Another day of paid fun in the sun, erm, mud.

An hour before the main race the radar image for the region was speckled with red spots, it then rained a lot, and stopped right before the race. It was fun either way.

Not sure how I went, I was pretty keen to get a shower so left quick smart.

Had a short meeting in Melbs on Thursday so made the most of the chance to stay over. Tomas had the week off so it was a few pubs in a lazy afternoon before Nic joined us, it was then the Panama Dining Room, topped off by Josie Bones; with over 200 beers to choose from, luckily the staff were on top of it and provided well need advice! Interesting bar art though, not entirely appertizing if you're a vego!

It's way too late, but if you didn't see Cordelia at the street theatre last week you missed what in my opinion was the most moving theatre I've seen in my life. In fact, we considered going to see it again on Saturday night but we had the house warming on. I ran in to Rowan Davie, one of the main stars, the next day at the George; great guy and it seems the fate of the show is uncertain. I do know it reviewed very well in the Canberra rag, fingers crossed.

Eddy and Jon live in a 1930's fire station dwelling. It is the coolest house I know of. They warmed it on Saturday night. Good wholesome fun with a great bunch of people, beer, bikes and a bon-fire. Eddy must be congratulated on his home brew success, I can't remember how the night ended, but no hangover to be seen - el naturale!

I had the blues but I shook them free. Pretty hard not to when you're paid to do this.

And it's always a good sign to see that tan come back!

Lot's has come and gone in my life recently; Holly is gone, along with tendonitis in my knees (touch wood), but a lot of material seems to have entered.....
 
Especially awesome are a whole heap of paintings. There's a Leonard Long (1984), Gerrard Lants (1950's), Wolf Tasker (1985), Raymond Wallis (1930's) and Wim Kortland (1981). Try googling any of these guys and you'll find some impressive auction stats as well as some great Australian history. Hard to pick a favourite but one thing I love about the Wallis (circa 1930's) is the painting he obviously didn't like on the back of the canvass, looks like a got two for one!

From the interwebs.
 
Leonard Long - Born in 1911, Leonard was raised in Mittagong on the tablelands and it was here that he developed his love of the Australian landscape. In 1934 he and his wife moved to Nowra on the coast, where he gradually developed his talent as an artist while running a watch-making business. In 1955 he decided it was time, sold the business, and became a full-time painter. Leonard has worked in the red desert of Central Australia with famed Aboriginal artist, Albert Namajtira, and was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia 'for service to the arts as a painter of Australian landscapes'. He is now 101 and still painting!
 
Raymond Wallis - Born in Melbourne in 1900, Raymond Wallis studied at the National Gallery School, Melbourne and at the Royal College of Art in London. A painter, etcher and commercial gallery director, he operated Decorators Gallery in Melbourne in the 1920s. He lived for some years in London and exhibited in Melbourne on his return, his work is also held at the Gallery of New South Wales. He died in 1963.
 
Gerrard Lants - Born in 1927 Gerrard Lants was a Melbourne artist and cartoonist. He was known for his period style watercolours. He died in 1998.
 
Allan Wolf Tasker - Allan Wolf-Tasker’s paintings draw inspiration from many different fields. Whilst the early years saw strong links with the land, the effect of drought and flood etc the most recent paintings are inspired by the intimate nature of hospitality. They show the interaction of people in social situations. Allan Wolf-Tasker Studied Sculpture and Printmaking at R.M.I.T. Exhibitions include group and solo shows in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and New York.

Wim Kortland - Born in 1923, Wim Kortland studied at The Academy Of Fine Art, Rotterdam, before emigrating to Australia in 1960. He has become noted for his fine Australian landcapes and seascapes. Kortland held many solo shows and is represented in numerous collections, including the library of the University Of Adelaide. He has won prizes for his sketches, abstracts and traditional oils often of the Buckland and Yarra Valleys.

It was almost love at first sight when the Koni-Omegaflex M came into sight at the camera markets today. I know very little about the head sized beast so far, but the 6x7 awesomeness is sure to make this week very interesting for me! More to come, obviously.

And how about some random digitals, from the GF2, lost in the haze of data over the last few weeks. I hate how digital does that.

The first mysterious set from when Mark visited...

This set actually taken by Jon on out Kingston Manuka stroll. He had no camera so I lent him the GF2. I think he has quite an eye.

My set from the same walk were a little average, only five caught my eye...

Rach on the cyclops, upright, until we devoured an amount of wine. The ride home was a little more horizontal for her!!

And lastly, Dan's party. The best.

Life is getting back to normal; long days, night rides, warm weather. It can only get better from here.

And what better way to start a ride than with a full pack and a pile of friends.

From the cutting room floor, some bike pics that wont make it into any other posts.

The iPhone is a fantastic device for the collection of random images, and it's always in your pocket, . Here's some from the last little while.

Last week I decided to head out and photograph somewhere I would never consider photographing, just for a change of scenery. Queenbeyan turned out to be full of contrasts and little surprises.

I hope you enjoy the set.

For over a year I've been visiting Melbourne once or twice a month, those opportunities are fewer now so I made the most of the long weekend and a Tuesday work meeting to head down for a day of roaming yesterday.