Feb 2007 - time for playing!

February was a great month. We got the rest of the stuff from Nick & Peggy (they kindly gave us a "care package" of stuff to use before we got the final shipment when they left. Also, in mid-February, we got our stuff from the movers! We had been living for 2 months with just what we brought in 2 suitcases each, so it was nice to get the rest of our things. I spent a lot of time on eBay, and bought a tv, dvd player, entertainment center, better washing machine, dining room set, artwork, a/v receiver, computer desk, etc and we made several trips to Ikea, Target, and other stores and got pictures, computer chair, blender, etc. It really started feeling like we really lived here now instead of something temporary. Here's me unpacking things and estatic about finding my gum!



Jason has his uneventful 38th bday. 38 is just plain uneventful...but does have a different feel to it. I guess because it's closer to 40 than 35? Had a great "Jason" type of day, worked, then went sailing, then got to play a little volleyball in a local league. I certainly miss the volleyball crowd from back home.

Polly started working a few misc. jobs. She was detailing yachts, and found an awesome gig working at the Water Taxi company at Darling Harbour. Darling Harbour is like the tourism hub in downtown Sydney. Absolutely beautiful area, and tons of activities and tourists. If you know Polly, she loves meeting people and has a wonderful way of making friends instantly. She really seems to enjoy this job. Here's some pics of her "office":


A coworker (Pete) was kind enough to invite us up the coast about 1.5 hours to his family's little beach house at a place called "The Entrance". Amanda was able to join us too. Sydney's beaches are awesome, and they'll often have rocky cliffs and then a beach, separated by more rocks. At The Entrance, it's more like North Carolina beaches. Flat and beach as far as you can see. We had a really nice weekend up there with Peter and a group of co-workers from SAS. They have been really great to Polly and me and have included us in some fun events.

Speaking of people from SAS, Mike & Karyn Long came "home" to visit Karyn's parents. We were lucky enough to get an invite to spend the weekend with them about 1.5 hours up the coast where they live on an actual island called St. Huberts Island. Karyn's parents are retired and have an incredible house right on the water with a stunning view. What incredibly nice people! I must warn you about the man-eating Pelicans there though. They are HUGE (see video 8mb. A huge thanks to Karyn and her family for a wonderful visit.

Lunch, Mike keeping us posted on ACC tournament results. Blackberries are good for something. :)

Karyn's Dad feeding the attack Pelicans

Beautiful Rainbow Lorikeet

Polly and I go on a hike nearby and look South over Pittwater Sound and Palm Beach

For Stephanie



I gotta talk more about the sailing here. I mentioned CYCA. I remember my buddy Ed Doughty from our sailing club in New Bern telling me before I left - "Don't just get on the first boat you can - be selective and try to play with the big boys." Ed...thanks for your advice. Polly and I started hanging out at the club on their Monday and Wednesday night twilight races and always found our way onto a boat. Monday evenings are the serious spinnaker races, and Wednesday were non-spinnaker but still competitive. (A spinnaker is the big, colorful sail you always see in the pictures that requires a much higher level of skilled crewwork). We were lucky enough to meet some great people, and some incredible sailors, and even get invited back. We have settled in with a 60 foot yacht called "You're Hired", named after two yacht owners' recruitment company. This crew has been sailing together for years, and are captained by a professional skipper who is an Olympic caliber sailor. We'll be joining them in August at the Hamilton Island Race Week, which has been touted as the biggest race in the Southern Hemisphere.