Martin becomes an Aussie

On the 26th of March 2009, Martin became an Aussie.


There were around 80 people receiving their citizenship on the day. At least 60 different countries were represented.


The moment of truth... Martin becomes an Aussie, look at that smile.


Janice and Martin


Juice and Martin

Kimble's B-Day

Headed out to Shelly beach for the day.


Relaxing with a B-Day beer.


Shaun and Gerrie


As you can see Juice organised a perfect Beach BBQ.


Hunnah and Brendon... sadly they're going back to Tazzie.


Great b-day means having a great cake (made by Juice)


Still loving that beach life style.

Juice’s OZ anniversary

It's been a year since Juice arrived in Sydney. So much has happened over the last 12 months.

One of her first memories was going down to Manly seeing families participating in an ocean swim race.

So on Juice's anniversary she decided that we enter our 4th installment of ocean swimming.
Followed by a day at Manly


We entered the Cole Classic 2km. (turned out to be 1.9km)


The start of the earlier 1km event.



Conditions were good.
Temp: 21 deg.
Swell: 4 foot.


I put in a great performance hoping to tie up the
Kimble-juice household Comp.
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Kimble: 34:01 (2min faster than I had hoped)
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Juice to pulled out her best best swim of the season.
Kimble got comprehensively beaten!
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Juice's time was 31:07
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Final score 3-1, So it's official Juice is the best swimmer in our household no questions asked.
Well done!

Australia Day '09

26th January is Australia' s biggest holiday. It was on this day in 1788 when Capt. Cook first landed on the Island of Australia.


The new comers walked around town taking in all the sites and sounds of their 1st Australia Day
Deepa, Jatin (both UK), Robyn, Leigh and Shaun (SA)
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The ferry boat race in the harbour, the Duck won the race.



Some people preferred to relax and listen to music



A family setting up for the day.

Good to have a familiar face in town. Rob and Emma are out for a wedding.

The BIG Swim - 2.9km

On Sunday Kimble and Juice took part in yet another ocean swim.
It's called "The BIG Swim" from Palm Beach to Whale Beach.

Due to a rip tide at whale beach the finish line was moved further along the beach. So the race went from a 2.7km to 2.9km swim.

OK this was going to be a tough race as the conditions where rough.

Temp: 21 deg

Swell: 5 - 6 foot

At least it was over cast (the day before was 42 degrees)

Juice's group head out into the wild ocean.

Swimmers did there best to catch a wave into the finish

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Kimble completed the swim in 59:06

Juice finished in 58:54 at that was after being stung by a blue bottle on the neck!

Well Done Juice!!!

The Kimble-Juice household competition continues.

Kayaking in the Harbour

On Sunday we went for a kayak in the harbour.
We headed out to Shark Island (there were no sharks there, Mom !)




We had a small break at Rose Bay before heading out to the island.






Juice upfront paddling hard.

Martin balancing the bridge on his head.

Had a well earned rest on Shark island. It has great views of Sydney and the bridge.

PS. You can rent the island for a private parties - $3300 per day.

Sydney Tower

Sydney Tower is the 2nd tallest building in OZ and the tallest in Sydney.

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You can see our home from here. (The white arrow)

View out to Manly and the entrance to Port Jackson harbour.

View of the Sydney Football ground and the SCG

View of Darling Harbour and the parramatta river in the background

St Mary's Church at Hyde Park

The Domain - Everyone getting ready for this evenings music performance - Part of the Sydney festival.

After dinner we decided to go to the Domain.

Brendon, Hunnah and Juice.