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Long time no see, but finally...

Whales in the Harbour. The monthly report of July had hardly been written and put on the server that we finally saw what we have been waiting for for so long: Whales in Sydney! On July 31 Claudia receives Peter's phone call that colleagues had seen whales the day before between Manly and Sydney, and that they were again spotted in the morning close to "Shark Island". Hence, Claudia and Bine fetch binoculars and camera and head for Circular Quay to start a most amazing whale-watching day on the Sydney Ferries that divert their journeys in order to celebrate the sensation. Thus, the passengers enjoy the ferries stopping up to 10 minutes next to the whales. The giant mammals continue to swim further around the Opera House and underneath the Harbour Bridge towards Milsons Point and McMahons Point. This day, the offices in Sydney are deserted: whoever can schedule his work load comes to the Harbour to admire the whales. At lunch time, Peter and Eric also leave their offices. Later, we stand ashore whilst the whales romp around only 6 meters (!) from us. See also photo gallery "Whales in the Harbour"..

Kayak-based BBQ in Lane Cove National Park. For August's first Saturday, we plan a long kayak tour up the Lane Cove (see as well the Monthly report July, where we present the cove). About 3 hours of paddling from home, the Lane Cove becomes a small and quiet waterway on whose rims the administration of the National Parks set up picknick areas. Since we only have one kayak, Peter gets the "morning shift" – he has to paddle there – while Claudia gets the "late shift" – to paddle homewards. While Peter gets clubs-swingingly on his way, Claudia shoulders the backpack with charcoal, meat, vegies, and beer, and takes the bus to reach the appointed area. The fire is just lit that Peter already approaches the marvellous idyll of eucalypt trees, ducks, parrots, and sun shine. Barefoot (still winter!) we enjoy our very first self-organised picknick and are in absolute peace with ouselves. Later, Claudia starts her way back. The wind freshens up, pushes initially from behind. Dark clouds come closer and the wind shifts to opposing course. In this small kayak, one gets reminded very fast of one's exposure to nature's power. The first front passes in the north, but Claudia is often close to giving up and going ashore just somewhere. Finally, at the last and least protected part of the tour, the wind pushed again from behind, and wave-rindingly, she reaches home shore. Ufff! But overall, it was fantastic and we will certainly repeat the tour on a less windy day.

Claudia and thousands of others preparing for the run

City2Surf. We haven't yet told that Claudia and Bine regularly jog since May. There is a lovely training course of 7 km nearby around the Iron Cove (see also – in German – Tipps für Sydney-Besucher – "Wie die Sydneysider") End of June they both participated at a fun run in Homebush while the men were spuring on them ;-) So, Claudia has registered for the big event City2Surf (see also photo gallery "City2Surf"): 14 km from the CBD to the promenade at Bondi Beach. 65.000 participants are registered, subdivided into three groups: red for "qualified" runners, blue for "normal" runners, and yellow for the "Back of the Pack" – hence, walkers, pushers of baby-strollers etc. Due to the Homebush run, Claudia is qualified for the fast runners... Peter will take photos during this event. The day awaits us with marvellous sun shine, the hottest day for months. The masses capture the city, we are driven in the car of our neighbours. The organisation is good: a one-way system at the registration desks manages the streams of people, there are cars to transport luggage (thus: swim suits and change clothes) to the finish line. Only female toilets are notoriously too few (by the way: the only place in the world with no shortage of female toilets is the Chair PI4 in Mannheim). The last 30 minutes before the race get uncomfortable since everyone comes to the start line, and with 16.000 runners already in Claudia's group, it quickly becomes crowded and hot. Finally, the strating gun is fired. The first meters are chaotic, "Don't fall over" is the motto of the hour (and Claudia knows what this means since her accident two weeks earlier), but then it gets into trot. Claudia has a good start with the result that she is permanently overtaken within the first 5 kilometers. Drinking stations announce themselves from far by loud smashing of the cups thrown away and stepped over by thousands of feet, and Claudia sticks to the advice of the neighbours to drink at just EVERY drink station. It is hot and light. Many residents along the course put their water hoses on the runners, and Claudia cheers every shower on her side of the road. Between km 5 and 7 is the famous "Heartbreak Hill" – 1.6 km uphill. Here finally, her slow pace at the beginning gets rewarded: many slow down and walk, one after the other gets now overtaken. The time at km 7 reads: 48 min. The first runners have already crossed the line (41 min 37 sec). Many music bands border the course and play for the runners, many spectators shout out "Keep on running!", all this with the water hoses – it is great fun. The second half of the course is easier for Claudia since the speed becomes more homogeneous and not all her attention has to be put on not falling over. At km 13 she knows that she still has power and accelerates. At the finish, there are four gates: 1: finish line. 2: time cards are given. 3: time cards with number are collected. 4: drink station. Between gates 2 and 3, Peter stands next to the barrier. He really has found her admidst all the 10.000 just arriving runners!! And therefore, we also have a photo showing the time card which states: 90:38 minutes; a week later, the newspaper publishes that this time was good for the place 15.042. After the run, we meet Silvia and Andreas, who also participated, at the beach. See also the photo gallery "City2Surf".

Winning the Winter Series. The disadvantage of City2Surf was that this day, Peter had to let down his helmsman Michael. Since the beginning of the Winter Series in May, the two have had fantastic race results, most often finishing as one of the first three (which implies: 2 bottles of beer as reward) and show serious ambitions to win the series. But therefore, the last two races are critical! During City2Surf, Peter is replaced by Emma and the dinghi "Mr Peabody" wins the 2. place. Still, everything is possible. A fortnight later at the last race day of the series, Michael and Peter get into the water extremely in time in order to have a good start position. Wind moderate to slow. That is bad for this boat which only shows its full power at strong winds when the others capsize and "Mr Peabody" stays upright like a rock in the waves. Thus, they finish only behind their strongest competitor "Syntax". At the following awards show – how lovely – they are nevertheless awarded Winner of the Winter Series, and we have even taken a photo in order to prove it. Congratulations! That the cup is the result of an errorneous cancellation of worst result and that they will have to give it back later shall better not be mentioned here... ;-)

Mountain Biking. On Saturday, August 17, Claudia and Peter have different plans: Peter spends a lazy day in the city. Under a lovely sun, he takes the bus northbound and enjoys a long beach walk in Cronulla and Dee Why. The breakers rage around the cliffs of the marine park between both beaches, some kite-surfers try out their giant kites ashore (they are fixed to the body with a kind of harness and so large that they can lift up people of 80 kg). Meanwhile, Claudia is on her first (and last?) mountain biking tour in the Blue Mountains with three friends. They are so kind to regularly wait for her arrival ;-) During the BBQ at the end of the trip (no fork, no plate), one holds the steak in a hot dog roll – and suddenly, Claudia feels a wind next to her ear, a weight on her hand, and sees a kookaburra hurrying away with her steak in its beak!!! And these birds always look so nice and innocent when sitting in a tree watching us!

Watching movies with Silvia and Benjamin. This report shall finish with a Wednesday afternoon Claudia spent with Silvia and Benjamin. She fetches Silvia at her office and gets a small guided tour trough the institute, fetches Benjamin from the German School, and is invited to spend the evening together. Since Claudia admires Benjamin's Hogwart-Express but doesn't know what the two golden keys and the treasure chest are about, the three spend a most wonderful evening with Harry Potter and garlic bread. Fantastic!!