Christmas 2016

I am just back from my Christmas break in Sydney. This was the first Christmas in years that I have had to stay at a hotel and not with a relative.

To recap.

24th December.

I flew to Sydney with Tiger air. This was my first flight with Tiger and It was generally OK. We left Melbourne a bit late but got into Sydney on time.

I had booked into the IBIS hotel in the Sydney suburb of Mascot. I chose this hotel because it is close to the airport and close to Mascot train station. It makes getting around Sydney quite easy.

The IBIS is quite a nice hotel and I would recommend it to anyone wishing to travel to Sydney.

25th December 2016. Christmas day.

Christmas celebrations were held at the home of my niece Caitlin Hill and her husband Jarrod.  They live in the suburb of Mosman which is located on Sydney's north side. About 20 people attended and I met a few new people. It was a fun day and I am glad that I came up for it.

26th December. Boxing day.

Boxing day is always a quite day for me. I just try to sleep in and relax, watch the cricket at the MCG and the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on TV.

In the afternoon I caught a train into the City and visited the Microsoft store. The city was packed with tourists and shoppers. It was a really hot day and not very pleasant.

27th December.

My last day in Sydney for the year. I went to Cronulla Beach and spent some time in the surf and walking along the beach. This is the only chance I get all year to go to the beach and it was a nice day.

28th December.

I fly back to Melbourne and catch the train back to Bendigo. Good to go away but good to be back.

Seeing Rogue One and a small car bingle

Today was a somewhat bittersweet day for me. In the afternoon I had a small accident in my car. I was reversing out of a driveway and scraped the right side of the car, leaving some rather ugly scrape marks on the rear right side. I was really annoyed with myself.

In the evening I saw the new Star Wars Movie, Rogue One. I really enjoyed it, although the plot was a bit complicated at times. It is the first standalone Star Wars movie as it takes place before the time of the original movie.

I do recommend you go and see it.

Lentara meeting and thank you lunch

This morning, those of us who are employed at Lentara, had a meeting with two of the principles. They told us of their plans for next year, which was interesting.

We were also treated to a very nice lunch at the Rifle Brigade Hotel. I had a very juicy porterhouse steak, which tasted great. I am glad they shouted the meal.

In the afternoon, a new book arrived. It was Murach's Visual Basic 2015, of which I will have to read and write up a review. I am looking forward to it.