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Brisbane-Bangkok-Thai-flight-Cancelled

August 25, 2016
by David Herd
Comments Off on Bangkok Thai flight Cancelled

Bangkok Thai flight Cancelled

Brisbane airport railway station Bangkok Thai flight Cancelled  Bangkok Thai flight Cancelled, I have flown thousands of times throughout my life and this was the first time I ever experienced a cancelled flight. As Newton would say “For every action, … Continue reading

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

August 20, 2016 by David Herd

This is not a travel blog just my personal photo collection from the Gold Coast in Australia in August 2016.

Sorrento Sam

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

 Surfers Paradise sentimental journey took me back to where I lived for 25 years before moving to Thailand in October 2011. I stayed at Sorrento with my old friend Tony Murphy and his lovely wife Nikki, plus Sam the 3rd member of their family.

Murphy’s birthday

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

Morning coffee at The Island cafe is a tradition with this group of friends, and today August 11 2016 just happened to be Tony’s 74th birthday.

Dangerous with a knife in his hand. 🙂

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

Don’t do it Tony, don’t do it. 🙂

Very good coffee made b Jazz. 🙂

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

I must say the coffee at the Island Cafe is absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t help noticing the price of the small quiche compared to a similar one in Thailand that I regularly buy. Here it is $15.90 and at Big C in Pattaya $1.85.

 Surfers Paradise from the racetrack

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

Close to Tony’s home in Sorrento is the Gold Coast race track, here is the view of downtown Surfers Paradise.

 Two things I miss living in Thailand

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

Fresh ocean prawns and avocado at Isle of Capri is a perfect meal for me. Sure you can get both items in Thailand but certainly not is the same class as Queensland.

Other things I miss

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

A few good friends who can’t be replaced or forgotten. In fact catching up with them was my main reason for this trip. Above is my great mate Ross Kennedy leading me astray once again.

Lunch at Chevron Island

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey 

  Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

On the left is Bryan Dart, on the right Phil Thomson

 Greg “Noodles” Craig 

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

Great to catch up with these guys.

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

Just crossed the Southport bridge and about to turn left to buy some fresh prawns from the trawlers.

For a discounted rate at the Q1 hotel or any others just book through THIS LINK.

The trawlers at the spit

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

In my opinion they offer the best, freshest, tastiest prawns in the world.

World’s best prawns

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

Freshly caught about 25 kms off the Queensland coast.

NZ Lamb shank from Aldi

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

Terrific Lamb shank from Aldi, these were a regular treat for me when I lived on the gold Coast.

 Interesting things in the Murphy’s garden

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

A Roman statue perhaps.

Murphy’s huge cock

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

As you can clearly see this is one huge cock. 🙂

Murphy’s TV room

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

An interesting room at sunset.

Donna Turner

Surfers Paradise sentimental journey

Caught up with an old friend Donna Turner on Chevron Island.

Thanks for visiting my Surfers Paradise sentimental journey photo blog.

For a great hotel room rate (with free cancellation) just book through THIS LINK.

          Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.

           

 Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets EuropeHungarian Parliament Building (2)The Walkie Talkie (5)   

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South VietnamMain Square (3)Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Australian adventures

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

August 18, 2016 by David Herd

Thomas Drive

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

 Chevron Island Surfers Paradise is located between Surfers Paradise and Bundall, a nice village with a very good choice of restaurants and coffee shops. My 2 nieces Laura & Elyssa pictured in the header of this blog is at probably my favourite eating spot, Frank’s seafood which is a traditional fish & chip shop.

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Cafe Alfons is a nice cafe for coffee or breakfast.

Bacon, eggs avocado.

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Throw in a flat white or latte and cost comes to $21.

Hairdresser, R/E agent & Happy Dragon Massage.

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Have a haircut, buy a house then go upstairs for a soothing massage. 🙂

Tribeca is a hot new restaurant on Chevron Island

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Excellent food and very good service, run by Brandon & Shannon Pollard.

Sadly this venue closed in 2019.

Western end

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Three more restaurants including one of 4 Thai restaurants on the island.

Good Thai food

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

 This is the restaurant you see in the previous shot, It was 2011 & I’m with my brother Warren & a girl from Ray White who’s name I can’t recall. 🙂

Fu Manchu

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Had lunch at this upmarket new two story restaurant, nice decor and good service but I have mixed feelings about the food.

Mixed reaction

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise   Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

The wontons on the left were not to my liking, fried does not suit me, however the chicken skewers on the right were quite good. Overall the dishes on the menu seem a little expensive, of course I only tried two so it is rather hard to give a reasonable opinion. The Spanish waitress was delightful. 🙂

Espresso Bonsai

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

A nice little cafe with very good coffee.

Fabulous hot rod

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

On Chevron for a promotion.

Colour coded outfits

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

And terrific smiles. 🙂

CHEVRON ISLAND SEAFOOD

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

My friend Frank operates this excellent fish and chip shop where I have been enjoying fresh seafood for years. Oysters, hamburgers and great prawns are also available. Grab a bottle of wine and a table on the footpath then enjoy the passing Chevron Island eye candy.

Adjacent to the traffic lights

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Say hello to Frank and Warren.

 Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

 More seafood from Frank’s.

Feast at Franks.

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Here are my friends enjoying one of Franks feasts, phone 5592 0027 to reserve a table. From left to right is Steve Bates, Nikki Murphy, Tony Murphy, Nick Partridge, Sharon Delmundo and Anne Lacy.

Sadly in March 2017 Anne lost her long battle with cancer & passed away, RIP.

You bump into the nicest people at Franks.

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Here is my friend Donna at Chevron Island Seafood.

For a great hotel room rate (with free cancellation) just book through THIS LINK.

Looking east on Thomas Drive

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

The Surfers skyline is rather spectacular.

From the corporate centre

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Chevron Island a few years ago was all low rise, a couple of multi story buildings have popped up recently, this shot however was taken around 2003.

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise photo blog

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Farewell from Chevron Island Surfers Paradise , here I am with my old friend Bryan Dart who totally upset me when he told me he had lost 8 kilo since I saw him 18 months ago. The problem is I think that’s how much I have put on. 🙂

Running of the bikes

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

An article I wrote in the Gold Coast Bulletin.


          Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.

         

 Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe        Hungarian Parliament Building (2)         The Walkie Talkie (5)  

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837     IMG_7425   Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam  Main Square (3)  Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Check out these great posts

  • French village Breil Sur Roya

Counter only started February 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

August 17, 2016 by David Herd

Nerang River

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise where I lived for 25 years before moving to Thailand in October 2011. Personally I preferred the city in the 70s & 80s before the explosion of modern high rise hotels and apartments. Having said all that, it is quite a spectacular part of Australia.

Old motel for sale

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

I’m surprised this prime property adjacent to the Chevron Island bridge was not developed years ago.

Chevron Renaissance

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

One of three towers offering apartments and hotel rooms.

The Chevron Renaissance

Blue Sky tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Quite a spectacular skyline in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Book HERE for a discount.

Q1 and 50 Cavil Avenue

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Two more well known Surfers Paradise buildings.

The beach

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

The beach stretches for miles, this view is looking south.

Lifeguard

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

These lifeguards do a great job protecting the public.

Surfers Paradise Australia

Blue Sky tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Apartments occupy two of the 3 towers with the 3rd a hotel.

Surfers Paradise Hilton

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

The Hilton offers great views overlooking the beach, book HERE for a good discount.

Orchard Avenue night clubs

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Here are three popular night clubs in the heart of Surfers Paradise.

Looking south at Q1

Blue Sky tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Q1 is an 80 story tower with an observation deck on the top floor. For a great discount book through THIS LINK.

Looking north

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Featuring Soul tower with Peppers Hotel. Book through THIS LINK for a terrific room rate.

Soul, Blue Sky tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

A magnificent 77 level tower with views of the beautiful Surfers paradise beach.

Looking south along Orchard Avenue

Blue Sky tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Orchard Avenue is Surfer Paradise’s main late night entertainment street. Be careful after midnight. 🙂

Gold Coast light rail

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Transport has greatly improved since the introduction of the light rail system.

Light rail map

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Current and future routes, stage 2 will link up with the heavy rail system at Helensvale to make travelling to Brisbane much easier.

Q1 80 story tower

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Probably the most iconic Gold Coast building.

Skyline view from the racecourse

Surfers Paradise skyline

Surfers Paradise

Blue Sky tall buildings Surfers Paradise

My home for 25 glorious years, this city provides me with so many wonderful memories.

Melbas on the Park

Blue Sky tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Finally drinks with good friends Phil Thomson and Greg Craig at Melbas. Thanks for visiting my Blue Sky tall buildings Surfers Paradise photo blog, before you go check out my Isle Of Capri and Bundall blogs.


 

   

 Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets EuropeHungarian Parliament Building (2)The Walkie Talkie (5)   

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South VietnamMain Square (3)Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
Pattaya live webcam
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

Here are some of my most popular posts.

Pattaya live webcam

Beautiful Brazilian beach babes

Copacabana beautiful beach babes

Nana Plaza Bangkok sex sin sleaze

Sexy Cherry Bar babes Pattaya Thailand

Tim Bristow Iron-Bar Freddy Tropical Joe

Atlantic Bar North Pattaya

Sexy Soi Cowboy Bangkok 

Beautiful Budapest

Australian seafood


Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

August 15, 2016 by David Herd

Upton Street Bundall

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse, it has it all. This was where I lived for 21 years until October 2011. The north end of Upton Street was residential with some luxurious waterfront homes including mine, while the southern end is full of shops, offices & factories.

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

90% of anything and everything I needed to purchase over the years I could find in Upton St.

The Corporate Centre

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

Around the corner in Bundall Road is the iconic Corporate Centre.

Bundall Road near Crombie Avenue

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

A couple of the Bundall Road prestige office buildings.

McLauchlan & Partners

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

A financial planning company at 80-82 Upton St, Bundall, I knew Alex many years ago in the late 8os when his office was in Southport. I remember him as a keen golfer who enjoyed a beer.

The Good Guys

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

Another huge Queensland discount electrical store.

Adult toy shop

Bundall Homes Shops Brothels Racecourse

Here is where you can buy all those adult toys & accessories to put some buzz back into your sex life.

Right across the road

Bundall Homes Shops Brothels Racecourse

For those lonely guys here is Silks one of the local brothels, as I said earlier Upton Street Bundall has everything you could possibly need. 🙂

For all you need to know about the local hookers just follow THIS LINK.

Here’s a map

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

So you guys won’t get lost. 🙂

OK, back to reality

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

This is one of about 3 major lighting stores on Upton Street Bundall.

The race track

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

Upton St also butts onto the Southport race track which used to be the only track in Australia to host a meeting every Saturday.

I’m there for nearly every Melbourne cup or Magic Millions event.

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

 Watching the the ladies slowly deteriorate as the day draws to a close. 🙂

See what I mean.

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

 Some of them really jump into the booze. 🙂

Surfers Paradise view from the racetrack.

Surfers Paradise skyline

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse Masters Hardware

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

This huge store is quite amazing, sadly however they are currently in the hands of receivers.

Here is an important tip for you

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

Dr Paul Ferguson is an excellent skin cancer doctor who has been treating me for many years. He is very busy so you need to book a fair way ahead.

The adjacent suburb is Isle of Capri, to find out more just follow THIS LINK.

106 Upton Street

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

This was my home for 21 fabulous years, I designed and had it built in 1990, added a 2nd story in 2004, which turned out to be a mistake as it made it much harder to sell. However sell it did in October 2011 and one week later I moved to Thailand.

This is an awful looking house 

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

Being built 4 doors from my old home in July 2018.

The lake near where I used to live.

Bundall Shops Brothels Racecourse

My house was just out of the photo to the right.

For a great hotel room rate (with free cancellation) just book through THIS LINK.

                            Here are some more posts to check out 

         

 Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets EuropeHungarian Parliament Building (2)The Walkie Talkie (5)   

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South VietnamMain Square (3)Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Check out these great photo blogs.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Isle of Capri Gold Coast Australia

August 14, 2016 by David Herd

Ciao on Capri

Capri Gold Coast Australia

Isle of Capri Gold Coast Australia at the Ciao shopping mall which has a great selection of cafes & restaurants. Some of the restaurants have a view of Surfers Paradise skyline including the iconic Q1 building which has 80 levels with an observation deck on the top floor.

Bakery & deli

Capri Gold Coast Australia

Only recently opened and a welcome addition to the centre, prices a little high however I’m guessing their rent is as well.

Luca at Cicchetti Pizza & Pasta Bar

Capri Gold Coast Australia

A wonderful fit-out at this trendy bar restaurant, specializing in Pasta & pizza as well as a few traditional Italian dishes.

Cicchetti

Capri Gold Coast Australia

High ceilings and chandeliers.

The Fish Emporium

Capri Gold Coast Australia

Perfect for a long lazy lunch beside the Isle of Capri waterfront.

View from Fish Emporium.

Isle of Capri Gold Coast

If you are going to enjoy a fish meal you need to be beside the water. 🙂

Ross Kennedy & I enjoying an Asahi beer.

Capri Gold Coast Australia

A couple of cold beers before a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Delicious seafood      Capri Gold Coast Australia              

We shared 4 dishes, had 2 beers and a bottle of wine and the bill came to $204 plus tip.

Lunch was excellent

Capri Gold Coast Australia

As was the service and the food.

The Supermarket

Capri Gold Coast Australia

Naturally there is a very good supermarket as well.

The carnivores have not been forgotten. 🙂

Capri Gold Coast Australia

I did notice they had crumbed cutlets here, one of my favorite meals.

Oysters to die for.

Capri Gold Coast Australia

I never get tired of eating oysters, in Pattaya where I live most of the ones I eat come from France.

From the western entrance

Capri Gold Coast Australia

Such a modern interesting shopping center, + a great people watching location. 🙂

Manolas Bros

Capri Gold Coast Australia

 Con and Steve Manolas have been sharing their passion of food and their love of connecting with Gold Coasters for more than 20 years.

Manolas at Capri Gold Coast Australia

Capri Gold Coast Australia

One of the best delicatessens on the Gold Coast, there is another branch at Broadbeach. They also serve a very good breakfast.

This was before our long lunch at the Fish Emporium

Lunch at Isle of Capri (6)

Cold beers at Edgewater to begin our marathon lunch at Capri Gold Coast Australia.

Espresso Martini

Capri Gold Coast Australia

The first time I have tried an Espresso Martini but it is not actually a martini, it’s made with coffee liqueur and vodka. We had two each at Edgewater. 🙂

Very smooth indeed

Capri Gold Coast Australia

These babies really knock your socks off.

Coffee shops everywhere

Capri Gold Coast Australia

So many coffee shops and such little time, they are everywhere in this center.

Q1 skyscraper

Lunch at Isle of Capri (9)

For a discounted rate at the Q1 hotel just book through THIS LINK.

                               

  Here are some more posts to check out 

         Sydney                               Paris                                   Bangkok           
 497d0b6e-c0bd-4ba2-86be-c02100f050a8        65470622-d17a-4b90-bf97-2574df4c412d        1a2160c1-41f7-465a-954c-631e083eb229
          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
f59e958e-8eaf-48b4-8e96-c291a0c13d1a        f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4        a6a948cd-f30a-49ea-a905-82be4d202cc9
           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
2246c6cf-5fa6-4fbe-ac30-b569253ad2a6        f65d714b-f44c-4b2e-9505-3511ebecbb80        4e82052a-24d0-41e1-ab84-10e8f27634d1
 
            Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you            
 book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                       Plus free cancellation .
 
                                               Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                                            d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037            01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Gold Coast life 1999

July 31, 2016 by David Herd

Enjoying the last year of the 90s, please note, this is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s part of my personal online photo albums.

Gold Coast life 1999

Gold Coast life 1999

Gold Coast life 1999 was not too different from previous years except for the fact I was no longer working. In 1998 I decided to take a year off work and travel, little did I realise I would never go back to full time work again.

I have often wondered if I made the right decision to retire and travel the world. On one hand had I continued to work for another 6 or 7 years I obviously would have been far better off financially, however on the flip side I can never replace the wonderful years of travel I enjoyed during those years.  Consequently looking back in 2016 I’m very happy with the decision I made. Take a look at my travel record for 1999 below. 🙂

An incredible year for travel

Gold Coast life 1999

 The photo above was taken in Koh Samui with Francesca & Barbara from Florence. In 1999 I had three trips to Thailand, February, August & December, my first trip to Rio for Carnival in February was part of an around the world adventure with my friend Larry Krausz. Another fabulous 2 month around the world trip in November included Los Angeles, Las Vegas Miami, Mexico City, Bolivia, Brazil, (Rio, Iguazu falls & Salvador) Paris & Thailand.

Kathy was a regular visitor

Gold Coast life 1999

A simple phone call would result in an hour or so of passion, priceless. 🙂

A little more of Kathy

Gold Coast life 1999

Without a doubt Kathy had one of the hottest bodies I have ever seen. 🙂

 Lots of parties lots of girls, Narrelle, Simone & Kushler.

Gold Coast life 1999

All through the 90s and beyond the parties never stopped.

Myoung-sook a nice Korean lady

Gold Coast life 1999

Myoung and I spent some time together in 1999.

Sometimes she would stay for breakfast. 🙂

Gold Coast life 1999She was a very keen golfer.

she was quite a keen golfer.

Lorrie & Leonie

Gold Coast life 1999

I took Lorrie & Leonie boating, they were two Canadians visiting the Gold Coast.

Dinner at Ashmore Steak & Seafood

Gold Coast life 1999

This popular restaurant always ensured you never left hungry.

 Narrelle, Jack Delanty and Larry Krausz NYE 1998

Gold Coast life 1999

The celebrations were at Sylvester’s on Chevron Island.

Sadly out mate Larry suffered a major stroke in October 2016 & passed away January 2017, RIP.

Lollipops at Sylvester’s

Gold Coast life 1999

Evelyn & Tina love sucking Chuppa Chups. 🙂

For a great room rate on the Gold Coast just book through THIS LINK.

Natasha & Alex

Gold Coast life 1999

New Years Eve 1998 and the girls are feeling no pain. 🙂

My favourite songs from 1999.

Nindie at Marina Mirage

Gold Coast life 1999

Nindie had a restaurant called Isobar at the Marina Mirage.

 My best friend Ziggy

Gold Coast life 1999

My beautiful Doberman waiting for me to dock at the jetty.

Rick Felsing from Sydney

Gold Coast life 1999

Tucking into freshly caught mud crabs washed down with a Margaret white.

Dinner & red wine with beautiful Akiko

Gold Coast life 1999

Beautiful Akiko is one of the most gorgeous Japanese girls I have ever met.

Great company

Gold Coast life 1999

Perhaps THE MOST GORGEOUS. 🙂

Talking about gorgeous meet Aurora

Gold Coast life 1999

In my opinion the most gorgeous Melbas girl ever.

Melbas on the Park

Gold Coast life 1999

Surfers Paradise most iconic bar ever.

Mother’s day 1999

Gold Coast life 1999

My beautiful mother Iris Joyce Herd, my brother Ian & his wife Sandra, Adam one of their sons & Myoung my Korean girlfriend.

 Rossco, one of the happiest guys I know.

Gold Coast life 1999

I count Ross Kennedy as one of my best friends, we had so many great times together. Certainly one of our most memorable adventures was our road trip trip to Melbourne in 1996, to check it out just follow THIS LINK.

Thinking back to my 25 years on the Gold Coast there were just so many highlights, I’m really very happy to be able to re-live them through my FiveStarVagabond photo blog.

Through all those years I remember having a hand full of good friends and many many acquaintances. Due to my reasonably abrasive personality there were also many people that couldn’t stand me. My message to them is quite simple, see below.

A message for the knockers

Gold Coast life 1999

Having said all that let’s get back to 1999. 🙂

Jimmy Bell & the smokers

Gold Coast life 1999

Another Sunday session at my Upton St home, Jim “HO HO” Bell rented a room at my home for 17 years.

For a great room rate on the Gold Coast just book through THIS LINK.

Emily used to be a meter maid

Gold Coast life 1999

And yes the silly tattoo is a temporary one from Thailand. 🙂

Ray Shultz & Phil “Swifty” Gregory

Gold Coast life 1999

Swifty actually wound up marrying Emily and produced a couple of fine sons. I owe thanks to Ray for introducing me to Kathy who you saw at the start of this post.

Farewell Colleen

Gold Coast life 1999

Colleen was leaving Saks bar & restaurant, owners Duncan McGuiness & Steve are wishing her well.

Phil Thomson, another great friend.

Gold Coast life 1999

Phil has always been a Porsche lover, these days in 2016 he has a Boxter sitting in the garage.

 Talking about cars, here are my beauties

Playboy photo shoot 1998

It was a very difficult decision to decide which one to drive. 🙂

Ziggy & my boat

Gold Coast life 1999

You had to have all the toys & props to stand out on the Gold Coast, to be honest 50% of the people I met were fairly shallow individuals & easily impressed. Then again the same probably applies to other Australian cities as well. 🙂

Main Beach blondes

Gold Coast life 1999

Catie, Marina & Kylie were waitresses at a popular Main Beach cafe.

Mike Wood, Greg Craig and Dave Allen.

Gold Coast life 1999

A few drinks at Melbas in as we did so many times over the years, it was simply Gold Coast life 1999.

Sweet Myumi

Gold Coast life 1999

Well that’s all folks from Myumi & I, thanks for visiting my Gold Coast life 1999 photo blog. It’s now February 2018 & I”m living in Thailand, and I get a huge kick from re-living some of these incredible years through my photo blogs. I just can’t believe what a fortunate life I have had. 🙂


Here are some more posts on my wild wicked ways. :) 

 

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
                              Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                         d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
Surfers Paradise Party Animals
 
Pattaya live webcam 
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1) 
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 


Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

July 11, 2016 by David Herd

Doyles and Watsons Bay hotel

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980 and 81 living on the waterfront in Drummoyne with the view you see in the header on this post. I drove a white Mercedes Sports, had my Bertram 25 moored in front of my apartment, and a liquor store in Sydenham, quite a few good friends and a long line of beautiful girlfriends, life was very close to perfect. The Watsons Bay hotel shown above was one of my regular haunts as was Doyles restaurant. It’s a great place to stay when in Sydney, for an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK.

This is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s part of my personal history, check it out if you wish.

My boat

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

I had an absolute perfect mooring right outside my apartment, it was so much fun on Sydney harbour visiting all the great beaches & restaurants. They really were Great years Sydney 1980 to January 1987 when I pulled up stakes and moved to the Gold Coast.

Smooth operator

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

It seemed the parties and drinks never stopped at my Drummoyne apartment, life was very good indeed.

Jeff and Debbie Don

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Gorgeous Debbie & party animal Jeff, another smooth operator.

Sade - Smooth Operator - Official - 1984

The party never stopped

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Looking back to my 6 years at Drummoyne I feel I made a serious mistake getting engaged and moving to Newport. My decision was based on a particular mindset we grew up with, eventually we all should settle down, marry & have children. In hindsight I now know that’s OK for the majority of people, but not everybody, & I’m certainly in the category of “not everybody”. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Talking about being engaged, here is my future fiancee in 1981

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Karen Smith and Dirk Kammerling were an item for several years until her and I started going out in 1984 which led to our engagement.

Karen & I in 1981

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Who would have thought in 3 years we would be engaged and living together at Newport?

Castle Cove 1980

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Two of the girls here were sisters, Carmen & Antionette Sherry, plus my good friend Rob Symonds and Peter H.

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980 included Carmen & Antoinette 

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Decorating my XJ 6 in 1980.

Antoinette Sherry

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

What a beautiful redhead. 🙂

Here are some of the usual suspects

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

John Malouf, Peter Singleton and Dennis Moran at another one of my Drummoyne gatherings.

Joanne Barrett came 3rd in Miss Universe 1969

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

What a beautiful face, is it any wonder she was 3rd in the Miss Universe?

Singapore 1980

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Some people who have seen this photo have been cruel enough to suggest that I looked like a Miami drug dealer, and here was I thinking I was just a very cool dude. 🙂

Rob Symonds & I in Singapore 1980

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Rob & I had a great trip to Manilla, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Pattaya and Singapore.  This was when I first got hooked on Thailand, little did I realise 31 years later I would move there permanently. Take a look at my photo blog, just follow THIS LINK.

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980, the blondes are here

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

That’s Teresa on the left sitting at my bar, and I can’t believe that I have forgotten the name of the other beautiful creature. 🙂

Here is the beautiful anonymous blonde as a redhead

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Now is that a fantastic face or what?

When can I start having fun?

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Right about now I would say, in fact I clearly remember a ménage à trois with two of these gorgeous babes. 🙂

Tall gorgeous redhead

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Her name was Louise and we had a brief fling, Antoinette & I are checking her prowess on the BBQ. She knew how to handle a sausage. 🙂

I told you she was gorgeous

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

An absolute knockout.

Two more knockouts, Kerry & Terry

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Two of my favourite Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980.

Shirley Jones  1980

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Shirley was an air hostess for TAA which does not exist anymore. She & Debbie Don were flatmates who lived around the corner in Drummoyne ave and came to most of my parties. Compare us in the following photo. 🙂

After many hours of booze

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

At the end of the day decorum would go out the window. 🙂

Another Shirley

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

This Shirley worked for Stripper-gram, we used to go out together occasionally. A very funny thing happened at my Dad’s retirement party, he had worked for Berger paints for 46 years. We were celebrating at what was then the Silverwater Businessman’s Club, in came a gorgeous girl in a bikini, draped in feathers, and proceeded with her well-practised routine.

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

The shocked look on my mother’s face had nothing to do with the girl sitting on Dad’s knee, it was when she walked over to our table and said to me, “hi David, nice to see you, when are we going out on your boat again”? Yes, it was Shirley, somebody had hired a stripper-gram for him. 🙂

This was Vickie in 1980

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

The long line of Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980 continues, it seemed there were so many babes and such little time. 🙂

Carol Aboud the ultimate party girl

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Even though Carol was the mother of four young children she was the ultimate party girl. Part of a wealthy eastern suburbs family, her father was the managing director of Century batteries & in his eyes she could do no wrong.

We really had some great times together over a four year period, although it was one of those on & off relationships that ran into quite a few road blocks along the way.

Talking about party animals

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

This is Roger “Ramjet” Williams who could always be relied upon to put on a show. Two of his party tricks were drinking a Bloody Mary containing 1/2 a bottle of Tabasco sauce. If a normal person had one sip it would set your mouth on fire. His 2nd trick was to take a raw onion and eat it like an apple, this man obviously had no taste buds. 🙂

A Mexican bandit? No it’s Chris Adams

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

One of the Adelaide guys I knocked around with when I lived there in 72 to 74, Chris wound up in Sydney then I lost track of him. I have always had a knack of giving people nicknames that seemed to stick with them, in Chris’s case his name was “The Mouth”. 🙂

Another Shirley, Xmas 1981

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

A gorgeous little girl from the eastern suburbs who had a wealthy father and lived at Darling Point.

Ron Walsh from Broken Hill with Donna.

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Ron was a close friend for many years, he owned the Retravision store in Broken Hill and would find any excuse to visit me when I lived in Adelaide, we had some wonderful fun times together.

Debbie Secombe another of the Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Debbie a cool Aussie chick who worked at the Manilla Playboy Club for a few years before turning up at one of my famous parties.

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980, Di Parkinson Xmas 1981

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

Di was one of the most beautiful ladies I ever knew, also one of the craziest. No woman has caused me more problems in my life than this one. Apart from all that we had many great times together during the last 10 years.

New Years Eve 1981

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

One of the great nights of my life, and one of the best NYEs of my life, we overloaded my boat with 16 people and headed off to a seafood restaurant at “the Spit” for dinner before heading to the Opera House for the incredible fireworks. My girlfriend for the night was the gorgeous one in the middle, very unusual that I can’t remember her name.

Follow this link for the full story on New Year’s Eve 1981, the Great Escape.

NYE on board

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

I considered Wolf Wottke my best friend since we met in Adelaide in 1973, that friendship continued until I moved to Newport in 1984, sadly after that it was never the same.

Sydenham Cellars grand opening 1980 featuring Debbie Don.

Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980

In the 4 years I owned my liquor store I never really made too much money, 3 of those years the road was was closed for 3 or 4 months which effected my turnover rather badly. Luckily I had purchased the property and made a killing when I sold.

OK, one last look at Debbie.

Debbie 1980 SS

She is certainly worth a look don’t you think?

Thanks for visiting my Gorgeous girls Sydney 1980 photo blog, what an era that was. No doubt at all 80, 81 & 82 were amazing years for living large & gorgeous ladies.

It’s now 2017 and here is Glenn Frey to tell you exactly how I feel today.

Great hotel rates here, just book through THIS LINK.


   Here are some more posts on my wild wicked ways. :)

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
                              Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                         d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
1g Duck
Pattaya live webcam 
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1) 
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 

Check out these great posts


Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Newport peninsular Sydney 1984

June 30, 2016 by David Herd

Newport peninsular Sydney is my personal photo history not part of my travel blog.

Newport peninsular Sydney

Newport peninsular Sydney

 Newport peninsular Sydney was my home for three years from 1984 to 1987. After becoming engaged to a beautiful Melbourne lady Karen Smith, I purchased a timber home perched on a hill above the Royal Motor Yacht Club. The cost was $128k, and I sold it after our engagement fizzled out 4 years later for $360K. I guess it would be worth nearly 2 million dollars today.

Absolutely gorgeous.

Newport peninsular Sydney

 As you can see Karen was a beautiful lady, it took me anther 10 years before I realised I was just not cut out for marriage or long term relationships. There is probably a multitude of reasons why, fear of commitment, too independent etc etc.

Dinner party at Herbert Avenue

Newport peninsular Sydney

We were very happy at Newport 80% of the time, I tried hard to settle down and enjoy life as a couple, every now and then however the “call of the wild” would interrupt our utopia.

Wolf Wottke (with the beard) had been my best friend for a number of years, I left him renting my Drummoyne apartment for a year or so until I got fed up chasing the rent. Consequently I sold it which in hindsight was probably a mistake.

Lots of birds & wildlife

Newport peninsular Sydney

These beautiful Rainbow Lorikeets would visit every day for their snack on the balcony.

Life was very good

Newport peninsular Sydney

I had all the toys, a beautiful Mercedes Sports, a cabin cruiser moored at the yacht club, a liquor store in Sydenham which I was in the process of selling and a good sales job with Canon Australia.

Lion Island

Newport peninsular Sydney

This great photo (excuse the quality) was taken on Lion Island in the Hawksbury River, from left to right we have Graham La Roche aka “Biff”, his girlfriend at the time Mona, Ross Ansell from Melbourne and Karen Smith & I.

Me Tarzan

Newport peninsular Sydney

Ross doing his Tarzan impersonation on Lion Island.

31 Herbert Avenue Newport

Newport peninsular Sydney

About 25 years later around 2012 I paid a visit to Herbert Avenue to see if things had changed. Apart from the colour scheme and far less vegetation nothing much had changed.

 Another day on Pittwater

Newport peninsular Sydney

My good friend Tony Murphy and his beautiful wife Inge join Karen & I on my 26 foot cabin cruiser. After 29 years I caught up with Inge in Melbourne in 2014.

My back veranda overlooked Bayview

Newport peninsular Sydney

Here is my good friend Paul Slaughter with two gorgeous girls, on the left is Trish and on the right an old girlfriend of mine Shirley.

Big Tim Bristow, dinner at Herbert Avenue.

Relocate Sydney Gold Coast

 Tim Bristow was a friend of mine dating back from the time we met in 1971 when he was on my tail to give me a hiding, but that’s another story just follow THIS LINK. In the 70s just the name Tim Bristow struck fear into the heart of all those who knew him, an enforcer with a reputation of being one of the most brutal street fighters in Australia. Put simply he was legend, a bouncer at the Newport Arms hotel, would be contenders for his crown would travel from all over Sydney to try their luck, many came and all of them were sent packing battered and bruised.

 Sydenham Cellars

Newport peninsular Sydney

I sold my liquor store in late 1984 which took the pressure off me. I had been working with Canon for a few months and travelling to Sydenham (a one hour drive each way) at weekends to work in the liquor store. Meanwhile I dug a wine cellar underneath my Newport home and stored a huge amount of wine that I took home from the shop.

Unwins Bridge Road

Newport peninsular Sydney

 That’s Madison my beautiful 4 year old German Shepherd who used to diligently guard the store overnight.

 Newport peninsular Sydney Brian Millard

Relocate Sydney Gold Coast

Brian was a boat broker at Newport and a regular drinker at the Newport Arms hotel. He lived just up the road at Bungan Beach before moving to Noosa where I believe he still resides.

 Richard on the left and Rob Carnahan

Newport peninsular Sydney

Two very nice guys who were customers of mine when I was with Canon. Their office was opposites the Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay so more often than not we would meet in the pub. 🙂

A bunch of my nephews & nieces come to visit.

Newport peninsular Sydney

Amazing seeing these old photos, all of these cute kids now have children of their own.

Sue and John Heatherington

Newport peninsular Sydney

A lovely couple who lived in the next street from us, John also worked at Canon in the computer division.

Malaysia 1985

Newport peninsular Sydney

John & Sue, Karen & I went on a Canon conference to Penang, here we are driving from Penang to Singapore via Kuala Lumpur.

Singapore Xmas 1985

Newport peninsular Sydney

Here we are in Singapore, notice the cigarette. I smoke on and off for most of my life until 2003. Usually 2 or 3 years then I would quit for a similar time before returning to the grip of the nicotine.

 Newport peninsular Sydney with Phil Parkinson 

Newport peninsular Sydney

Phil has lived most of his life on the Newport peninsular Sydney and I believe still does in 2016. He is the brother of my ex girlfriend Di Parkinson.

Melbourne Cup 1985

Newport peninsular Sydney

Karen & I at the cup with friends including another ex girlfriend Helen Burke who is on the left of the photo. Helen has a vineyard at Dromana on the Mornington Peninsular, I spent a few day there in October 2014 drinking wine with her and her partner Jack.

Oscars Coolangatta 1985

Newport peninsular Sydney

I can’t remember the name of the beautiful dark haired princess, she was the girlfriend of my crazy chiropractor from North Sydney.

Newport peninsular Sydney

Newport peninsular Sydney

Prior to buying my cabin cruiser I had this little run-about, it was a lot of fun, do you like the name? 🙂

Another guy from my rogues gallery.

Newport peninsular Sydney

Danny Rose one of Adelaide’s true characters, we had a day of the water, you can see “Stamped Urgent” in the background.

Beautiful Karen Smith

Relocate Sydney Gold Coast

Certainly my life on the Newport peninsular Sydney revolved around lots of good friends and my beautiful fiancée Karen. My thanks to her for being the most important part of my life for those great years.

Thanks also to you for visiting my Newport peninsular Sydney photo blog.           

Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
                              Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                         d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
1g Duck
Pattaya live webcam 
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1) 
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 

More great photo blogs here;

Rio beach babes

Florianopolis Brazil 

Bangkok river ferry

Fabulous HCMC

Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Hiroshima Japan

Sydney Harbour

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

May 12, 2016 by David Herd

January 1st 2013, please note, Sydney Gold Coast 2013 is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s my personal history, check it out if you wish.

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Sydney Gold Coast 2013 was a trip I did starting from 72 Wrights Road Drummoyne on January 1st after spending a couple of weeks at my cousin’s home in Balgowlah. I spent News Years Eve with Peter Hobbs & friends, left early the next day to meet friends for coffee at Dee Why before calling in to see Sue at Newport. From there I drove to my brothers home in Port Macquarie and finally onto the Gold Coast before flying back home to Thailand.

Over a period of 3 or 4 years I was lucky enough to stay at Deb’s lovely home for which I’m forever grateful. Sadly in the end she kicked me out because I left the house unlocked for an hour when I went for coffee. Us aging geriatrics do become forgetful. 🙂

DAFFY015

Xmas Eve at Deb’s house

Sydney Gold Coast 2013a few days before I was banished,  sadly it seems all good things come to an end.

With Peter Hobbs

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Wrights Road in these apartments was my home for 6 years from 1979, some of the best years of my life. In fact check out my 1982 photo blog and see for yourself.

Middle building, top floor, right side.

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Unit 12 was my home for six very happy years.

Home sweet home 1979 to 1985.

New Years Eve with Warwick Robinson

Sydney Gold Coast 2013 A friend for over 30 years.

Robbie Bonett

Sydney Gold Coast 2013A long time resident of 72 Wrights Rd, way back to when I lived there in the late 70s. He has since married a Russian babe & moved to the Eastern suburbs.

Peter Hesky

Sydney Gold Coast 2013Another longtime friend from the 70s. We used to be in regular contact but I have not heard from him for 5 or 6 years. Maybe he put me on the “black list” in support of cousin Deb. 🙂

Aussie seafood on NYE.

Sydney Gold Coast 2013I really miss the Aussie seafood living in Thailand.

Drinks with John Loch

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

At the famous Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay, John live 5 minutes walk away.

Iconic Oaks hotel

Sydney Gold Coast 2013 It could be Australia’s best pub.

Jill McCrossan

Sydney Gold Coast 2013 I bumped into Jill at Manly, we had lots of great times when we both lived on the Gold Coast.  If you want to see Jilly taking a bath in 1992 just follow THIS LINK.

Lunch at Mr Wongs

Sydney Gold Coast 2013Upmarket Chinese restaurant off Bridge St Sydney. More photos on THIS LINK.

Chinatown

Sydney Gold Coast 2013Yum Cha with Hesco & Al Chiswick.

 Coffee at Dee Why, Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Old friend Paul Slaughter and I enjoying coffee before heading to Newport to see Sue Ellis.

Sue’s home in Crescent Ave Newport

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Tim Bristow’s lovely home in Newport, Tim passed away aged 72 about 10 years ago.  His long time (& long suffering) partner Sue still lives here.

I played tennis here many times in the 80s.

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Sue Ellis was and still is a terrific tennis player, we played many times and to my dismay I never won a single set. Sue just turned 60 this year and is ranked number 7 in the over 60 Tennis Seniors Australia Rankings in Womens Singles.

January 1st 2013

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

After many years I was happy to visit Sue, the home is still as picture perfect as when Big Tim used fuss around keeping everything neat & tidy.

Portrait of the big fellow

Sydney Gold Coast 2013 I wonder if it was ever hung or stored in the basement. 🙂

Next stop Port Macquarie

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Breakfast with Chris Lockwood & my brother Warren.

Kerry, Lynn and Bryan

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Kerry, Lynn & Bryan, another one of the Herd brothers having dinner at the Great Wall of China restaurant in Port Macquarie.

Chris Lockwood aka Dr Evil.

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Chris is a close friend of my brother Warren, they regularly travel the world together.

 The Gold Coast

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Here I am with three good friends in Surfers Paradise. Craig Sulzberger aka Sudzi, Ross Kennedy & Greg “Noodles” Craig.

 Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Bob Martin & I have been friends for over 40 years. We had some great times together in Sydney in the 70s with our other great mate Peter Lewis. Here we are having coffee on Chevron Island.

Last but not least in Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

My great mate Phil Thomson from Runaway Bay. Phil was to blame for getting me hooked on Japan, he and his wife Junko showed me the ropes in Tokyo in 2007.

Thanks for visiting my Sydney Gold Coast 2013 photo blog.


                   Here are some more posts to check out                            

     Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
                              Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                         d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
1g Duck
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1) 
 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 

Thailand Europe Vietnam Japan

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