Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

Putting my superannuation to work after my retirement this year. I have been making final preparations for my 26 day trip to America with my eldest son, this has been a long anticipated trip back to the States from the last time I was there in 1999. Got some quotes from several travel agencies and ended up going with the first agency I approached.  I will be leaving Sydney, Australia on the 21st September and arriving back home on the 16 October. 

First stop Los Angeles CA, then off to Las Vegas continuing to Orlando via Houston, then to Washington DC and finallyon the 6 October up to New York to attend NY Comic Con. Leaving NY to fly to Los Angeles for a 2 day stopover then the long haul down to Sydney. The trip first involved 7 plane flights but I have reduced it down to 5 with a bus trip from Anaheim to Las Vegas and a train journey from Washington DC to New York.

About a month ago, I was chatting with my elder sister, Cathy when she invited me to join her and her husband on a cruise. They have been on about 6-8 cruises and each time have invited me along. I last went on one 40 years ago : ).  So I, once again, am dipping into my superannuation. A little stressed to be spending so much money after being on a tight budget most of my life but you only live once and while my health is good. Party time.

I will be flying over to Perth, Western Australia on the 27 October to join a Northern Australia Sea Princess cruise leaving on the 29 October -and arriving in Brisbane, Queensland on the 13 November which just happens to be my birthday. Staying a couple of days with nephews family before flying down to Sydney, NSW then a 100km rail trip north to the coastal town where I live. The Sea Princess port of calls will be Perth, WA then Geraldton, we then head further north to Lombar in Indonsesia, down to Darwin, Northern territory and the top of Australia and down to Port Douglas, Queensland then onto Brisbane. 

I have been going on extra long walks with my dog, Barney to build up my stamina. When I return hope to have lots of photos and memories. 

Well done, Cadel Evans.

Congratulations on your Tour de France win.

Watching you, live, at the start of your victory lap into Paris.

Update: Cadel is riding with a glass of champagne in his hand. lol.

We have had a week of extreme heat of 35+ with yesterdays temp of 45C. This afternoon the weather has turned and a slight shower of rain has come to cool things down. Lovely.

Something Different

Thats the way to travel.

This video was found on this wonderful blog.

http://kittystampede.blogspot.com/

Its after 11pm Friday and I am sitting up watching the Tour de France. Loving the overhead aerials of the cyclists, castles and farmlands of this stage of the Tour. The commentary is nearly as good as watching the race ...lots of trivia.

My memories of this week has been rain, rain, rain ... got soaking wet a couple of times running from a client house to my car ... car heater got a work over. I don't use an umbrella as when it gets wet it tends to fog up the car windows and leaves a damp smell in the car.

Tour de France 2010

I love watching the Tour de France.

It is the world's greatest cycling race with almost 200 cyclists involved.

On the 3rd July, 2010, it started in Rotterdam,

Netherlands and will finish on the 25th July, in Paris, France.

Car Dramas

I have just got a bill for $1,300 for my car. I took it to the mechanics because of an oil leak and scrapping noise. Well, now he informed me that I need new brakes Sad and a thermal fan switch because the other one isn't working (that keeps the engine cool while it is idling in traffic) and the tyres look a little worn and it needs a service and the battery may need seeing to (I inform him that the battery was relatively new.and from a reputable company.. he sidestepped that) and the motor is showing a little wear and tear etc etc . Talk about dramas.

After an in depth discussion/negotiation we have decided on brakes, switch, full service and 'mumble mumble' which I didn't pick up what was said but the cost wasn't too high so I'll have one of those too.:-) as for the oil leak well that wasn't anything to worry about and the motor should last another year. The house is going on the market soon so I might pick up a relatively newish car as well as a smaller house.

Well I contacted my friendly credit union and after 2 days of phone calls and faxes my loan has been approved and I am now sitting here waiting for them to call me back to get me to come in and sign paperwork. It's Friday and I have been informed Chris my CU rep is at a meeting. okayyy .

Two hours have gone by since my last phone call.....still waiting to get to CU office, its going to take me 20 minutes to walk to the shops to get a bus to take me to Westfield, the bus will be on its Friday shoppers route going here, there and everywhere taking in the sights of suburbia. I may need to take a cut lunch or at this rate afternoon tea. Waiting ....waiting.................

Mechanic just rang and the car is ready ..... waiting...waiting...