What’s in a name? (Drop in for a yarn and I’ll tell you)

February 20, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About20 Comments

Sunset, Currawinya National Park, Outback Australia — *Sunrise, Currawinya National Park, Outback Australia*

Hey Baz…what’s with this “Baz, The Landy” thing?

Didn’t your parents like you or something?

It is a question I field every so often…

And yes my parents do like me and in fact my mother, Fay, was only saying the other day…

“Be careful out there Baz, you know I worry”.

Mind you she said that as I was heading to work!

Heaven forbid, if she knew what I got up to when I’m not at work…

Baz - climbing Sweet Dreams, Blue Mountains, Australia — *Baz – climbing Sweet Dreams, Blue Mountains, Australia*

Baz - Mt Aurora, Southern Alps, New Zealand — *Baz – Mt Aurora, Southern Alps, New Zealand*

But what’s in a name I hear you ask…

Go and grab a cuppa and make yourself comfy on the sofa…

…Crikey, that was quick, you still drinking that instant stuff?

Anyway, you see Australia is a diverse country, the driest continent on the planet in fact, but despite this the colour of the outback is spectacular. An endless blue sky kissing the dry, cracked, red earth of the outback in the far off distance…

*Mayne Range, Diamantina NP, Outback Australia*

From the Channel Country, a vast expanse of the Queensland Outback, an area that has spawned more yarns and tall stories than a Friday night at the pub.

A place where the country unfolds to the horizon, featureless apart from the Mitchell Grass that stretches as far as the eye can see, swaying in a light afternoon breeze, mesmerising the senses as you squint to see through the heat haze.

*Mitchell Grass swaying in the breeze, Outback Australia*

*Simpson Desert, disappearing into the horizon*

To the deserts of the central region, the Simpson Desert, where the sand dunes cut their way across the salt pans, never ending until you reach a famous oasis on the desert’s fringe, Birdsville and the Birdsville Pub.

And what about up north, strewth, it has got to be some of the best country in the world, a place we call the Gulf Savannah, a place that is thick with red bull dust until the summer monsoon floods the land, quenching the parched earth, breathing life into the flora and fauna that inhabits the region.

Did I ever tell you about Lawn Hill Gorge?

If you never visit anywhere else in our neck of the woods then be sure you make your way up there. We visit as often as we can, there is something refreshing about being up in The Gulf, a place that rejuvenates your soul.

*Lawn Hill Gorge, Gulf Savannah, Outback Australia*

Take a refreshing swim in the spring-fed gorge and don’t worry about the freshies. You know, the fresh water crocodiles, they’re mostly harmless, not like their saltwater cousins, you’ll be right if you leave ‘em alone.

*Australian Freshwater Crocodile, Lawn Hill Gorge*

And its worth knowing that just to the south of the gorge is the World Heritage listed Fossil Mammal site, Riversleigh. It is one of the most significant fossil mammal deposits in the world and the richest known in Australia.

I must say, there were a few old fossils running around the gorge last time I was up there, and TomO, the cheeky little fella, reckons one of them was his Dad…

Anyway, I was telling you about how I got the name “Baz, The Landy”.

Well you see, travelling around this great country of ours is all good and well, but to get into some of these remote areas you need a vehicle that can take the pounding that the corrugations on the outback roads can dish out.

If you can call them roads, sometimes there isn’t one.

A vehicle capable of taking all the gear and toys you need to play in the outback.

Our choice of vehicle is the trusty Landrover Defender. They get called many things, a ‘Fender, the truck, some will even say a box of trouble on wheels.

In fact we’ve got two of them and they go by the names of “The Landy” and “Red Rover”...

We designed “The Landy” with long-range remote area travel in mind when we rebuilt it in 2006. It was a stock standard Landrover Defender 130 until we set to work on it.

The Landy - pack full of toys — *The Landy – packed full of toys*

The Landy, packed full of toys — *The Landy – packed full of toys*

Equipped with long-range fuel tanks it can travel up to 1,800 kilometres without being refuelled. That’s a long way I hear you say, but mate, let me tell you, the outback is a long way from nowhere.

TomO takes control on the Cooper Creek, Outback Australia — *(A young) TomO takes control of the inflatable boat on the Cooper Creek, Outback Australia*

It carries an inflatable boat and outboard motor for travelling on our inland waterways, and it even has a long-range radio that could put you in contact with someone on the other side of Australia, if you wanted to…

Hey, check out the roof, its got a roof top tent that we can take, if we don’t want to tow our T-Van camper trailer.

*The Landy, with Penthouse views, Outback Australia*

I always promised Janet a penthouse to live in…

And it’s even got a fridge to ~~keep Janet’s wine cool~~ store perishables.

I could rave on about it for ages, but I think you’ve got the picture by now and it has served us extremely well and will continue to do so whenever we venture west of the Black Stump.

“Red Rover” is my stock standard Defender 110 that I rebuilt a few years back and serves as my commute vehicle. It looks splendid in fire engine red and I proudly park it at work, down amongst all the Mercs and Beamers in the car park.

Yep, it makes the trip across the Sydney Harbour Bridge each day and I even gave it a bit of a wrap in my blog some time back, Red Rover – Tale of a Landy Make-over.

But don’t go thinking it is some show pony, far from it, it gets Out and About frequently, and I can’t keep Janet out of it…

Red Rover – no show pony

Janet – always happy to take the wheel

Crikey, you’ll be thinking I’ve got a few ‘roos loose in the top paddock.

Wasn’t I telling you about how the name “Baz, The Landy” came about?

Well, every four-wheel drive vehicle I’ve ever owned has been a Landrover Defender, so it seems inevitable that someone was going to end up calling me Baz, The Landy.

I guess!

Besides, how would it be if I was called “Baz – The Red Rover” – strewth, you might go thinking I was out of some kids fairy tale book, or worse…

But getting back to our island continent, Australia, it isn’t hard to ramble on a bit about how fantastic this country is, you know, the one hidden in the summer for a million years, so why don’t I just leave you with this video that our tourism gurus’ put together to the music of one of our greatest musicians, Iva Davies and Icehouse…

And hey, if you’re ever out here visiting make sure you give “The Landy” a wave if you see it go past, we’re a friendly bunch and I’ll even stop and have a yarn with ya!

The Landy - Out and About — The Landy – Out and About

photos by Baz, Janet, and TomO

Blooming Fantastic (Wildflowers in the Outback)

February 19, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About12 Comments

Water Lilly's, Lawn Hill Gorge, Gulf Savvanah, Australia — *Water Lilly’s, Lawn Hill Gorge, Gulf Savannah, Australia*

Recently I’ve been sharing some of the photographs we have taken whilst travelling this fantastic country of ours, Australia.

Whether it is a climber’s perspective of the mountains that I frequently get to view, or perhaps some of the dunes in that part of the country we call The Outback, Australia is a contrast of spectacular colour amongst what is often a harsh and barren land…

But there is a delicate beauty to be found, everywhere, you just need to look.

Wildflowers, Lawn Hill Gorge, Gulf Savvanh, Australia — *Wildflowers, Lawn Hill Gorge, Gulf Savannah, Australia*

Janet will spend countless hours searching for, observing, and photographing our wonderful wildflowers, of which there are countless numbers, she never tires of it, saying just one more, another five minutes and I’ll be finished…

Yes, Janet, she does stand out like a beautiful ~~wild~~ flower, in full bloom!

Janet - she's wonderful! — *Janet, a beautiful flower in full bloom*

Photos: Baz, Janet & TomO

Colours of the Australian Outback (Desert Dunes)

Image February 19, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About23 Comments

Colours of the Australian Outback (Desert Country)

Storm clouds over Welford National Park, near Jundah, far Western-Queensland…

The colours of the Australian Outback, spectacular!

Mayne Hotel Ruins – Australian Outback (The Cellar)

Image February 18, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About11 Comments

The Cellar - Mayne Hotel Ruins, Channel Country, Outback Australia — The Cellar – Mayne Hotel Ruins, Channel Country, Outback Australia

With no fridges novel ways had to be found to keep the beer cold!

Outback Australia, it will give you a thirst!

Climbing Mt Everest (Drinking Ovaltine all the way)

February 17, 2013XPLORE - Out and About13 Comments

Looking back at old photographs is like opening a time capsule, you just never know what you are going to find and usually there are one or two little gems to bring a smile to your face.

I was at Janet’s parents home recently, Clare and Archie who are 83 and 98 years of age, and over a cup of tea we were flicking through books of old photographs.

The themes varied from trips overseas, the children growing up, and of Archie’s childhood in India.

You could pick any photograph and Archie would narrate a rich account of when it was taken, and the story behind those who were in it.

And there were photographs of Clare’s childhood days, growing up in far western Queensland on the family’s sheep property and of her days at boarding school in Charters Towers, far North Queensland.

Clare's Family Home - Charters Towers, North Queensland, Australia — Clare’s Family Home – Charters Towers, North Queensland, Australia

The conversation turned to our upcoming adventures and my journey to climb Cho Oyu, an 8,000 metre peak, which is close to where Archie grew up, and if all goes well, Mt Everest.

Over the years I have listened to the many stories of Archie’s trips to Darjeeling, situated in the foothills of the Himalaya’s and in later years of visits both he and Clare made back to Calcutta.

One story that always brings a good laugh is about a mountaineering expedition group who turned up at the offices of James Wright and Company, General Merchants, the family business in Calcutta. The suave and handsome couple heading the expedition were in a rather irate mood as they stepped out of the taxi, demanding to know why they had not been met at the ship upon their arrival.

Being general merchants, Archie and his father dealt in all kind of goods, and were the agent’s in India for the popular drink Ovaltine.

“These mountaineers were here to climb Mt Everest and they were going to drink Ovaltine all the way to the top, extolling its virtues to the world.”

It had all been arranged in England prior to their departure and there was surprise and indignation that they had not been afforded the courtesies expected upon their arrival. They even had a copy of the telegram from the Head of the company that made Ovaltine in England informing of their visit.

This was a gentlemanly age and young Archie arranged for the expedition to be put up at a first class hotel where they could rest after their long sea voyage and ahead of their attempt to climb Mt Everest.

And rest and avail themselves they did indeed…

Of course, there was to be no attempt on Mt Everest as the mountaineers were well practiced con people. After spending a number of nights in the luxury of the first class hotel, taking advantage of the young Fawthrop’s generous hospitality, they disappeared into the night, leaving Archie with an expensive hotel bill and the need to provide an account to his father of how he had been done by a slick group of con artists’.

But he could be forgiven, after all Ovaltine accompanied Sir Edmund Hilary on his ascent of Mt Everest with Tenzing Norgay in 1953 and the company went on to sponsor Chris Bonnington’s 1975 Everest expedition.

Archie, Clare & Tensing Norgay — Archie, Clare and Tenzing

And speaking of Tenzing Norgay, as we continued our journey through the albums one particular photograph caught my attention, a black and white snapshot of Clare and Archie, with Tenzing Norgay standing beside them.

On a visit to Darjeeling, Archie and Clare met and spoke with Tenzing, a remarkable and quietly spoken man they said, whilst dining at the Darjeeling Club.

TomO was very excited at the discovery, a link to where we will travel this year when I attempt to climb three 6,000 metre peaks, Lobuche East, Island Peak, and Pokalde, all situated not too far from Mt Everest.

Was the Ovaltine story and the photograph a sign-post on our own journey, I thought.

A connection to the region brought about from Archie’s younger days? In the least, it will enrich the experience for us…

And as I climb in the Himalaya’s Archie’s Ovaltine story will be sure to put a smile on my face, warming me like a hot cup of Ovaltine on a bleak winter’s night…

Pre-dawn Fun (Out and About, Northern Beaches, Sydney)

Video February 16, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About8 Comments

Wow, what a great morning down on the lake, on the water before the dawn and watching the sun rise was awesome!

How good are Saturday mornings!

Anyway, the sun is up now, so jump in and I’ll take you for a paddle around the lake…

Sunrise over Currawinya National Park (Outback Australia)

Image February 14, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About18 Comments

Sunrise at Ourimperee Waterhole, Currawinya National Park, Outback Australia…

A beautiful part of the Australian Outback, not to be missed!

The Shed – Font of all knowledge (And some tall stories)

February 13, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About6 Comments

Phew…“The Shed” hasn’t changed whilst I was away climbing in New Zealand.

It is still that grand old place where tall stories can be told, a few laughs had, a place where you can grab a coldie out of the fridge to share with mates, and importantly, it is my morning training hangout.

These past few days I’ve headed up the driveway in the pre-dawn darkness, a time of the day I actually enjoy immensely, to exercise on my C2 Concept Rower, and to lift a few weights.

Rowing in the Shed — Baz on the C2 Rower

Over the coming months my exercise regime in The Shed will revolve around high intensity cardio and building muscular endurance in preparation for my expedition to Nepal at the end of the year. Of course, there will be plenty of hill climbing with a 20 kilogram backpack, and I could never go without getting in a paddle on the lake at least once a week.

Baz - heading up "The Hill" — Baz – heading up “The Hill”

I’m always happy to be out hiking in the Australian Bush…and kayaking on our magnificent ocean beaches and inland waterways!

I will also be focussing on improving muscular flexibility through yoga practice. Bikram is my preferred yoga and I’m looking forward to reacquainting myself with it over the coming weeks.

Another focus of mine will be agility, something we seem to have in younger days and lose over time. Whilst I’m not too bad, my trip to New Zealand highlighted that I would benefit from undertaking some specific training, like balance beam walking with a back-pack…

And of course there’ll be plenty of rock-climbing up in the Blue Mountains to hone my rope handling skills and efficiency.

Baz - Boar's Head, Blue Mountains, Australia — Baz – Boar’s Head, Blue Mountains, Australia

Something that I will be revelling in!

And my partner in crime, brother-in-law, Ray Tong, and I are scheduled to line up for another start in Tough Mudder in early April, and he is well advanced in his preparation, so I have some catching up to do!

We are looking to improve our time from last September’s Tough Mudder event.

Mind you, I’m currently suffering from a long term achillies tendon injury which has flared once again.

My sports doctor is treating it with Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP as it is usually referred to. It involves drawing my own blood and extracting the PRP which is then injected back into my achillies tendon to assist recovery. The process can be done in the surgery and takes around 15-30 minutes. To date, I have had one injection and another is scheduled for next week.

I’m also undergoing a very specific stretching regime to assist in the recovery.

Fingers crossed, as failing this it will require some surgery to correct.

Baz - Crossing Swing Bridge on the Six Foot Track — Baz – Crossing Swing Bridge on the Six Foot Track

But I’m confident all will be well within the next few weeks and I can’t wait to be back out in the mountains hiking and climbing.

All up, life is pretty good, wouldn’t be dead for quids…

And remember, if all else fails, remain out of control and see what happens, or just take a leap of faith!

Baz and TomO - Just remain out of control...! — Baz and TomO – Just remain out of control…!

Jungle Life – Papua New Guinea (Alola Village)

Image February 12, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About4 Comments

Jungle Life - Papua New Guinea

Alola village, remotely located deep in the steamy jungle of Papua New Guinea.

The only way in is to walk for a couple of days…

Janet and I lived in Papua New Guinea for three years, working and exploring…

A wonderful country, full of wonderful people and teeming with spectacular wildlife.

No ordinary moments, no ordinary people, no ordinary lives!

photo: Baz

The Bread-Knife, Warrumbungles, Australia

Image February 12, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About11 Comments

The Bread-Knife, Warrumbungles, Australia

This is a wonderful place to visit, to sit and just listen to the sounds of the Australian bush…

Where the wildlife abounds and the flora is spectacular. We took this photograph in the Warrumbungles on one of our trips…

The Australian Bush, it speaks for itself…

Out and About on the Lake (Talk about having fun)

February 11, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About8 Comments

Heron Class Sailboats - Narrabeen Lake, Sydney — Heron Class Sailboats – Narrabeen Lake, Sydney

It has been quite a week “Down under”.

TomO was settling into his second week at high school, I was getting back into the swing of things at work and Janet was working on upcoming school functions and of course, looking after “her boys”…

So when the weekend hit it was time to unwind and relax and we kicked it off with TomO’s first game of basketball, and after only two training sessions he was playing like a pro, well almost…

TomO's first basketball match — TomO’s first basketball match

And with blue skies and perfect weather we headed to Narrabeen Lake on both Saturday and Sunday as it is our favoured weekend haunt when we are not in the mountains…

Baz - Narrabeen Lake, Northern Beaches, Sydney — Baz – Narrabeen Lake, Northern Beaches, Sydney

And what a day down on the lake, it was literally a sea of colour with plenty of paddle boards, kayaks, and with the wind getting up later, the wind surfers, and the delightful Heron Class sailboats that race most Sunday’s.

Windsurfing, Narrabeen Lake, Sydney, Australia

It was great to get reacquainted with my Epic Kayak, TomO was back on his stand up paddleboard, and Janet was catching up on all the gossip with friends who joined us.

Life… you’ve got to love it, truly, no ordinary moments, no ordinary people, no ordinary moments, ever!

The Australian Dingo (In the outback)

Image February 10, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About9 Comments

The Australian Dingo

The Australian Dingo, at home in the Australian Outback…

We took this photograph in the Channel Country, far Western Queensland.

You’ve just got to love the landscape, the flora and fauna, that makes the Australian Outback what it is!

Don’t use the “F” word – Failure is Success (If we learn from it)

February 9, 2013XPLORE - Out and About23 Comments

The Buttress - Mt Aspiring — The Buttress – Mt Aspiring

January was such a whirlwind of fun, mountaineering in the Southern Alps of one of the best countries in the world, New Zealand.

Of course, it wasn’t all mountaineering and there was plenty of family time doing some crazy things together.

Now I do have this rather audacious plan to climb some of the world’s highest mountains, heaven forbid, Mt Everest does beckon, but of course even contemplating that is some time off just at the moment.

My next major expedition will be to Nepal in November of this year. It sounds so far away doesn’t it?

Baz - Pack-walk up Heaton's Gap — Baz – Pack-walk up Heaton’s Gap

I have much preparation to do ahead of it and I suspect time will fly past very quickly. I need to increase my fitness with plenty of long-distance pack walking, as well as hone my climbing and rope handling skills; after all as they say practice makes us perfect.

And of course, climbing to altitudes in excess of 6,000 metres will require some new equipment, so plenty of gear reviews and shopping lie in the months ahead.

Shoosh, I might just not let on to Janet about that just yet!

But anyway, I’m starting to rabbit on a bit now, so I’ll get to my point…

Many people have asked about how the trip went and did I get to the summit of Mt Aspiring.

Unfortunately the answer was no. The weather conspired against us about halfway up and we decided to turn back, to continue on would have been dangerous…

But none-the-less, it was a successful climb.

It would be easy to think of it as a failure…but I had a great smile on my face!

Not hard to smile in this spectacular place!

Failure is a word I’ve never been comfortable with and I’m sure it doesn’t sit well with many others. But for many, not achieving a goal you’ve set out to achieve often leads to despair, feelings of not succeeding – of failure.

It can be deflating…

For me, not getting to the summit of Mt Aspiring was not a failure; in fact I found it a great learning experience. Turning back involved taking account of many factors; of course the most important was weather, which was pretty much a no-brainer as the wind was raging in excess of 100 kilometres per hour over the summit.

Assessing the situation, making the correct decision at the appropriate time, and of course acting on it was an important lesson in “human factors” especially as we stood on the mountain, exposed to the elements; to the increasing wind and sleet…

All too often it has been found that people have identified that a new course of action needs to be taken and whilst they’ve understood what it was they needed to do they’ve failed to implement the new plan until it was too late.

The experience highlighted the importance of being efficient and proficient whilst remaining safe, especially at a time when external factors were having an adverse affect on the undertaking.

Baz - upwards and onwards — Baz – upwards and onwards

A very important lesson, especially given my rather audacious plan of climbing high mountains!

So should we get rid of “failure” from our vocabulary?

No, I think it has a place.

After all, Janet did highlight to me the other day that I had failed to take out the garbage, and for sure it could count as a learning experience, but failure summed it up perfectly…

The garbage truck had just passed our home and wouldn’t be back for another week and those words “you failed a very simple task” are still ringing in my ears…

So next time you haven’t achieved your goal will you use the “F word?”

I know you won’t… Just think of it has a learning experience on your way to success…

But mind you, if all else does fail, just feel free to remain out of control and see what develops…

Welford National Park – Colours of the Australian Outback

Image February 8, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About12 Comments

Welford National Park – Colours of the Australian Outback

The Australian Outback, you’ve got to love it!

Jet-Boating on the Matukituki – Awesome Fun (Jump Aboard)

Video February 7, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About2 Comments

Whilst we were holidaying and climbing in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, we took time to skim across the Matukituki River with Wanaka River Journeys.

It was a great trip and as well as journeying the river we took a walk through a fantastic Beech Tree Forest and marveled at the many waterfalls and cold mountain streams.

Anyway, grab a life-vest and jump aboard…if you’re game!

Dropping into the office (sure beats taking the lift)

February 6, 2013XPLORE - Out and About9 Comments

Baz and Janet on the AMP Building, Sydney

Speaking about returning to work after my sojurn in New Zealand, there is no truth in the rumour that I abseil in each day.

But it would be fun!

Janet and I abseiled off the AMP Building in Sydney’s Central Business District to raise money and aid in the awareness of the Sir David Martin Foundation, an organisation committed to helping young people in crisis.

A very worthwhile cause…

And yes, Janet beat me to the bottom, who said she wasn’t competitive!

Cabin Fever High on the Mountain – Shelter from the storm

February 5, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About21 Comments

It is often said that too much of a good thing, is not such a good thing.

And after three weeks in the spectacular South Island of New Zealand, mountaineering, climbing, jet-boating, taking to the skies in a Tiger Moth, and leaping 100 metres into a canyon screaming at the top of my lungs, seemingly a good thing came to an abrupt end this week.

It was back to work…

Yes I do work, although my colleagues have often said, with a wink, that at times there is too much day dreaming going on and not enough work.

But putting that aside…

My usual daily routine starts around 4am each day up in the shed with a row, a weight session, or perhaps even a bit of both. Other days it is a walk with a 25 or 30-kilogram backpack for company.

But I must say it was a little tough getting motivated these past few days, not so much because of the early start, after all, I had a few alpine starts these past three weeks where you rise around 3am in the morning to ready for a day of climbing.

Jet-boating with Janet & TomO, New Zealand

Initially I put it down to a change in routine, let’s face it, it is pretty easy to get out of bed for a day of climbing in the spectacular Southern Alps; the walk to the shed just didn’t cut it.

Maybe it was cabin fever I thought, after all “the shed” is about the size of some of the alpine huts.

Now let me say the alpine huts dotted throughout the alpine regions are basic, but comfortable and what you would expect of this type of shelter and accommodation.

Mind you, heating is limited to clothing and a warm sleeping bag.

Franz Joseph Glacier - Centennial Hut — Franz Joseph Glacier – Centennial Hut

And given there is one big refrigerator outside, keeping perishable food is no great problem, just bury it in the snow and hope the Keas’ don’t find it before you eat it. So you can actually eat very well, which is great given the mountains tend to give you a solid appetite.

Good food - Colin Todd Hutt — Good food – Colin Todd Hutt

But back to this cabin fever thing, the weather turned particularly bad, and I mean badass bad, during the week I was attempting to climb Mt Aspiring.

We had two quite reasonable days before it all went pear-shaped and the wind howled gusting at up to 180 kilometres an hour at times, sleet, snow and rain, pounded Colin Todd Hutt relentlessly for almost three days and nights.

The lightening was striking all around the hut, but its flashes struck silently because you couldn’t hear the thunder over the roar of the wind.

We did keep ourselves occupied during the storm with plenty of knot tying, practicing rescue techniques, cups of sweet tea, and book reading tucked up in a warm down sleeping bag.

Relaxing during the storm, Colin Todd Hut

But there was some floor pacing as well…

Actually, it was a great experience, if you had to have it, as it demonstrated what nature will toss at you in the mountains, a good lesson in patience.

I’ve just given myself a bit of a slap…

C’mon Baz, you’re not suffering cabin fever, you love the shed, and after all it is a sanctuary, the font of all knowledge and some tall tales.

The Shed - Font of all knowledge — The Shed – Font of all knowledge

And besides you have plenty of training ahead of that climbing you are going to do in Nepal later this year.

Best you get reacquainted with the shed sooner, rather than later…

Hey, and remember, if all else fails, remain out of control and see what develops…

You’re kidding me right? (TomO’s Crazy)

February 4, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About12 Comments

TomO - The Haven, Terrigal — TomO – The Haven, Terrigal

Whenever we go to Terrigal for a paddle on the surf ski or paddle board, TomO manages to make his way over to “The Skillion” with skateboard in hand, well, a Penny that is, best I get it right…

I’m not sure where he gets it from, but you sure wouldn’t catch me careering down that slope on four small wheels with a small platform…

Nah, I’ll stick to the surf ski, ocean and the waves, you’d be nuts to do what he’s doing.

"Dream Catcher" - seems appropriate for me — “Dream Catcher” – seems appropriate for me

Mind you, if you’re game, grab your helmet and take the walk up “The Skillion” with TomO…

Barcoo River, Outback Australia

Image February 3, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About6 Comments

Barcoo River, Outback Australia

Late afternoon on the Barcoo River, Welford National Park, Queensland, Australia.

I’ve been looking back over some photographs taken on our four-wheel drive touring trips to the Australian Outback.

The Australian Outback, you’ve got to love it!

Antics in a Bi-Plane (Tigers’ over Wanaka)

February 2, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About10 Comments

Baz & TomO - ready to take to the skies — Baz & TomO – ready to take to the skies

A flight in a Tiger Moth from a by-gone era sounded far too good an opportunity to pass up.

On a recent visit to the South Island of New Zealand and in between climbing in the Southern Alps, I did just that, accompanied by my adventurous son, TomO…

And TomO, being a bit of a military buff, relished the opportunity to chase his father around the skies over Wanaka, while Mum, Janet, watched from a vantage point on the lake foreshore below.

The Tiger Moths are owned and operated by Peter Hendriks at Classic Flights, Wanaka.

Peter, along with his flying partner, Andy Hailey, who recently left the RAF after trading a seat in the supersonic Euro-fighter for something just a bit slower, expertly piloted the aircraft.

It even had me reminiscing over my own flying days, another time when Janet and I flew the length and breadth of Australia in our own aircraft, a Piper Arrow.

TomO and I kitted up in the flight room, donning flying gear of the Tiger Moth era, including a silk scarf, and with the smell of aviation fuel in our nostrils took to the blue skies over Wanaka.

Anyway, why don’t you just jump on board with us and join the flight…don’t forget to strap yourself in, we don’t want you falling out when we do a loop!

And how good is that smile on TomO’s face!

Dope on a Rope (A boy with a dream)

January 28, 2013January 30, 2013XPLORE - Out and About14 Comments

New Zealand is often referred to as the land of the “long white cloud” and during my two weeks of climbing I saw many variations of that long white cloud.

At times there was not a cloud in the sky, at other times there was white out conditions in the mountains due to violent storms. During my first week in the mountains we had a storm that raged for three days…

Winds were howling and gusting at up to 180 kilometres per hour.

The aim of my visit to New Zealand was to learn more of the craft of alpine mountaineering, and to attempt an ascent on Mt Aspiring, the Matterhorn of the South.

And whilst disappointed we had to turn back from the summit of Mt Aspiring due to deteriorating weather, the experience gained over the two weeks under the expert guidance of Richard Raynes and Steve Moffat from Adventure Consultants, was invaluable.

The focus now switches to my expedition to Nepal in November this year and whilst it is some months away there is little doubt that time will pass quickly…

So there’ll be plenty of long hikes with my backpack, something I relish, and of course climbing in my own back yard, the wonderful Blue Mountains.

I have just been looking at the climbing photos of the past of couple weeks over a cup of tea and here are some of my favourites…

Mt Aspiring – viewed from Colin Todd Hut

Mt Aspiring – The weather thwarts a summit

Centennial Hut, Souther Alps, New Zealand

Colin Todd Hut, Southern Alps, New Zealand

Sunset over the Tasman Sea – Centennial Hut

Gravity is a toy – Should we be proud or worried?

January 25, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About27 Comments

After the climbing I have been doing in New Zealand, and the travelling that Janet and TomO have done whilst I was in the mountains, we decided today would be a good opportunity to all relax together in the beautiful town of Queenstown.

Well, when I said relax, I mean relax in our own special way…

So we headed to a canyon with a high cliff, and jumped – courtesy of the great team from Shotover Canyon Swing, Queenstown.

TomO - you're insane — TomO – you’re insane

TomO led the charge with a solo jump; doing a spectacular pin-drop, apparently one of the youngest to do this style. Janet and I followed shortly after, and in case you are wondering, we thought we’d chuck TomO off first just to make sure it all held together…

What chance did TomO ever have - with this pair as parents — What chance did TomO ever have – with this pair as parents

And perhaps because we are just a little “insane” TomO and I took another leap together!

A chip off the “old block” ?

Yes – perhaps, I’m just not sure whether I should be proud or just a little bit worried…

Oh, don’t worry, we’re very proud (and just a tad worried!)

Anyway, pictures speak louder than words…Jumpppppppp!

(Ps: No trying this at home 😉 )

No Ordinary Moments; No Ordinary People; No Ordinary Lives

January 24, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About6 Comments

Baz - Almer Hut, Franz Joseph Glacier, New Zealand — Baz – Almer Hut, Franz Joseph Glacier, New Zealand

As I stood outside Almer Hut waiting for a helicopter to arrive to take me down from the mountains I looked back up Franz Joseph Glacier and reflected on the two weeks of climbing I have had in New Zealand.

Of time spent with loved ones; chasing TomO in a Tiger Moth in the skies over Lake Wanaka, with Janet, moments shared together, and of time spent on the top of mountains with newly made friends…

Janet, TomO and Baz - Wanaka, New Zealand — Janet, TomO and Baz – Wanaka, New Zealand

Take nothing for granted, for truly, there are no ordinary moments; no ordinary people; no ordinary lives…

Thanks New Zealand!

Crampons, Ice Axes, and Mountains (Crikey – it gets the thumbs up)

January 23, 2013January 23, 2013XPLORE - Out and About30 Comments

Climbing the south face of Aurora, Southern Alps, New Zealand

Mountains have a way of drawing you in like a magnet, whether you want to view them, walk up them, or perhaps climb them.

For me it has been about climbing them and the Southern Alps on New Zealand’s South Island has provided me with a great place to do just that over the past two weeks.

Baz on Aurora - Southern Alps, New Zealand — Baz on Aurora – Southern Alps, New Zealand

And sure, there has been a day here or there that the weather was not suitable, but that is an opportunity to wrap yourself in a warm down sleeping bag way up high in an alpine hut with a good book…

Talking about Alpine Huts, I spent a week at Centennial Hut, situated on the West Coast, and from its position, perched high on an exposed ridge, you could see all the way down to the Tasman Sea…the sunsets were fantastic from our alpine hideaway!

I have learned much over the past two weeks under the supervision of the team from Adventure Consultants who are high altitude climbing specialists based at Wanaka and it has prepared me very well for an expedition to climb in Nepal later this year.

In fact, the climbing in Nepal will not be as technical as the climbing I have been doing these past two weeks, but the summits will be in excess of 6,000 metres!

Baz - traversing on Aurora Southern Alps, New Zealand — Baz – traversing on Aurora Southern Alps, New Zealand

And whilst I am still surrounded by the magnificent mountains of the Southern Alps I will be putting away the crampons and ice picks for the next few days as Janet, TomO, and I are going to spend some time just relaxing in this wonderful country they call New Zealand…

Tasman Glacier viewed from Graham Saddle, Souther Alps, New Zealand — Tasman Glacier viewed from Graham Saddle, Southern Alps, New Zealand

Crikey…did I say relax – I mean relaxing, as we know how.

All three of us will be stepping off a platform high above a canyon near Queenstown, in what is billed as the world’s largest canyon swing. Once you depart the platform you free-fall 60 metres down into the canyon until the ropes smoothly swings you into a giant 200 metre swing. You then complete a couple of massive swings before you slowly come to rest approximately 100 metres below the departure platform.

Strewth, I’ll let you know how that goes!

And all I can say is – “thumbs up” to climbing in New Zealand…

New Zealand's Southern Alps - Gets the "Thumbs Up" — New Zealand’s Southern Alps – Gets the “Thumbs Up”

A Charmed Life (Climbing New Zealand’s South Island)

January 17, 2013XPLORE - Out and About19 Comments

I’m heading to the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island today for another week of climbing in the mountains.

We will drive from Wanaka over the Haast Pass to Fox where we will helicopter into Centennial Hut on the Franz Joseph Glacier. Our alternative will be Pioneer Hut on the Fox Glacier.

I spent a week last September climbing this region using Pioneer Hut as a base, and all I can say is the scenery is spectacular.

You can sit on the balcony of the hut at 2,000 metres and watch the sun slowly set over the Tasman Sea.

How good is that!

And the weather looks okay for the next few days at least!

Climbing Mt Bevan - Baz — Climbing Mt Bevan – Baz

Crikey – Talk about making a splash (Jet-boating on the Matukituki River)

January 16, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About14 Comments

If you want to see some fantastic New Zealand scenery, take in a couple of the sights of where Lord of the Rings was filmed, and you’re a bit of an adrenalin junkie, than a jet boat ride up the Matukituki River is the thing for you…

I was supposed to be heading to New Zealand’s west coast for another week of climbing in the Southern Alps, however with weather forecast to be less than favourable we decided to postpone our departure by two days.

Mind you, the weather around Wanaka has been perfect during our stay and we’ve been making the most of it!

After a short drive through grazing lands just outside of Wanaka we arrived at our departure point for the trip up the river.

Strewth, what a great ride it was!

Our guide expertly pointed the boat through the various water channels on the braided river, which was still flowing quite fast due to all the recent rain. Yes, the same rain I experienced whilst on the Bonar Glacier trying to climb Mt Aspiring last week.

After about half-an-hour we hopped out of the boat and took a nature walk, marvelling at the giant beech tree forests. These trees are very old and quite spectacular.

And the view of Avalanche Glacier was breathtaking.

Back on the boat we made our way towards Lake Wanaka, stopping at one of the spots where Lord of the Rings was filmed.

If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, you will recall a scene where Frodo Baggins is standing on a hill and is stabbed in the shoulder by one of the Ringwraiths.

This scene was filmed in the Matukituki Valley.

I must confess to being a big fan of the series, and as I walked out of Mt Aspiring a week ago, down the valley and through the forest it truly felt like I was in “middle-earth”.

After bidding our guides farewell, Janet and I relaxed by the shores of Lake Wanaka, while TomO went for a swim…

Crikey, what a great day in a beautiful part of the world – and how good is that ice-cream!

Tiger Moth’s over Wanaka (TomO and Baz take to the skies)

January 14, 2013November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About27 Comments

Climbing mountains is one way to get your head in the clouds and tomorrow I will be travelling to the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island for another week of adventure in the mountains.

I climbed this breath-taking area last September and I am looking forward to being there again…

And I am certainly hoping for better weather than the blizzard conditions I experienced last week whilst climbing Mt Aspiring and neighbouring peaks.

But mind you, there is more than one way to get your head in the clouds and this morning TomO and I took to the skies over Wanaka, chasing each other in two vintage “Tiger Moths”.

Crikey, I could go on about how good it was, and it is fair to say TomO still has a smile as big as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but why don’t I just let the photo’s do the talking…

TomO - always smiling — TomO – always smiling

Summiting is optional – getting down is mandatory (Mt Aspiring)

January 13, 2013January 13, 2013XPLORE - Out and About40 Comments

It is said that summiting a mountain is optional and getting back down is mandatory.

And with this in my mind, with climbing partner, Richard Raynes, I headed off for my climb of Mt Aspiring in the pre-dawn hours of Monday 7 January.

Richard is an exceptionally experienced mountaineer and specializes in mountain rescues, so I was in extremely good hands. For me, this was a great opportunity to learn.

Richard - on Bevan Col — Richard – on Bevan Col

We had planned to climb on Thursday, however the weather was forecast to deteriorate over the week and our climbing window had narrowed significantly.

This was it…

I was feeling rather daunted as we headed off across the Bonar Glacier towards the “Matterhorn of the South” which was standing tall ahead of us.

Baz - Bonar Glacier — Baz – Bonar Glacier

The moon was rising over the mountain and as we climbed the steep snow and ice slope towards the rock buttress a thin golden line was appearing on the eastern horizon signalling the dawn of a new day.

I remember thinking this was the dawn of just more than the sun rising on a new day, but of a wonderful new world for me.

There were two other climbing parties of two ahead of us and we could see their headlamps bobbing up and down as they made their way.

The weather had been forecast to be better than we had earlier expected and according to the most up to date report we had received the previous evening. So far the report was proving accurate.

But as we climbed onto the exposed side of the mountain and climbed up through the rock formation, called The Buttress, the weather started to turn. We had made it through the most technical section of the climb, and now had a long slog up the steep snow and ice towards the summit.

The peak shrouded in cloud and high winds

We could see the summit and the winds were roaring over it at least 100 kilometres an hour and the cloud was now starting to obscure the top.

The groups ahead had turned back by now and as we made our way back down through the rock buttress, abseiling our way back to the snow, we were being buffeted by sleet and strong winds.

Baz on the Buttress - Mt Aspiring — Baz on the Buttress – Mt Aspiring

It was not to be our day on the summit…

But that is not to say it wasn’t a great experience. Of course our goal was to make it to the top, but above all else, I was here to learn the craft and skills necessary to become a competent mountaineer.

Perhaps the mountain understood this and she gave me an experience that provided a great learning opportunity, so it is hard to be disappointed…

Send a St Bernard to the rescue (If you haven’t heard from me in a week)

January 4, 2013January 4, 2013XPLORE - Out and About22 Comments

It seems like a long time has passed since I booked my trip to climb in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.

But the time has arrived.

I head off early Saturday morning, flying across “The Ditch” into Queenstown in the South Island, before making my way by bus to Wanaka, about an hour’s drive away.

On Sunday I will be flying into the mountains by either helicopter or ski-plane with Richard Raynes, from Adventure Consultants.

Richard has a first class climbing pedigree and has previously worked for the Mt Cook Search and Rescue team. We will spend a couple of hours walking across the Bonar Glacier to Colin Todd Hut, although we may elect to camp out on Bevan Col, depending on the Hut availability and weather conditions at the time.

On or around day five, which should be Thursday 10 January, we will make our summit attempt on Mt Aspiring. The day will be long, starting around 3am in the morning and finishing as late as 7pm.

And there are no guarantees on making it to the summit, but of course that is our goal and we will be giving it our best shot!

After a hike out from Mt Aspiring I will be returning to Wanaka to spend a few days resting with Janet and TomO, by the shores of Lake Wanaka, before heading back into the mountains for another week of climbing, this time with Steve Moffatt, Adventure Consultant’s program co-ordinator.

Steve has climbed all around the world, has summitted Mt Everest, and lead many mountaineering trips, including Lobuche East in Nepal. I will be travelling to Nepal in November this year to climb Lobuche East, Island Peak, and Pokalde. The first two are in excess of 6,000 metres, and Pokalde is just under 6,000 metres.

My second week will be less structured and we will look to climb a variety of peaks focussing on different aspects of mountaineering.

I am in good hands and I have a great opportunity to learn from these two very experienced climbers.

Grey's Peak, Fox Glacier, New Zealand — Grey’s Peak, Fox Glacier, New Zealand

And although the peaks in the Southern Alps of New Zealand are only just over 3,000 metres in height, they are similar in ruggedness and valley to summit altitude gains to the higher peaks of the Himalaya’s, and for this reason it is a great training ground for my rather audacious plan to climb Mt Everest…

Mind you, it is also a wonderful place to visit and the people are friendly and welcoming.

And at the end of two weeks of climbing, Janet, TomO, and I will be spending a few days in Wanaka taking in the local sights and resting by the lake, before heading to Queenstown for a few days.

Janet and TomO won’t be sitting around whilst I’m climbing and their activities include a helicopter flight onto Fox Glacier, giving them a first hand view of where I was climbing last September, before heading down to Milford Sound for a couple of days.

They will also be retracing the Coast to Coast Adventure Race route. Janet and TomO assisted me in getting through this event across New Zealand last February…and will no doubt be there to support me in 2014’s race!

Anyway, there will be no communication access, other than satellite phone for emergencies, so I’ll let you know how it goes, along with some pictures, when I get back to Wanaka.

Hopefully I will be able to report a successful summit of Mt Aspiring, but even if I don’t there is little doubt in my mind that I will be reporting two weeks of fantastic climbing and fun…

Janet will be updating The Landy on Facebook and hopefully with news on Mt Aspiring so be sure to click on the link and follow our adventures!

And importantly, remember, if all else fails, remain out of control and see what develops…

A couple of Kangaroos loose in the top paddock (Thankyou)

January 3, 2013XPLORE - Out and About19 Comments

I have been nominated for a couple of Blogger Awards, including 2012 Blogger of the Year.

I know there is a protocol for responding to these nominations, and two more recently came from The Wish Factor, and Desert Rose.

Normally, I would take the time to respond in the appropriate way.

But as I am heading to New Zealand in a day or two for my next mountaineering adventure I fear that I would not do it the right justice by rushing a response, so please forgive me for not doing so…

Grey's Peak New Zealand — Baz on top of Grey’s Peak, New Zealand

But I would like to say to all my friends around the world, many whom I have come to know right here on WordPress – thank you!

I am humbled by the many comments I receive on a daily basis in response to what I have written, to my rantings…

Who, me, Baz – The Landy?

I’m just an ordinary Aussie bloke who tries not to take life too seriously, but to simply enjoy life for what it is, to take it on the chin when I need to, and to have a good laugh at myself all other times…

Strewth, who would ever have thought youse lot would be interested in the ramblings of someone with “a few ‘roos loose in the top paddock”?

But by crikey, I do love talking about this wonderful sunburnt country I live in…

Oh for crying out loud Baz, just say it, Australia’s the best flamin’ country in the world, mate…

And I can’t help but write about my very supportive family, the beautiful people in my life, Janet and TomO, and of the love they give me, unconditionally…

Janet - Cheeky as ever — Janet – Cheeky as ever

Writing of lazy afternoons down by the lake with friends, of rock-faces in the Blue Mountains, and of course, my rather audacious plan to climb high mountains, of the dream I have to go to the top of the world, to climb Mt Everest…

Every day on Wordspress, millions of words are written by ordinary people, stories about the challenges life has thrown at them, what they have done, and continue to do to overcome them.

About their dreams and aspirations, their highs and lows…

About their very own Mt Everest…

People who want to improve their fitness, to lose weight, to cycle across a city, or across the world.

Many have their sights set on a fun run, and others having completed one, setting their sights towards running a marathon.

For others, it is their challenge to become stronger, to be able to lift more, or about capturing that once in a life-time photograph, perhaps testing a new recipe to share with friends, or with people they have never met.

Others talk about health and lifestyle challenges they struggle with, that they have overcome.

I read as many of them as I can, for they motivate me and provide me with much needed inspiration…

Seemingly, there is always someone in this cyberspace community ready to reach out, to congratulate, to console…

These people aren’t super-elite athletes, or neither five-star chefs, nor are they fitness gurus.

They have a much greater status than that, for they are simply ordinary people – they are you!

Each and every one of you is helping me to find the courage to overcome the challenges and barriers that sometimes stand in the way of my own dreams…

I take great inspiration from you all, and I won’t single any one person out, for you are all very special to me – and from the bottom of my heart thank you for enriching my life by rewarding me with a window into yours!

There are no ordinary moments, no ordinary people, no ordinary lives…

Take care you ‘all…Baz

Baz and a Hero, Menari Village, Papua New Guinea

Climb Every Mountain…(Can’t wait!)

Image January 1, 2013XPLORE - Out and About21 Comments

Baz - Chancellor Dome in the background — Baz – Chancellor Dome in the background

Can you believe that 2013 has rolled around already? And how good were those fireworks on Sydney Harbour to see in the New Year!

Anyway, I know I’ve been shouting it very loudly at every opportunity of late, but just in case you’ve missed it, 2013 will be a big year for me in terms of mountaineering and climbing, and it starts at the end of this week as I head to New Zealand’s Southern Alps…

Janet, TomO, and I were just looking at some of the climbing and mountaineering photos from 2012 so I thought I’d put up some favourites (again)…it motivates me to get out there…

Crikey, almost forgot…Happy New Year to all from dowunder!

And remember, if all else fails, remain out of control and see what develops…!

Sublime Point, Blue Mountains, Australia

Baz – Fox Glacier, practising crevasse rescues

Baz – Ice-climbing, Fox Glacier, New Zealand

Pioneer Hut, looking west to the Tasman Sea

Strewth – You wouldn’t be dead for quids (Out on the Lake)

December 30, 2012November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About6 Comments

Baz - Narrabeen Lake, Sydney — Baz – Narrabeen Lake, Sydney

With less than one week to go before I head off to climb in New Zealand I spent Saturday morning preparing my gear and getting it all packed away.

It is hard to imagine that most of it will find its way into a 65-litre backpack.

Snow shoes, crampons, my best pair of Italian Leather boots, climbing hardware in the form of carabineers, devices and ropes, and plenty of thermals to keep warm up on the glacier and in the mountains…

But once that was out of the way we headed straight for Narrabeen Lake on Sydney’s northern beach’s, our second home, for a paddle with long-time paddling partner, Bob.

Janet, Annette, Bob’s partner, and Debbie, my sister chatted on the lake’s edge, while the younger “boys” were out on the lake in various watercraft.

TomO even had a paddle in one of the bigger boats, which resulted in a couple of “swims” for him!

TomO paddling "The Fenn" — TomO paddling “The Fenn”

And crikey, how good is the sun setting over the lake – you wouldn’t want to be dead for quids!

A lazy afternoon beside the Narrabeen Lake

Dope on a Rope (Strewth – I’m getting very excited)

December 27, 2012December 27, 2012XPLORE - Out and About12 Comments

I feel like I’ve eaten far too much over the festive season, although I do need to have a little extra body fat as I head to climb Mt Aspiring in New Zealand’s Southern Alps for a couple of weeks.

Well, it is a great theory and the one I will be running in any case.

However, training is back on in earnest, and I was lucky enough to get out for a couple of paddles on the lake over the past few days, despite the weather being less favourable.

Although, being out on the lake is more than just training or exercise, it is great for the soul watching the pelicans glide over the water, and other people out and about with family and friends, just having fun, the kite-surfers, the wind-surfers, and paddle-boarders…

But as time is ticking away I will be doing a full gear check over the next few days, and that will raise the excitement level in our household – it will be reaching fever pitch in another few days!

And of course, Janet and TomO are very excited, as they will be following me to New Zealand a few days after I depart.

You just wouldn’t want to be dead for quids…

And of course, if all else fails, remember, just remain out of control and see what develops!

Jingle Bells – The Aussie Way

December 24, 2012November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About25 Comments

Strewth, it is Christmas Eve in the land “Dowunder” already and Janet, TomO, and myself would like to wish all our friends around the world a happy festive season, however you may celebrate it.

We’ll be down on the water for sure!

And if it isn’t something you usually celebrate, that’s okay, just give your family and friends a big hug, or something like that and have a little sing-a-long with us anyway…

Jingle Bells – The Aussie Way

Dashing through the bush, in a rusty Holden Ute,
Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot,
Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs,
It’s summer time and I am in my singlet, shorts and thongs.

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer’s day, Hey!
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

Engine’s getting hot, we dodge the kangaroo’s,
The swaggie climbs aboard, he is welcome too.
All the family’s there, sitting by the pool,
Christmas Day the Aussie way, by the barbecue.

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer’s day, Hey!
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

Come the afternoon, Grandpa has a doze,
The kids and Uncle Bruce, are swimming in their clothes.
The time comes ’round to go, we take a family snap,
Pack the car and all shoot through, before the washing up.

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer’s day, Hey!
Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

Translation (for those who might need it!)

Holden Ute – A make of car

Esky – ice container to carry drinks in (usually beer!)

Boot – Trunk of a car

Kelpie – Australian dog

Singlet – Undershirt

Thongs – Footwear (hum, not women’s underwear)

Swaggie – Someone walking the country looking for work

Family snap – a picture

Shoot through – leave

An awkward tumble – Ouch! (TomO on the trampoline)

December 22, 2012November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About20 Comments

With the balance of a cat, the carefree attitude of youth, and fitness beyond his years, TomO is quite an amazing trampolinist.

He got his first trampoline at age 2-years, and outgrew two of them before advancing to an Olympic size mat about two-years ago.

Initially, he undertook training at the local YMCA, but he has never wanted to compete, preferring to think of himself as “TomO – The Urban Tramp”.

And in many ways the YMCA was all about winning the Olympics…

“It’s all about free-style these days, Mum and Dad…”

And I must say, I’m with him on this.

TomO and Milo — “The Boys” and Milo (The wonder dog)

He is a delight to watch and it takes me back to his age when I also did a lot of trampolining, and to all of you out there that want taut muscles and fantastic abs, do yourself a favour and buy a trampoline. I still get up and have a jump with him in the back yard!

We’ve had 10 years of injury-free trampolining…up until last evening!

We we’re having a get-together for family arriving for the Christmas break, and TomO always likes to put on a bit of a show and was “on the mat” doing his thing.

Oddly enough, no one saw the awkward way he landed on the mat, but he came down to the house, holding an elbow and tears streaming down his little angelic face.

He wasn’t used to this happening, and the shock and pain were taking its toll on our little bloke!

We secured his arm and headed straight for the hospital. And thankfully on the way his spirits started to lift; he was asking whether he would still be able to use his iPad – yes a good sign that he was at least settling and recovering from the shock!

After numerous x-rays, and an examination by an emergency room doctor it would appear to be a soft-tissue injury, however they are going to take another look on Christmas Eve, just in case there is a small fracture that they couldn’t see due to the swelling, which wasn’t actually too bad.

Our biggest challenge lies ahead – keeping him off the trampoline to allow the injury to recover, as TomO isn’t one to dwell, he’s stoic just like his mother, two peas in a pod!

And we wouldn’t have him any other way.

Get better soon mate!

ps: You may notice two springs missing on this mat. This mat has been replaced…

Mountaineering Expeditions in 2013 (Climb-on)

December 20, 2012December 20, 2012XPLORE - Out and About14 Comments

Well 2012 is disappearing very quickly and before we know it the guy in the big red suit will be popping down chimneys, eating the cake, drinking the milk, and enjoying rum that has been left out for him as he makes his annual run from the North Pole.

Crikey, how do you get a job like that? I mean, you work one day a year, get the spoils of the job, and make lots of people happy!

And a nano-second later we’ll all be joining hands and singing old langsyne as we see off 2012 and welcome in 2013.

In our household 2013 signals the start of quite an ambitious travel program, brought about by my desire to climb the world’s highest mountain peaks.

It kicks off early in January when I make my way to New Zealand to climb Mt Aspiring which is situated in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Janet and TomO will be following shortly after and will spend a few days travelling before we meet up in the picturesque town of Wanaka.

Mt Aspiring is called Tititea by the indigenous Maori people and stands at 3,027 metres and it is described as having sheer faces and graceful lines.

We will travel from the headquarters of Adventure Consultants in Wanaka to Bonar Glacier by helicopter as it is usually a 12-14 hour walk otherwise. We then have a 2-3 hour walk on the glacier to reach our destination, Colin Todd hut. And depending on how many people are at the hut we may need to camp out in our bivvy bags on Bevan Col.

The View - From the Dunny — A typical New Zealand Alpine Hut

The first couple of days will be spent acclimatising and revising cramponing skills, ascending steep snow and ice, and of course, importantly, crevasse rescue. I have spent a lot of time on rescues in the Blue Mountains in recent times and I have a strong belief that you can’t do enough of it – it may save your own, or someone else’s life and the skill needs to be second nature.

Prior to an attempt on the summit of Mt Aspiring we will spend a day climbing some smaller peaks in the area, such as Mt Bevan. It stands at 2,030 metres and they say the view from the top is glorious.

There is something like 27 different routes that can be taken to the summit of Mt Aspiring all of varying degrees of difficulty. Many of these routes will not be available to us due to the time of year we are attempting it. We are anticipating our route to the summit will be the classic North West Ridge route, but a final decision will be made at the time.

Ascent day will begin at 3am in the morning and may finish as late as 7pm that evening and we can expect a mixture of snow, ice, and rock as we progress towards the summit.

The second week in the mountains will most likely be spent in the Mt Cook region, where we will concentrate on some ice climbing as well as a number of ascents over the week. The structure of the week will be decided at the time and where we climb will be dictated to by the prevailing conditions.

There are a number of possibilities, including Mt Aylmer which stands at 2,699 metres, Mt Elie de Beaumont which gives commanding views of the Tasman Sea from its 3,109 metre summit. Other likely climbs include Mt Green and Mt Walter, which both stand just less than 3,000 metres.

After making our way back to Wanaka once again, I will be meeting up with Janet and TomO who will also be full of tales of adventure after their week travelling around in the Southern Alps. They are planning a helicopter trip to Fox Glacier as well as taking in the scenery of the fabulous Southern Alps…

Mid-year, I will be returning to New Zealand to hone in my ice-climbing skills while Janet and TomO spend some time on the ski slopes around Wanaka and Queenstown.

And the big trip is at the end of 2013 when I head off to Nepal to experience the Himalayan Mountain range. This is an expedition to climb three peaks, Lobuche East, Island Peak, and Pokalde. The first two are just over 6,000 metres in height, and Pokalde stands at just over 5,800 metres.

This expedition will provide me with the stepping stone towards an 8,000 metre peak, either Cho Oyu, or Manaslu in 2014. It seems so far away, but time will go very quickly, and there is still much to learn, and 2013 will also be spent taking my fitness to a complete new level.

Janet and TomO will be travelling to Kathmandu where we will spend a week resting together and hopefully visiting some of the Sherpa villages.

We believe this is a great opportunity for TomO to experience different countries and cultures, and he is relishing the opportunity.

Of course, he has already made noises about standing on top of Mt Everest with me, and perhaps that day will come. But it is one step at a time, one foot after another, and hopefully the program over the next 12 to 18 months will set me up for an attempt on Mt Everest in 2015…

But crikey, there is plenty of time between now and then and the three of us will be using every minute of it to have fun, just being Out and About…

Trust and Faith (Just embrace it)

December 19, 2012November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About18 Comments

Trust and faith, sometimes there are situations in your life when you just have to trust something outside of your control, and have faith in your own ability.

Embrace it, as TomO, our beautiful son says…

And even at such a young age, he has great confidence and faith in himself, and embraces everything he does with so much enthusiasm.

The daring of the young, crikey, you’ve just got to love it…

And as I head to the shed for a row today, I’ll be chanting that mantra…just embrace it!

Jump on board – I’ll take you for a paddle (Narrabeen Lake)

December 17, 2012November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About20 Comments

Narrabeen Lake, situated on the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia, is a beautiful sun-drenched oasis situated right on the ocean.

It is a mecca for kayakers, windsurfers, and paddle board riders alike, a place where you can spend a lazy afternoon with family and friends under a shady tree just wiling away time…

The lake, which is 10-kilometres in circumference, is my choice for kayaking as it has very few power boats on it and it makes for a great change from the daily rows on my static C2 rowing machine.

Without fail, a pelican will glide by whilst out on the lake and how majestic are they to watch, something you don’t get to see on the rowing machine up in “The Shed“.

Crikey, as much as I love climbing and mountaineering, and let’s face it you’d have to if you intend to climb Mt Everest, the other past-time I enjoy equally is just being out in one of my kayaks. Whether it is a training session, or just more of a laid-back paddle with friends…

These days, I mostly find myself paddling my 6.5 metre long Epic kayak, a beautifully crafted and sleek boat which is quite fast, well in the right set of hands it is – but I’m working on that!

Baz - kayaking Narrabeen Lake, Sydney, Australia — Baz – kayaking Narrabeen Lake, Sydney, Australia

Next year this will be my choice of racing boat in the winter marathon series, a series of 20-kilmetre races run monthly for about nine-months.

And no, our winter doesn’t go for nine-months, so I’m not sure how that works out!

Over the Christmas break I’ll be hanging up my climbing gear and heading for the lake with family, friends and the kayaks, to get some training in, and to simply enjoy the smell of the fresh sea air…

Now, I’ll let you in on a little secret, so don’t tell TomO, but he’s got a paddle-board coming for Christmas, so maybe he’ll get it a day or two early, just so he can get Out and About on it this weekend coming. After all, it’s pretty hard to hide it up in “The Shed” with him seeing it…

And after a lap or two of the lake there is nothing better than kicking back and watching the sun cast a golden hue over the water as it sinks into the western horizon…

Anyway, jump on board, I’ll take you for a spin around the Lake!

Talking about Adventure (Strewth – I want a para-glider)

December 16, 2012XPLORE - Out and About17 Comments

I know that many of you have heard me sing the praises of the Blue Mountains, which is about an hours drive to the west of Sydney, many times before, but let me just say, I’m singing its praises once again.

It is such a beautiful area where you can hike, climb mountains, or if you’re more inclined, just kickback in one of the many cafés and relax.

And we did all of those things this weekend!

We were fortunate that my parents, Brian and Fay, who are visiting for Christmas, were able to join us for a weekend of fun in the mountains…

I did some abseiling and rock-climbing to keep my skills current ahead of my mountaineering trip in New Zealand this coming January.

And I had a great time doing that.

We had intended to climb Tom Thumb, however a slightly later start than planed, and weather that looked questionable had us making other plans, so Gemma Woldendorp, from the Australian School of Mountaineering, and myself headed off to an old favourite, Boar’s Head.

Boar’s Head is a multi-pitch abseil, and a very easy climb out in a very scenic part of the mountains, and only a stone’s throw from Katoomba.

And it was such a great day, for not only were we out and about in the mountains, but we talked extensively about Gemma’s trip to Greenland earlier this year, when she, and good friend Natasha Sebire climbed many peaks, and Para-glided off them in a very remote area of the country.

Janet already wants to sign up for the next trip!

And when the climbing was over for the day we headed to the Carrington Hotel, arriving, oddly enough, just on the cocktail hour…

Of course, it was a very lazy start to Sunday morning. But isn’t that what Sundays’ are all about?

What’s Baz up to now? (Climb on – Tom Thumb)

December 14, 2012XPLORE - Out and About9 Comments

It is hard to beat the Blue Mountains as a playground.

I’m heading off tomorrow morning to climb Tom Thumb, and I will be joined later in the day by Janet, TomO, and my parents, who are visiting for Christmas, for an evening in the mountains…

Two of my greatest passions coming together in the mountains this weekend; family and climbing.

Crikey, it doesn’t get much better than that, hey!

Enjoy your weekend whatever you choose to do, remembering, life is too short not to be enjoying yourself…

Just be yourself, and feel free to go nuts – that’s my plan anyway!

Baz – Sweet Dream, Blue Mountains, Australia

Climbing Tom Thumb (Back to the Blue Mountains)

December 14, 2012XPLORE - Out and About11 Comments

I am preparing for another weekend of climbing after what seems to have been a long hiatus since my last foray into the mountains.

In reality, it has only been two weeks since I suffered an acute illness after climbing “Sweet Dreams” a couple of Sunday’s ago.

And with only three weeks to go before heading to climb in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, an attempt on Mt Aspiring and a number of other peaks, I can’t get enough training in…

This weekend we are going to climb Tom Thumb, a relatively easy grade 12 climb of around 180 metres, situated near the small and picturesque village of Leura in the Blue Mountains. We will abseil in, and climb out.

Tom Thumb Climb, Blue Mountains, Australia (photo credit climb.org.au)

We’ll be making it a weekend in the mountains staying at the Palais Royale, and we might even be able to sneak a couple of cocktails in at the old Carrington Hotel after the climbing is done.

Janet is looking forward to visiting some of the boutiques, and TomO will be heading for his favourite bookshop in Leura...

Crikey, this is the life, hey?

And remember, if all else fails, remain out of control and see what develops…

Great Southern Land (Hidden in the summer for a million years)

December 13, 2012November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About22 Comments

Australia is a country of diverse landscapes, from golden beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, to mountains that touch the ocean, and outback plains where the red soil kisses a deep blue sky…

We have been fortunate to travel extensively around our country, at times piloting an aircraft over this wondrous land, and other times in one of our four-wheel drive vehicles.

The other day we were reminiscing some of the trips we have had, especially to the Outback, our favourite place to visit.

And where is the Outback, I hear you ask…

Well, you know, outback; back of yonder!

Those who have never visited, come on down and explore our country, to marvel at our beautiful fauna and flora…you won’t be disappointed, and those who have come and gone, return soon, we miss you.

Enjoy the photos of our travels, mostly taken by Janet and TomO…

And am I just a little bit biased about this great country, our island continent, The Great Southern Land?

Strewth mate, you bet I am!

Ordinary People – Achieving Great Things

December 12, 2012December 12, 2012XPLORE - Out and About19 Comments

“But there are men for whom the unattainable has a special attraction. Usually they are not experts; their ambitions and fantasies are strong enough to brush aside the doubts which more cautious men might have.

Determination and faith are their strongest weapons. At best such men are regarded as eccentric; at worst, mad…”

These are words penned by the legendary mountaineer, Walt Unsworth, and they have had a profound effect on me since I read them a number of years ago.

At the time when he penned them he was making a broader comment on climbers heading to Mt Everest.

These words summed me up perfectly, I thought.

I’m sure many will be able to relate to them equally, regardless of what your pursuits are…

Over the years I have pursued a whole range of activities, some adventurous, others less so – but I have always been driven by a desire to simply embrace life…

And I have never considered myself an expert in any of them, but it has always been a fierce determination that has seen me through; a strong faith in my ability to grasp the key things, to put them into practice.

I’ve never considered anything I’ve done as a failure, but I’ve had plenty of learning experiences, set-backs that have helped me to learn, to grow, and to develop. I’m thankful for those set-backs, as they have made me stronger.

Eccentric; mad; yes, I’ve been referred in that way many times.

Today, I wear those comments proudly, like a badge.

Walt’s words have encouraged me to have the confidence to pursue my dream of climbing large mountains, to consider making an attempt on the summit of Mt Everest, in the least, to have the courage to admit that I want to climb it.

Acknowledging your dreams is probably the greatest step you can make towards them becoming a reality…

The power of thought should never be under estimated, both positive, and negative.

Every day on Wordspress, millions of words are written by ordinary people, stories about the challenges life has thrown at them, what they have done, and continue to do to overcome them.

About their dreams and aspirations, their highs and lows…

Ordinary people who want to improve their fitness, to lose weight, to cycle across a city, or across the world.

Many have their sights set on a fun run, and others having completed one, setting their sights towards running a marathon.

Others talk about health and lifestyle challenges they struggle with, that they have overcome.

I read as many of them as I can, they motivate me, and they provide me with much needed inspiration…

Seemingly, there is always someone in this cyberspace community ready to reach out, to congratulate, to console…

These people aren’t super-elite athletes, or neither five-star chefs, nor are they fitness gurus.

They have a much greater status than that, for they are simply ordinary people, the same people that Walt Unsworth wrote about when he penned those words…

To those who aspire to do their best, to challenge themselves, I say never give in, you’re not alone out there, dream big, and pursue your dreams…

But on ordinary people, yes I’ve referred to people as ordinary, but in reality, there is no such thing as ordinary people, we are all unique, we all contribute to the mosaic that makes up the world we live in…

It would be a boring place if we were all the same…

We’d never learn, grow, or develop as people.

Take the time to read over Walt’s musings a couple of times, because he was speaking about you…

Draw on the strength of his writing, it is powerful…

Above all else remember – There are no ordinary moments, no ordinary people, no ordinary lives…

Get me out of here (I’m busting for a leak)

December 11, 2012November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About25 Comments

Claustrophobia is something many people suffer, the thought of being stuck in a confined space invoking fear and a cold sweat…

Now, I’ll say upfront that fortunately I don’t seem to suffer from this affliction, but it was put to the test only a day or so ago.

It was like any other work day, normal in fact, nothing untoward happening in the world to affect currency markets, in all reality it was shaping up as a rather boring day. So mid-morning I decided to pop down to the café located in the foyer area of the building I work in to get my toast and vegemite fix for the day.

The bread was perfectly toasted and it had just the right amount of vegemite spread evenly over its golden brown surface, I couldn’t wait to get back to my trading position with my little brown bag containing this little slice of heavenly delight.

I headed back through the turnstiles and toward the lift that provides access to our financial markets dealing room.

The doors opened, I stepped inside and swiped my pass, pressed level two, all mindlessly of course, after all, I’ve done it a thousand times, right?

Strewth, there was this realisation that nothing was going on, the lift wasn’t moving. I swiped my pass again, pressed the button and gave it no more thought, but the lift was not responding.

Geez, talk about being just a little annoyed, my toast was going cold and soggy…

I don’t usually wear a watch, so time appeared to be suspended and moving at half-pace as I pressed the little button marked with a telephone.

Actually, I’d often pondered pressing that little button on many a lift ride, just to see who answered it.

Well stone the crows, it was a very pleasant sounding young lady, yes a real person, who asked where I was.

This lady was my salvation and I expected she’d be pressing buttons to get this thing going as we spoke…

Geez, it doesn’t work that way it seems, but she promised to get back to me very shortly to let me know what was going on – good, I thought, I’m not going anywhere!

So, I had a little picnic, of sorts, and devoured my toast like a man possessed.

“Hello, are you still there?”

I looked around in case someone had planted one of those candid camera things, nope, no camera.

“Yes I’m still here, I did think about popping out for a breath of fresh air, but thought I’d better wait for your call”… I replied.

I’m sure she’d heard all the gags before, but I thought it might be just the thing to break the ice in our developing relationship.

“Our engineer is on his way and should be there in about 15 minutes.”

“Great”… I replied,

And thinking that I hope he is running, because that litre of water I drank about 30 minutes ago was filling my bladder faster than a couple of schooners of beer on a Friday night!

Strewth, my mind was racing now. What if it takes him 30 minutes, would it be acceptable for me to pee my pants?

I mean, people would understand, surely?

You know, once they understood my predicament they’d cut me some slack, NOT!

Hell, I’d be the laughing stock on the trading floor forever…

I could just see it, every time I was spotted heading towards a lift the call would go out…

“Hey Baz, don’t forget your pee bucket.”

They say men have weak bladders, and women are much better at holding it in…

Oh my gawd, to be a woman right now, I thought!

“Sir, can you hear me? Are you still there?”

“Yes, I can hear you.”

I was just flipping out over a bladder problem, and wishing I was a woman I mused to myself…

“Our man has just called in and is only a few minutes away…”

Hallelujah, I thought, I won’t need to pee in my pants after all.

“Is there anything I can get you?”

I had to stop and think about that one for a second or two.

She did ask is there anything she can get me, didn’t she?

I mean, what was I supposed to say?

Hell yeah…“could I get a Big Mac with a side of fries and a coke to go while I wait?”

It was one of those moments when you think to yourself, nah, I didn’t really hear that, surely!

Anyway, the doors opened, and I bolted out of that lift faster than Usain Bolt comes out his blocks…

And was that toast and vegemite worth it – you bet it was!

Strewth – Who put the sandbag in my backpack (Heaton’s Gap)

December 10, 2012November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About9 Comments

After spending a wonderful Saturday evening at a Day on the Green which was held at Bimbadgen Wine Estate in the Hunter Valley, the alarm was ringing out that Sunday morning had arrived.

I don’t normally wake to an alarm as my body is well regulated to getting up early to exercise, however after a late night I didn’t want to miss the Sunday morning action.

My usual partner in all things adventure, brother-in-law, Ray, and I were heading to a favourite training haunt of ours, Heaton’s Gap.

Heaton’s Gap is located half way between his home in Newcastle, and the Hunter Valley wine-growing region. There is a power line track running up a rather steep hill and we regularly train up and down the hill. Sometimes we run as much as we can, and storm the rest, other times we wear heavy packs laden with a sandbag.

Usually halfway up we are cursing the hill, but when we get to the top and take in the view, the cursing stops, the heart rate slows, and we’re sure happy it is downhill on the way back.

Today, Ray’s nephew, Daniel, joined us, and along with Ray, the pair ran to the top as fast as they could go…

I elected to wear a 25-kilogram backpack, and headed off to further break-in a new pair of Alpine hiking boots, the ones I will be wearing on my ascent of Mt Aspiring in New Zealand just after Christmas.

Crikey, it was not much past 7am in the morning, but the sun already had a sting in it, and the humidity was high.

The boys were heading back down as I was approaching the steeper section of the hill, and Daniel even came back up for “seconds” after completing his first lap.

And Ray, well he was suffering from the flu like symptoms I had only a week ago, but still posted a very healthy time.

And me?

In true alpine mountaineering style I just put one foot after the other all the way up, and all the way back down, just taking in the scenery and letting the world float by…

Talk about floating by; Strewth, I was perspiring so much, I could have literally floated away!

It was a great morning, but what of the rest of the day?

…Well, that was spent lazing about with family and friends!

And how good is living and lazy afternoons in a hammock, hey…

I’m a closet Devo (Are we not men?)

December 9, 2012November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About26 Comments

If you love music, wine, and being in the great outdoors then “A Day on the Green” would be just the thing for you.

Yesterday afternoon, we headed to Bimbadgen Estate, a winery situated in the Hunter Valley, about a 2-hour drive to the north of Sydney for an afternoon and evening with some of the best musicians in the world today.

And apart from a couple of drops of rain, the weather was perfect.

So what about the music, I hear you ask.

Well, as many of you will know, I’m not a person too concerned about age or time, but this did take me back to days long ago, sitting in front of the telly watching Devo, yes Devo…

Strewth, don’t worry, it is okay if you don’t want to admit to ever knowing them, let alone bopping around the front living room with a funny little hat on your head, or maybe you just weren’t around back then.

But I have to say, it was a lot of fun and everyone was into it.

A good friend, Fiona, organised the best tickets for us, and she was there in her Devo tee shirt soaking it all up!

We were treated to a number of bands, and one of our favourites, a great Australian band, The Church, played some of their all-time classics. And if you have never heard Under the Milky Way, do yourself a favour and you-tube it!

And the evening culminated in Simple Minds taking the stage.

Now, let me simply say, Janet and I have grown up listening to this band, and we’ve taken every opportunity to see them live over the years, and last night as the sun was setting in the western sky we were once again mesmerized by the brilliance of the band’s music.

And the evening, was a change of pace for my partner in all things adventure, and brother-in-law, Ray, but he had me hiking up a mountain Sunday morning, but more on that later…I’m plugging in the iPod to listen to some more of The Church…

Hey, you wouldn’t be dead for quids…

And remember, if all else fails, remain out of control and see what develops!

Strewth – Talk about an Aussie Icon (The Shed)

December 8, 2012November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About10 Comments

You’ve got to love the Aussie Shed, a beacon in a sea of green grass, usually found near the back fence on any Australian suburban house block.

I love my shed and even though it was designed to house a couple of cars and all that other stuff that you accumulate over the years, you know, the Christmas presents that you couldn’t stand but didn’t have the heart to send to the refuse tip, they all invariably end up hidden away in a dark corner of the shed.

As a long-term fitness junkie, my shed houses surfboards, more kayaks than you can poke a stick at, a Concept C2 rower and my weight-lifting racks and associated equipment, as well as numerous bikes collected over the years.

Mind you, not all Aussie sheds house exercise equipment, unless of course you count the bar fridge in the corner, which is standard equipment in any shed. Often you’ll see the men-folk doing some elbow bending as they drink a toast to the day passed, usually just around the time the sun is going down over the yard-arm.

Crikey, like a bunch of Cockatoos, high on the fermenting nectar of fruit consumed under a hot Aussie sun, the squawking tends to increase as the amber fluid flows.

And you can be sure a fair amount of advice is passed around, an exchange of ideas, thoughts, happenings, and the odd joke or two. A bit like Speakers Corner where everyone is given a chance to say their bit, to tell their yarn in a not too serious way.

But I’m digressing…

Each morning around 4.30am, or silly-o’clock, as Janet suggests, I make the journey out the back door and up the driveway to the shed. Even the dogs, Milo and Jack, can’t be bothered to get out of their beds, preferring to wave me through. Although, usually after about 30 minutes or so one of them will wander up to see what is going on, but I suspect if they could speak they’d actually be asking for a feed, seemingly oblivious to anything else.

Such is a dog’s life.

Depending on the day I’ll either pursue my strength training, or use the rower for my daily cardio fix and although I would prefer to be out on the water kayaking it isn’t always convenient during the week, so the rowing machine is a great substitute.

I must confess upfront to being an early morning person, I guess you’d have to be to manage a 4.30am start each day, but it does have its advantages. In between the clanging of weight plates being moved, or interval sets on the rower, I can stand outside in the pre-dawn silence and marvel at the stars in the sky, the wondrous universe with you at its centre.

Or once a month watch a full moon setting in the western sky, and if I’m lucky even a shooting star to ponder a thought on.

Strewth, what of the neighbours I hear you ask, what if they don’t share my love of the early morning?

I must say it is hard not to be tempted into playing some heavy metal, AC/DC or Led Zeppelin to help the mood and give that much needed pump for the session. But alas, it is mostly done in silence, apart from a moan or groan under the weight of a squat bar, or the last 500 metres on the rower.

Hey, but it is fair to say, if I head up for an afternoon session, which is more often than not, it is always accompanied by some loud rock or heavy metal music. I’ve always said that Theo, our next door neighbour, is a closet heavy metal fan, so the relationship has never been strained, he doesn’t always say much mind you, but smiles a lot, so maybe he’s actually deaf.

And I’m frequently visited by Janet and TomO during these sessions, which is always welcome, mind you there would never be any chance of that happening in the morning, in fact I don’t think they know what 4.30am actually looks like.

There was a suggestion not too long ago that maybe the shed could be converted and upgraded to have a loft, an upstairs area where TomO and his mates could hang out, maybe even move into as he advances in his teenage years.

You know, a brand new building without the cracks that have accumulated over the years, possibly from too much heavy metal music resonating through the walls, or perhaps just cracking up from the tall stories that have echoed from within – but it just wouldn’t be cricket, and besides where would I put the bar fridge?

No thanks, I like my shed just the way it is, and as the sun slowly breaks the eastern horizon I’m heading to the shed for a row…

And as I do, I’ll leave you with a thought for today, one of my all-time favourites…

“Those that don’t think it can be done, shouldn’t bother the person doing it!”

Hey, and if you get around to it, don’t forget to Like The Landy on Facebook and check out some of the photos…

Vertigo Alert (Where’s Baz?)

December 7, 2012XPLORE - Out and About8 Comments

Baz - Climbing Sweet Dream, Blue Mountains, Australia — Baz – Climbing Sweet Dream, Blue Mountains, Australia

Crikey Baz, what are you doing down there?

Strewth, having fun, what else what I be doing down there…!

Geez, can’t wait to get back to the mountains for a climb. The virus has kept me away for a couple of weeks, but another week to go and we are going to have a go at climbing “Tom Thumb”…

Hey, check out the countdown to New Zealand – 29 days to go. Hell, talk about getting excited!

And remember, if all else fails, remain out of control and see what develops…

Check out this money saving tip (The Great North Walk)

December 6, 2012November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About16 Comments

The Great North Walk - Sydney to Newcastle — The Great North Walk – Sydney to Newcastle

If you ever harboured an inclination to walk from Sydney to Newcastle it is worth knowing that the price of a one-way rail ticket is $18, the journey takes approximately two hours and it is a pleasant trip.

On the other hand if you want to save the train fare and have around ten days to spare, then I thoroughly recommend you take The Great North Walk.

The Great North Walk was constructed as a celebration of Australia’s Bicentenary in 1988.

Brother-in-law, and fellow adventurer, Ray Tong, and I decided to save the train fare and walk.

The walk commences in Sydney’s Central Business District and the first couple of days are spent walking through the inner and outer northern suburbs of Sydney, mostly along bush tracks, before arriving at the Hawkesbury River.

There are two ways to get to the other side of the Hawkesbury. One is via a ferry to Patonga, and the second on a train. We elected to take the train, and its departure marked our moment of truth as we stood there, back-packs loaded with twenty kilograms of gear and water, another seven days ahead of us.

The half-way point of the walk was marked at the small locality of Yarramalong nestled in the Central Coast hinterland. And similar to previous this day it had its fair share of hills, gullies, and at times, open forestry trails.

Baz - one step at a time — Baz – one step at a time

We were greeted to the sleepy township by a scarecrow at almost every house, part of the area’s welcome to spring celebrations.

I’d venture to suggest that had we stood still many would have been forgiven for mistaking this couple of weary and dishevelled walkers as just another pair of scarecrows.

As we turned in for the night Ray suggested the next day was going to be a real slog and that we should get an early start. But when the alarm clock went off a two-thirty something in the morning I was left to ponder, half comatose, just how far this days walk was going to be if we had to rise so early.

It turns out the alarm clock in the next room, which was unoccupied, had been set for this time, and Ray was still blissfully asleep as I lay there listening to the mind-numbing sound for two hours leaving me an hour’s sleep before needing to rise and get underway on the day’s walk..

The walk took us along a quiet country road to Cedar Brush track head, the point from which we would launch our assault, and long climb, into the Watagan Mountains.

After six full days on the walk you would think the hills would come just a little easier, especially as our fitness levels were increasing each day. Our walk to Barraba Trig threw a number of hills and gullies at us, but it saved the best till last. This was an hour and half’s walk up the side of a hill that got steeper with every step we took.

The Watagan Mountains is a beautiful place with many walking tracks and fire trails to be explored.

The view from our campsite was magnificent and took in parts of the Hunter Valley wine growing region.

The next day was spent wandering in quiet contemplation along shaded fire trails before arriving at Heaton’s Lookout, and a wonderful panorama of the hinterland through to the ocean.

We can see the finish - 50 kilometres away — We can see the finish – 50 kilometres away

From here we could even see our destination, a mere forty-five kilometres away.

However, before we could wind down for the day and relax at the cabins located at Heaton’s Gap we had to negotiate our way down a steep power line track. The bottom of the hill would signify a couple of things though, a refreshing shower, and importantly, we would be rid of some of the gear out of our back-packs as we were to be joined by Janet, my partner, and our son TomO that evening.

In fact, we even had a visit from friends Michael and Emma, to see how we were going. The term ambulance chasing did come to mind briefly after all this was day eight. Michael had actually walked the same trek some months earlier and was well aware of how we might just be feeling right now, and the night quickly passed though with good company, ample food and plenty of good humour…

However, there is a downside to most things, and over dinner Michael casually mentioned that with the sign suggesting it was only forty-one kilometres to the Brewery Pub at Newcastle, yes the walk finishes at a pub, that we should give consideration to knocking it off tomorrow instead of over the planned two days.

There was an awkward, but silent moment, as Ray and I caught glances, and Michael with a hint of a wry smile on the corner of his mouth recognised the bombshell he had just dropped.

I thought, that confirms my thinking, and Ray had a look of disbelief and no doubt was hoping that I hadn’t actually heard what Michael had said.

But the penny had dropped!

The next day we were greeted to a lovely sunny spring day and with a hug and a kiss from Janet and TomO we headed off on what was to be our last day on the walk.

Oddly, there was no discussion of Michael’s suggestion; I didn’t want to raise it too early, and Ray surely didn’t want to remind me of what Michael had said. But like an irritating blister on the heel of your foot I raised it with Ray just as we walked into what was supposed to be our night’s rest spot at Warner’s Bay.

There was an animated discussion at that point.

But to his credit, Ray, a Kiwi, pushed through the pain of his blisters, egged on by my promise that I would have us sitting at the Brewery Pub downing a pint of lager as the sun set over Newcastle harbour.

Michael joined us at Burwood Beach and walked the final six kilometre’s to the centre of Newcastle where Janet, TomO, and Leah we waiting for us, with a pint of beer…

On the beach - almost at the finish — On the beach – almost at the finish

And was the nine day walk worth the saving of an $18 train fare – you bet it was!

And remember, if all else fails, just Like The Landy on Facebook, remain out of control and see what develops…

No ordinary moments (Crikey – that’s for sure!)

December 4, 2012November 18, 2014XPLORE - Out and About15 Comments

Baz - Kayaking Terrigal Beach, Australia — Baz – Kayaking Terrigal Beach, Australia

There are no ordinary moments, no ordinary people, no ordinary lives.

That has to be my all-time favourite mantra that I like to chant to myself, it energisers my mind, body, and spirit whenever I do.

Strewth, I’m probably sounding like one of those weirdos’, but in any case, as I headed to the shed for my first row since falling ill with a viral infection just over one week ago, that little ditty was revolving through my mind.

I didn’t push myself on the 10,000-metre row, preferring to simply let me body find and regulate its own pace. Consequently, this wasn’t my fastest or strongest row, in fact it would more resemble something I would do as a warm-up, or warm-down.

Baz - Kayaking off Terrigal Beach, Australia — Baz – Kayaking off Terrigal Beach, Australia

But you know, it didn’t matter, this was one of my best rows ever, after all it signalled my body was getting stronger once again, back to normal.

And yes, as I headed back down to the usual spa bath and cold shower I had a beaming smile on my face.

Truly, even in the face of adversity, there are no ordinary moments, no ordinary people, no ordinary lives…

Chant that mantra a few times to yourself today and you might find that the world takes on a whole new and wonderful dimension!

Crikey, I guarantee that strangers will smile at you, you’ll feel better inside, and you’ll feel empowered to tackle anything that life throws at you…

But of course, if all else fails, simply remain out of control and see what develops…

Baz - Out of control on the Waimak River, New Zealand — Baz – Out of control on the Waimak River, New Zealand

Hey Baz…what’s with this “Baz, The Landy” thing?

Didn’t your parents like you or something?

It is a question I field every so often…

And yes my parents do like me and in fact my mother, Fay, was only saying the other day…

“Be careful out there Baz, you know I worry”.

Mind you she said that as I was heading to work!

Heaven forbid, if she knew what I got up to when I’m not at work…

And hey, if you’re ever out here visiting make sure you give “The Landy” a wave if you see it go past, we’re a friendly bunch and I’ll even stop and have a yarn with ya!

photos by Baz, Janet, and TomO

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Recently I’ve been sharing some of the photographs we have taken whilst travelling this fantastic country of ours, Australia.

Whether it is a climber’s perspective of the mountains that I frequently get to view, or perhaps some of the dunes in that part of the country we call The Outback, Australia is a contrast of spectacular colour amongst what is often a harsh and barren land…

Photos: Baz, Janet & TomO

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Storm clouds over Welford National Park, near Jundah, far Western-Queensland…

The colours of the Australian Outback, spectacular!

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With no fridges novel ways had to be found to keep the beer cold!

Outback Australia, it will give you a thirst!

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Looking back at old photographs is like opening a time capsule, you just never know what you are going to find and usually there are one or two little gems to bring a smile to your face.

I was at Janet’s parents home recently, Clare and Archie who are 83 and 98 years of age, and over a cup of tea we were flicking through books of old photographs.

The themes varied from trips overseas, the children growing up, and of Archie’s childhood in India.

You could pick any photograph and Archie would narrate a rich account of when it was taken, and the story behind those who were in it.

And there were photographs of Clare’s childhood days, growing up in far western Queensland on the family’s sheep property and of her days at boarding school in Charters Towers, far North Queensland.

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Wow, what a great morning down on the lake, on the water before the dawn and watching the sun rise was awesome!

How good are Saturday mornings!

Anyway, the sun is up now, so jump in and I’ll take you for a paddle around the lake…

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Sunrise at Ourimperee Waterhole, Currawinya National Park, Outback Australia…

A beautiful part of the Australian Outback, not to be missed!

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Phew…“The Shed” hasn’t changed whilst I was away climbing in New Zealand.

It is still that grand old place where tall stories can be told, a few laughs had, a place where you can grab a coldie out of the fridge to share with mates, and importantly, it is my morning training hangout.

These past few days I’ve headed up the driveway in the pre-dawn darkness, a time of the day I actually enjoy immensely, to exercise on my C2 Concept Rower, and to lift a few weights.

And remember, if all else fails, remain out of control and see what happens, or just take a leap of faith!

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Alola village, remotely located deep in the steamy jungle of Papua New Guinea.

The only way in is to walk for a couple of days…

Janet and I lived in Papua New Guinea for three years, working and exploring…

A wonderful country, full of wonderful people and teeming with spectacular wildlife.

No ordinary moments, no ordinary people, no ordinary lives!

photo: Baz

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This is a wonderful place to visit, to sit and just listen to the sounds of the Australian bush…

The Australian Bush, it speaks for itself…

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It has been quite a week “Down under”.

TomO was settling into his second week at high school, I was getting back into the swing of things at work and Janet was working on upcoming school functions and of course, looking after “her boys”…

So when the weekend hit it was time to unwind and relax and we kicked it off with TomO’s first game of basketball, and after only two training sessions he was playing like a pro, well almost…

And with blue skies and perfect weather we headed to Narrabeen Lake on both Saturday and Sunday as it is our favoured weekend haunt when we are not in the mountains…

Life… you’ve got to love it, truly, no ordinary moments, no ordinary people, no ordinary moments, ever!

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January was such a whirlwind of fun, mountaineering in the Southern Alps of one of the best countries in the world, New Zealand.

Of course, it wasn’t all mountaineering and there was plenty of family time doing some crazy things together.

Now I do have this rather audacious plan to climb some of the world’s highest mountains, heaven forbid, Mt Everest does beckon, but of course even contemplating that is some time off just at the moment.

But mind you, if all else does fail, just feel free to remain out of control and see what develops…

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Whilst we were holidaying and climbing in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, we took time to skim across the Matukituki River with Wanaka River Journeys.

It was a great trip and as well as journeying the river we took a walk through a fantastic Beech Tree Forest and marveled at the many waterfalls and cold mountain streams.

Anyway, grab a life-vest and jump aboard…if you’re game!

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Speaking about returning to work after my sojurn in New Zealand, there is no truth in the rumour that I abseil in each day.

But it would be fun!

Janet and I abseiled off the AMP Building in Sydney’s Central Business District to raise money and aid in the awareness of the Sir David Martin Foundation, an organisation committed to helping young people in crisis.

A very worthwhile cause…

And yes, Janet beat me to the bottom, who said she wasn’t competitive!

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It is often said that too much of a good thing, is not such a good thing.

And after three weeks in the spectacular South Island of New Zealand, mountaineering, climbing, jet-boating, taking to the skies in a Tiger Moth, and leaping 100 metres into a canyon screaming at the top of my lungs, seemingly a good thing came to an abrupt end this week.

It was back to work…

Yes I do work, although my colleagues have often said, with a wink, that at times there is too much day dreaming going on and not enough work.

Hey, and remember, if all else fails, remain out of control and see what develops…

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Whenever we go to Terrigal for a paddle on the surf ski or paddle board, TomO manages to make his way over to “The Skillion” with skateboard in hand, well, a Penny that is, best I get it right…

I’m not sure where he gets it from, but you sure wouldn’t catch me careering down that slope on four small wheels with a small platform…

Mind you, if you’re game, grab your helmet and take the walk up “The Skillion” with TomO…