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November 2003 We're drawing towards the close of 2003, which has seen a new start for Flick at Running Bare as an account manager selling sportswear and swimwear to retail clients around southern NSW. This has meant an end to our commuting by ferry, since she now drives around in a big Commodore wagon and Dave gets to hitch a ride into town. It's been a big change from David Jones, but so far a good one. Meanwhile Dave's been developing his own sales and marketing skills in his role at Roberts Weaver, including scoring a bit of PR with appearances in the Sydney Morning Herald. Dave's birthday party this year took us back to his last year of high school with a Class of '88 Prom. Scary stuff indeed as the photos testify, but a great night was had by all at "Cecil High." We also had another great dress up opportunity when Connor and flatmates invited us to a murder mystery night set in the Swingin' 60s.
We've had a record number of trips to the Hunter Valley this year, mainly catching up with our vineyard owning friends Matt and Tina Ryan of Broke Estate. We've now helped man their stand at a couple of wine tasting events, although we must confess we still don't know much about wine. Still it's been nice becoming part of the greater Sydney wine fraternity and not without its perks! At the black tie function we went to in April Flick won a case of wine in a blind tasting amongst 200 or so wine experts (more by luck than know how, but maybe some of it is rubbing off...). Standby also for the next update, which should include photos of Matt's fabulous 40th at Minimbah House, which was catered by two of Sydney's top up and coming chefs. This year Dave's been working as a volunteer for the Project Management Institute organising a series of seminars and the annual conference. The latter provided an opportunity to get Toby over as a speaker, which in turn paved the way for a rerun (four years on) of our first fabulous weekend at Weeroona House in the picturesque Blue Mountains. This time we had Toby and Diane's recent arrival Dominic as well, which was great fun.
It's been an exciting time in Sydney lately with the Rugby World Cup in full swing. We went to the NZ Wales pool match with fellow Kiwis Roger and Karen and are itching for a sea of black in this weekend's semi against Australia. Meanwhile on the sporting front Dave's been sailing offshore with the CYC fleet this year (in addition to Manly Twilights) to get more competition after cleaning up in the Manly Club Championship last season. With Twilights now in full swing make sure you time your Sydney trip to take in a Friday night on the harbour.
Also exciting (though hard on the hip pocket) has been the process of starting to work with our architect on Cecil St renovation plans. We're currently in "detailed design" and are having to work out the dimensions of our kitchen appliances. Sounds serious, but given the council process over here it will probably be another 9 or 10 months before construction: hopefully we'll be celebrating Christmas '04 in a new look pad. Please stay in touch and let us know of your changes address by e-mailing us via the Contacts page. As usual there are a few updates to the photo pages including Family, Events and Scenic Oz. If we don't manage contact you on a more personal level prior to Christmas we hope yours will be a safe and happy one. We'll be in NZ from Christmas Eve for a couple of weeks: contact us via (04) 476 6163. All the best,
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