Tour de France Fantasy Picks

I have made my initial picks for the TdF. Have a few days to change, but looks pretty good to me.

Geelong Ring Road is Completed...

.. six months ahead of schedule, and it sure makes a difference to the commute from home to work. Three minutes after getting into the car at home, I am on the freeway doing 100k/h, making my way up to Ceres. The remainder of the trip is spent on cruise control, cutting out some 26 traffic lights had I gone the old way.

Gaye and I got up early on Saturday moring to take a couple of pics. It is especially pretty at sunrise with the winter morning mists.

Banjo Patterson

John was rather impressed with his sail on Banjo Patterson, so I looked up some details on her.

Banjo Paterson is a beautiful 60 foot 30 ton sloop built in Melbourne in 1973. She is based on a Freya-type double ender design and was originally built as a cruiser racer. At that time she was one of the largest boats of her kind to be built in Australia and has developed a rich history to her name. She has sailed three Sydney to Hobart’s, taken line honours in a Sydney to Noumea and has sailed in many other races during her thirty year life.

In 1981 she was fitted out with the necessary equipment to operate as a luxury charter yacht, and operated out of Sydney Harbour. In 1983 Banjo came up to the Whitsunday’s and began her new life as the first ferry to transport guests from the mainland to Hamilton Island until new power operated vessels took over.

Six years ago she was purchased by her present owner and now operates Day Tours to Whitehaven Bay from its base on Hamilton Island.

Some Have It Good

So, is it any wonder Vic and John are feeling the post holiday blues. They just sent me a selection of their photos from their Hamelton Island Babymoon trip. It included helicopter ride over Whitehaven Beach and the surrounding islands, snorkeling, evening sailing, swimming. Clear skies and 25 deg C temperatures were the norm. Who would want to leave beautiful Queensland for the southern states winter?

More Baby Vic n John Photos

Now about 20 weeks we think, however this has created quite some discussion with Steve, Regan Gaye and me, so now we aren't very sure.

Steve and Regan Inspect a Block at Bannockburn

Steve and Regan are contemplating building a home at Bannockburn. Here they are with Gaye and Vic inspecting the block during a trip that John and Vic made down from Sydney for Lloyd's and Scott's birthdays. This was Lloyd's 30th birthday.