25th May - The Panchen Lama

25th May is the 18th birthday of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima - the 11th Panchen Lama. He has been imprisoned by the Chinese since he was 6 years old! All attempts to track him down have failed.
The Chinese authorities named their own Panchen Lama and he is now the 2nd highest lama of the Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect after the Dalai Lama. The significance is that the Panchen Lama will be instrumental in choosing the next Dalai Lama and the Chinese believe they now can influence this choice.





When I was in Tibet last year we visited Shigatse and the monastery of Tashilhunpo. There was much activity and we were suprised by the arrival of Gyaincain Norbu - the Chinese nominated Panchen. (This is my photo of his arrival - many yellow hats and ceremonial parasol).

My reaction to seeing this character was mixed but I was surprised and, indeed, impressed by the reaction of our guide. Pasang was a young Tibetan who spoke good English and was with us for all our time in Tibet. I asked him what the Tibetans thought of the Chinese Panchen. He said that they feel much sympathy for him and that his position was a difficult one. He added that the community 'go along' with the pretence because they feel sorry for the young Gyancain who is forced to act out this role.
I was most impressed by this attitude - not of resignation and resentment - but of true Buddhist compassion and tolerance in the face of a difficult situation.

25th May

The first batch of pies were made last night - minced beef, potato & onion - and they were AWESOME!
Took 2 to work for lunch today.
Everyone must rush over to Australia and try our pies. (Mushy peas at no extra charge).

24th May - New Toy!

So my old Canon compact digital is getting a bit dated - 4 megapixels, 3x zoom, bits are getting wobbly and all the writing washed off in the rain when we did the Milford Track in New Zealand last year.
Time for an upgrade!


This little beauty is on it's way. The Canon TX1. It's 7.1 megapixels, 10x optical zoom, AND it does up to an hour of HD video directly onto the card! Goodbye tapes and hard drives. AND it can take high quality stills while you're videoing!

It's due to arrive within 5 days so I'll give it a workout when I go to see the Dalai Lama and when I climb Mt. Barney in the next couple of weeks. It will, of course, get a full workout in Vietnam next month - all as a prelude to what will be a sensational video of the ascent of Lhakpa Ri in September.

22nd May - 54 years since 1953

I was born 1 week before the first ascent of Everest & 12 days before the Coronation!

Here I am contemplating reaching the advanced age of 54;



An age where presents such as a 'pie-maker' are not only forthcoming, but much appreciated;


But every now and again the true nature shows itself;

Moving house - in 2011!

About a year ago Paula & I decided on a longish term plan. The kids will all be over 18 in a few years time and our house in Brisbane is quite large. Time perhaps to become inner city dwellers ( bearing in mind the 'country seat' at Maleny). Brisbane now has a thriving cafe society with plenty of art/entertainment action.
This development - called 'Vision' has just started being built - it's not even a hole in the ground at the moment. Once it's built it will be the tallest building in Brisbane and we've purchased 'off the plan', as it's called, a 3 bedroom, 2 floor apartment on levels 44 and 45. There are 2 underground car parks and the lower levels have shops, restaurants, pool, gym and so on. I suppose the stairs could be a bit tiring.
A couple of photographs - lifted off the net - of what it will look like, and a link to a You Tube 'fly around' of the whole thing.




Check it out on You Tube Here

Better pictures!

I've just learned that by 'double-clicking' on any of the blog photographs they will open up as large original size pictures. This means that all the blemishes & wrinkles on this old man can be viewed with indecent clarity! Happy viewing.

Thur. 3rd MAY. Training walk in the Blackall Range

Since the beginning of March I've been doing a bit of walking (with backpack & 5kg. weight in each hand) and also been running VERY early in the mornings before it gets light. I've gradually upped the distance run to a 5km. circuit which fits in nicely with getting to work. So, in March I walked 47 km. & ran 36 km. - total 83 km. In April I walked 28 km. & ran 58.5 km. - total 86.5 km. Time to up the ante.

Yesterday I went for a long walk along trails in the rainforest north of Brisbane, near Maleny - part of 'The Great Queensland Walk'. It was very dry which made it easier - less slippy, no rivers to cross and no leeches. There was a total climb of over 600 m. - 2000 feet - and a distance of 29 km. - 18 English miles. I did it in 6 hours and was amazed to find I was able to walk without any pain this morning!

Discovery Channel has been screening a great documentary on Everest which really shows what it's like at ABC and beyond. A good incentive to keep the exercise going.