Bondi Beach Eastern Suburbs Sydney is an iconic landmark known throughout the world & synonymous with the Australian lifestyle. Having said all that to me it’s rather overrated. This great photo was taken by my old friend Barry Madden from Newcastle north of Sydney.
Looking south
I think there are many nicer beaches and beach-side suburbs along the Sydney & NSW coast. I certainly prefer Manly on the northside of the harbour.
North end of the beach
Bondi Beach was a working class suburb all through the twentieth century, migrants from New Zealand were the majority of the population. After World War II, Bondi Beach and the Eastern Suburbs became home for Jewish migrants from Poland, Russia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Germany. A stream of Jewish immigration continued into the 21st century and the area has a number of synagogues and a kosher butcher. The area today is very multicultural with a lot of new wealthy Asian families and Samoans. The multicultural migration funded and drove the growth of the suburb throughout the 90’s into the turn of the century, moving it steadily from its working class roots towards upper/middle class enclavesimilar to its neighbours of Rose Bay and Bellevue Hill which was listed as the most expensive postcode in the country in 2003, 2004, 2005.
Coffee at Bondi Beach Sydney
While my English friend the intrepid Bill Austin went for a swim, Joan & I enjoyed coffee & cake and watched the passing parade.
The orange building Hotel Bondi is a landmark on Campbell Parade. It was built from 1915-1920s and was designed by E.Lindsay Thompson. It combines Italianate, Federation and Free Classical elements and has been described as an “important landmark building in the Bondi Beach townscape.” and has a state heritage listing.
Food Friends Family Sydney, in 2010 the reason for my visit was to show Joan & Bill, my friends from Wiltshire in the UK, my wonderful home town with the best harbour in the world.
This is not a travel blog just a personal photo collection from 2010.
Overnight at Port Macquarie
We stay at Port Macquarie at my brother’s home on the way to Sydney, there was a vintage car rally with some terrific examples.
On top of the world.
You may be wondering why I didn’t make the climb, well that can be easily narrowed down to one word, FEAR!
Food Friends Family Sydney
Dinner with friends at French’s Forest in Sydney.
Peter Hobbs & Peter Hesky.
A couple of friends I have known since the 70s, Peter Hobbs occasionally visits Pattaya but Peter Hesky never makes contact anymore.
Warwick Robinson, David Herd & Michael Saleh.
It’s always good to catch up with old friends when I’m in Sydney.
Peter Hobbs drinking the good stuff.
Sparkling French Champagne to wash down the pasta. 🙂
Warwick loves his food
However it caught up with him in 2013, he underwent a triple heart bypass, so much for over indulgence. 🙂 Now here is quite a coincidence, his heart surgeon was Dr Alan Farnsworth, he was captain of our rugby team at Homebush High school in Sydney & I was vice captain. From memory he was dux of the school & I struggled to pass my intermediate, however we were both pretty good footballers.
While I’m on the nostalgia kick I fondly remember our football coach Peter Philpott, an Australian leg spinner & a terrific guy.
Manly Wharf Hotel with old friend Paul Slaughter
Paul & I spent a lot of time together over the years.
Always lots of eye candy Sunday afternoon at Manly.
Drinks & Dinner at the Oaks
Dinner with Bill & Joan and my lovely niece Elyssa.
Herd family Xmas at cousin Deb’s house.
What a feast, cousin Deb really knows how to entertain.
My other nice Elyssa Xmas 2010
Fast forward to 2018 and Elyssa is the proud mother of a gorgeous little girl.
Main St Auburn NSW
The street really has not changed much in 50 years.
I grew up here at 58 Kihilla Rd Auburn
I took a sentimental journey to Auburn, the Sydney suburb I grew up in. The main st had not changed much except for the Vietnamese & Muslim establishments. My real shock came when I drove past our family home at 58 Kihilla Rd, it was now totally run down, a very heartbreaking sight for me.
Thanks for visiting my Food Friends Family Home Town Sydney photo blog.
Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.
Manly Sydney beach-side suburb is one of my favourite places in Australia. Most visitors arrive by ferry from Circular Quay, a 30 minute journey which showcases the best harbour in the world.
A great place for drinks, food and lots of eye candy.
Cold beer beside the harbour
Sunday afternoon is a busy time at the Manly wharf hotel.
Old friend Paul Slaughter
We have enjoyed many Sunday afternoons drinking cold beer and watching the young girls pass by. Both of us fully realise at our age we are totally invisible to them. Ah! I’m so happy to be living in Pattaya. 🙂
Fish & chips at Manly beach
I was showing my friend Sue from Shanghai the delights of manly, so naturally we had to sample the famous fish & chips. 🙂
Sydney Circular Quay Manly Ferry is one of the most famous trips in this great city. I remember a slogan from when I was a child, “7 miles from Sydney & 1000 miles from care”. This was the slogan used by the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company in 1940 to describe Manly “Australia’s Premier Seaside Resort”.
Nice small hotel in a good location, for a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.
Docked at Manly wharf.
You can sit here and watch the ships roll in.
Lunch at Manly
Sue & I eating traditional fish & chips at Manly beach, and they said in the 40s, “7 miles from Sydney & 1000 miles from care”. 🙂 Thanks for visiting my Sydney Circular Quay Manly Ferry photo blog.
Please note, this is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s part of my personal history.
Tyrrel’s Hunter Valley
Sydney Melbourne Hunter Valley
Sydney Melbourne Hunter Valley in 1996 started on the Gold Coast where I was living life to the max. The highlight was a great road trip in my Porsche 928 with good friend Ross Kennedy to the Hunter Valley, Sydney, Falls Creek & Melbourne. Also caught up with an old friend from the Gold Coast Jill McCrossan, one very sexy lady.
Talking about sexy ladies
Well Emily certainly was in that category.
Please note, this is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s part of my personal history, check it out if you wish, also note this post contains nudity, so if you are bothered by naked humans please leave now.
Drinks at Saks
Drinks at Saks before going to the Ray White ball at the Sheraton Mirage. From the left we have a girl whose name I forget, then Phil (Swifty) Gregory, Claudia Scrupin, Duncan McGuiness, Emily and yours truly David Herd.
Little did they realise at the time but Swifty and Emily would marry and have a couple of kids.
Great photo, if I say so myself. 🙂
Such a beautiful big smile.
Saks was our main haunt
Saks was a great bar at Main Beach owned by Duncan McGuiness and Steve Solomon. Their main business was building upmarket housing estates. A couple of very nice guys who sadly went broke around 2011 and their company Solmac went into liquidation.
Saks with Eugene and Debbie. This was a memorable night at Saks, I watched as Plugger Lockhart kicked a famous point to put the Swans into the Grand Final.
One of the hottest babes in 1996
I met Donna Turnerin Sydney when she was 18 yo, even after various husbands and 3 or 4 children she still looks as hot as ever, especially in my kitchen. 🙂
Hot Hot Hot in Sydney Melbourne Hunter Valley
It is now 20 years later in 2016 and Donna is still a hot chick.
My favourite song from 1996
The technicolour team
Duncan McGuiness, Jim Bell, Ross Kennedy and David Herd.
At the polo
These two gorgeous babes were known as Lushy and Mushy, can’t remember their real names. 🙂
Ami and Alan Pearson.
Alan was a friend of mine when I lived in Adelaide in the 70s, he now earns his living as a musician in Airlie Beach.
Mami & Mariko
Two gorgeous Japanese girls who often called into my home in Upton St for drinks and fun.
I did mention fun didn’t I? 🙂 🙂 🙂
Everybody loves Tim Tams.
Billy James & Allison Schroeder
Billy was a well known Gold Coast real estate identity and Allison one of the sexiest chicks in town.
Allison 18 yo in in 1987
I was lucky enough to take Allison out a few times in 1987 my first year living on the Gold Coast. Although I was about 25 years older than her I used the “tried & true” technique, I promised her the world and bought her an atlas. 🙂
Visiting Tim in Sydney
Ross Kennedy and I took a road trip in my Porsche to Falls Creek for some skiing, stopping on the way at the Hunter Valley & Sydney. I knew about Rossco’s fascination with gangsters and the underworld so naturally I took him to meet Big Tim Bristow at his home in Newport.
Tim’s beast
We were there an hour or two listening to some of Tim’s stories most of which I had heard before many times. As usual Tim’s phone never stopped ringing, but there was one call Ross & I will never forget. Roger Rogerson was in many ways more notorious than Tim, he was known for being a ruthless crooked cop who shot first and asked questions later, the most famous case being where he shot and killed Warren Lanfranchi in a back alley in Chippendale.
Oaks Hotel with old friends
Derek Pugh, Ian Rich& Paul Slaughter, Pauls sister on the left and his girlfriend Clode on the right.
Falls creek, let the games begin.
We had a terrific few days, drinking too much and having some of the most spectacular falls ever seen at Fall’s Creek. Little did I realise after this 1996 adventure I would never ski again.
Melbourne
Drinks with Rossco’s friends in South Yarra, from the left Ross Kennedy aka “Shoeless Joe Jackson, David Herd aka “The Cincinnati Kid”, Craig Belcher and Johnny Mac.
Yum Cha in Chinatown
This gorgeous girl Jaqui O’Brien actually lived in my house for a few months in 1987, she then worked with me for a short time in 1998. A lovely lady until she had one drink too many, she then turned into a nightmare. Rossco came up with a classic name for her, “Jacqui Petrol”. 🙂
Rossco & DH
The high rollers have hit town. 🙂
On the subject of gorgeous girls
Meet Jill McCrossan, another super hot chick I was lucky enough to be involved with.
Felling no pain
I’m too sexy for my shirt. 🙂
A day at the beach in Coffs Harbour
We had a great couple of days at Tony Murphy’sapartment, the spa was excellent. 🙂
Both sides look great
A great view from every direction.
Meanwhile back on the Gold Coast
Natalina from the coast and Rodney Rosenfeld from Melbourne.
John Sinclair & John Cece
Both these guys moved from Adelaide to the Gold Coast, they were good friends and now mortal enemies. 🙂
Great fun in Manila
Here I am with Simone and Doug Ritchie in some club in Makati. 🙂
Pascal, Junko and Rene
Pascal was gorgeous girl, 1/2 French & 1/2 Vietnamese, Junko is the Japanese wife of my good friend Phil Thomson and Rene was a rather sexy Australian girl. 🙂
And the beat goes on
This is a rather significant photo, on the left is Larry Krausz, a good friend to all of us. It’s now 2017 and he is fighting a huge battle in Robina hospital on the Gold Coast. Larry suffered a major stroke on October 28th in Pattaya where he had been living large for almost a year. Our best wishes are with Larry, hopefully he will recover enough to lead a comfortable life.
Maybe one more look at Donna
Certainly one of the sexiest ladies ever to decorate my kitchen. 🙂
One more shot of lovely Emily
As you can see Emily was a total knockout.
New Years Eve at Mustang Sally’s.
One of my regular Main Beach haunts.
Farewell folks
Thanks for visiting my Sydney Melbourne Hunter Valley photo blog.
This is not a travel blog, it is part of my personal photo history .
Flying high fifty years old
Flying high fifty years old living in Surfers Paradise, working for Metway bank & living life to the max. A great trip to Berlin & Prague with a stopover in Bangkok on the way home. Helen & Helenka are in the photo having Birthday drinks at Broadbeach tavern, can’t remember the name of the girl on the left.
I’m also getting a great buzz re-visiting some of my fantastic years. Some of the photos contain nudity & certain comments may offend the narrow minded, so if you are in this category it’s probably best to close the page & move on.
Flying high fifty years old with my great old friend Harley Bradstreet
Harley and I have been friends since about 1968.
Female bouncer at Cocos.
This well built is the only female bouncer I have seen working in a nightclub. As you can see she took no nonsense from Harley. Then again Harley could talk underwater with a mouth-full of marbles so she may have just been trying to shut him up. 🙂
Stacy at Rio’s in Orchard Avenue
Stacey was absolutely gorgeous.
Georgie, Sonya & Dave Hamilton.
Dave was the owner of the club, a wild Scotsman who was always getting himself into trouble, mainly street fighting. Sonya was a Kiwi who was as mad as a snake. Georgie was a gorgeous blonde singer from Perth.
Steve Jones (RIP) & Dave Barnes (RIP)
Sadly both these lads have passed away, Dave in early 2016 and Steve about 10 years prior to this.
Beautiful Kelly Davis
For a few months in 1993 I was lucky enough to be taking out this gorgeous lady. This is proof that I was flying high in 1993.
Kelly Davis
Say no more.
Japanese for dinner
Great dinner opposite the casino at Broadbeach with Kelly Davis, Sandy Ansell & Helen Burke. Kelly & I went home by boat, I dropped anchor in a quiet part of the river & enjoyed one of the most memorable hours I have had with any woman in my life. 🙂
Happy friends at Marina Mirage
On the left is an American guy called Henry Geller, 2nd from the right is Tony Sweurs a guy I knew in Sydney who is now living in Belo Horizonte in Brazil.
Jill McCrossan with Tony Sweurs & Lorana from Brazil
What time can we start having fun?
Andre Buzek on Chevron Island
Andre was one of my best friends and a total party animal. He told everyone, especially the cute girls he was French when in fact he was from Prague in Czechoslovakia, sounded more sophisticated I guess. 🙂 Sadly within a years of this photo being taken he lost his life in a car accident in Cuba.
Andrea from Rio de Janeiro & Andre Buzek
One two occasions when Andre traveled to Rio de Janeiro he bought back to Australia an exotic Brazilian girl for a holiday. Andrea was fairly calm compared to the one he bought out the following year who was younger and wilder.
Flying high fifty years old with Andrea from Rio.
Here is a funny story, I had a day scheduled to visit Metway bank branches in Lismore & Ballina so I generously took Andrea with me to see some of the Australian country. We stopped for lunch in Byron Bay and were hitting it off famously. Knowing the reputation of many Brazilian girls I made sure we arrived back at my home a couple of hours before Andre finished work. Well it took no more than 10 minutes for this gorgeous tall Brazilian to shed her clothes & drag me into the bedroom. By the time Andre arrived to take her home we were composed and innocently awaiting his arrival. 🙂
Coral Knowles, Andre Buzek & Helen Burke.
One of my favorite photos, Andre’s eyes always lit up around attractive females. Also around some that were not so attractive, it never mattered to Andre as long as they were female & breathing. 🙂
Eddy Bonaventure , Jill Mc Crossan & Andre Buzek
WOW! Did we have some fun in those days? Yes we did, you better believe it. 🙂
Flying high with the Melbourne girls
The parties & barbecues seemed to never stop all through the fabulous 1990s.
Another Sunday lunch at home
A typical lunch at Upton St.
Two beautiful Koreans
I feel like a rose between 2 thorns. 🙂
The big guy is Graham LaRoche aka Biff.
Harley & Biff are with another one of the lovely Korean girls who enjoyed out parties. There is a terrific story about these two guys on my 1982 post called New Year’s Eve 1981, the Great Escape.
Another Sunday lunch at my home.
You will notice how Harley always like to dress up in his army fatigues.
My favourite song from 1993
Winnie Andre & Harley.
Winnie was from South Africa, she loved a party. Andre of course was always in the thick of the action. Harley in this photo looks a lot like Col Gaddafi.
Eugine Korin has company at Kooralbyn
Kooralbyn was a great gold course which sadly has shut down in the last few years.
Two Tonys Murphy & Bonner
This was Coffs Harbour where Murphy was working & Tony Bonner was in a motorbike rally.
Sonya was a Kiwi with very few inhibitions, check out the photo below if you want to see her in her birthday suit. However please remember my warning at the start of this post, in case you have forgotten……
Sonia in all her glory
Andre is also going nuts on the slideshow, check it out before they censor it. 🙂
I told you he was crazy
I will never forget you old mate.
Sexy Suzie is on the slide show as well.
She was as cheeky as they come. 🙂
Why wait, here she is. 🙂
Just like little apples.
Sexy Jill Mcrossan
Jill was a lovely sexy lady who was always fun to be with. She now lives in Sydney and I bumped into her at Manly about 3 years ago.
Patpong Road Bangkok
On my way home from Prague & Berlin I stopped in Bangkok to meet my dear mother who was on holidays there with a friend. Naturally I had to visit Patpong for some R & R.
At Coolum with Robert Allemby
May as well finish where I started, playing a round at Coolum with Robert Allemby, is that like 15 minutes of fame. 🙂
Home extension budget blowout was due to the many changes I made to my original plan. I wasn’t satisfied with just adding a 2nd floor. The photo above was taken just after my home was built in 1990.
Day one the job begins
From here on nothing will ever be the same.
Laying the slab
My builder Ari is the guy with the shovel, one of the hardest working guys I have ever seen.
Dad’s army take a coffee break
Ari and his guys were the hardest working tradesmen I have ever seen.
Seeing some progress with home extension
Starting to see some progress with my home extension, these guys really work fast.
Now we are getting somewhere.
I really wanted to give the home “street appeal” something it didn’t have in its original form.
Brickwork & a fancy door.
Painting the door was one of my jobs. 🙂
The tree has gotta go
It was like losing a friend, I had planted it 14 years ago.
Timberrrrrr!!!!!
There goes my beautiful tree.
Starting to look terrific
This is the point it’s all starting to look fantastic.
Laying the floor
There is no job these guys can’t handle.
The kitchen takes shape
It’s easy to be wise after the event, on the original plans a stairway was supposed to lead from that wall to the main house downstairs, for some reason we left it out which later proved to be a mistake.
Laying Terracotta tiles
The finishing touches.
The downstairs studio $250 pw.
The jewel in this home extension is this fabulous little studio completely self contained with a private entrance.
Beautiful private courtyard for the studio apartment
Quite a beautiful peaceful area for the granny flat.
Upstairs lounge & kitchen
When I look at this home extension which cost me double the original quote of $120,000 I feel it was all worth it. Uptairs consists of 3 bedrooms & two bathrooms and downstairs a separate private studio apartment.
Bedroom & en-suite
OK, so the chair should really have been dumped.
Beautiful courtyard
Quite spectacular at night.
Courtyard & front entrance
I was very happy with the entrance to my new home.
I really love the front gate & entrance
Now how good does that look?
The fabulous finished product
One of main main goals with this home extension other than creating rooms I could rent to students was to give my home more “street appeal” to help when the time came to sell. I think I certainly achieved that.
My dream home
The finished product was wonderful however I made some big mistakes in my overall scheme of things. I did not do enough research on council regulations regarding student rental, secondly I never anticipated the reaction from my feral neighbours who were always complaining to council about anything & everything. These people the Ryan family at 108 Upton proved to be cowardly & malicious. I often wondered why until a policeman friend of mine pointed out the increase in complaints from neighbours always increased after major renovations due to their uncontrollable jealousy.
Finally my biggest mistake was building such a large home which made it very difficult to finally sell. It was just far too big for the average family, without realizing it I had placed myself in a small range of under 10% of buyers. Apart from all that I was very proud & thrilled with the final product, it also gave me a great sense of achievement to design & create my dream home.
David Herd family Sydney in 2006, my niece Rebecca married Victor Mendonca a very nice fellow from the Archipelago of the Azores, nine volcanic islands situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about 1,360 km (850 mi) west of continental Portugal.
The in-laws & the happy couple.
Terrific family photo.
Great photo of brother Bryan & Lynne.
A very happy day for the parents.
Mr & Mrs Mendonca
Vic & Bec have a fabulous fitness center & gym in North Richmond, it is open 24/7 and you can join for only $13 a week. There are millions of idiots in Australia who spend $13 on one packet of cigarettes that are slowly killing them. I must say Victor is a great addition to the Herd family.
Herd family Sydney
And there certainly was a big Herd, the annual Xmas gathering was at cousin Deb’s lovely home in Balgowlah, I have only ever attended 4 or 5 Xmas gatherings since the days when my parents were alive & entertaining the Herd family at 58 Kihilla Rd Auburn.
Great photo of cousin Deb with her parents Colin & Margaret, Colin is the youngest of Dad’d clan of 4 girls & 3 boys.
All my gorgeous Aunties.
My father’s four sisters from left to right Elsie, Thelma, Dorothy & Norma. This one in 2006 is one of my favourites especially seeing all Dad’s 4 sisters there & in good health.
A flashback to 1929
Elsie, Arthur, Allan & baby Thelma on 27-1-1929, what a beautiful looking young girl Elsie was.
Two uncles & one cousin.
Ray Pilgrim on the left Colin Herd & cousin Greg McMillan.
Lovely photo, Dot is the happiest of all the Herd family.
Jeff Bousefield with ????? The rest of the names are coming soon. 🙂
The Lowe family.
Here is Robyn & her lovely family, my apologies for not knowing everyone’s name, I’ll track them down soon.
The cat is ignoring me.
Little miss Bousfield seems to be having a spat with the cat. 🙂
Another flashback to 1954
One of our best Herd family photos is Thelma’s wedding in 1954 with all of the clan.
Herds & Bousefields
It’s now 2016 and I’m hoping I can catch up with the family at Xmas this year.
Robyn Greg & Thelma.
It was a really nice Xmas with the family, thanks for visiting my Herd family Sydney photo blog.
Sydney hotels are so expensive now, here is a reasonably priced one in Chinatown, just book through THIS LINK.
Gold Coast Australia was my home for 25 years from 1986 to 2011. Here are photos & comments on some of my wonderful memories.
This post focuses on 2008 which was another frenetic year of travel. Starting with 6 weeks in Brazil over Xmas & Carnival, with a fabulous week in New York on my way home. My Brazil trip included Rio de janeiro, Curitiba,Paraty,Belneario Camboriu & Florianopolis.
Three trips to Thailand in April, September & November, then throw in Bali,Singapore & Kuala Lumpur, so as you can see I hardly had time to unpack my suitcase. I nearly forgot a hectic couple of weeks in Sydney as well.
This is not a travel blog just a personal photo collection from 2008.
Qantas 1st class NYC to L.A.
I just had to include this photo flying 1st class thanks to my cousin Deb who is a Qantas flight attendant.
The old & the new opposite each other.
During my 25 years living here the changes were extraordinary, not all for the best I might add. The first 15 years were wonderful, however after that in my eyes, the overall atmosphere of the Gold Coaststarted to lose its shine, it no longer had the friendly village feel to it. I guess in my final 10 years there it just got too big and modern.
My home at 106 Upton St Bundall, 4217
In 1990 I designed & built a beautiful home on the waterfront with my own sandy beach & jetty for my boat, life was good. I sold the house in 2011 for over a million dollars, but this was $250k less than I was offered twice in 2007, the big drop in price was due to the Global Financial crisis, c’est la vie.
Gold Coast Australia, drinks at Melbas
Melbas bar & nightclub in Surfers Paradise Australia was my main drinking spot for most of my 25 years on the coast. Here are some of the fellows I would sometimes drink with.
Melbas always had sexy waitresses
One of the main reasons I made this my local watering hole.
Ian Rich was a friend for 45 years.
In 2008 Ian was living in a fabulous sub penthouse in Surfers Paradise Australia, the next few photos taken from his apartment are wonderful examples of Australia’s Gold Coast.
Ian’s beautiful apartment
A great view but very windy on the balcony.
Looking south at Surfers Paradise Australia
Absolutely breathtaking.
Looking north towards the seaway
Magnificent coastline in Surfers Paradise Australia Gold Coast.
Good Friday lunch at Chevron Island fish & chip shop.
One of my favourite eating spots in Surfers Paradise, great food at cheap prices & Frank the owner is an Australian football fanatic similar to myself. The couple on the left Les Scheffer & his wife Robyn & I used to be good friends, however in July 2013 they placed me firmly on their black list where I still reside today. 🙂
I’m sad to say Les passed away in March 2020 after a long battle with Cancer, RIP.
The boys in the fish & chip shop
A good bunch of guys.
Bjorn, Alisha, Brad, my nephew Michael & Matty.
Michael was in charge of cocktails as he was a barman at the Sheraton in Sydney as well as some other top venues.
Brad, Elisha & Matty.
I have a couple of internet hotspots in Surfers Paradise which earn me a few bucks, Brad owns the IT business which looks after them. Elisha is his lovely wife & Matty one of his technicians.
Here is Kayoko my friend from Tokyo.
Lots of cocktails were consumed at my home this night, there were a few sore heads in the morning.
Margarita time.
I’ll let Jimmy describe this fabulous cocktail.
Gold Coast Australia Michael & Bjorn
The happy couple are living in Berlin which is Bjorn’s home town. 2016 Update; sadly earlier this year Bjorn lost his long battle with cancer, he will always be remembered as a wonderful friend, RIP.
Trevor Loresch is very much a self made man, lives in a beautiful Pattaya waterfront apartment along with this luxury holiday getaway in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.
Birthday drinks with Ross Kennedy & Phil Thomson
Two of my best friends on the Gold Coast. Last year Phil & his lovely Japanese wife showed me how to get around the great city of Tokyo which has become one of my favorite cities. In 1996 Rossco & I jumped in my Porsche & did one of my all time great road trips to the Hunter Valley, Sydney, Falls Creek & Melbourne.
Birthday lunch at Melbas
You know you are getting older when you look at some group photos and a couple of guys you have known for decades are not with us anymore. Ron Collier on the left in the black & Noel with the glasses on the right, RIP.
Good friends Wayne Jones & Bryan Dart.
I have known these guys for over 20 years.
Happy birthday DH.
A great day with a lot of good friends.
This would be a perfect birthday present. 🙂
Promise I’ll give her back in the morning. 🙂
St Kilda play North Melbourne at Carrara.
Rossco & I jump into the wine & food at the St Kilda’s dinner at Carrara stadium.
Drinks at Melbas for our AFL tipping Competition.
I ran a AFL tipping competition for nearly 10 years, here are some of the happy crew enjoying our mid year drinks at Melbas.
My great mate Phil Thomson.
We are at Southport Sharks for our end of year AFL tipping competition.
Dennis Perry, a rose between 2 thorns
Running the tipping competition was a lot of fun, when I moved to Thailand in 2011 Dennis & his crew took it over.
Gold Coast Australia New Years Eve 2008
After a frantic year I spent a very quiet NYE with friends reflecting on another super year of travel & living in Gold Coast Australia. Thanks for visiting my Surfers Paradise Australia photo blog.
Sydney Harbour magnificent city with the best harbour in the world. We spell it harbour & Americans spell it harbour, wonderful if you have a good boat.
I have know Richard for over 30 years & I’m pleased to say I gave him his nickname when we were in Thailand in 2004. He is quite a character & loves to brag about how much money he is worth, which is considerable. He lives in a beautiful home in one of Sydney’s premier harbour front suburbs, Point Piper. Richard had the unfortunate habit of drinking & eating twice as much as his friends then splitting the bill equally.
When travelling with his buddy Ken Shelly in Thailand he would show off & buy countless drinks for the girls in the bar then expect poor Ken to share equally when the bill came. Sitting on the beach at Koh Samui one day a Thai lady was reading his palm, she looked him in the eye & said “Oh I see you have a lot of money, but sadly you are very stingy”. Well that was perfect I thought so from that day one I Christened him “Mr Stingy”.
Ken & I on Stingy’s boat
Stingy’s long suffering friend Ken Shelly & I enjoying a few cold beers at Darling Harbour.
Stingy’s boat
A terrific boat for exploring Sydney Harbour, lots of room and very stable if seas are rough.
Centrepoint tower from Darling Harbour
In my book Sydney certainly ranks in the top 10 cities in the world.
Western Sydney skyline
That’s Centre-point tower dominating the skyline.
Sydney Harbour magnificent city
A great view of Sydney Harbour magnificent city, if you don’t have the luxury of a boat just catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly for an amazing view of this great city.
Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the facility formally opened on 20 October 1973 after a gestation beginning with Utzon’s 1957 selection as winner of an international design competition. The NSW Government, led by Premier Joseph Cahill, authorised work to begin in 1958, with Utzon directing construction. The government’s decision to build Utzon’s design is often overshadowed by circumstances that followed, including cost and scheduling overruns as well as the architect’s ultimate resignation.
View from the front
Though its name suggests a single venue, the project comprises multiple performance venues which together are among the busiest performing arts centres in the world — hosting over 1,500 performances each year attended by some 1.2 million people.
Point Piper apartments
What a perfect place foe an apartment.
Royal Motor Yacht Club Point Piper.
You can just see a corner of Stingy’s home on the left of the club.
Stingy’s $6 million home
Richard designed & built his lovely home, he is an experienced builder who made most of his fortune by building most of the Red Rooster outlets in Australia.
The incredible view from Stingy’s home
A sensational view of Rose Bay.
Luna Park at Milsons Point north of the harbour
The park was constructed at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during 1935, and ran for nine-month seasons until 1972, when it was opened year-round. Luna Park was closed in mid-1979, immediately following the Ghost Train fire, which killed six children and one adult. Most of the park was demolished, and a new amusement park was constructed; this originally operated under the name of Harbourside Amusement Park before resuming the Luna Park name. The park was closed again in 1988 as an independent engineering inspection determined that several rides needed urgent repair. The owners failed to repair and reopen the park before a New South Wales government deadline, and ownership was passed to a new body. Reopening in 1995, Luna Park closed again after thirteen months because of the Big Dipper roller coaster noise pollution complaints from residents on the clifftop above the park caused the ride’s operating hours to be heavily restricted, and the drop in attendance made the park unprofitable. After another redevelopment, Luna Park reopened in 2004 and has continued operating since.
Richard, Ken Shelly & Peter Hobbs.
Here we are at Bar Reggio in Crown St Darlinghurst, a very popular Italian restaurant.
My new second hand Lexus.
I have Stingy to thank for finding my beautiful Lexus, I have owned many luxury vehicles including Jaguars, Mercedes & Porsche’s but $ for $ this is the best car I have ever driven. Japanese technology at its best.
Watching Australian Football
Watching my team the Sydney Swans at the SCG in Peter Hesky’s private box.
Anne Lacey & Ruth Vincent with our host Peter Hesky
Sydney City has a special place in my heart, I was born & grew up in the western suburbs. There is no doubt the harbour is the best in the world & each time I fly in my excitement & anticipation is electric.
Thanks for visiting my Sydney Harbour magnificent city photo blog.
That’s Bondi Icebergs club overlooking the beach.
Located at the southern end of Bondi Beach, Bondi Icebergs Club is an international landmark.
Bondi Icebergs has been the home of Winter swimming since 1929 and our famous pool is open to visitors all year round. 
