We welcome another Giant to the family

I have been thinking about (and saving) getting a new bike for some months, the wait is over. Yesterday I bought a Giant road bike. The hybrids have served us well and mine will still get some use but the time was right for an upgrade. The new one has higher gearing and road tyres and takes much less effort to get  it (and keep it) rolling. 

No better day than Australia Day to take it out for its inaugural run and that is precisely what we did. I am happy to report (despite the fact that the gears are on the opposite sides of the handlebars compared to my old bike) it perfomed flawlessly. Whereas 25 to 28 kmh was a typical cruising speed the new bike runs at 32 or so with much the same amount of effort.

I have my sights set on the Sydney - Wollongong ride later this year! I like retirement - time to train.

Nice day (and time) for a snooze....

I went for a wander down towards the creek in our backyard this morning, after the warm weather and rain the grass could use a cut and it was to that end (more or less - tending towards less) that I ventured down. It is an overcast and humid day and down near the creek I found this lizard (the more knowledgeable may correct me but I think it is an Eastern Water Dragon) enjoying the occasional bit of sunshine. If there was not so much painting to be done I may have joined him in enjoying lazing about doing nothing much (instead I am blogging....)

The photo above shows he is not actually sleeping at all but I think watching me, not that I appeared to be a threat I presume because he did not move at all even though I was within 2 metres of him. 

It is a great place to live! We have something digging in our backyard at night and I wonder if that may be a bandicoot even though I do not think I have seen one for over thirty years. At the zoo they told us they are making a comeback in some areas in the city - I hope here.