John in parramatta

John needed a new computer so I was able to travel down to Dick Smith Powerhouse at Parramatta and help him with the purchase.

All geared up we decided to have a bite to eat and vienamese seemed the way to go. This pic was snapped on the way out... with chinese characters for authenticity.

John seems to be enjoying the new job working down at the Hawkesbury River.

Noela comes to lunch

We ran into Noela in the Hazo carpark and all decided to have a bite at the Cafe. So we caught up with Syd & Lyn before their departure to Noosa and all the gossip from the Rosnell family at the same time.

Noela is preparing to have her knee operated upon. Sarah is back with Pierre and we had a most enjoyable lunch. Sometime life just give us a little surprise to enjoy.

Testing the chi

This was an interesting experience breaking bricks with the gentle tap of the palm hand. Others in the group were breaking with the back of the hand, having sticks broken across the abdomen and throat. Some of the younger guys broke sticks with their feet and arms.

More retreat photos here.

Testing chi with Master Lim (Michael Lim Tiam Poh).

Yang style 108 broadsword

Training with Master Lim in the Yang style 108 Form Chinese Broadsword.

More retreat photos here.

Springwood art

This painting adorns the paling fence in the South Springwood carpark adjacent to the School of Arts Square. I has been there for some time and is becoming indistinct. I have wondered who the face depicted represents as it must have taken some effort to get the detail correct for this.

Springwood pubic art.

Perthonia

We went to Perth to have a look see and catch up with Erin. That is Erin and I at the counter of a Cicerellos Seafood Restaurant dockside in Freemantle, during a break from shopping at the Freo markets.

Chand and I also took a trip out to the Swan Valley where we managed a bush walk with kangaroos and kayaks, a chocolate factory and winery before returning to Scarborough. The next day we headed north alng the beachfront to the Aqwa aquarium at Hillary's Boat Harbour, Sorrento where we were enthralled by the cuttlefish and seahorses. To complete our compass points we also headed down south to Safety Bay and Rockingham with Erin for a bit of fresh sea air.

There are some more photos
of my Perth adventure on yahoo photo here.

Baxter & Foster activists for Berowra Bank

Old OTC buddy Greg Baxter looks set to become a Director on the Berowra & District Community Bank Project of Bendigo Bank.

I notice that Bill Foster is active in the support team as well. Berowra is still a small village I guess & he remains a relentless worker for the community.

I found out about all this from the local newsletter The Bush Telegraph.

Where I also found a photo of
Bill's wife Elaine Foster.

Karate chums of old

I was scanning some martial arts sites and found this one of Greg Gunns, a Goju training buddy of old, still training and teaching. This photos was taken last year up in tweed heads at seminar.

I also stumbled onto a pic of Mark Burton ever the rubber legged doc. Now Chief Instructor and 5th Dan of Goju Kai Karate Do Sydney Australia

It was sad to note on the Goju Kai site that Paul and Sandie Starling have "retired".

"auntie" susan the cat lady

I snapped this one of Chand and "auntie" Susan ... the lady who looks after our cat. Her daughter Hayley set the cattery up .. but as she does not live there anymore its run by Susan.. who is a wizard with cats.. and know more about cats than anyone I have met.

OTCeans Reunite

OTC reunion at the CBD Hotel corner of King and York Streets. Bringing OTCeans together in an Annual gathering that is a bit different to the OTVA events and gathers a different crowd. With an attendance list of 100 people this was a very successful event.

Ernie Wan, Mani Subramany,
Pauline Su and Carlo Cofini
enjoying a quiet drink and chat.

More photos here

James plays Soccer

Sukkha sent me some photos of James playing soccer today along with pics from our Canada trip.

More photos here.

Nicole is engaged

Nicole has announced her engagement .. so Chand wanted to know what the ring looked like and here it popped up on my phone today. .............wow..... Congratulations Nic & Allan...