Moreton Island

Went to Moreton Island yesterday. It's been raining the last few days but was fine the whole way we were there. The sand was still damp so the ride was much smoother than usual. I'm glad I went on a tour - my poor car wouldn't be going anywhere and I can't imagine myself going around in a 4WD. Stacks of people arriving for new year's eve as we were leaving.


sand boarding down "The Desert"


up at the headland where the lighthouse is

I'm back!

Hey everyone I'm back. Well actually I've been back for just over a week but I've been so swamped with work that I didn't have time to catch up.

The trip was great. We were in Italy for 12 days, then Paris for 4 night with a day trip to London, then 2 nights in Dubai. It's difficult to pick one favourite place because they're all so beautiful. But I think I would go back to Florence again if I can. I didn't get to go into the Uffizi gallery to see Galileo's telescope and the 'real' David. The queues were too long (about 2 hours each). We just didn't have the time and really couldn't be bothered. Yes I met Helen for lunch in London. It was so good to see a friend when I'm away from home! It was a little chilly but Helen has obviously climatised, as you will see in the picutre... speaking of which I will post some of those to the optusnet web space shortly. OK time for bed. Ciaoooo.

Canberra

Went to Canberra last week. It was warm and beautiful with the tree lined streets and pink blossoms. Yes the weather was abnormal when I got there but that's good for me.

Deb took me up to Mt Ainslie at night and the view was beautiful. Pity I didn't take a decent picture because my hands were shaking so much (partly from the rain and wind). The ones I did take looks like there were fireworks going on.

I did a few things I've never done before when I was down there. Taking a proper browse inside a second hand book store was one.

I think I would've liked to study at ANU. Canberra is so quiet and laid back (I was there on a weekend, can't really tell what the weekdays are like). I can get so focused there.

The ACS conferece was excellent with top speakers from the high end of town. I'll have a lot of work to do for the Brisbane one now that there is a benchmark set. I've also been given some pressure already to get 250-300 delegates hmmmm...

Italy

Got the bookings all sorted today. Yay!!