Hobbies are things I do, rather than say something that I just like to keep informed about. This will be a page to be further developed. For the moment, it is just a list and a few words.
Bicycle Touring Guides - My love affair with bicycles started in my teens when I could use the family bicyle to go places far afield. It slowed down in 1989 when presures of work to pay for and support a house changed my lifestyle. To date, we have republished Jim Smiths Blue Mountains Bicycle Guide and are examining the resources of Bicyce Australia and slowly placing the BA touring guides onto their WWW pages.
Bush Regeneration - Started in July 1991 with the founding of Friends of Smiths Creek to carry out bush regeneration in the reserve. Wendy & I have undertaken the Certificate in Bush Regeneration (both with distinction pass) and enjoy the monthly work days as a welcome change. We recently celebrated 10 years as volunteer bush regenerators.
Community Service - One of my vices is that I am too willing to help out by becoming involved in whatever organisation I am a member of. No, I am definitely not looking for other organisations to become involved in. In fact, after nearly 30 years of doing this, I am trying to have a decade with minimal involvement.
Old Computers and Garden Controllers - Well, not that old as I'm fiddling with various linux systems on 386+ computers to automate the watering of our garden. This will extend to garden lighting and house security (this is where the webcam started). The plan is to put all this onto the internet; water usage, webcam, maybe even a cat tracker! {:-)}}}
Electronic Projects - An ongoing interest which started with fixing old items when I was young, through building a few kits for test equipment and various other needs, to now a days designing small projects to fit in with other activites.
Environmental Education - The need for increasing the level of environmental education of the community has been known to me since I enjoyed the outdoors throught Scouting. Too often, people become aware of this after they have contributed to environmental degradation. My contribution is currently supporting a few other environmental organisations and the educational activities of Friends of Smiths Creek.
Matters Geneological - This started in my teens when I recorded my fathers parents talking about family history. In my twenties, I had my grandparents and their sibilings and surviving silings from their parents generation ( 12+ in a family all round - I had behave where ever I went as there was bound to be a relation about) to ask and obtain information. This gave me a good basic structure. Now, twenty plus years later, I am returning to this interest and finding only the sibings of my parents generation are still around. Others have pushed two lines, Collins and Erreys back as far as recorded history allows. I'm working to push the other lines further back.
GIS - Geographic Information Systems - Two areas are the mapping of a patch of urban bushland know as Smiths Creek Reserve to show the gradual degradation by rational development (salami slicing), and for the above mentioned bicycle touring guides.
Model Live Steam - I am a member of Illawarra Live Steamers and for the past 5 years have run a 5" gauge Don Young Hunslett 0-4-0 which was built by Rueben Beaumont. The plans include building 15 narrow gauge wagons to match the engine. Currently in material acquisition phase.
Reading - Science Fiction and Fantasy - Emphasis is on Australian Authors, when I find out who they are. I also speck buy by browsing the shop and choosing covers I like.