Christmas Day 2010

 The weather was a lovely 23 (73F) degrees so we were able to sit outside and drink our champagne with our smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.

We opened a few gifts together with Kevin's Mum, Dad and Uncle John, our niece Tatum, Brandon, Patrick and Caitlin. Then Kevin collected my mum from my sister's and we opened a few gifts with her.

Back to my sister, Christine's for lunch with her family including her mother-in-law Marian, the kids had a blast just being with their cousins but also enjoyed the water slide, totem tennis and nerf gun wars!

After a feast of Lamb and Chicken kebabs, tabbouleh, hummus and bread, we rested on the coach and watched a bit of basketball and motor cross in 3D, amazing!

Back at Kevin's Mum and Dad's, we cooled off in the pool for a while before getting ready for the sumptuous feast that our Niece was preparing for our Christmas dinner.Tatum is studying at The Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts which meant we were in for a treat.

Salmon Mousse wrapped in cucumber topped with salmon roe.

Glazed ham.

Roasted Vegetables.

Turkey

King Fish stuffed with Green Mango, Spanish Onion and Mint Served with a mango salsa.

What a feast! Thank you to our wonderful, hard working niece who did such an amazing job...Happy Christmas!

Brandon Joins SOPAC

Brandon was worried about missing swim practice with the State Championships being so close so thanks to the coaches at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, he is able to continue training.

The first training session was 5am on the morning after we arrived so we were slightly jet lagged. In addition, Brandon was worried about being able to keep up as this is a pretty elite team. Out of the 35 swimmers on the Silver team, there are 20 State swimmers. (State is the step down from Nationals here) and even a couple of National Champions. These kids are fast.

Brandon had one mishap. It turns out that Australians swim on the same side of the pool lane as they drive. Unaware of this, Brandon crashed head first into another swimmer coming down the left side of the lane...oops!

There were two coaches, Coach Dennis (who works on drills) and Coach Sam (who works on technique). The team did a little walk around the pool, some crunches and stretches then straight into warm ups which was (a set of 600's, 200 swim, 100IM) repeated four times followed by 4 x 100's, 50 Kick, 50 Swim with flippers four times in IM Order.  Then I had went off to speak to one of the mum's and off for a coffee so not sure what was next. 

As it was Christmas eve, the team had a bit of fun with relays in the short course pool. Girls against the boys.

Relays in the short course pool.

Unfortunately the boys lost but it was extremely close. Brandon survived although he was tired. He can't wait until the next session. Coach Sam thought that Brandon has a lovely backstroke.

The girls give the boys the thumbs down.

The Park Facilities

The facilities are wonderful with the gym and cafe etc. It will make spending hours here each week a pleasure.

A lot to live up to as you enter the pool. The Hall of Fame.

Lap Pool and Play pools

Competition and Squad Training 50m

The cafe.

The 50m and 25m Competition Pools

The Beilby's Have Left The Country!

Thinking we had plenty of time, we enjoyed some dinner, slouched around only to hear the Alaska desk calling "The Beilby Family" to the gate as the doors were about to close. We manage to do it every time!

Full flight!

 LAX was a nightmare as usual. The most unattractive and unorganized airport that I have ever been to, we couldn't wait to get out of there. Qantas was a welcome relief. Such a wonderful airline with their attentive staff, excellent menu and myriad forms of entertainment, the 14 hours went by without much frustration.

It's hard to believe that we will actually be landing!

 What better way to relax after a grueling 24 hours of travel, cool off with a swim and a glass of wine!

Caitie and Patrick play

Pat relaxes with Grandad

 Ah...we are home.

Crater Lake - Mosquito Heaven

A swarm of mosquitoes closed in for the kill the minute we stepped out of our car at the Mazama Village Campground. Whilst swatting and waving, we desperately sought what was to become our best friend over the next few days, DEET! Only with this deep woods, long lasting protection insect repellent sprayed from head to toe (and more - I actually got bitten on the butt) we were able to set up camp.

The next thing we were not expecting but thankfully were prepared for, was the cold. It got down to the freezing mark overnight...brrr! Mid summer too. The days were glorious., high 70's, clear skies.


We indulged in the campfire delicacies, burgers and much to the kids delight, smores!

The next morning afforded us hot tea, porridge, toast and more smores before we set off on our adventure. After an informative movie about the creation of the lake at the Rim Village visitor center, we set off on our 33 mile Crater Rim drive. The first stop was Sun Notch Trail where we hiked for .4 mile to the cliff peak which overlooked Chaski Bay.

View at the end of the Sun Notch Trail

A little west of this point, we were able to get a great view back to Wizard Island.

Wizard Island

We hiked a little further up the hill where an opening between trees gave us the most perfect view of the Phantom Ship. It looks like a small pirate ship but is made up of erosion-resistant rock and is as tall as a 16 storey building!

Phantom Ship

A slight detour down a 7 mile spur road took us to the Pinnacles. 100 foot tall spires that are being eroded from the canyon wall. The spires are "fossil fumaroles" which mark the individual places volcanic gas had risen up through the hot ash, cementing them into solid rock.

The Pinnacles

 Our final destination before heading back was to see the Pumice Castle, a colorful layer of orange pumice rock that over the space of time has eroded into a castle or a four humped camel which ever you prefer. Curious!

Pumice Castle

Although bear are living near our campsite, we were not lucky enough to spot any, much to Caitlin's dismay. She was eager to spot wildlife and we went on a couple of wildlife walks but the only creature that we came across was this inquisitive bird. If you happen to know it's name, let us know.

Time to head back to civilization for The Beilby's.

Athey/Rosemont Seattle Trip

On this trip to Seattle, the band started a clinic at the University of Washington followed by lunch at Pike Place Market. Then they met up with the choir to spend a fun and informative afternoon at the Experience Music Project, a great museum which houses many iconic items from music history. After this action packed day, we all relaxed for a traditional Italian dinner at Buca di Beppo. We crashed into our beds at The Red Lion Hotel then arose bright and early for our performance at the Music in the Park Festival. Our band took second place with an excellent rating! To celebrate all the hard work, we spent the remainder of the day riding the roller coasters and water slides at Wild Waves before heading back to Portland.

Christmas 2009

Given that it is the new year I thought I'd post photo's from Christmas before it's Christmas again!