About

When I commenced this blog, it was a central plank as I contemplated “What’s Next”. It was a place for the musings of a 50 something. That was 2015, and it’s now early 2025, and I am well into my mid 60s.

As for “What’s Next”, it is now very much a reality.

My time in a large professional firm is fast becoming a distant, although fond memory. My PhD in family business, where I focused my research on family wine businesses, a fundamental part of “What’s Next” was completed a couple of years ago. It allowed me to mix my professional experience with my love of wine. The red bound thesis sits proudly in the book case and my academic robes, including my prized puffy hat, are in the wardrobe upstairs. 

I am very much a part-time consultant, academic researcher, sport and music lover and perhaps most importantly, a grandpa!

As “What’s Next” has taken shape, I haven’t missed life at my old firm. I loved my time there but have moved on, as has my old firm.  I still consult with a small number of firms. It allows me to stay engaged with my professional life but not be consumed by it.

I enjoyed my life as a full-time student while I completed my PhD. I am not interested in pursuing an academic career but enjoy dabbling with research. 

Travel has and continues to be a passion. Something my favourite person and I came to later in life.  We lived by the motto, “You can’t spend enough time in Italy”. That said the delight of grandchildren and our priceless time with them means Italy will have to wait. These days our fo us is on domestic travel, and we are fast coming to the point of replacing Italy with Port Douglas in our motto. 

If we can’t be travelling, I love spending time at our beach house in Second Valley, South Australia. The background picture for this blog is the view from our balcony.

My passion for music remains as strong as ever. I always wanted to write a great song but have had to settle for listening to music at every opportunity. I think 1975 was the best year for music.

I love the Adelaide Crows, Arsenal and the Sturt Football Club.  Winters watching The Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval, keeping an eye out on how Sturt is going in the SANFL, and very early mornings watching Arsenal on the TV are things I continue to enjoy

So that’s “About” me. My hope is that my blog and its posts let you, the reader, in on my continuing journey.

Me with my favourite person in the world!

My views are my own.

Updated February 2025

15 thoughts on “About”

  1. Lena

    Thank you for liking my blog on “Are You Ready To Retire”. We both share the same passion, travel to see the world, meet other people, learn their culture, new experience and adventures. Unfortunately, we have to slow down and hope my husband’s total hip replacement surgery will allow us to further our passion.

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  2. Pingback: Wandering! | browney237's Blog

        1. browney Post author

          Planning to focus my PhD around family business in the wine industry. South Aust is a major wine producer.
          Thanks for your interest.

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  4. Frenchydave

    Hi Browney, there’s a problem with your latest post. I got the email notificaton, as usual, and clicked to read it on-line. I get a message that it can’t be found and it’s not in the list of posts. I could read it in the email but it’s strange that it doesn’t show up on your blog. Anyway, enjoy your new-found freedom but don’t forget to work on that thesis!

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  5. Tracey Johnson

    Hi fellow Adelaidean, thanks for sharing on your blog. We are venturing on our 1st major o/s trip to Paris next year; but, since starting my research to DIY travel I’m now wondering whether we should enlist a TA. Would you mind sharing who the agent is you used for your Italy 2015 trip? Oh and all the best for your PhD
    With regards
    Tracey

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    1. browney Post author

      Hi Tracey,
      Thanks for visiting my blog.

      We used STA Travel Rundle Street. They provided some very interesting thoughts we hadn’t previously considered and were very helpful.

      That said the more of your own research you do before you see the travel agent the better. Whether it’s TripAdvisor or using the WordPress Reader other people’s experiences provide great insights.

      Paris is a wonderful city. I’m sure you’ll have a great trip.

      Browney237

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