Puss moves and we visit Cowra

On Monday the 9th, following Jen's soccer game on Sunday, we decided to relocate Puss to Cowra. It was figured that he would love it there where he could lounge in front of a wood-fire, hunt mice around stacked trellis post and would be spared the intrusion of almost any vehicular traffic. As well, he would be pampered by Jan and Les! Puss was very put-out by the whole affair and was little comforted by my reassurance. We stayed in Cowra for a few days to try to help him settle in but were suprised by how quickly he reverted to a kind of half-wild state. He comes by now, under the cover of darkness for his dinners, and is extremely elusive. Eight-and-a-half years of sharehousing together have been put aside and now Jan and Les are doing their best to win him over again. Inadvertently, they also end up supporting a number of neighbouring felines that appreciate the extra suppers!

From OuttaFox

Jan and Jenny and I took a morning tea of scones with cream and jam to Les, on Tuesday morning the 10th, while he took a break from spraying prior to the impending bud-burst. Though still quite cool, the relatively wet recent conditions have made Cowra lush and green again. As well, the harvest this year is expected to be quite good.

From OuttaFox

In the next few updates, I will be relating the last hurrah that we held at The Fox and then how we got serious about moving out. We did really hook in to the moving gig so that we could get away on a little driving holiday, the details and some photos of which will be appearing soon too.

What has been happening since mid-July?

It's high time that this blog was brought up to date. Over the next couple of weeks, I will update the blog regularly and document the huge events that have taken place in the past two months. Summarily, I submitted my PhD thesis and we celebrated, Jenny and I moved out of the Fox and were kindly farewelled multiple times, Puss was repatriated in Cowra, and then Jen and I moved to the US this month to take up post-doctoral jobs.

In the early hours on the 3rd of August, I received endorsement from my supervisor to submit my thesis. Though incredibly relieving, this spurred me, after Jen and I enjoyed this eagerly anticipated milestone, into frantic activity in order to make the final revisions and then print and bind the document. There was a kind of tranquility, knowing that the thesis was on the cusp of being submitted, that I will always remember.

The final surge to submit the thesis meant that I snatched only scraps of sleep over the next few days as I was determined to have the thesis submitted by Friday, the 6th. My advice to colleagues at the RSC about to go through the same process, just have the ANU printing unit take care of the printing. It turned out to be so much easier than doing it at the RSC! (And you are re-imbursed anyhow.)

After a few printing hiccups (and a bicycle collision en route to the RSC!), four copies of the thesis (shown below), were signed and made ready for submission to the Examinations Office.

From OuttaFox

It was a truly euphoric moment to be concluding this period of intense study and devotion. After four years and five months working at the PhD, finally making my way to the Examinations Office with the theses in hand was overwhelming.

From OuttaFox

Jenny and I toasted to the moment with champagne on the deck by Sullivan's Creek. Jen was so supportive of me and helpful while I was going through the final phases of my program, that I had to toast to her at this point too.

From OuttaFox

Happily, we were shortly joined by a great bunch of friends and colleagues from the RSC and we continued to toast in the usual fashion.

From OuttaFox

Aware that we would be leaving shortly for the US (for Jen, departure was scheduled to take place in just over three weeks time), we soon launched into the next phase of operations: empty the Fox. I reflect now that only seven weeks have passed since this decisive day but I have been so busy that it feels instead like many months. I trust that you will appreciate this, dear reader, and forgive me for the blog's recent lack of updates. I am going to make it all up to you over the next week or so. As such, come back soon for Puss and the last hurrah at The Fox.

West of the mountains again

Down in Moonan Flat on Wednesday morning, it was warm enough for Jen and I to cook breakfast.

From thewarmth

Later, we stopped to view some of the coal mines at Ulan, between Cassilis and Gulgong.

From thewarmth

We stopped for the day in Orange and met Ange and Ant's girl, Charlotte, and then stayed with the Sullivans before meeting up with Marko, Les and Jan for a spot of golf in Blayney on Thursday. Shown below is the shot that I used to extricate myself from this deep gully.

From thewarmth

Polblue Swamp, Barrington Tops

Jen and I stopped on Tuesday evening at the Polblue Swamp in the Barrington Tops. There are a collection of clear streams here but it was so cold that I refrained from swimming.

From thewarmth

Though the timber was a bit wet, we managed to get a stable little fire burning. I used a little gas burner to boil the billy. As the sun sunk, the temperature dropped rapidly and I started putting on extra layers of clothing.

From thewarmth

We had been warned by a kind gentleman at the Gloucester visitor's centre that it would be mighty cold up in the mountains. "We're from Canberra; it'll be fine" was our response. Admittedly, I was surprised to find so much ice on the ground in the late afternoon. These icy outcrops were very widespread at the Polblue Swamp.

From thewarmth

Though warned that we ought to expect temperatures down to −9 °C, the temperature dipped below even that. In the middle of the night, the thermometer registered −10 °C. Thankfully, Jen and I were using good down bags in our tent. Though the cold did have some surprising effects: the hood of my bag was freezing to the inside surface of the tent, our gas-powered light and stove were not useful as the vapour pressure inside the gas cylinders (70:30, butane/propane) dropped almost to zero, and the camera took one photo and then conked out due to battery problems. That one photo was of Jenny's glasses that iced over during the night.

From thewarmth

In the morning, we took the stroll around the swamp and were impressed by the ice-scape.

From thewarmth

Here, Jen and I pause to soak up some of the warming sunshine. As our stove was not functional even after our walk, we postponed breakfast and headed west out of the mountains.

From thewarmth

The tops

We viewed a stand of rare and enormous Antarctic Beech trees.

From thewarmth

The view into the valley here is spectacular and a rival to those we enjoyed at the Kanangra Boyd Nat. Park in the Blue Mountains.

From thewarmth

Gently leaning on the rail, I take in the view from high in the Barrinton ranges.

From thewarmth

The warmth

The fine weather stayed with us as we stopped in at Tathra for lunch on the Monday.

From thewarmth

I found the water at Crowdy Bay very pleasant and ventured a dip. There are obviously dangerous rips here though, so I didn't venture out beyound my depth.

From thewarmth

Again, we paddled at the beach on Tuesday morning.

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Jenny enjoys the ocean in moderation.

From thewarmth

After morning tea, we headed west through Glouster and up into the Barrington Tops.

Newcastle

Jen and I visited Mel and Ryan in Newcastle late last month. The weather is pleasant and mild east of the Great Dividing Range. We drove to the waterfront to watch the Chinese Dong being loaded.

From thewarmth

The dogs enjoyed a run at a beach dedicated to canine fun.

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Here, the dogs await action from their master.

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Later, Lucky Mel won the fish tray at the Minmi Pub.

From thewarmth

Fine winter days

On fine days, Jen and I often walk the bridge-to-bridge circuit around Lake Burley Griffin.

From thewarmth

Incidentally, Jen's fine and learner-legal motorcycle is for sale. As the days continue to lengthen you're going to want at least one of these babies in your garage!

From thewarmth

Giving back

Jenny and I have been tidying The Fox. Jen is shown here contributing her "Obsession" to the pile of iron to be recycled.

From thewarmth

This comfortable velvet-covered couch found a new home at Hitler's Bunker, Bruce, with Roberto.

From thewarmth

The Fox is so spacious now. And luxurious for some.

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June farewells

Last month, we farewelled Lauren.

From thewarmth

And we farewelled Amy too. Best wishes!

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Corny

Jenny and I have started harvesting our corn crop. The field was blown down by a gale a couple of weeks ago but is still providing us with many ears.

From corny

On a fine weekend about a fortnight back, Hodgo, Roberts and I tried fishing from the shore of Lake Burley Griffin near the museum. We had seen many fish jumping from the water during our scouting expedition in the inflatable boat. In the meantime, however, seven thousand carp had been removed from the lake and we returned with empty baskets. The lost bait made a hearty lunch for a little water-rat that swam by a few times.

From corny

Compare our casting. First me:

And then Roberto:

Puss makes a friend

Puss has made a little friend, Hamlet.

From Inflated

Here they are again, playing.

Easter Monday

The beautiful April weather coaxed a captain, a cabin boy and I to take to the water again.

From Inflated

Unsikable warship shown below.

From Inflated

The destroyer takes up a defensive pose. (See video below).

At the risk of mutual destruction, I boarded the duck.

From Inflated

Our patron, Sportsco (like Wilson), is prone to misadventure. See his dramatic rescue in this short video.

We then made our way to the Lighthouse (in vain, as thirsty sailors could get no refreshment).

From Inflated

Sportsco made another break for it when he couldn't get a drink.

From Inflated

The destroyer and the duck exchange fire.

From Inflated

Land-lubbers, large and small, enjoyed (or were confused by) the spectacle.

From Inflated

In the afternoon, we finally quenched our thirst and crisped a bird.

From Inflated

Easter Sunday

It was a leisurely Easter Sunday at The Fox. We took in some of the mild weather while engaging in some darts. Robbo was the victor in a game of Mickey Mouse. Jen came second and I made up the balance.

From Inflated

Easter Saturday

Robbo launched onto Lake Burley Griffin on Saturday afternoon.

From Inflated

A hasty repair gave way early on and Roberts had to abandon ship. (I came back for him, though).

From Inflated

Without bouyancy for another beer on board, we set out across the lake. We came ashore at the museum to purge the bilge and then paddled back to the Ferry Wharf as inclement weather was bearing down on our modest vessel. (And our beer supply had been exhausted).

From Inflated

Autumnal Equinox 2010

Chris(tmas) visited us from Perth late last week and joined the chemists at the Uni Bar to congratulate Mikey on submitting his thesis. Lucky bastard.

From Stout

The Fox, on Saturday, was the venue of a combined Pinkerton party that co-incided with the Autumnal equinox. This many chemists meant that draining two kegs was a trivial matter and that chess was a certainty.

From Stout

Stout was the order of the evening, as a tribute to St. Patrick's day that had just passed. For the pleasure of guests, the lanterns were lit early.

From Stout

Though warm without a fire, I couldn't resist ignition.

From Stout

And here is a festive bunch of revellers with staying-power. Thanks, guys!

From Stout