A very merry Christmas to all my loyal weblog readers! I hope that you are all stuffing yourselves silly with wonderful food among your family and friends.

Elaine and I have just got back from our trip to Lorne. For Christmas his year Elaine got me a holiday consisting of three nights at the Mantra Erskine Beach Resort. A few days away from the city was just what we needed after an exceptionally hectic week.

Over the four days we managed to find time to both explore the area and relax at the resort. The first day was spent walking around the main street in Lorne. Although we’ve stopped by on previous trips to the area, we’ve never staying in the town and had the liberty to take our time.

The second day we headed out to the Great Otway National Park. After passing through Apollo Bay, we ended up at the Cape Otway Lightstation. Even though it has been decommissioned it still stands as Australia’s oldest surviving lighthouse.

Cape Otway Lightstation.

Looking east from the top of the lighthouse.

I had to hang my camera off the edge of the lighthouse in 80kmph winds to get this shot – so please appreciate this photo =)

Looking up at the lead crystal Fresnel lens.

A view towards the lighthouse master’s home from one of the three windows in the side of the lighthouse.

In the afternoon we visited the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk. It’s a walkway suspended above a temperate rainforest, allowing visitors to experience nature at a treetop level. The average height of the walkway is 25 metres above ground. The highest point is up the viewing platform which is an amazing 45 metres high. Sort of made me feel a bit like an Ewok…

There were at least four groups of koalas on the road leading to the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk.

Known as the “boomerang” tree due to its severely curved trunk.

Two of the suspended walkways above the forest floor.

The viewing platform.

Elaine and me from the top. Again the camera risks life and limb 45m above the ground to get this shot.

Three of the walkways leading to the viewing platform.

Every now and then I like to get a little “artsy”. I really like this shot.

Looking up at one of the walkways.

That’s enough words and photos for now, stay tuned for day three and four.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas has come early with the arrival of a new toy! I finally got my Blackberry 8800 after an extended five month wait! I’ve now had it for just over 24 hours and I can now truly see why they call it a Crackberry, I can’t live without it! I’m finally free from my computer as it’s so easy to send and receive e-mails on this portable device. The 8800 even has inbuilt GPS which Elaine and I tried out on the way to visit our new home (which we’re moving to on Tuesday). It works really well, and is a fine substitute for a dedicated GPS device.

It’s been a solid six months between entries, but Kevin and Claudie have finally updated their blog. In fact they’ve created a second one specifically for Christian.

As feared, the blog entries prove that my dear brother has turned into a blubbering mess since the arrival of Christian. But at least it appears his photography has improved by leaps and bounds. The photos are quite impressive; you should really check them out.

It’s desperately late at night right now, but I’ve just finished the Sneak Peek presentation from last weekend’s wedding. I thought I’d quickly share it with you all…

>>>click here to view Melanie & Lucan’s Sneak Peek presentation<<<

Melanie and Lucan were finally married after being with each other for eleven years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a happier bride!