Sandown 500

Just a quick one today. Martin and I went to the Penrite Sandown 500 which is about a 15-minute drive from my house. It was a fun day at the races, where Melbourne brought its usual 4 seasons in a day. It was a little rich paying $24 for a souvlaki and $11 for a can of mid-strength beer, but hey, you only live once.

PS We also got some sweet Penrite merch. Pure Aussie, mate.

Race Day

Martin turns 18

Just a quick post and a very happy moment as Martin, our youngest, is now officially an adult. It was a simple birthday, as he has his physics exam tomorrow, but dinner was a little special with raw meat and oysters. Presents were opened and enjoyed, and now it's back to reality until we enjoy the weekend, but not too much, as there are still a couple more exams to go.

Turns 18

Canberra 2023

This was a trip with No.2 to Canberra. The coolest thing about this trip was discovering where Ned Kelly was captured. Saying that we met our friends who moved there during the scamdemic and had a fantastic couple of days experiencing our Capital City. Smiths was the highlight where we saw Raising Ravens and some comedy improv. There are so many interesting things that another visit is in order.

A LONG LONG Video

Fish Creek

What a strange year 2025 is/was and also the end of an era as Martin is about to complete year 12. I've been wating to go to Fish Creek for years after reading this post of Victorians quirkiest towns and I finally made it there. We drove past to have a look at the majestic Sandy Point to take in the views before heading back to eat at the iconic Fish Creek Hotel. After lunch, we stopped by one of the best cideries (Gurney's) I’ve ever been to, enjoyed a tasting paddle, and soaked in the beautiful views.  We then drove to our Motel in Meeniyan where we chilled out, had some pizza and a eclectic Italian restaurant before retiring and then headed back the next morning. We can't wait to go again.

Fish Creek

Oktoberfest continues

Martin and his mate, Gaku, joined us at Boat Rocker for their Oktoberfest festival event. We ordered some delicious food and enjoyed some typical Bavarian music. The Melbourne weather turned on for us, and we enjoyed a sunny Saturday and are now looking forward to our trip to Paynesville next weekend (minus my drone, which I flew into the sea).

I miss those drones

Karl Jnr's 20th Birthday at Hofbräuhaus

Just a quick blog for Karl Jnr's belated birthday this weekend at Hofbräuhaus in Melbourne. While Martin was on a maths camp, we hooked up with my talented mate Jake (please check his work here). We had a blast, and Karl even jumped up to dance to the silliest tunes. October is going to be wild with tonnes of activities lined up.

3 Left Feet

Melbourne Show 2025

Yes, we attend the Melbourne Royal Show every year. It's a family tradition which I hope to continue long into the future. This year, the weather was great, and we once again enjoyed the fabulous food on offer. But for a change, we watched the blacksmith make a horseshoe. WHY? I've just finished over 120 hours of gameplay where I was a medieval peasant in "Kingdom Come Deliverance 2", where, you've guessed it, I was a blacksmith.

My eldest son Karl also turned 20, so it was an even better day.

The Blacksmith

Gold Coast with Dave and Sam

It was an awesome few days with our mates Dave and Sam at Broadbeach. I tried to sneak in as much sun time as possible at the Star and got burnt. I took Dave and Sam to Den Devine and Miami Marketta, which was well received, but I ended up being trumped at Moo Moo's on our last night. I cannot wait to go back.

Send me back

Paynesville with Jnr

Once again, Martin had schoolwork, so the trio went off to Paynesville. As always, it was fun, including me flying my drone into the river, but that is another story. We visited the art museum in Bairnsdale, shot pool at the local, and ate at one of the best restaurants in town. We are going again in October and may even settle in this place.

Love the place

Daylesford (no Kids)

This is just a short blog as G and I went on a short break by ourselves for the first time in 20 years. We missed the boys. PS Australia (this time Daylesford) is amazing. The BLOG has almost run its course.............. Sad, but memories remain.

My drone footage is garbage, I know, but it will get better.

Water

Moomba 2025

It's that time of the year again when the family goes to Moomba. This year, Karl could not get out of bed as he's done way too much and worked too hard (good luck on the next 40 years, pal). It was the same old but the weather was fantastic and Melbourne was looking the best I've seen in a while. We popped into the NGV on Federation Square to see some of the new exhibits, which is always fun. After that, we wandered up Hosier Lane to look at the art, then took the tram up to ChinaTown to go to a Japanese restaurant (Mr Ramen Sam, which I highly recommend) lol. We are now looking forward to a few holidays in April.

Moomba 2025

Lock Run

It was another glorious long weekend in Melbourne, so we decided to head down the coast to Inverloch. On the way, we stopped off at Loch to look at a property we liked the look of. After revisiting some of our local haunts, we drove down to Inverlock to wade in the lagoon. Once done, we drove down the coast, stopping at Eagles Nest to shoot some video (at the end). We then went full circle back to Tooradin to have a spot of lunch before going home for a swim.

Looking for Life

New Year 2025

It was a great start to the year with a visit to The Branble Farm to pick some berries (Karl was working). Then, we chilled out at Trofeo Estate before heading off to KOBQ for an all-you-can-eat $20 lunch mid-afternoon (I'm going back Friday to take Karl). I hope this year brings more of the same.

Sparse Picking