I'll be quite on IIS until after the Aust Day long weekend. I'm leaving tomorrow for some hard earned and well deserved R&R. It's been a difficult years and I've been fading over the last month. I've been tired and grumpy and generally harder to get along with than normal. Next year wil also be trying. My first job will be to sign off on the plans for $180k of lab refurbishment - and get it right. Then there is the new mass spec to commission, set up the prep lab for the new mass spec, complete the organic geochem lab, complete the ultra-high purity acid still, I'll get roped into helping with the new flourinization line, while keeping two mass specs operating, training new students and ... and I'd better stop counting before I ruin the holiday.
I'd tell you where I'm going but (1) it's a closely guarded secret and (2) I still don't know. All I can say is that the first stop is Wee Jasper and after that anywhere really quiet will do. We'll camp, walk, swim, bird watch .... We have a case of fine wine, lots of nice cheese, salami and dips and 1.75kg (count it) of cake. I'll be reading 'A New History of Jazz' and the only screen I'll see is on the back of my DSLR. If I feel like a masochist I may even listen to the next test.
So to everyone; keep well, look after yourselves and keep the debates polite. I look forward to hearing from you all in the new year. And I look forward to edifying you all with my sage comments over the next 12 months.
Hi Astral happy new year and all the best mate for 2009 thank you for all your quick witted posts over the last year its been a pleasure looking forward to heaps more in the new year when you get back from you holidays cheers Jen
Thanks to everyone who sent their well wishes. We had a great time and I feel much better than when I left. We visited 8 new places, ranging from overnight stays to 6 night stays and only one was unsatisfactory. That was on overnight van in a place I won't mention publicly. We nearly packed up and left at 10pm. On the other hand we spent 6 nights beside the Mitta Mitta River mostly by ourselves at a spot with ample shade and a huge swimming hole. We experienced the changing seasons at Falls Creek in 2 days; windy - fine - hail - fine with beautiful viewing - pea-soup fog. Along the way I was reminded what a 1981 Landcruiser can do; I wasn't going to attempt that climb but then a Hilux managed it and so it became a matter of pride. The views from the top of Blue Rag range were worth the palpatations. The final night was at the hopefully-named 'Mt Clear', where the skies were nice but not quite as good as Falls Creek. It rained at 3am.
Ric, I took plenty of music but didn't listen to much, just a couple of albums one night to mask a neighbour's 'music'. Mostly we listened to The Birds greatest hits backed by a burbling brook and wind in the trees.
Alex, I took about 300 shots. I always take a few shots of each campsite to remind me where we've been. I also tried some 'Venus at sunset' shots but I don't think they worked.
Jen, if I can't manage 'quick-witted replies' will 'half-witted' do?
, and come back refreshed
happy new year and all the best mate for 2009 thank you for all your quick witted posts 
its been a pleasure 
