Italy 2014 – an idea!

This is the first of what I hope will be a series of blog posts about my planning for and stay in Italy in 2014.

So often I have read books, blogs, articles about time in Europe mostly from the woman’s perspective. I have generally enjoyed them however it isn’t me. I am a 50 plus male, long term Partner in a large professional services firm. I am married to a fantastic woman who I have been with since my University days and we have 3 adult children. It isn’t my intention that I find myself through this journey I just want to record my thoughts as I(we) embark on this next phase of my (our) life.

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When I discussed with my wife our plans for a trip away in 2012 it was about 3 weeks squeezed in around a very hectic work schedule. It all got to hard so we abandoned 3 weeks in Italy for a fantastic week in the North Island of New Zealand. Whilst not the romance of Europe, New Zealand is a fantastic place and Auckland is a really vibrant seaside city which gives it a sort of Barcelona feel.

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White Island a trip we did by helicopter for my wife’s birthday and is one of the best sightseeing trips we have ever done. Even better than Mt Etna!

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Hotel De Brett – an awesome place to stay. Absolutely fantastic renovation, fabulous hosts, great restaurant and near everything! www.hoteldebrett.com

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Just one of the many great views of Auckland

It was a great holiday but it wasn’t Italy!

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Book Review – Sicily, it’s Not Quite Tuscany

As well as the overall sense that Shamus Sillar’s wife Gil is a Saint, Sicily, It’s not Quite Tuscany portrays Sicily in a very contemporary and Australian style. Its also a book from a male perspective something which seems a little rare when writing about Italy these days. Whilst I really enjoyed Penelope Green’s books particularly See Naples and Die, as a male it did not hit the spot in the same way as this book does.

It’s a book about a young married couple who spend a year genuinely soaking up the earthiness of this amazing island in its most basic location, Catania, a city which certainly doesn’t enjoy good press and this book doesn’t really enhance it. Yet you are given a sense that by letting the town wash over you it’s not all bad. There is a rich description of the people, the sights and

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Les Miserables – The Movie

So I am a self confessed Les Mis desperate. Ever since I saw the musical in Melbourne in the late 1980s I have just never been able to get enough of it!

It’s no surprise that on Boxing Day I went full of anticipation to see the Movie. I was not sure what to expect. Russell Crowe as Javert, Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean etc. There had been so much discussion

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Integrity in sport is everything!

In the last few weeks there have been two in incidents which have really called into question my faith in the integrity of sport. The first not surprisingly is the seemingly compelling evidence that Lance Armstrong didn’t win his seven Tour De France titles on his merits. The second that the Adelaide Crows, my team in the AFL, may well have tampered with the draft and also possibly breached the salary cap.

The revelations about both have shaken my sporting belief to the core!

When it comes to sport

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Preliminary Final

As I reflect on last night’s Adelaide vs Hawthorn Preliminary Final I cannot help but see it as a chance missed and a plucky end to a transforming season for Adelaide.

Hawthorn missed countless opportunities and Continue reading →