A day at the races

Saturday 25 February, 2012

Well today we headed to the Sunshine Coast to watch Ryan and his crew compete in the Junior Head of the River.  At Ryan’s school, the rowing program starts a year later than the rest of the GPS schools, and they tend to get a little bit of a touch up for the first year or 2, but trend towards success in the later years. (i.e. the 1st and 2nd crew came first in their races yesterday)

There had been a lot of rain in the last week, and during the night it bucketed down.  I was given the tip to take a lot of wet weather gear, as the show will go on regardless…  So a weary Ryan rises far too early for a Saturday morning, and I get him to school before 5:00 AM, as all of the boys travel together to the regatta on buses.  We travelled up a few hours later.

When we arrived, though greeted with a quick rain shower, we got a great feeling about the day. The place was was almost like a carnival

Officials at the finish line

A Rollins fan amongst the Terrace supporters

      

Ryan and crew setting off, got to say good luck (hopefully not embarassing him too much)

The boys previous best place for the season was 3rd, and the previous week they got two – 4th places.  The boys got a great start and when looking from a distance, as they headed towards us, they looked to be close to the TSS crew who had dominated all season.  The boys picked up their stroke rate, and actually were in the lead.  They went stroke for stroke to the finish line, and it was too close to call it from where we were standing, but the announcer called Ryan’s crew the winners.

Going for it towards the finish line, it was very close!

We grabbed lunch together and I caught this moment with Ryan and Sue

Ryan receiving his pennant

With crew (sans Thomas) after the presentation

Winners pennant

It was a great day, and a perfect end to the rowing season.  I will be enjoying the alarm not going off at 4:00 on Saturdays though!

Song of the day: Take me to the River – Talking Heads

Steaks, Sculls & Summer prep

Sunday November 20, 2011

I have been a little busy of late and I have put the blog on the “I’ll get to it” list, and it hasn’t been happening.  A lot has been happening, and hopefully I can catchup on the events and post some of these.

One of the areas taking some time, is I am back on the fitness track, well more to say, daily consumption and exertion counting aka myfitnesspal.  This iphone / web app was integral in me losing 14kg earlier in the year.  Once I got to my goal, I still exercised, but I think our holiday and subsequent holiday mode has add a couple of kg back.  So I am on a 6 week personal challenge (with some relaxations) to get to the Christmas period in good shape.

I blew my daily calorie budget on Friday as I had a catchup with the guys that head down to the snow each year (sans 2 people) for dinner.  We met up at the Norman Hotel, and it wasn’t until the day of the catchup that I realised that one of the crew, who is a vegetarian, wouldn’ be happy with the venue.  There was one veg dish on the menu.  I guess they do give forewarning by saying they are the “worst vegetarian restaurant” in Brisbane.

The menu with the prominent their famous byline

12 of us await steaks, Tim’s pasta is elsewhere (Thanks to Bruce for the photo)

Ryan had a trial for rowing at a venue in Northern NSW, the Murwillumbah Rowing Club. I have always loved this part of the world, with the meandering Tweed River and the cane fields, and the venue was great, if a little far to head to after the night before…  After 1.5 hours on the road, Ryan got himself some food for a second breakfast and was set to head off.  The event was very well organised and catered, and rowing does look like a great sport.

Ryan in the final stages of the time trial

I was granted a second boys night leave pass in as many days, to head along for another PS3 games night at Anthony’s place.  To say I suck at these style of games is over selling my ability, but I do think Santa will be bringing one of these units for the kid’s Christmas present!  Hey we need a blue ray player, so it stands to reason, at least in my mind.  Sue if you are reading this, we need to talk about this 🙂

We live in a Queenslander style hoe and have some nice wood decks, that require oil to keep them happy.  I have been remiss in recent years, and with the outdoor season well and truly in play, I cleaned down the two main decks today with the karcher and the magic attachment.  So the deck is cleaned, ready for some oil.

Magic gadget photo (courtesy of bunnings website)

Boards are ready to go

We have our local bulk rubbish, curb side pickup this week, and it is always interesting to watch the comings and goings of vans, utes and trailers getting the jump on the council’s pick up service.  I like it that people will use / sell other’s throw out material rather than landfill.

Sue is off tonight with some girl friends to see some movie starring Bella, a bat and a dog.  Apparently it is the the last movie of the series, but only part one.  I haven’t had the chance to see this series as yet. 🙂