Sydney: Day 2

Saturday we awoke to a bright, sunny day. The weekends in Sydney are filled with local markets. The most famous, Paddington Market, was first on our list for the day. So, after a quick breakfast in our room, we hit the streets. Paddington, also a neighborhood in Sydney, was just a short bus ride from our hotel. This neighborhood is well known for its shops and restaurants and also the Victorian architecture that is marked by the wrought iron "lace" verandas. Its market is known for the unique variety of items you might find on any given weekend, as well as wares from numerous up and coming designers trying to make it. And just because they are up and coming does not mean cheap!

So once we arrived in Paddington, we spent some time wandering through the market checking out all of the goods. After we hit the sidewalks in search of a mid-morning snack. We were definitely in the right place and had no trouble finding a cafe for some pastries and coffee. After being re-fueled we wandered along the back streets a bit to catch some of the architecture. We also managed to find an aboriginal art gallery and great bookstore were we spent some time browsing. Our wandering took us over to the King's Cross neighborhood where we arrived at the local market just in time for lunch. Luckily for us, this market specialized in food, so some dumplings, egg rolls, fresh fruit and a muffin for dessert and we were fed.

King's Cross architecture was originally Victorian style with the luxury buildings having a view of the harbour. This made for a nice walking tour of the neighborhood. The highlights here were the Elizabeth Bay House and Del Rio. Elizabeth Bay was constructed in the 1830s in the Greek Revival style. Its highlight is really the manicured grounds, complete with coy pond, which overlook the harbour. There were a number of people just basking in the sun enjoying the view while we were there. Just down the street Del Rio stands and is constructed in Spanish Mission style. Now an apartment building that could use a few repairs, you could imagine what it would be like when it was built in the early 1900s.

After a long day of walking we headed back to our hotel to get some rest before our big night. We were headed to the Opera House to see Nigel Kennedy and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Back at the hotel, things were just getting started for the famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. The parade is held on Oxford Street, just behind our hotel. Turns out this world famous event draws approximately one million visitors! No wonder we had trouble finding a place to stay.

So after we had rested and gotten ourselves ready for the concert, we headed out to get some dinner. However, the parade route started at the end of our block so we had to go a bit out of our way to get to the restaurant. No worries, it gave us an opportunity to take in some of the amazing and sometimes shocking costumes that were wandering up and down the streets. Too bad we didn't bring the camera.

Sydney: Day 1

We arrived in Sydney Thursday night, but since it was late our first day really didn't start until Friday. Our day started off with a walk to the harbour. The harbour was busy with ferries coming in and out, a cruise ship docked, aboriginal street performers and tourists wandering the streets. It was here that we took our first sights of the Opera House. After sitting and enjoying the view we wandered over to the area known as the Rocks. This area was named after the cliffs that the area was built on. It housed some of the first buildings and streets that were constructed in Sydney. Today it is filled with restaurants and shops catering to tourists. On Friday and Saturday it houses a small outdoor market as well. When we passed through they were just setting up and we made a mental note that a lot of the food looked good. We wandered on through the winding narrow streets heading toward Observatory Hill where some nice views of the city and Harbour Bridge were provided. Since it was approaching lunch by now we decided to make our way back down to the market to find something to eat.

As we approached the market the smells of food wafted toward us and as we got closer we could hear the sizzling of food cooking. The vendors had wood burning fires and gigantic skillets to cook their food. I decided on the paella that had been calling my name earlier and Matt opted for the grilled spinach and feta on Turkish bread. We were not disappointed. Once we were fed we decided that we would head to the famous Bondi Beach for the afternoon. So we headed back to our hotel to grab our swimsuits and towels.

A train and a bus ride later and we were at Bondi. Surrounded by cliffs we opted for the clifftop walk before we hit the beach. The walk wound its way along the coast and offered some beautiful ocean views and amazing natural rock features. There are also a number of saltwater pools along the way. Once we had returned to Bondi, Matt jumped into the waves for some body surfing while I took a rest on the sand. Later as the sun was getting lower in the sky and the air was getting cooler, we started packing up to go. Fortunately, the pub across from the beach still had 15 minutes left of happy hour and plenty of outdoor seating. We ordered ourselves a jug of Coopers and some salt and pepper calamari and enjoyed the the rest of the afternoon.

Increasing Speed

Well, it finally stopped raining here in CQ (central queensland).  We have had 3 weeks of straight rain, which has meant that I have had only one training session on the track in that time.  That one lasted a 25 lap warm up before the sky let loose.  Monday the rains stopped and we were able to practice.  Our sessions are geared for towards the junior national championships in the middle of March, I will not be competeing, just missed the age cutoff (19).  But Alex will be and as it is only her and I who show up this late in the season, we do work outs designed to help her medal.

The highlight of monday was a 2 lap motor paced sprint where by the 3rd repeat I was able to hold 55.8 km/hr and I reached a sustained speed of 60 km/hr on the last 1/2 lap.  Tuesdays excitement was for the flying 200 meter sprint, I broke my previous best time by 8 tenths of a second to 13.08.  My leg speed is finally getting there.  By the end of March I may be able to call myself a trackie.

Mount Morgan Gold Mine

Last week we hosted our first guest, a friend of the Panzarella's, Twigg. On Thursday Matt took a day off from work and the three of us headed up Mt. Morgan, home to the world's most productive gold mine. During their gold rush this tiny little town hosted 13,000 people but is now home to about 3,000.

The town is situated on top of a hill so winding our way up to the top we had some nice views of the area. Once we arrived, we went to the tourist information center housed in the old train station. We arrived just in time to make the morning tour of the mine. The tour took us on an overview of the town pointing out some of the historic sites like the old suspension footbridge, the town bell, the pub, and various other historic buildings. Then they took us up to the mine. Here we were able to walk through the main building that had been converted to a museum dedicated to the history of the mine and mining. After our tour guides drove us around the grounds of the old mine and we had the opportunity to look at some of the old mining equipment. We also had the opportunity to observe some dinosaur footprints that were discovered in one of the mine's tunnel. There were even some kangaroos spotted along the way!

Friday Night Sprints

Well my personal photographer took some pictures and video for me to share with you.
Here is a video from the week before, but it is all about the same. 

This week a few more people showed up, it made for some faster races as there were more A grade racers and the A and B fields were combined.  We had 4 races on the night and they went really quickly.  This was really good as the mosquitoes were out in full force and every time I sat down they were biting me through my spandex. 

I did well in the elimination race again, finishing 3rd.  We also raced 2 scratch races and a unknown distance scratch race.  I did better in the later races than in the first one.  I seem to get better as the night wears on and my legs get warmed up.   I still have to work on my strategy, I often get caught behind people in the last lap which makes it hard to contend for the finish.  We will be racing on the track through March, so I should have plenty of time to practice.

The Comets: First Scrimmage

Saturday night was the opening day for the Comets. The day started at 2pm when the under-16 team played followed by the under-18 team. At 5:45 the Comets had their first test against Mackay. I arrived at 4:30 to help them get ready. Let me tell you, being in a men's locker room is a new experience for me! Lots of sweaty boys and testosterone permeated the air, not to mention all the heat and mozzies trapped inside the small locker room. I couldn't wait for the game to start, so I could get out and breath some fresh air while watching the game from the sidelines.

The boys took the field in their brand new uniforms sporting the new logo. I got to sit back and try and figure out how the game was played. The boys get 5 downs to score before the ball is turned over if the attempt is unsuccessful. When tackling, they have to hold them down for it to count. To score, they have to purposefully place the ball down on the ground. A goal earns 4 points, followed by a kick that can earn them 2 points. Typically they play in 40 minute halves, but they have a heat rule that the enforced that had them get a drink at 20 minutes. They do have a scrum like rugby union, but I'm still not sure why because it doesn't seem to serve any purpose in this game.

Unfortunately, the Comets lost to Mackay 0-10, but at least Mackay didn't score until the last quarter. Fortunately, there were no injuries to report, just a few sprained muscles. After watching how they take each other down, that was a nice surprise. They pretty much grab a guy behind the back of the knee, lift him up and toss him on his head! So, after checking in on them after the game and finding out they were all ok, I was free to go enjoy the Brisbane Broncos (the Comets' affiliate team) play the Melbourne Storm. This was a National Rugby League pre-season match up. Some of the Comets were actually being trialled as well, so it was fun to see a few guys that I know play as well. The game was a lot quicker and the passing a lot sharper and I had Ronnie, the Comets trainer, explaining the rules to me as the game went. Now that I had a better understanding of the game (and a tinnie of Gold in hand) it was a pretty exciting event!

Swimming

I love swimming when it is raining. It is peaceful to have the raindrops hitting the water around me and on my arms and head. We have been able to do a lot of this lately with all the rain we have been having. Laura is like a fish now, she swims at least everyother day. I try to get to the pool once a week, sometimes I make it twice. Today I finally nailed my flip turns. I think it has something to do with the new goggles I bought. My old ones leaked a lot and I was stopping once a lap to drain the water. With the new goggles I never have to stop, I come to the wall flip, kick off the wall and keep going. Now I just need to develop some endurance.

Sat night at the Track

Things are starting to wind down at the track now. All but one of the A grader's have quit for the season. Most of the people racing are getting ready for Nationals or the states. I however am just out there to have some fun and learn more about track racing. The closest velodrome to our upcoming new home in Charlottesville, VA is in Lehigh Valley, PA. Unless we move back to Long Beach, then there is one just up the road in Carson.

Anyway, the night consisted of a 8 lap scratch race to get the blood moving, a flying 200 meter solo sprint against the clock, a 3 lap match sprint (more on that later), and finally a 15 lap scratch race to finish the evening. Actually to finish the evening we went to Mackers (McDonalds) to grab a hot fudge Sunday to take home. Almost nothing is open in this town past 9PM.
Okay, we will get some video footage of the races up later, but the scratch races were not too exciting, I got beat by faster people. Although in the last one I was pushing the pace out front a bit to try and tire out people. And I actually thought I was going in a good position into the last lap when the guy in front of me just pulled off, which screwed me.

The 200 meter sprint was okay I bested my fastest practice time by 3 hundredths to an okay time of 13.79 secs. This matched me up with the silver fox himself (the nickname for an older racer who is smart and fast). I figured as this was my first race and I would get beat out in the tactics I would just try to out sprint him early. The race usually works by the 2 racers watching each other for 2 laps then sprinting the last lap. I took off with 1.5 laps to go hoping to catch him out, I got a good 10 meter lead on the jump. But I was unable to hold him off, he eventually got into my slipstream, and got to even as we came into the final straight. I went as hard as I could go, but he just edged me out by a wheel length.

Bent Wing Bats

Friday night the skies stayed clear so we were able to venture over to Mount Etna (named after the one in Sicily, but no, not a volcano) to the bat cleft. The bats arrive every November to have their young and depart near the end of February once they are able to fend for themselves. According to our guide, we were hitting it at the perfect time...mums were still there and bubs were starting to venture out in the evenings to test out their wings.

We made the trek up the 1.2k trail to the top gradually with our guide who would stop to give us a bit of the history of the fight to protect the bat cleft and other nearby caves from mining and to point out different plants and insects native to the variable dry rainforest that we were in. She educated on how the different plants would have been used by the aboriginals. One of the tree leaves contained a substance that could be used as soap, another could be used for cooking and others contained poisons used for fishing. There were a number of butterflies along the way. We even saw an Echidna (see below).


Once we made it to the cleft (which was like a vertical crack in a wall of rock) we donned harnesses that would allow us to clip ourselves into the rock face so we could safely lean over the cleft to watch the bats as they departed for the night. It was then that she mentioned the snakes (there wasn't anything about snakes in the brochure)! Two types of python and the brown tree snake hunt bats. Lovely.

Now it was getting dark and the bats were starting to emerge, so one at a time we clipped into the rock and leaned over into the cave. Bats swirled their way up the shaft and out into the night flying right past us and sometimes, especially the less skilled new fliers, into us. They felt like getting brushed by a feather they were so light and soft. Sure enough after only a short time the snakes began to make their way into the opening to hunt for dinner. We had the privilege (ha ha) of seeing a spotted python and a brown tree snake. Lucky me! The spotted python (below) is supposed to be harmless to humans and the brown tree snake was said to prefer bats over people any day, but I was still a little uneasy. I do have to admit it was kind of interesting watching them lunge out from the rock to catch a bat, but as soon at one was remotely close, I was ready to leave.



We travelled much quicker down the hill stopping only now to learn a little about the geology of the region. A number of frogs had come out at this point and we were introduced to a few different varieties. A few wallabies hung out for long enough for us to see them under our flashlights. We also ran into a fair number of moths and spiders as well. By the time we were back to our cars, the mozzies were out in full force...too bad there weren't any bats around now!

Koorana Crocodile Farm

Today we did not have to venture far from Rocky to get to the Koorana Crocodile Farm. This facility has been around since 1981 and started out at a "removal service" for the area. Once the crocodile was protected in Australia, they began flourishing and locals needed a way to get rid of the trouble makers. So that is when the Lever's stepped in to offer their services. Over the years the farm has grown and now they give 2 tours a day to the public. While we were there we were able to see 2 newborn crocs that had just hatched that morning. We also had the opportunity to hold the "runt of the litter" croc that had become a mascot for our tour guide. He only stood up to my knee standing tail to tip of nose! The facility houses a number of saltwater crocs and a pair of alligators (just for comparison). The largest of the crocodiles was over 850kilos.