Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley is around 2,5 hours North East of Sydney.


Ahh wine country for the ANZAC long weekend.


Started off at Brokenwood.


We stayed at a lovely B&B - Thistle Hill.
Funny enough it's owned by a couple from Durban.


The B&B cat.


The B&B Roo - Chloe. Been on the farm for 18 years.


Cat and Chloe relaxing in the morning.





Keeping with our new tradition - Canepes @ 5pm





There was no chance we'd miss this place.


We found ourselves in the small town of Wollombi on ANZAC day.
The entire town was down at the pub playing '2 UP' (gambling version of Heads & Tails)
ANZAC day is the only day its legal to play 2 UP.


So relaxing out here.


One more before heading back to Sydney

Kangaroo Valley

Juice and I headed off for a well deserved break over the Easter long weekend.
Destination - Kangaroo Valley.

It's a 1,5 - 2 hr drive South of Sydney. Also know as the 'Southern Highlands of NSW'

As you enter kangaroo Valley you cross over Hampden Bridge, the oldest suspension bridge in Australia.

Looks like the English countryside here. (This is the area where they filmed 'Babe' the little pig movie)

Some pictures from Milton Park.


Milton park is a popular wedding venue


Ahhh, the country girl.

Into the bush we went to find the Belmore Falls.

OK, so they're not the Vic Falls, but it was relaxing being in the bush.





Everyday we were treated to red wine & canapes at 5:30pm - how will we ever manage when we get back to Sydney?


Mornings in the valley were simply beautiful.

No need to say anything...relaxed.

Ironman Australia 2010

Yes it was time for another one of those crazy events - Ironman (IM).

IRONMAN Australia 2010! This was a special year as it was the 25th IM Australia.
Swim 3.8km, Cycle 180km, Run 42.2km


I headed up to Port Macquarie, it's a 4hr drive North from Sydney to meet the Balance team.


Over 1550 competitors had entered the event.


Team Balance at the traditional Carbo dinner.


Checked in my bike on the Saturday.


Thanks to the IM organisers for the message of support. Every competitor had one at their bike spot.


Team photo at the finish - hoping we'll all get there safely the following day.

RACE DAY!
I wasn't as nervous as IM WA, due to the fact I wasn't as fit or ready for this race so I knew it was going to take all day.


The 3.8km swim started at 6:45.
It was bedlam for the first 2km with 3000 legs and arms trying to find space.
Swim time: 1h04.


Onto the 180km Bike leg. This was going to hurt as I hadn't done much cycling over the last few weeks.


Still 80km to go. Lonely, so lonely!
Bike time: 6h54


Finally onto the 42.2km 'run' - this turned out to be a 42.2km run/walk actually a lot of walking!
Run time: 5h52 (I wasn't very happy about this - will do better next time)


But at last those words rang out.
Kim Jardine, you are an Ironman!....again!!!
Finish time: 14h07


Thanks to the Balance support crew


And this is what you get for finishing the race.
A towel, shirt and a IM (M-Dot) Medal.

Looking forward to the next one and this time i'll be ready.

kimble - 2 Years in OZ

Look who's been in OZ for 2 years!


We went down to the Opera Bar to celebrate my 2 year anniversary. Ah, beer!


Sydney life.


Even after 2 years scenes like these still put a smile on my face.

100km Oxfam Trail walk - Part 1

Not to be out done. Juice has entered the Oxfam 100km Trail walk.
This is a 100km bush walk in 48hrs. The event is going to be held in August 2010.





As part of Juice's training she will have to walk around 4-6hrs every Sun and walk during the week.

Need to look out for some of the nasty locals - snakes!



Real dedication.


Wonderful views of Sydney's surroundings.

We will put up regular updates of Juice's training over the coming months.