Saturday 31 December 2011

What do you have planned for this evening?

It is many years since I have wanted to head into town and mingle with the crowds on New Year's Eve- this evening will be no exception. If you go out all year, there is no need to mix with the amateurs and drive yourself nuts on NYE as well.
We have some very good friends coming to join us for dinner, we will drink a couple of nice bottles of wine and when I am finished, I can walk upstairs and go to bed. LUXURY!


Tune of the Day:  Dig, Lazarus, Dig     by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Mövenpick have renovated their Wine Bar in Zürich

and they have done a very good job. I love the idea of being able to buy a bottle of wine at Bottle Shop prices and then just paying CHF15 for the privilege of drinking it in the bar.
The Breguet Exhibition at the Landesmuseum is also very good- a fantastic collection of showpieces from a couple of hundred years ago. I'd shudder to think what they might be worth today!


Tune of the Day: Gun Street Girl   by Tom Waits

Monday 26 December 2011

Success! I ate too much :-)

We had friends over for Christmas lunch and it was a most enjoyable afternoon/evening/night. I'm just about to get out and go for a walk for an hour or so- some fresh air and burning a few calories will certainly do me some good.


Tune of the Day: Bigmouth Strikes Again  by The Smiths

Saturday 24 December 2011

It is already Christmas in Fiji, so it is safe to say

"Merry Christmas" to everyone. To all of our family, friends and innocent bystanders who were diverted here after hitting the "Checkout" button at some far away on-line store.... best wishes for the festive season; health, happiness and another glass of whatever you are enjoying.


Tune of the Day: 16 Shells From A Thirty-Ought Six    by Tom Waits

Friday 23 December 2011

Sometimes you just need to be an Australian

and when The Butcher sends Violet Crumble is definitely one of those times. I'm salivating sitting here just trying to imagine how good this lot will be after a trip through the ice cream machine.
Look Out!


Tune Of The Day: The Butcher and Fast Eddie (it just had to be, didn't it?)      by Rose Tattoo

Sunday 18 December 2011

I enjoyed walking around with a different lens today

after using one of my 50s for my project this past week. The city was hopping- don't know if people were doing lots of shopping or just hanging out and taking it easy.


Tune of the Day: Desperadoes Under The Eaves    by Warren Zevon

Friday 16 December 2011

Time to build a boat!

After several dry, mild months it looks as if we are playing a game of catch-up here at the moment. Going to get all of our October and November precipitation in a few days (albeit in December). They tell me that tomorrow it is going to get cool and we might even get some snow.
Chop a tree and open another bottle of red!


Tune of the Day:  Green Eyes   by Nick Cave

Thursday 15 December 2011

Lunch yesterday was great- thanks Gentlemen.

And I really enjoyed a quick lunch with Catherine today- I could get very comfortable with this "not going to the office" idea  :-)


Tune of the Day:  Lazy Rain   by Smog

Wednesday 14 December 2011

All of this running around for a week trying to shoot a rainbow

and one appears on my doorstep this morning  :-)  I'm happy that I have managed to get my picture for the project already as I am off to lunch soon and it might take a while....


Tune of the Day:  Hound Dog   by Jerry Lee Lewis

Tuesday 13 December 2011

My 50mm lens is becoming a firm favourite

(well, actually, they both are) and I am enjoying this little photo project this week. Tomorrow I will be on the hunt again in the morning before going: lunch, set, match.


Tune of the Day:  Butcher and Fast Eddy   by Rose Tattoo

Monday 12 December 2011

Hey wait! I'm Japanese. :-)

It was nice to have Stefan, Claudia, Peter, Jackie, Thomas and Patricia as guests at home last night. I enjoyed myself and I certainly hope that our visitors did as well.
If anyone went home hungry, it was their own fault.  :-)


Tune of the Day:  Built For Comfort   by Howlin' Wolf

Sunday 11 December 2011

Guests coming this afternoon

and I'm looking forward to cooking and opening a bottle of wine or three. Today is the start of Week 50 and I am participating in another Photo Challenge- this one just a week long and involving 50mm lenses. I will try to post some of my out-takes here during the week....


Tune of the Day: Strangers  by Portishead

Saturday 10 December 2011

Züri West is expanding at an alarming rate

and this weekend is the opening of a new tram connection which will run out that way. Look out!


Tune of the Day:  Gun Street Girl   by Tom Waits

Thursday 8 December 2011

Holiday

h-o-l-i-d-a-y..... yup, you heard it right. Ask me all about it on Friday night


Tune of the Day:  Lola   by The Kinks

Sunday 4 December 2011

I enjoyed the watch market today

and there were a few pieces that I could imagine myself wearing, but nothing really set me on fire. It was also nice to have a walk around town before it started to drizzle.
Dinner this evening will be a plate of risotto with white truffle and a bottle of Tignanello... any questions?


Tune of the Day:  Black Dog    by Led Zeppelin

Saturday 3 December 2011

Looking for a restaurant in Zürich?

You could certainly do worse than visiting Isebähnli. I had dinner there last night with a couple of friends and it was most enjoyable.


Tune of the Day:  Starstruck    by The Kinks

Wednesday 30 November 2011

I love receiving old-fashioned post

and stuff like this much more than bills. A music delivery this evening- The Kinks and The Flamin' Groovies. Makes for pleasant listening....


Tune of the Day:  Headin' For The Texas Border    by  The Flamin' Groovies

Sunday 27 November 2011

Dinner was great and I wonder

what sort of coincidence it was that I tore a hole in the butt of a pair of jeans today? I am a fat bastard!  :-)  But at least we went for a walk this evening......


Tune of the Day:  Tell Mama    by Janis Joplin

Saturday 26 November 2011

A Thanksgiving Dinner tonight

which will probably mean turkey overload and too much red wine. Hey! Did I suggest that that was, in any way, a bad thing? I have organised a week's holiday for next month and that should coincide with another little photo project- looking forward to that very much.
Bundy, Roy?



Tune of the Day:   Back Down South   by Kings Of Leon

Friday 25 November 2011

Monti says that Sarkozy and Merkel agree

that an Italian default will mean the end of the euro. OK- I understand that...... why the heck don't they get their butts out of the restaurant and try to rescue their countries?


Tune of the Day:  Girl From Ipanema   by Getz/Gilberto

Tuesday 22 November 2011

This Movember thing really goes off

and I received further photographic evidence today to illustrate that point...


Tune of the Day:  We're Out Of Here     by Funky Porcini

Sunday 20 November 2011

It has been a quiet weekend

and after a quick visit to Vaduz on Friday evening I have taken things very easy. I'm not sure what the coming week holds, but I believe that it will be a little cooler- the weather has been incredibly dry and relatively warm up until now and the skiers are starting to think that season 2011/2012 was cancelled without fanfare.


Tune of the Day:  Champ    by  White Denim

Saturday 19 November 2011

Hamilton Island might be nice

for some people!  :-)


Tune of the Day:   Spinning Away   by Eno and Cale

Thursday 17 November 2011

Just sayin'

Movember certainly does a great job of mobilising guys for the greater good. Looks fantastic Chopper!



Tune of the Day:  If 6 Was 9     by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Sunday 13 November 2011

Hensby 854

and congratulations to Greg Chalmers on winning the Australian Open at The Lakes. I only hope that his victory is not overshadowed by the John Daly incident earlier in the week.
Does anyone else really dislike UPS? I am awaiting a delivery (for which I have paid a handsome fee) and called them on Thursday morning to have the parcel re-directed to the office address when they were unable to deliver it at home........... solemn promises of it being delivered on Friday were broken when their office was shut for the day.
And get off my lawn!



Tune of the Day:  Moanin' At Midnight    by Howlin' Wolf

Thursday 10 November 2011

More Penfolds magic last night

when we were lucky enough to be invited to a vertical tasting of Bins 707 and 407. A few wonderful wines and a very enjoyable evening. Thanks Barossa!


Tune of the Day:  Love Shack   by The B52s

Sunday 6 November 2011

I was in Burgdorf today

and checked out the Photo Market. Not quite as impressive as I had hoped, but at least the weather was nice and I was able to walk about and take a few photos......


Tune of the Day:  Cold, Cold Ground   by Tom Waits

Saturday 5 November 2011

I bought a new lens last month

and wasn't able to use it at the time because of the Octoberfest Photo Challenge in which I was involved. We went for a walk today and I think that I am going to have a lot of fun with my new (to me) Nikon 20/2.8 AFD.


Tune of the Day: Get Behind The Mule   by Tom Waits

Wednesday 2 November 2011

It is November already

and that means a couple of things. My month-long photo project is over (it was a lot of fun and quite successful too, I believe) and big Gazza has a birthday tomorrow. Hope that you have a blast mate and I look forward to raising a glass with you again soon. BTW- we were at the Passport Office this morning and applied for new, red passports...... should take about a week  :-)


Tune of the Day:  Peaches & Cream    by Beck

Saturday 29 October 2011

Many thanks to Penfolds and Barossa

for a top-notch evening. The range of wines at the tasting was stupendous and we really enjoyed the dinner and conversation as well. Cheers!



Tune of the Day:  Deform To Form A Star    by Steven Wilson

Monday 24 October 2011

Getting ready to go Gaga with Gago

tomorrow evening. A pretty exciting idea!



Tune of the Day:  Pound For A Brown   by Frank Zappa

Saturday 22 October 2011

Octoberfest continues and I am really happy

with my work so far. I'm not sure why, but I have found it fairly easy to pick up at least one worthwhile shot each day- fingers crossed that it stays that way. This coming week may even see me walking out the door with my tripod in the mornings.....


Tune of the Day:  Hell Broke Luce   by Tom Waits

Friday 21 October 2011

Seriously, does anyone care who came third?

I am happy that the Australians won the rugby match today, but I just don't see the point in a Loser's Final. Why not let the guys get on the gas and misbehave? Surely William Webb Ellis would approve......


Tune of the Day:  Star Dust   by Lester Young

Monday 17 October 2011

Off to the ice hockey tomorrow nite

and after a long break, it should be fun. If things go according to plan, we will have time for a fondue beforehand and maybe a couple of beers during the match. Who said that sport wasn't good for you?  :-)


Tune of the Day:  Stoicism   by Ringo Shiina

Friday 14 October 2011

Time for a night out?

I guess that with girls it is easier to tell whether they are heading out after work or heading home........



Tune of the Day:  Atomic Moog 2000   by Coldcut

Tuesday 11 October 2011

Anyone else excited about the new Tom Waits album?

I, personally, am starting to get pretty pumped about this new release. Picked up a nice complimentary Blue Note download from Amazon on the weekend and have been trying to grab a few albums from time-to-time.


Tune of the Day:  Killing Floor   by Howlin' Wolf

Sunday 9 October 2011

Congratulations are in order to

Franziska, Patricia, Simone and Christian- the winners of this year's Many Hills Show. Hard to imagine that after more than 5 hours of racing, there were 3 women who finished with the same time!
Something of a shake-up in the rugby world this weekend with England and Ireland being sent home in the Northern Hemisphere group. Wales will now do battle with the French to see who will take on the winner of the Australia v NZ match. Interesting days!


Tune of the Day:  Onamission   by Coldcut

Saturday 8 October 2011

Hensby 777

A busy week with an Oktoberfest visit and a great dinner last evening with the lads. These cooler evenings are much more pleasant for sleeping, that's for sure. Just taking in a little Roy and HG via podcast and preparing for the weekend.


Tune of the Day:  The Final Comedown    by Grant Green

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Twist and shout!

No, I am not talking about the Fed...... there is a new burger joint in town. Looking forward to testing it out soooooon


Tune of the Day: Slow Night, So Long    by Kings Of Leon

Monday 3 October 2011

Better than turning on the news

this guy will bring you up to date in a flash! Thanks Nad- great to catch up as always.


Tune of the Day: Woe-Is-Uh-Me-Bop   by Captain Beefheart

Sunday 2 October 2011

Winner, winner. Chicken dinner!

Catherine cooked up a wonderful roast chicken lunch for us today. I will be heading out later to take some photos and to meet up later with a friend from Canada- this lot will certainly keep me satisfied for the afternoon......


Tune of the Day:  Love Gets You Twisted   by Graham Parker

Saturday 1 October 2011

We are off and running....

I have managed to post my first photo for this month's Octoberfest Challenge and hope to be able to continue to produce at least 1 quality black and white photo with my 50mm lens each day.....


Tune of the Day: Dead Web   by The Chills

Friday 30 September 2011

There is a complete lack of respect around these parts

but I guess that makes it 1-1    :-)



Tune of the Day:  Pleasure and Pain    by Ben Harper

Wednesday 28 September 2011

Beautiful one day, perfect the next

If I were asked to order weather for a week off, I'm pretty sure that I would order exactly what we are having now. September is a great time of the year!
Went to the movies yesterday- please put "The Guard" on your list. Irish. Very amusing.


Tune of the Day:  Ella Guru    by Captain Beefheart

Monday 26 September 2011

I came back from the South

with a little bit of a tan.......  Which is more than I can say for some of the travelling party



Tune of the Day: Dog Days Are Over   by Florence and The Machine

Saturday 24 September 2011

After sweeping away a little spam

and processing some photos, I am back on deck. We had a great week in Barcelona and I could seriously understand someone eating themself to death in that fantastic city. The Catalan love of seafood and the pig was a great match for my dietary plan.....



Tune of the Day:   Used Cars    by Bruce Springsteen

Friday 16 September 2011

A slightly closer look

at the bottle from our lunch table. This one was seriously enjoyable  :-)



Tune of the Day: Factory Girl   by The Rolling Stones

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Now, that is the way that Sunday lunch should be

good friends, good food and a couple of nice bottles of wine. Thanks to the cook, thanks to our visitors and many thanks as well to the Cellarmaster.


Tune of the Day:  Going Under    by Kruder and Dorfmeister

Saturday 10 September 2011

Happy Birthday Boys!

Campbell and Angus share a birthday and I hope that you are both having lots of fun. We will try to give you a call a little later. Happy Birthday- much love from Uncle David and Aunty Catherine xxxx





Tune of the Day: I Asked For Water    by Howlin' Wolf