Too much to do...

Sunday, October 23, 2005

A Perth digest

Thought I'd post a few photos of the last few days. It's wonderful here, and I seem to average about 40 snaps per day. So here are the highlights:

Paper bark trees in Star Swamp by Watermans Bay


....tbc

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

First dip in the Indian Ocean

After my first good nights sleep, I was ready for a dip in the ocean. My Aunt and Uncles place is wedged, 2 minutes walk, between the ocean and the bush. So when leaving their driveway, you need to decide LEFT to the ocean or RIGHT for the bush.

First steps into the ocean



Off for a snorkel



The bush, RIGHT, is in full spring bloom at the moment. The sound of birds (which all seem to look like parrots out of the Kinderzoo) fly overhead. Its lovely!

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

not so sunny Singapore

Singapore was just as I remembered it - a quasi-English tropical paradise. Then came the rain. We were having a relaxing swim in the hotel pool when it started. It can really rain in Singapore!

But with the British die-hard weather attitude at the forefront of our minds, we set off into Singapore to try and keep ourselves awake for the rest of the day.



We needed an energy boost - sowe stopped for Chilli crab. Fantastic. As we are creatures of habit, we ended up at the same resturant as previously with Stefan.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Foggy day in Zürich

I picked the right day to depart - it's a foggy day around Zürich airport, with a distinct chill in the air. I'm sure that the weather will be a shock when I return. Since waking this morning, I have been more excited than a 35 year old probably should be about jumping on a plane!

So, turned the oven off. Left a spare key with the poor husband of Cruella (don't even want to think about her snooping whilst I'm not there!)... and in great Pountney/Sturgess tradition, put some bleach down the loo. Got to keep the tradition alive I suppose!

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Sunny Glarnerland pics

I am like a kid with a new toy. Couldn't resist snapping away again at work today. At the moment the array of browns and greens of the mountains forests are spectacular. Even after 18 months of working in this valley, I never forget to look and admire the scenery.
I really should do some preparation and packing for Perth!!





Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Glarnerland test photos

My camera is excellent...

...some of the lovely autumnal views outside my office window (too smug I know, sorry)





Monday, October 10, 2005

Preparing for Perth

The countdown began for real today - my last Monday morning at work for a good six weeks! This time next week, I shall be on the other side of the world, and discovering what it is actually like to be called Steve in England or Klaus in Germany i.e. turning my head every 30 seconds in a crowd when somebody calls out my name. We'll see!

Too much going on at the moment to have time to blog it all. I think everybody I spoke to at work to day had a good weekend, with two days of lovely "Indan summer" 20oC temperatures. We had another classic weekend, managing to fit in canoeing, playing on the beach, out on our bikes, and even a last visit this season to the Kinderzoo (with a kiss from Beny!), concluded by a lovely evening (with homemade Singaporean curry) with friends in Zurich.

Today I was given the confirmation that my iBook would be repaired by Apple. This restored most of the faith I have in this excellent firm. To celebrate, I purchased a digital camera tonight (as I now don't have the looming cost of a new computer to think about).

After some discussion along with some very constructive advice from both friends and family (a special thanks to Pat!). I decided on the Konica Minolta X60. While the battery is charging, here is a photo of the camera itself! The woman in the shop described it as (very rough translation) "a small thing with a big punch" ...



...I can't wait to give it a good field test!

Monday, October 03, 2005

Glarnerland snow

It was noticeably colder today as I was walking from the station to work. After the light dusting of snow late last week on the Glarnerland mountains, the snow is now here to stay.