Climb every mountain

With all the partying and eating at this time of year - stay tuned for shots of my Melbourne birthday - I decided that a dose of fresh mountain air was just what the doctor ordered.

Chere maman and mummu were eager participants on my tour of the Blue Mountains.

As was mountain manny.

This chick rocks

I've met this great gal.

We've got the same hobbies.

And her house totally rocks.

A hard-earned thirst

I love the festive season, but what's a man to do to get a drink around here?

And what have we here?

Don't think I don't know.

Waiter!

Damn these childproof locks.

Perhaps this place has table service.

At last!

An attentive staff member.

Hasn't she seen a thirsty man before?

Honeshtly.

Annie get your gun

The jackoodle and I have been very busy in rehearsals for Annie get your gun, the musical. We've had a few artistic differences as we would both like to play Annie.
I'm sorry to say that even though I have all the props, Nigella can really carry a tune.

A minute at the beach

Are you as bemused as I was by this peculiar outfit?

It would seem that my dignity plays no part in chere maman's quest to preserve the still-in-the-womb pallor of my complexion. When I venture to the beach, no part of my skin is allowed a brief flirtation with the deadly rays of our blistering sun.

I was amazed that chere maman hadn't strapped a sunshade from the bridge to cover the beach.

Fortunately she was able to use her body to block any potential stray rays.

After a good three minutes of the great outdoors chere maman bid me hasten back to the car and it's soothing shade.

Capturing jackoodles

After spending the greater part of my life devoted to the study of the jackoodle, I felt ready to attempt the capture of this most elusive of creatures.

Though I knew I was embarking on a perilous - some may say foolhardy - adventure, I still dared hope that I would achieve what no man has achieved before.

I had a lucky break when I stumbled across the pitiful remains of her hapless prey and knew that she must be nearby.

Applying my commando training, I shimmied down a precipice and ventured into new territory.

Incredibly, I found myself hot on the paws of this magnificent beast but, alas, she proved too wily even for this stealthy hunter.

My hunting party went to touching lengths to soothe the sting of defeat.

But I can't help but wonder what could have been.

Ride 'em elkboy

I don't suppose I'm the first to be perplexed by the constant demands placed on a child's time in this day and age, but whatever happened to unstructured play? My days seem consumed by one lesson after another.

Admittedly, the style of elk-riding which I'm determined to perfect does take some practice.

And opening the papers isn't exactly child's play.

Certainly my deportment teachers have their work cut out for them.

While my fountain appreciation lessons with the manny take up a lot of time, if not effort.

So forgive me if I seem distracted, but such is the lot of today's child.

Revhead

Last week I received some thrilling new additions to my garage, courtesy of Hank.


I like nothing more than zooming around the house and yard.

It's given me a new sense of independence. I finally feel as though I'm standing on my own two feet.

Blog caption contest

Bring back the housesitters

Since the housesitters left I've found myself struggling to do a blog entry. Why, I've been that busy letting the dishes pile up, watching the garden wither and marvelling at the rapid rise of laundry mountain.

Bring back the days of the housesitter, when steady industry was the order of the day and domestic bliss naturally followed.



As for the jackoodle, she's daydreaming about her two walks a day - a distant memory.

It's difficult to watch her degeneration into a vicious cycle of comfort eating.

Shanghai jinks

I'd done quite a bit of reading about Shanghai on the plane so I was thrilled to finally arrive.

I had no idea that transport in Shanghai would be such a thrill. The mag lev train, at 500km/hr gave the Maclaren Vogue a run for its money.

As for the taxis, what a great idea to bounce around unencumbered by seatbelts or child seats.

Our hotel room had a suitably-sized TV

and who doesn't get excited by those Asian hotel buffets?

After so much travel, it was lovely to retire to the bar for a scenic drink.

And gaze out at the city lights before a much-earned kip.

The next day I wasted no time in hitting the streets to admire this fine city and its friendly people.

And they certanly were friendly! There was the little boy who wanted to make friends,

the uniformed gents who wanted their photo taken,

the lady who wanted to share some biscuits

and the lady who kissed my feet.

A man can grow tired of his own popularity.

It sure was an amazing holiday with an all too brief introduction to Shanghai. All I have left are my memories and a few modest souvenirs.