I love my life!

Wow, two and a bit weeks in to my Aussie trip and life is great! My health is perfect (apart from the obvious, of which there is no evidence at the moment): I have no pain or any symptoms other than being follicly-challenged, I am enjoying wonderful company wherever I go, I have lots of energy and when presenting and workshopping I feel as sharp as ever.

Of course, I assumed I'd have loads of time to blog and give daily updates of where I was and what I was doing. But you know me better than that by now. So mini-highlights (here's some photos ) are:

• Hong Kong stopover, bought a made-to-measure suit (my first), and then succumbed to the upsell for a sports jacket and two shirts. But to be fair to myself, the tailor did give me a very special price.


• Brisbane conference for the splendid Principa Alliance, a great buzz and a more friendly and decent bunch of people you could not meet.


• ALPMA QLD had me back from a talk on knowledge management - a fundamental but misunderstood element of intellectual capital. Knowledge transfer and sharing took place!


• The other main speaker at Principa was Dr Paddi Lund, the mad (self-confessed) dentist. On the way to a relaxing few days at Lennox Heads, we visited Paddi's practice and were royally entertained - it was as if we were clients.


• My first facial at the exclusive Gaia resort. It is co-owned by Olivia Newton-John but she didn't do my facial; clearly understanding the idea that owning a business doesn't mean you have to do the work the business does. This whole indulge-yourself-facial-thing was NOT my idea, but I have always said take opportunities in life as they present (and believe it even more now). I hereby publicly thank Kerry Payne for this, er, opportunity. I always take loads of pictures and videos and have loads to show you, but me having a facial will not be featuring. The interview I did with Ric will be released in time for next year's Oscars.


• Melbourne and enjoying again the superlative hospitality of Karen and John Chisholm and family. Apart from being the best-connected consultant to professional firms, John was kind and generous enough to organise a dinner for friends I have made in Melbourne. The most special guest there - they will excuse me for saying this - was Nathan Dorembus, who was one of the standout nurses in my first few months at the Marsden, now returned to his native Melbourne and working at the Marsden-esque Peter Mac hospital. I've made no secret of my admiration and gratitude to these devoted skilled, yet underpaid, lifesavers, so I was happy to fête Nathan for his personal contribution to my well-being and as representative of all those medics who have got me back to where I want to be.


• Melbourne events have been fun. Both in-firm and for ALPMA, who were good enough to pay $1,000 to Cancer Council of Australia by way of a thank you.


• Adelaide - my first visit and met up with Kain C+C, a firm that are not a client of mine but continue to impress me from afar. Also some in-firm work and presented to ALPMA (SA), as well as a major accounting firm conference.


• Melbourne again and after watching the footy (Go Monders!) and met up with some former swimmers from Halliwick Penguins that I used to teach swimming, now re-settled in Victoria. Wonderful to roll back the miles and the years!

Now for a couple of days R & R at Point Lonsdale and then off to Sydney for the last four days before flying home. I'll tell you how it went, but if it's anything like my past two weeks, expect me to say I loved every minute of it!

The single improvement I would wish for would be if Daniela were with me. (Oh, and all my children of course. Sorry!) Her school have been very understanding and accommodating in the past year but it's exam time in the UK, and we all know how important that is.

My love to all. Take (make?) the opportunities life presents to you.

As they probably say here: Carpe G'Day!