Resting Place

Today we scattered the remaining half of our parents' ashes.

It completed their journey. We spread them in the Dandenongs overlooking the Silvan Dam. A lovely memorable spot.

Haha- I knew I had a pic somewhere of my stunning swimming style!!

confession time

I have a confession to make.........I think I actually enjoy swimming! After years of saying how much I hate it I find that I LOVE the way I feel afterwards and on Friday I really found the whole ordeal relaxing! I'm still really bad at it BUT I have reduced the size of the flippers I use and I do more laps of freestyle than I was. When are the next olympics?????

My Energetic Weekend

Had a great weekend in Echuca. As promised- just a weekend of decadence and indulgence!!
This is how dry it is in this part of Victoria. The Campaspe River not flowing very freely!












At one of our many 'watering holes'! Taken at Deniliquin- very peaceful and lots of sun!












This track was made for running- but I PROMISED my "Needleman' that I wouldn't run this week:((((((













I love this road- it's the bypass on the Hume Highway- at night it is lit up and therefore is nicknamed ( by me) as the 'pretty road'! lol

I'm off to Echuca

While all you brave and incredibly engergetic people are heading to the Gold Coast to do the half and full marathon, I'm heading to Echuca for a weekend of indulgence and decadence!! I'll bring some pics back of our wicked ways. Good luck to all who are competing, I would just LOVE to be able to do that too. Maybe soon!

My foot - AGAIN

Went to the 'needleman' again today , thinking, will I take my 'brave pills' and tell him he was NOT going to put those needles anywhere near me, when he took the lead and said he was just doing massage ( or at least trigger point therapy) !! Phew- I didn't have to look chicken after all. It was no less uncomfortable than the previous week but somehow there is something unnatural about having sharp things stuck on your skin whereas the human touch seems ok!!!
Foot is still there and hopefully improving. Not allowed to run this week:((((((((((

My New Bike- picture coming!

I'm loving my new bike! I've been on two rides so far and have found it easy easy!!. The part coming home is all up hill and I hardly puff. I'm sure it's more to do with the riding position and gearing although I'm probably more 'bike fit' than I've been before. I'll put a pic of it on here just as soon as I have camera and bike together!
I've joined up my old gym and finding it terrific! Going to do the cycle class on Wednesday mornings and today I slid in just before it closed to do a workout. Now that leaves me free tomorrow morning to swim. I've been far more consistent with exercise these past few weeks and really enjoying the feeling it's giving me. When I wake up in the morning it's- 'what can I get into today!!!"

These two boys are my nearest NEIGHbours (lol couldn't resist that!)

They keep looming over the fence when I put our dog in his pen. I relented and gave them some apples and now they are whickering at me every time they see me! They have escaped from their home into next doors paddock and are not very well looked after. The chestnut is awfully skinny- I'm tempted to buy some chaff and give into their emotional blackmail!! They are just gorgeous!

Dry Needling

I felt a bit like a human pin cushion today! Went to see a Myotherapist and experienced dry needling for the very first time. I.m hoping it might just put the finishing touches to my plantar fasciitis. I can tell you though- it was an uncomfortable experience!!

Bought a bike this weekend!!! It was the second part of my birthday pressie. I'm going to pick it up next weekend ( we didn't have the bike rack with us). When I get it I'll proudly put a pic on here as long as everyone promises not to laugh!! It's rather an old ladies bike- very upright, short frame and solid!!! ( sounds a bit like me!) I could have got a pink bike with flowers painted all over the mudguards but even I baulked at that! This one is actually great. I'm not the worlds best bike rider and the riding position on this one makes me feel very secure. So- Warby trail watch out...........I'm a coming!!!

So Young

I was so sad to read about the death of Jane McGrath today. What a brave lady and how hard for her family.

Aggghhhh.......I'm being harrassed - by debstar and kek! Doing my workouts and I think of Kek and her jump lunges and jump squats! Doing a cycle class tonight and I have debs face in front of me saying " I love the sprints'!! Get off my back girls and let me be my usual slothful self!!!! lol
Great motivation - even from so far away!!

Took the class today and it wasn't too bad! Room for improvement I think!

1. Take in own batteries cos the ones there are NOT reliable! Makes it really hard when the participants can't really hear you
2. Get some SLOW step music- what I had wasn't appropriate for a slower step beat.
3. Take out some of the exercises that are obviously difficult- eg lunges and squats ( best to do these with ball and in a more controlled manner!

In all we had a good time though. They seemed to really enjoy the 'hoe down' type music and dance- really got into that! There were about 20 people so it was quite crowded. However they all seemed to think they got a work out. Coffee and chat afterwards was a big success with people continuing to chat for some time. I think next week will be better.
Despite all my attacks of the nerves I really enjoyed doing it!

A Great day

Had a terrific day yesterday. Did a powerbar class and then a 'living stronger, living longer' class after that, Yes- I did take it easy with the powerbar class! But then it was the first time I've done one of those for YEARS!! Found static ball squats a challenge!! But I perservered!!!.
On Monday I'm running ( Gulp!) a class for the over 50's at my gym. I've been madly planning but thought I'd do a class just to see what actually goes on. What a hoot it was! Great fun and everyone so friendly. You know how at the beginning of an aerobic or group class everyone avoids eye contact and NO one speaks to the instructor?? ( at least that's my experience) well....this was quite the opposite. All participants sat on balls chatting while we waited for the instructor and then it was laughs and gay banter the whole time. They found it challenging which was the main thing, but the social aspect of it was the best part- and it's this which will keep people coming back. So- on Monday it seems as though I have to 'laugh a lot'! lol

I've had two good days at my old gym! Last night had a workout ( a bit like going 'home') It's strange to be working out in a different environment and with men. I can understand how many women feel daunted in this type of gym. It's never bothered me in the past and really is ok now- but it has a different 'feel' about it. Must be all the testosterone flying around!
This morning set off to do a 6.30am cycle class. I must say I took it fairly easy. While the others were straining and obviously setting their resistance high- I was sort of cruising. I tell myself it's because I don't want to injure myself but in reality I think it's because I don't want to feel the pain of 'effort'! There- how's that for being truthful!! Next time I'll do better.

revisiting old haunts

Had some interesting post the other day- a 2 week free pass from my old gym. It starts tomorrow and for some reason I'm really looking forward to using it. The hardest transition I made when starting the job at my present gym was turning my recreation into my work! All of a sudden I was on the other end of this. I workout at my jobgym but often don't feel like it after working a 7 hour shift! So.....tomorrow I'm off to use this 2 week pass on my way home. I think I'll reaquaint myself with all the weight machines and maybe do a class if my timing is right!! Yahhhh- way to go! A new motivation at last!!

Some of my birthday pressies! A strong theme of horses and sweetmeats!!

This is the picture I see everytime I use the computer. A lovely picture of my mum and dad. It takes my breath away sometimes when I realise they are no longer with us. A happier time.

Don't I work for some lovely people? These were given to me for my birthday. A lovely thought and they are really beautiful!

I had a wonderful surprise when I got home last night ( late - about 9.45pm) after working all day. Husband had made me my favourite birthday dinner ( which I haven't had for simply ages) Cod Mornay. I love it! He's got the job from now on.

Yah!! This is how I spent my birthday weekend! Have you ever seen anything quite so agile!! lol We had a lovely weekend in Wangaratta but if you see a fence you've just got to climb it! I can't believe another year has gone so quickly nor can I believe that I am now 56- it just doesn't seem real or right!

Y