November 2004

Click pictures to see the full-size photos.

Orchid in the Botanic Gardens

A rather calm month. Due to Claudia's shoulder injury we postpone some of our leisure activities, thus having a rather relaxed month. We rediscover swimming on a regular basis: Every second day we swim 1km freestyle. After two weeks Claudia's shoulder can be used again for common activities during her daily routine. At the bottomline the full rehabilitation will take approx. 2 to 3 months. But don't worry, there is still plenty to talk about in our monthly reports...

Close-up: Skiff regatta in front of Harbour Bridge

Photography. Much to Claudia's helplessness — she is the one suffering from having to wait for Peter all the time... — Peter intensifies his beloved hobby photography. After having lurked around Sydney's camare retailers for over a year, he cannot resist any more and purchases a digital SLR camera. This finally enables him to get a bit closer to all the animals that are common sights in Sydney and surroundings. Hence, there is a new picture gallery Australian Wildlife.

Helge and Katrin, finally relaxing

Helge and Katrin. Back in Germany Helge used to work with Peter in their company's intranet team. Now he and Katrin are coming to Australia and show how three weeks can be used most efficiently. On a larger scale the list of spots they are visiting reads as follows: From Brisbane to Cairns along Australia's East Coast (including trips to Fraser Island and the Whitsunday Islands); from there to Alice Springs to join an Outback Safari comprising the top attractions of this country (Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and much more); next stop Sydney, and from there in a campervan down south along the Great Ocean Road before reaching their final destination Melbourne. Claudia and Peter needed several holidays to see pretty much the same. Hence, there remain only few days in Sydney. But even here, literally on the smaller scale, they make the most out of the limited resource called time. Who ever got from Circular Quay to Manly, did the return walk to North Head, and last not least the Manly to Spit Bridge hike all on the same day — for those of you who haven't tried this yet: We are talking about roughly 20km in Sydney's summer sun — will know what we mean.

Once again getting the hiking boots out of the wardrobe (photo was taken on Uluru)

Spontaneity. Yet another normal working day in Peter's office. Suddenly, the phone rings. It is Claudia asking "what are we going to do over Christmas?" Due to a lack of phantasy Peter does not give a witty answer allowing Claudia to continue: "What about a hiking trip along the Overland Track in Tasmania?" Peter has long accepted acting under orders :-) and does not resist at all. The same day at 11pm the flights get booked via the Internet. Hence, the key topic of our next monthly report will be Christmas in the Wilderness. Start looking forward to it like we do it already.