On and off the rails

Yesterday, I went for a bit of a drive as it was going to be such a nice day, sunny and warm. But I had NO idea as to where I was going to go and what I was going to do! I had recently purchased a new lens and I wanted to try it out... So in my travels, I ended up over in Sydney's South at Loftus and the Tram Museum, sort of...

I didn't actually go TO the Museum, but I went over the Pacific Highway where it enters the Royal national Park where I could hopefully get a couple of good 'Shots'! I even put my camera ON the rail with the oncoming tram, but that shot was not to good, and was not level on the horizon, so I have not processed it. I hope you like them!

Tram Rails Loftus, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Tram Rail and Leaves, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Tram 249 Loftus, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Tram KEW Loftus, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Tram Victoria Bridge Loftus, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

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Thursday Thirteen # 1

A bit of a photo essay really... My late wife, L who passed away last April whilst carrying our twins...

1. Her smile…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

2. Her 'funny Faces'…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

3. Her work trips…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Arrival at Heathrow, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

4. Her work around the house…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

5. Her WANT to be a mum (even if it was through IVF egg collections)…

16 Right, originally uploaded by lounbern.

Fourteen, originally uploaded by lounbern.

A picture tells a 1000 words..., originally uploaded by lounbern.

Twins, originally uploaded by lounbern.

7. Her being an 'Aunty L'…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

7. Our outings here and there…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

8. Her supporting me…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Bern accepting his Masters Degree in the great hall, originally uploaded by lounbern.

9. Her craftiness…

fabric for 'Sophie's Quilt' from Patchwork on Central Park, originally uploaded by lounbern.

tangerine, originally uploaded by lounbern.

Avalon waiting quilt, originally uploaded by lounbern.

10. Her sense of family, and love of it…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

11. From our Wedding Day…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

12. Rembering her in her youth…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

13. But ONE thing I will never forget, is her lasting memory…

Headstone, Plaque & Photo, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Family Tree Planting, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Plaque and Stone, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

thursday thirteen

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Whine, congratulations and an update!

Have been feeling a little... down over the last couple of days. Not sure if it was the whole Valentine's day thing or not, but feeling a little overwhelmed! [/end whine]

Anyways, the trip has FINALLY been paid for in full, just waiting for the final invoice and itinerary. These will more than likely come with the tickets for the Rail component, but now I can relax a little. All that remains (really) is where and what attractions will be had! I would have loved for mum to go on the London Eye, but she has an aversion to heights, but I hope she can summons up the courage for the Eiffel Tower!

The Itinerary, 42 days, is as follows:

• Manchester, Liverpool, York, Bath, Windsor and London.
• Paris and Angers
• Venice, Florence, Pisa and Venice
• Naples Capri Italy, Piraeus (Athens) Rhodes Greece, Kuasadsi (Ephesus) Turkey, Alexandria (Cairo) Egypt, Messina (Sicily) Italy and back to Civitavecchia (Rome)
• Dubai

I can't wait to get onto the plane (44 days from now, but I am not counting (MUM is though)) but to get some great photos as well!

My journey to a healthier lifestyle is going well, as I mentioned, I have lost 2kg and 20cm overall on my body measurements. Yesterday, I started a boxing session with the trainer and felt OK after it! My eating is going ok, even good, and I have started to eat some vegetables including Broccoli! I am currently going twice a week, and from NEXT week, I will be throwing in a class as well on the Wednesday! I am still walking of a morning, and cycling of an afternoon (when it's not TO hot) and I go for a walk in my lunch time.

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Success!!

Some good news... I had my first weigh-in and measure up, and I have lost 2kg, and a massive 20cm in measurements! I was so stocked in getting to that point!

It has been a lot of hard work, learning to eat vegetables for starters, but I am getting through them. Not to mention, seeing the trainer twice a week, this week it was three. But I now have the momentum and drive to continue on. So hopefully, by the time I head off in March, I will be not only a lot fitter for the trip, but a lot less of me as well!

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A new lens!!

Firstly, I just HAD to post this pic from the movie, Avatar... I heard that Mr Bean had auditioned, but when they did a CGI of him, they thought against it!

Bean Avatar, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

But, in the mail yesterday, I got a new 'toy'. Well, ok, it may not be 'new' but it is to me!! I have been looking at getting a bigger lens for some time, but the price (C. $1800 AUD) has put me off it. I did see one in Doha last September, and the exchange rate was good with the price, but I just couldn't come to buying it, and with hindsight, I am so glad I didn't! It is a Sigma 80-400mm lens with Image Stabiliser, so if I have a slight movement when taking a photo, it will compensate for it! It is also VERY heavy as well, but I am so looking forward to using it! Here is a photo (taken with my old 'point 'n' shoot' Olympus) of it on my Canon EOS 400D (I also have a X 2 converter, so it gives me up to a total focal length of a massive 800mm!).

New 80-400 lens & x2 converter, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

And, here are a couple of initial shots I took very quickly during a break from doing my Tax, yes I know it's late, VERY late, but mine is now done and a few minor things are needed for L's!

Cicada Shell, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Bottlebrush, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

Have a great day!!!

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A night out with the girls!

Last night, after MANY attempts to have a 'get together' we finally all caught up to have dinner at 'The Vintage Cafe' in 'The Rocks' and a chat. There was Mel, Sheryl, Geri and Clare. Sheryl is still at my work, where as the other girls have all gone to greener pastures...

Out with the girls 04022010, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

We originally met at Löwenbräu Keller (also in 'The Rocks') for a drink where I had a German Beer, which really, was not that nice for me... I think mainly it was to malty?

Anyway, we had a starter of Garlic Bread, yumm (there goes the diet!) and then, needless to say, we had a Seafood Paella with Crab, Prawn, Calamari, Mussels, Fish, Chicken & Chorizo. It was a MAJOR yumm!!! It wasn't until after we had finished, that I remembered I should have gotten a photo, DOH! After dinner, since I knew I had already blown the diet, I thought blow it, in for a penny in for a pound (or two or three) I would have a dessert. It was the most wicked Dark Chocolate Cake, served on a chocolate, raspberry and a sweet syrup that was to DIE for.

Thank GOODNESS for going back to the trainer today to work of all of the calories I had put on last night alone!

Thanks girls for a wonderful night, I totally enjoyed myself... We must do it again, but a bit more frequent OK!

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WW No. 1: - Doha Inland Sea Dinner Table

Doha Inland Sea Dinner Table, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

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