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North and South in 2014


After last year's frenetic journeys around Asia 2014 felt more sedate. There were few new places, mostly consolidation and the completion of railway lines. Alex started school, so our travel had to work around school holidays. Flights were marred by a returned fear of turbulence as I encountered more bumps in the air. But there were still many highlights, so lets go through them by month.

January

The year began in South Coast Line, Mogo Zoo, Luna Park
South Coast train from Sutherland Station
The year began with Alex and I taking the train down to Kiama and Bomaderry on the scenic South Coast Line. 

Tiger at Mogo Zoo
Less than a fortnight later we returned to the South Coast as a family, driving down to Mogo Zoo to see a variety of animals up close.

Entrance to Sydney's Luna Park
We marked the end of the Alex's "freedom" with a trip to Chinese New Year and Sydney's Luna Park, so beautiful in the night.

February

Ben Foster versus the Dalek
It was down to Melbourne on the weekend prior to school to see another performance of the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular.

March

Miniature converted armaments train

On one Sunday at the end of March we discovered the amazing kids playground at Blaxland Park and the fascinating narrow gauge train ride around Newington Armory. 

April

Kenroku Gardens, Kanazawa
I did the good son thing and took my Mum to see Japan during cherry blossom season, travelling to the end of the Nagaragawa Railway and visiting Kanazawa's gorgeous Kenroku gardens.

Lake Burley Griffin

Later in Easter the family drove down to Canberra for the night, taking a bike ride along the lake and visiting a couple of science museums.

May

Last check in for Virgin Atlantic in Sydney

We farewelled Virgin Atlantic from Sydney to Hong Kong on May 5, the elegant Airbus A340-600 flying out one last time.

June/July

The Tower of Terror
We flew out on my birthday for our June/July school holiday to Japan. The trip featured a flight to Matsuyama, a last chance ride down the entirety of the Oito Line before its closure in March 2015 and a visit to DisneySea.

August

At Austinmere Beach

In August a bit of Japan came to us as we hosted a Japanese exchange student and one of her teachers. We showed them around some of the South Coast, including the dramatic Austinmere Beach, and Sydney Harbour.

September/October

Lego Kuala Lumpur

The third term school holidays saw us flying to Malaysia and Singapore, accompanying B's mother. There was some scary turbulence and a visit to Legoland and Singapore Zoo.

Moon over Coogee Bay
I had an overnight stay at Coogee Bay for a workshop, enjoying a night walk in the moonlight.

November

Silver skies over the Georges River
Nothing much travel wise in November, a busy time of the year.

December

Flying near Lake George

It was a season of heavy storms. I flew down to Canberra for work and spent a night there but ended up on a bus on the way back.

Newcastle Station

Just before Christmas Alex and I caught the train up to Newcastle before the station closes to make way for development and hopefully a light rail.

Waiting shed at Sydney Tramway Museum
And on the last day of the year Alex and I rode the tram to the Royal National Park at the Sydney Tramway Museum.

I hope you've all had a great 2014 and may it be smooth skies in 2015. Happy New Year!
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