Shanghai

Whooohoo Juice and I have started our long awaited trip to China.


We arrived in Shanghai the Paris of the East. Population 23.5 million.

One of Shanghai's signiture buildings - The China telecomms building

All the skysrappers have been built over the last 15 years. The gold building on the left is a TV screen.

We went down to the old city.


Typical chinese garden

Shanghai is home to the chinese stock exchange. They have a copy of the Wall Street bull.

This was the first HSBC building. It was beautifully decorated in art deco inside. (Sorry we coundn't take any photos)

The next 3 views are from the Jinmao Tower



All this built in 15 years.

Some porcelain works of the Xing Dynasty



Shanghai at night

We went of an evening river boat to see the city at night. It was simply spectacular.

It's been a while, what have we Done?

After a spell of "Bloggers Block" I've managed to get some photos up from last the few months. So what have we been up to?

We attended the Lynn King Foundation fundraiser dinner. This was a dress to the 9's function. As usual we went all out.

Juice looking radiant as ever.

The Lynn King foundation is in honour of Lisa's mother (with her husband Mark) who passed away from cancer. They raise money to support families who are struggling to pay for their cancer treatment.
GREAT CAUSE!


Many of the triathlon club members were there to support. Here are some of the better looking athletes.

Next up was the annual Vivid Sydney festival.


Every year I promise to get a better camera.




I wish I could put all the photos up.


Most the buildings around Circular Quay got a lighting make over.

Splat attack on the Customs House building.

Time for triathletes to relax - end of year prize giving.
Theme: Hollywood


Yeah Baby - Audrey H. and Austin hit the streets.


Great thing about Balance Tri Club? Everyone makes an effort.



Fun on the dance floor. This is one of our favourite parties.

During the off season I've joined a group of morning swimmers down at Manly Beach.

Great way to start the day...


well most days are great.

Some mornings are simply breathtaking.


Northern Beaches = Healthly lifestyle.

We needed to get out of the city. So we headed to the wine country with a few stops along the way.

First stop. Jenolan Caves.

We did the Lucas Cave loop. This is a 90min walk through the caves.

They have around 5 different cave structures.



You can stay at the Jenolan Caves Hotel (built in the late 1800s).









 

 


 

 

 

Some of the cave routes have a number of stairs to climb so go prepared.

  

Mudgee is a typical NSW country town with an added bonus of great wine



Nothing like great food and wine in the afternoon.

Juice at a work function? Laser clay shooting hmmm interesting.

Somehow Greenpeace have taken ethical hunting too far.

Aunty Juice with lttle Leo (age 8 mo).





Guess who's got a new mode of transport?

My boy's garage is coming along just fine thanks.



Terracotta Warriors & General

An exhibition of the Chinese Terracotta Warriors came to town.






This has sparked an idea - Let's go to China!

Walking the dog Manly style!

Local rock pool swimming gala. These are run every month for young and old.

Lazy day down at Curl Curl beach


Feeling energetic we went for an early morning swim at Curl Curl beach.

Ironman New Zealand

Time for for Ironman #4

I hoped on a plane crossed the ditch and drove down to Lake Taup0, New Zealand.

This was my 4th IM in 14 months.

Before the 7am start the local Maori tribe performed a Hakka to inspire us.

It had been raining for the last 2 days. So we were in for a long wet day.

The moments before the starting canon went off .

3.8km Swim - 1h01:21 (Personal Best in the swim)

It was 14 Deg and wet while I was on the bike.

So staying warm and upright was the main goal.

180.2km Bike 6h25:12

Guess what? It's still raining!!!

42.2km Run 5h05:35 (Not great but the job is done)

Once again it was s great feeling hearing -

"Kim J from Sydney Australia, You Are an IRONMAN!"
At last it was over 12h40:54

Mission accomplished.

These races just never get any easier, you only learn how to suffer better.

Clean Up Australia

It was clean up Australia Day on the 5th March.


Juice volunteered to clean up our street. She even got a few others to chip in too.

Thank you for making a difference to our suburb.