On top of the world at Les Deux Alps (France)
Having returned to Sydney after our 'Round the World' adventure in 2012/13, 2014 was planned as a year of consolidation.
Quality time spent with friends and family, travel and fitness continued to remain our staples. It was also a big year educationally for Aurelie who was embarking on the final year of her Law Degree and law school, while professionally both of us looked to settle back into the day to day working routine.
The year kicked off with a bang, being perfectly positioned for the Sydney Harbour New Years Eve fireworks. After hosting a few bevies at a backyard BBQ at our place, we ended up on the balcony of a friends Neutral Bay apartment with panoramic views of the Harbour.
A trip to Tasmania for the Cadbury's marathon in mid Jan quickly followed. Cherie, Mum, Dad, Rhys and Elise also made their way down for the weekend which made it a great catch up.
We were greeted by a gusty cross wind which made the undulating, 'out and back' course along the Derwent River in Hobart a difficult one. Aurelie and Shane were doing the half mara while Cherie lined up to take on the marathon with Rhys taking on the 10k'er.
Aurelie finished 7th female in a very respectable time of 1.28.51. Shane's event was over before it started having limped to the start line and further aggravating a calf strain within the first km of the race - DNF (not a great start to the year fitness wise!). Cherie battled the conditions to tick the 'Tasmania' box in her marathon in all states and territories of Oz, completing the course in 4.22.57. Far from a PB but given the conditions a great effort. Rhys pumped out the 10km in a slick 45.47!
A trip up cradle mountain, a seafood feast on the derwent and a trip into one of Tassie's many national parks were the highlights of a great little trip.
A weekend in the Hunter Valley in early Feb to see 'iconic' Australian band Hunters & Collectors and pump out Shane's favourite song the Holy Grail was a great event.
In late February, Shane disappeared to Albury for his inaugural boys weekend for a few bevies, a couple of games of golf and a day at the races.
The busy early start to the year continued, with Aurelie sitting and completing her exams for the final two units of her law course in late march. A phenominal effort given it took 5 years of sustained effort and many a late night or weekend studying, given the studies complemented full time work. The final component was the course of Law which commenced immediately. The final step to becoming a fully qualified lawyer.
The completion of the university of Aurelie's law course also coincided with her changing jobs having finished her 6 month contract at Westpac. She moved back into the legal department at Rabobank where she was working previously prior to our travels. Shane returned to CBA and was now already 6 months into his role there and was very settled workwise.
As April arrived, we headed down to explore the Southern Highlands. Using Bowral as our base, we cycled in and out of Kangaroo Valley and the surrounding mountains. We also popped in to pay our tribute to Don Bradman at his museum and used his immaculate oval for our early morning running interval session (as you do on holidays!).
The trip culminated with an adventure into and around Wombeyan Caves. It was a long trek along windy, dusty roads but truly spectacular and well worth the effort.
This weekend was followed up with a weekend in Hunter with Shane's parent and to celebrate Rhys 16th birthday. Hiking, dinners and a bit of sight seeing made this a very relaxed and enjoyable catchup. Rhys came back to Sydney with us where we saw dolphins when kayaking around the harbour and then literally tore up the golf course on an entertaining afternoon.
Having completed a number of the striders 10km series, both Aurelie and Shane lined up for the Sydney half marathon in May. Shane finished in the top 100, completing the course in 82.38 (40.30/42.08), not bad but a little slower than hoped. Aurelie was not far behind in a very slick 89.58 mins.
Gold Coast was the next destination on the hit list. Once again, a half marathon made for a good excuse to get away for the weekend. Shane was chasing a sub 80 min result while Aurelie was looking to strengthen her base for a marathon later in the year. After forcing our way through the log jam at the start and losing time in the first couple of kilometres, Aurelie fought on strongly to finish in 1.28.13. Shane replicated his Sydney time finishing in 1.22.41 after tiring in the second half of the race.
The Gold Coast nightlife, a seafood feast and a day out at Sea World quickly wiped away any hint of disappointment from the results, capping off a nice little winter break.
With work, study and fitness activities keeping us busy, the winter months quickly disappeared. As did Aurelie's college of law course, the final accomplishment of her educational endeavours. A 10 - 12 year progression that has led her to studying in Avignon (France), Brussels (Belgium), Leicester, Canterbury, London (U.K) and then finally finishing in Sydney as a qualified lawyer supporting her chosen profession. The completion of Aurelie's studies also coincided with a new job as Head of Legal & Compliance at OCBC (Singapore bank). Hard work is so often greeted with great reward and the new job certainly vindicated all the effort that Aurelie had invested over the years.
August also included two other significant events. Daniel, Gina and their 4 girls (Emma, Kiara, Chloe & Renae) made their annual trip up to Sydney town. Daniel was suffering an illness so the bundy cabinet remained close, but this did not prevent it being a great catch up.
The following week, we moved out of Neutral Bay which had been home for 5 years and down to a new pad in McMahons Point. Not a big move but one that would give us a little more space and some small but much appreciated conveniences such as a comfortable guest room and a space for a dining table instead of eating on the sofa each night! The outcome is great but moving is definitely not an enjoyable experience! God bless the two little Indian juggernauts and their van to help us out here!
In September we ventured down to Melbourne for Daniel, Emma & Kiara's birthday. Geelong vs Kangas in a semi final 'coincidentally falling on the Friday night was a very present stroke of luck and led to the first time all four Ryan boys had headed out for a night on the town! The Kangas won by a goal in an epic contest! We capped off the night bumping into Cherie later in the evening. Great fun. All four girls were in fine form the following night as birthday celebrations commenced making it a very enjoyable trip.
Aurelie's plans of completing the Melbourne marathon were now also warming up. Having completed Sydney's City2Surf for the 5th time in 59 mins after running 32km the previous day, the blackmores half marathon in Sydney was to be Aurelie's final hitout prior to Melbourne. Unfortunately knee pain flared up just prior and caused her to pull out of the Sydney event in mid Sept. Shane also now struggling with ongoing hip pain did not make it to the startline either. Maybe a sign that we're getting old (33)!!
Melbourne marathon arrived but Aurelie's knee injury was still causing discomfort. Her objective of beating Shane's marathon time (3.05) was not going to happen in 2014 (current PB 3.08). Aurelie jogged around the half marathon course in 1.45, while Shane went head to head with his good mate Jonesy trying to run sub 80. After being right on track at the half way mark (40.00), lack of k's in legs took it's toll as he finished in 1.22.46. Jonesy took the chocolates finishing in 1.21.51.
Shane stayed in Melbourne using it as opportunity to spend some time with family and preparing for the 250km 'Around the Bay in a Day' cycling event. With his hip preventing him from running, cycling was becoming more of a priority so this event would be a good test! A hot day (29 degrees) and a gusty northerly breeze that buffeted into riders faces for the last 100km certainly made sure of this. Shane's sister Cherie pumped out the 100km event from Melb - Frankston and back.
Regardless of the conditions, the event proved to be a big success. Total time was 9 hours exactly including the ferry with a total 7 hrs 15 mins of riding time (35km/h+ avg. speed). Cherie completed the 100km event in fine style and was there to greet Shane at the finish. A great day out was rewarded with a quiet bevy or two with Kenno & Chalky.
All roads were now leading toward planning our trip to France for Christmas. The last major event for Shane of the year was a 380km / 3 day Tour de Cure cycling event from Sydney to Kiama, across the Southern Highlands and then back. The event was organised by CBA and provided a great challenge. With the cavalcade of support surrounding this event (ie lexus team cars, mechanics, medical support etc) it gave riders a taste of what it's like to cycle in the tour. Worth noting that speeds were certainly in no way comparable!!
In early December we set off for France. The 24 hr flight quickly became a distant memory as we arrived at Les Deux Alpes for 5 nights at the snow. 'Ski in / ski out' accomodation ensured that we were able to maximise our time on the snow. Aurelie won the contest of fewer falls throughout this adventure, Shane was definitely faster on the snow but this was offset with consistently finding a way to take a tumble!
We left the snow and arrived in Mazan (Provence, France) at Aurelie's parents. Like us, they were very much looking forward to having all the family together for Christmas, maybe too excited!
Claire (Aurelie's sister) & Fabrice hosted a super Christmas at their place in Le Pradet (Cote D'Azur France), going to an amazing amout of effort to make us all feel comfortable, decorate the place in true Christmas spirit and prepare an exquisite cuisine to help us celebrate the occassion.
Fabrice and Shane took part in the 'tradition' of a Christmas Day swim in icy waters to help refesh after a big night of eating and drinking. Unfortunately Jean Paul & Annick had to return to work the following day.
Aurelie and Shane then tripped across the other side of the Southern French coast line to Perpignan to catch up with Aurelie's Grand mother (Meme Claire), Aunty (Francine), Cousin & Nephew (Emeline & Tom). They spoilt us with the amount of food, drinks and gifts that they showered upon us. It really was great to catch up and see them all in good health and good spirits.
After spending our final days enjoying the company of Claire & Fabrice we arrived in Paris for New Years. After touring Paris on foot, we dined on a gourmet feast at Le Petit Palais before arriving onto the Champs Elysee for the New Years fireworks spectacular. An almost surreal conclusion to a fantastic year...!
2015 started in style with a post Xmas / NY celebration in Melbourne with Shane' parents and family. Leaving the cold of Paris (-2) and arriving into Melbourne to be greeted with 40+ temperatures was a shock to the system, but the catch up made for a great way to start what will 'definitely' be a big year ahead!!
