense of humour. He went to Germany this year to watch the world cup with some mates. This is the shirt that they designed and wore. So successfuly was it received that they were featured on a couple of TV shows.

Brendan comes to visit

Brendan came to stay with us for a few days during his whirlwind visit from Cape Town. He and Eva and the family are moving out here in January and he came to hunt a home for them. We are so excited about their decision to move to Sydney.

On Saturday morning, we visited China Town and introduced Brendan to our favourite Yum Chow restaurant. Its a real local hang out and we were the only "westerners" there. A constant stream of ladies came to our table to tempt us with their delicasies - and got very upset if we said no (they have that "hurt" look absolutely perfected) - so we ended of stuffing ourselves with prawns, fish, beef etc. and copious amounts of Chinese tea. Absolutley delicious, all of it.

On our explorations of China Town, we came accross someone playing music with beer bottles. He could play any tune you asked for - and it sounded great. Who would have thought beer could be so musical.