Hail at Pace

Jenny and I are home with a legitimate excuse today. Parts of Canberra were exposed to a thunderstorm last night that produced torrential rain and a volley of massive hailstones. The university campus is closed today while assessment and some repair of the damage, incurred yesterday evening, is undertaken. We prolonged the life of a couple of the hail stones cryogenically and they were photographed this morning. Notice the interesting ice crystal "shards" that project from the stone on the right?

Condomine Street is All Fired Up!

Rimsy, the lead guitarist in our band, hosted a very thorough warming of his house on Saturday afternoon and evening. There is a link to Rimsy's new blog on the right-hand side of this page, right now.


The kitchen was, as in all good house parties, became established as the epicentre of the excitement.

Rosé fans unite!

We rounded the evening off with a trip in to the Transit Bar. Or, if you've been in Canberra for a while, then it's the old Church Bar. Or, if you enjoy Canberra as much as I have and have been lapping it up since Coops was in the army, then it's the old Aree Bar.

Monc'd Again!

Ash is in to Arrested Development now and so should everyone! Welcome back, big boy.

The theme of the party was "on the offensive", but the hosts were their usual friendly selves. Of course, the tasty cake had to be censored... It was so rude that I ate it in a hurry to spare others the horror!

The Monc as it stands at February 2007. Thanks guys!

Congrat's, Dobs; you're always going off!

They have grown.

Chris, your chilli plants are fruiting now! I have made some awesome chilli from these guys.


A bit of water has sent the garden gang-busters. Puss was a little reluctant to pose for a second garden shot, but perhaps you can see the difference? The chilli and capsicum plants at the back are even taller. Do you recall the chilli varieties that you planted, Chris?

Cowra Entrepreneur in Strife

A young Cowra poker champion and entrepreneur has run in to a bit of strife.

OPC 2007

Jenny poses on this cart at Ouyen on our trip to Adelaide last week.

We stayed at the Ouyen Hotel, obviously devised in grander times.


We were advised that the Hay plains were flat and the roads were straight - and we cannot fault that advice!


Many of the posters presented at the Adelaide chemistry conference can be viewed at the RSC. I haven't posted any chemisty-related material. What I have here, instead, is a shot here of my friend from my research group wandering along Glenelg beach in Adelaide.


Getting gassed is, of course, a very important part of going to a conference!


Jenny and I camped under the stars, thus breaking in half our 1300km return journey from Adelaide.

Phil, Fox & The Fellowship

Welcome back the Australia, Phil. I know that you are already busy with your act in the Questacon Science Circus.


Post-O'Neil's tests of strength.


Fun-in-the-sun at the Dickson Pool.


More sedate fun-in-the-sun.


The Fellowship gathered at the Fox and revelled in the balmy evening.