Archive for October, 2010

Sculpture by the Sea

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

From Oct. 28 – Nov. 14, Sydney’s Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk will again be transformed into a sculptural park for the annual Sculpture by the Sea event. Showcasing the sculptural work of artists from all over the world, the breathtakingly beautiful coastal track that links Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte beaches will be fringed with 100 outdoor sculptures by local and international artists.

-        History of the event. Sculpture by the Sea has been running since 1997, when event coordinator and founder David Handley decided there was a need for an accessible visual arts event in Sydney. Now listed on the National Cultural Register, the event draws crowds from all over the world who come to view a diverse selection of sculptures situated on one of Australia’s most stunning coastal stretches.

-        What can I expect from the event? Sculpture by the Sea is a free event open to the public. During this time, Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte Beach come alive as people flock to the Coastal Walk to stretch their legs and see some of the world’s best sculpture against a spectacular backdrop. The Coastal Walk begins at the bottom of Notts Avenue, which runs off Campbell Parade, Bondi. The coastal walk can also be accessed by stairs at various points along the exhibition route at Hunter Park, Gaerloch Avenue and Pacific Avenue. The exhibition finishes at Tamarama Park, Marine Drive, Tamarama.

On Saturday and Sundays during the event, marquees at both Bondi and Tamarama will house Sculpture Inside, indoor exhibitions of sculpture by exhibiting artists and selected invited artists. Sculpture Inside is now a well respected exhibition in its own right and gives the public and collectors the opportunity to purchase works by up –and-coming and established artists.

For those visiting during this time – Cambridge Hotel is just a stone’s throw away from Sydney Central Station where regular train services operate to Bondi Junction with connecting bus service to Bondi Beach. Book acommodation in Sydney.

Sculpture by the Sea is a celebrated annual Sydney event that exhibits international and domestic sculpture along Sydney’s renowned coastline. It’s also a great opportunity to take in Sydney’s beautiful Bondi Beach and enjoy the weather as Sydney summer begins.

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We’re back! – Steve’s Weight Loss Blog

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

Weigh-in: 110 kg

Weight loss to date: 47.5 kg

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

fishandchips

Visiting the home of Fish 'N' Chips! (not recommended for getting fit...)

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Hi there all,

Thank you so much for all your emails. I was surprised to receive so many emails asking me, where was the blog?

I actually thought that people were over reading about my weight loss. I am still at 110 kilos (as of the scales this morning). I have just returned from three and a half week tourism NSW sales mission to UK/Europe. I do these yearly and I have to tell you that this was the hardest trip I have ever done. There were 23 of us on the mission representing different products from various tourism boards, hotels, day tours and attractions from across Sydney and NSW. The whole crew ended up coming down with a virus, actually two of the attendees were sent back home to Australia. Not to mention very early morning starts and very late evening finishes – and this was just the tip of the iceberg. You name it, it went wrong in this trip! I’m not going to bore you with all the details. However, one of my nephews did say that he couldn’t stop laughing when he heard what had happened to me during this trip.

Needless to say, that while I was away I only got to go to gym twice. I am very proud to say that I gained just under a kilo during the time away and I have already returned to my previous weight of 110 kilos from when I left.

Anton continues to be a source of inspiration. This being my first week back, I thought I would be back to training last Monday. Unfortunately, this did not happen as I arrived back very late on Friday night. On Monday I was still jet lagged and feeling very run down. Then on Wednesday morning, I woke up and could not bend my elbow.

So, I’m off to restart my training this coming Monday. I am proud of the fact that there were many functions throughout my trip (practically every night and every lunch) and for the most part, I was pretty disciplined. You can’t really control the social situations and for me it’s extremely hard as I love good food and good wine. I did indulge a bit but halved portions that I could, and alternated my consumption to wine/water/wine. It was very refreshing on the mornings when we woke up at ungodly hours to catch trains and planes, that I was one of the few in our team that wasn’t hung over.

I proved that it could be done and when I say there were many functions and social events – there really were at least two a day. All the things that Anton has drilled in to me clicked in. My next weigh in will not be till Saturday week after I return to training this Monday (depending on doctor’s approval). I now do feel very sluggish if I don’t do some exercise, and I never thought I would ever say this, but I do feel healthier when exercising. I have re-evaluated my goals and by my 50th birthday (on the 18th of February 2010) – I want to be at my goal and weigh 95 kilos.

Thanks again for all your emails, support and yes I will continue writing about my progress. Please continue to support Dragons Abreast. The hotel will be donating another $500 this week for this great cause.

Ciao for now.

Steve

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dragonsabreastAbout Dragons Abreast

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/

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Sydney’s best outdoor exercise spots

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

bootcampWith world-class beaches, breathtaking waterways, plenty of green space and beautiful weather to boot, Sydney is a city that is best enjoyed outdoors.  And while some people might not class exercise and enjoyment in the same category, there are a number of picturesque outdoor exercise spots to make keeping fit a pleasant experience. There are a number of different ways to exercise in Sydney – you can walk, run, swim and bike-ride to name a few! When the warmer weather hits, there’s no excuse for not putting on your sneakers and getting out there and enjoying the Sydney sun and scenery.

Here’s a guide on some of the best outdoor exercise spots that Sydney has to offer.

  • Centennial Park. Centennial Parklands, which are located in inner Sydney, extend over 360 hectares and encompass Centennial, Moore and Queens Parks. It’s Sydney’s equivalent to New York’s Central Park, and it’s got pedestrian, bike, rollerblading and horse tracks amongst the wide green open spaces that are perfect for exercising. For those that want to get away from the crowds and hustle and bustle while they exercise, then Centennial Park is the ultimate leafy and green oasis in the urban jungle. If you want to try something a bit different while you exercise, hire some rollerblades or a tandem bike!
  • Sydney Botanic Gardens. Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens is one of Sydney’s finest natural assets. The 30 hectares of garden are located on some of Sydney’s finest real estate, wrapping around Farm Cove on the edge of Sydney Harbour and offering spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. For those living or working in the CBD, it’s the perfect outdoor venue to exercise, and is also popular with office workers on lunch breaks looking to stretch their legs. There are well maintained and wide running and walking tracks for fitness enthusiasts.
  • Sydney’s beaches and beach pools. With their powdery sand and the lapping clear blue sea, Sydney’s beaches are world renowned for their beauty. But they’re also ideal exercise venues. Many Sydney beaches have running tracks that run alongside them, or offer more enthusiastic exercisers the goods for soft-sand running. When the swell’s not too big, the beaches are also popular for surf swimming. Sydney beaches are also unique, however, in offering ocean water pools that use the ocean water but are enclosed for calmer swimming conditions. Most of these pools are found along the rocky headlands at either the north or south end of the beach.
  • Bondi to Bronte track – Sydney’s Bondi to Bronte track  is one of Sydney’s most well-worn exercise paths. The path follows the breathtaking coastline between Bondi and Bronte Beach offering unsurpassed views of some of Sydney’s most beautiful beaches. With plenty of stairs it’s a great exercise track – and one of Sydney’s most scenic.

They say that exercise lifts the spirits and keeps the mind young. So what do you have to lose? Get sporty in Sydney!

Image via Arnar Valdimarsson on Flickr

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Sydney picnic spots – enjoy the sunshine

Thursday, October 7th, 2010
picnic

What a great way to enjoy the warm weather!

As the weather warms up, there’s nothing better than packing up a picnic basket, getting a group of friends together and heading to one of Sydney’s breathtaking venues for a picnic. The picnic’s been around for a while, but it’s an undervalued recreational activity. What’s not to love about sitting out in the open with good friends, good food and enjoying the picturesque scenery? And with its amazing natural scenery and plethora of parks and beaches, Sydney is perfect for a picnic.

Here’s a guide to some of Sydney’s most picturesque picnic spots.

  • Balmoral Beach, Mosman. Whether you pack your own spread or pick up some fish and chips at one of the beach kiosks, the shady parkland that brackets Balmoral Beach is perfect for long summer day picnics. This harbour side beach on the Sydney’s north shore is a favourite with families for the calm water swimming, parklands and play equipment it provides.
  • McKell Park, Darling Point. Located at the northern end of Darling Point Road, this Eastern Suburbs park is a quiet, picturesque and well maintained spot for a picnic. Even better, it offers one of the most spectacular harbour views around – without the tourist crowds.
  • Wendy’s Secret Garden, Lavender Bay. This beautiful green haven was created by Wendy Whitely in memory of her husband, Brett Whiteley, one if Sydney’s most renowned painters. This garden is tucked away in the Lavender Bay cove and offers beautiful views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
  • Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Farm Cove. Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens is one of Sydney’s finest natural assets, and the perfect spot for a picnic. The 30 hectares of garden are located on some of Sydney’s finest real estate, wrapping around Farm Cove on the edge of Sydney Harbour and showcasing spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
  • Jubilee Park, Glebe. Located at the water’s edge at the end of Glebe Point Road, Jubilee Park and its Moreton Bay figs are lined by a promenade that follows the shore of Blackwattle Bay. With lots of open space, a playground and sports field, there’s something for everyone at this Sydney picnic spot.

Whether you’re a Sydneysider or staying in townl, picnicking is a great way to get outdoors and experience Sydney with family and friends.

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