It’s an amazing world

Posted on by Nathan

Between 1999 and 2013 I have been fortunate enough to visit 50 different countries and see some really amazing things. Yesterday I was asked what was my favourite place and it took my a while to gather my thoughts but I enjoyed the trip down memory lane so I decided to make a top 5 list of amazing experiences.

1 – Sleeping under the stars on Antarctica
During my 2012-2013 trip I got to camp overnight next to a colony of penguins. The entire trip to the southern continent was memorable but this was the highlight. The weather was extremely cold, I slept in about 5 layers of clothing, but the air was amazingly clear, we camped near a glacier and we had seals and penguins for neighbours.

2 – Machu Picchu (Peru)
Machu Picchu was stunning the day I visited in 2009 one day after my birthday. It might have been that the 4 day hike at high altitude which early starts and occasion rain had an effect on my mind but standing on the Sun Gate overlooking this ancient city is something I think I’ll never ever forget! The weak tourists caught the train in and complained of all the ‘hiking’ they had to do to reach the city. The real adventurers who hiked for four days just enjoyed the site and sights as the clouds rolled in.

3 – Iguassu Falls (Argentina)
One of the seven wonders of the world and somehow I didn’t really know about it until my visit in 2009-2010. I spent two days here but the best day was on the Argentinean side. When I visited it was very hot and humid but a visit on a speed boat and a trenching under a couple of the water falls fixed that up real fast! There seemed to be hundreds of different waterfalls and most seemed to fall a hundred metres in different points with spray everywhere. Differently better than Niagara Falls.

4 – Sailing down the Nile on a felucca (Egypt)
There is so much history in Egypt to see during my 2009 visit. The pyramids and temples are amazing especially the ones reached by military escort visit to Abu Simbel but for me it was sailing down the Nile in a felucca with on the wind to move us. I even got to swim in one part where we were assured the water wouldn’t kill us :)

Sitting under the stars and moon in the middle of their summer and falling into a blissful and relaxing sleep only to wake up a see the sun rising over the water, glass and sand is something to experience!

5 – Grand Canyon (USA)
Way back in 1999 on my first major world trip I was fortunate enough to visit the Grand Canyon. This was the first time in my life that I could grasp what I was seeing. Arizona in winter is amazing enough but you add in the Grand Canyon and your mind will struggle to take in all the colours and the size of this place. It was like an artificial screen saver but better. Now hiking along one side for a few hours and climbing down into a small Indian Camp in the rocks certainty helped my appreciation somewhat. A bald eagle sighting was a good way to end the day as well!

It’s hard to believe I couldn’t fund a place for the glaciers in Iceland, the Giants Causeway in Scotland, anywhere at all in Costa Rica or Cuba , the Actun Tunichil Muknal caves in Belize, the World Cup match I saw in Munich back in 2006, the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, The Great Wall of China, or even my favourite city in the world New York.

The world is a big place and there is lots more to explore. What’s Next???

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50 Countries
Antarctica; 2012-12013
Argentina; 2009-2010, 2012-2013
Austria; 2006
Belarussia; 2006
Belgium; 2006
Belize; 2012-2013
Bolivia; 2009-2010
Brazil; 2009-2010
Canada; 2006, 2009
Chile; 2012-2013
China; 2006
Costa Rica; 2012-2013
Czech Republic; 2006
Cuba; 2012-2013
Egypt; 2009
England; 1999-2000, 2009, 2012-2013
Estonia; 2006
Fiji; 2010
Finland; 2006
France; 2006
Germany; 2006, 2012-2013
Guatemala; 2012-2013
Holland; 2006
Honduras; 2012-2013
Hong Kong; 2006
Iceland; 2012-2013
Italy; 2006
Latvia; 2006
Lithuania; 2006
New Zealand; 1999-2000, 2007, 2009-2010
Nicaragua; 2012-2013
Northern Ireland; 1999-2000
Mexico; 2012-2013
Malaysia; 2012-2013
Monaco; 2006
Panama; 2012-2013
Paraguay; 2009-2010
Peru; 2009-2010
Republic of Ireland; 1999-2000
Russia; 2006
Singapore; 2012-2013
South Africa; 2006
Scotland; 1999
Spain; 2006, 2012-2013
Swaziland; 2006
Switzerland; 2006
Thailand; 2012-12013
USA; 1998, 1999-2000, 2006, 2009, 2009-2010, 2012-2013
The Vatican; 2006
Wales; 2006

Mental Health and Support

Posted on by Nathan

Mental health is something that many of us take for granted until we or someone we care about crashes. As a society we see advertisements about physical health issues all the time, in fact some of them might lead to mental health issues due to poor body imagines, but rarely mental health ads.

In Australia mental health is rarely discussed. Being a country that prides itself on it’s sense of ‘manliness’ and a general feeling that if you are feeling bad you should toughen up. According to Government data in 2009 (latest I could find) someone commits suicide in Australia every 4 hours, with men being four times likely as women. The figures are likely under reported unfortunately and lives can be wrecked when without suicide.

Way back in 1990 I was impacted by this when my father took his own life. I come home from school one day and found the car running in the garage and a note in the kitchen. I have some understanding of the impact such an event can have on the people left behind. As a Catholic family we also had the issue of the church preferring not to hold the funeral, they did in the end but suicide is considered a sin.

Mental health and wellbeing is at the centre of true happiness and being able to live your life. There is much that still isn’t know about how to treat this but there are medications that can help balance people out, especially if they suffer from a bipolar disorder.

The fact is there are probably people in your life who suffer from manic depression and you probably do not even know due to the feeling of shame some people in this situation feel and how they try to hide it. You can appear to be successful financially but in reality that is a false front as spiritually and mentally you are suffering. Material things appear to mean little in this area other than they can cause stress and isolation (excessive workloads for example getting in the way of family and friends).

Luckily awareness is growing that it is not always just a weakness that an individual has to suck up and get over by themself. There are organisations that help people suffering and help those around them understand the condition. Beyond Blue is an Australian organisation I believe who are worth supporting and checking out their website, especially for signs and symptoms to look out for;

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/signs-and-symptoms

There have been points in my life were depression has been very real to me and for which I’ve needed help. I’ve been fortunate that I had support. I’m sure with the privileged life I live including travel, career and wealth I wouldn’t seem likely to be effected.

The worse aspect of mental health issues however is those needing help are usually the ones least able to see that or even have access to services. We can all help however by talking about our experiences, by looking out for those around us who might be suffering and supporting organisations and governments who are addressing this issue. The manly approach doesn’t work. As a people I truly believe we are at our best when we support each other and keep judgment to a minimum.

Let’s support people and try to minimise the very real costs denying mental health issues.

Myrtleford Easter Tennis Tournament – Day 4

Posted on by Nathan

The fourth and final day of the Easter Weekend Tournament saw me competing in Mixed Doubles with my partner Ivanka Kuric. The strange thing about the last day is the more successful you are the worst you will be physically and your drive home will be about an hour longer due to increased traffic.

Being the last day also meant it was pack up day as check out was 10.00 am combined with Kara and Reagan’s first match being at 8.30 am it meant an early morning start.

Ivanka and myself made it to the Quarter Finals winning our first two group matches:
D Grade Mixed Doubles (w Ivanka)
Annie and Andrew Robertson 7-4
Vicki Rae & Jack Forbes 7-1

But losing the Quarter Final to a last minute entry:
T Sebastien and J Rest 2-7

So no prizes for Mixed Doubles but I got my photo taken and picked up a prize for being runners up in the Singles on Saturday my first ever prize after coming down to Myrtleford for 12 years :) .

The drive back took 3 hours 20 minutes which was fast considering one year time it took around 5 hours! An enjoyable time for my last major break before winter starts, now to enjoy football season.

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Myrtleford Easter Tennis Tournament – Day 3

Posted on by Nathan

After the five matches yesterday I wasn’t scheduled for any matches today.

I did get to experience Erin’s excitement that it was Easter and time for chocolate!

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This left the rest of the day to enjoy the chocolate and hear about Andrew’s excellent B Grade Singles win from yesterday.

I did get a chance to catch up with the Orton’s in particular playtime with Hannah, Catherine’s young baby girl. She was easy to keep fascinated with my nose and her nose. Baby’s are so cute as they start looking and learning about the world.

I finished the day with a visit to the local Pokies venue with my sister Kara and we both walked away winners after playing a machine together.

Myrtleford Easter Tennis Tournament – Day 2

Posted on by Nathan

Today saw me playing 5 sets as I progressed in the D Grade singles to my first final after 12 previous attempts.

D Grade Singles
Semi Final – Andrew Robertson 8-7 (7-2 tie break)
Final – Jordan Forbes 3-8

C Grade Doubles (w Leon Roche)
Steve Lloyd / Scott Matheson 7-2
Joe Thorpe / Kyle Baxter 0-7

D Grade Doubles (w Reagan Burgess)
Kieran Robertson / Lindsay Spencer 2-7

The 0-7 loss with Leon in the C Doubles. Was us being totally outclassed by a far superior combination who also are playing B Grade. I was happy with winning the other first match.

Losing the D Doubles match with Reagan was very disappointing. I gave us a good chance of progressing far in the tournament but we were both of during the match. There were 7 sudden death games highlighting how close the match actually was. You only need to be off you game for a few minutes and its all over.

In the singles I won a marathon semi final match to start my day. I won the tie break by a good margin but until the last three points I didn’t believe I would win.

In the final I was beaten by Jordan Forbes who played a clever match rallying for long periods and only when necessary hit ‘hard’ forehand winners. A worthy winner.

After playing this tournament so many times it was a major surprise to do so well, especially given my low fitness levels and lack of game play since my world trip.

Later that night I went to the local pokies venue with my mother and sister and actually won some money! Another surprise.

After playing 51 long games I was still very happy despite not progressing past the group stage in my doubles events :)

Myrtleford Easter Tennis Tournament – Day 1

Posted on by Nathan

Good Friday saw me back at Myrtleford for the local tennis tournament which I have been attending since 1999. This was a real family affair as I’m staying at a local hotel with my mother (Helen), brother (Jason), sister (Kara), brother-in-law (Jason) and niece (Erin) in a family room with my nephew Andrew and his girlfriend Amber next door.

Today I was scheduled for and 8.30 am kick off which I made easily enough having been woken by Reagan around 7 am. Since returning to Australia I’ve barely won a set but recently I’ve been getting closer and I was feeling better. Still I thought I was only playing singles to get practise on grass for later doubles events.

My results for the day were surprising;
Singles D Grade
Rd 1: James Kelly 8-4
Rd2: Ben O’Day forfeit win
QF: Luke Oliver 8-4

Doubles D Grade (w Reagan)
Group Stage: Killian & Lachan McGregor 7-1

So I ended up winning 4 matches 3 of them on my merits. I did have my main racquet break on me when warming up for the doubles, I swear I didn’t smash it into the fence or ground.

Reagan is playing some really good tennis right now maybe we might progress in the draw for a while.

Today gave my a chance to see my old mixed tennis partner Catherine and her beautiful new baby Hannah :) .

Being Good Friday most people try not to eat meat (it’s a Catholic thing) and Reagan and Jason organised orders early however at pick up it was organised (maybe) chaos with most individual’s order missing something :(

Tennis wise a surprisingly great result day.

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