2013 Specialized Stumpjumper Carbon Comp
Happy birthday to me!
After the recent Specialized ‘Test the Best’ session in Cairns, I decided to purchase myself a 2013 Stumpjumper mountain bike.
I chose the Carbon Comp model with a few mods. These included upgraded X0 Trail disc brakes, carbon seat post and Phenom saddle.
Test the Best with Specialized
The Smithfield MTB Tracks hosted the Specialized ‘Test the Best’ session this morning.
After providing identification and a credit card for security, you could take any Specialized mountain bike or road bike for a test. I took the Stumpjumper and Epic model bikes for a few laps and came away with the ‘Stumpy’ being my favourite.
Smithfield MTB Tracks
Testing the GoPro camera mounted to the seat pole of my mountain bike.
A very small section of the Smithfield mountain bike tracks in Cairns ridden with Silas on Sunday afternoon. The tracks are maintained by the Cairns Mountain Bike club – cairnsmtb.com
Fishing – Sudbury Reef [October 2011]
Great day out on the reef with Jenn, Reecey & Naithan.
Video here –
Update – Diesel [February 2011]
Diesel is now nine months old and weighs a little over sixteen kilograms.
He has a great love of tennis balls and jumping as can be seen in the below video clips. This video clip was filmed on a GoPro HD Hero camera and was processed on my MacBook Pro using Final Cut Pro.
Boat trailer repairs
I’ve spent the last three weeks repairing the boat trailer prior to the Easter holidays fishing trip. We have booked in to spend three nights in Karumba, located in the Queensland gulf.
My cousin Nick spent two of his Saturdays cutting and welding the trailer back into shape. Jenn, Mick & I then took care of the rest including “kill rust”, zinc coating, priming and painting.
Photos here – http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/misc/boattrailer
Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve
Jenn and I experienced dining with lions at the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve this evening!
Photos here – http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/special/safari
Video here – 
For details of the “Dine On The Edge” experience, visit their website – http://www.cairnswildlifesafarireserve.com.au/Dine_on_the_Edge.html
Happy New Year
Mette, Dave, Jenn & I at Bella Vista Bar
Happy New Year!
I spent NYE with family and friends at Bella Vista Bar at the Pier …
Photos here – http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/events/nye09
Fishing – Batt Reef
Giant Trevally caught on a Halco Roosta popper
Jenn and I ventured out to Batt Reef for our first time in search of large Giant Trevallies (GTs) …
Photos here – http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/camping/batt01
Fishing – Sudbury Reef
Cairns Custom Craft
I smashed the coral trout with my new Daiwa fishing rod & reel combo!
Photos here – http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/camping/sudbury04
Reef Fishing at Sudbury
Another successful fishing trip out on Sudbury Reef with my brothers!
Photos here – http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/camping/sudbury02
Sudbury Reef Fishing
Swimming at Sudbury Cay
A group of us took out Mick’s boat on Sunday to spend a lovely day fishing and swimming at Sudbury Reef.
We took home a good feed of Coral Trout and Sweetlip though all of the “keepers” were caught by Nick and Mel!
Photos here – http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/camping/sudbury01/
King’s Chair
Daniel took us up to a little known spot in Kuranda yesterday nicknamed the King’s Chair.
Overlooking the Barron Gorge, this is one sweet spot for it’s commanding views, cool breezes and refreshing water.
Photos here - http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/camping/kingmar09
Chinese New Year 2009
I spent Saturday afternoon at a Chinese New Year Party to celebrate the incoming “Year of the Ox”.
Photos here - http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/events/cny09
Stony Creek to Glacier Rock Hike
Zoe, Jenn, Marisa & Matty at Glacier Rock
Disregarded the heat & humidity to undertake the Stony Creek to Glacier Rock hike today with friends.
Photos here - http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/camping/glacierjan09
Trail stats here - http://www.trailguru.com/wiki/index.php/Track:3Q62
Happy Birthday Mick
My youngest brother, Mick, turned 32 yesterday so we celebrated with family & friends at Bella Vista Bar at the Pier.
Photos here - http://www.ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/family/mick32nd
Full Moon Hike
Jenn & I pleased to be at the top of Glacier Rock
Spent Sunday evening with friends hiking up to Glacier Rock under a full moon.
Photos here - http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/camping/glacierdec08
MacBook Pro 2008
MacBook Pro 2008
I’ve just purchased the latest Apple MacBook Pro with a few “extras” including an mStand, Apple Bluetooth keyboard & Logitech wireless mouse.
Photos here - http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/toys/mbp08
Tinaroo Dam
At the wheel of Jason's boat
Jenn & I spent the day on the water at Tinaroo Dam on Sunday with the Kingsley family.
Jason was appreciative that I have my boat licence and was able to tow the kiddies around on the biscuits while he spent some R&R time on the bank.
Photos here - http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/camping/dam-nov08
House Purchase
Edge Hill Investment Property
I’ve just purchased a three bedroom house in Edge Hill. I plan to continue living with my brothers so it will be an investment property. A good buy in one of Cairns’ blue chip suburbs.
Photos here - http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/misc/russellst
Glacier Rock Hike
Half way up to the top of Glacier Rock
Daniel, Shean & I spent the afternoon hiking up to the top of Glacier Rock. Here is a wonderful spot to rest and take in the glorious scenery of the gorge below and the coastal vista beyond.
Photos here - http://ozmatrix.com/gallery/v/camping/glacier08
Big Move Happening
Black Friday at The Reef Hotel Casino
I’m in a bit of a whirlwind at the moment having just accepted a new job based in Sydney, NSW.
My current position at The Reef Hotel Casino was advertised in today’s paper and my last day of work in Cairns will be Friday 23rd of this month.
So what is my new job? I’ve accepted a position with Accor Asia Pacific as a Regional IT Manager. I’ll have shared responsibility for managing the IT systems in Accor owned and managed hotels along the east coast of Australia.
With some travel involved, I’m hoping to get to many places around the states I haven’t seen before as well as catching up with friends and family.
