The Project...

The problem with running so much is that housework gets neglected and projects are put on the back burner. But with the next running goal some months away the intensity of training has waned and I find myself at home at little more looking at things around here that I have put off.  I have had a few runs in the last month and still trying to get to track night but the heat puts me off. I suspect I will pay the price when training does ramp up again.
 So this Summer break we were able to achieve a project on the house that we have talked about for ages.

Chris is very handy about the house and garden. Not really a gardener but he will build just about anything I ask him to and do it well. The outdoor area needed a finishing touch which we finally got around to.

before the screen... Chris built the pergola and paved this area

Things were measured, re measured, lined up and rechecked...

He used Ekodeck screening which is a composite bamboo/plastic product which is 'guaranteed not to warp or twist and doesn't need painting or oiling'

finished!

The screen completes the area and it has been a lovely place to sit in the afternoons.

Thank you my dear for being such a skilled and meticulous craftsman, it turned out exactly how I imagined it would.

Anniversary...

As the years roll by the milestones accumulate along with them.

This year saw us celebrate 32 years of marriage. The photo at the top of this page is one of my favourites from that day in 1985. It was a spontaneous moment and captures our surprise perfectly.

We thought this year was going to quite low key but we took advantage of a gift from Hayley and went on a helicopter ride over the city. Hayley had been saving up our birthday and Mothers/Fathers Days gifts to culminate in this fabulous experience.

I had wanted to do a helicopter ride for my 50th birthday but it hadn't happened.

Chris was quite anxious about the flight, he was concerned about our safety. And when I saw the tiny craft my anxiety rose as well. But we survived and managed to get a lot of photos while we were enjoying the view. The wind did buffet us a little but were reassurred by our experienced pilot, John.

As it tragically turned out today, you can be run down in the middle of the city on the footpath and die in a random accident.

I took a lot of photos, here a just a few...

Melbourne city

bayside

Albert Park

MCG

Tennis Centre Australian Open in progress

I sat in front so could take photos

John was an excellent pilot pointing out landmarks etc. Over the radio came information that the police helicopter was in the area, sadly now we know why.

I thought to myself as we flew over that I have run in so many places in our lovely city. It looked magnificent from the air but my feet have taken me all over it as well. The MCG, Albert Park, Beaconsfield Parade through to St Kilda and Elwood, Flemington racecourse, Royal Park, the Zoo, Bolte Bridge, Alexandra Gardens.

We thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it as a wonderful experience.

the short getaway...

at the last minute we decided while we had a few days off together we would go for a short getaway. I had been wanting to go somewhere in the week between Christmas and New Year but hadn't been able to commit to anything. I had a visit to Robe SA in mind but we decided on Phillip Island, being able to find some accommodation at short notice was the clincher.

We ended up staying at the Aussie Golf Ranch at Cowes and it turned out to be just perfect. A single cabin style on the 9 hole golf course was just what we needed. It was a 10 minute walk through the bush and over the dunes to the beach, and a short drive to the town of Cowes. I was surprised at how busy Cowes was, I was expecting it to be similar to Port Fairy but it was larger and very busy with the influx of tourist visitors. The traffic was bumper to bumper before we even got to the Island and I imagine during the Grand Prix it would be worse.

 Our first, and only, visit to Phillip Island was back in 1984, before we were married. We had a weekend away on Chris' motorbike with a few friends from his Sth Melb workplace. Much has changed since then!

So we set out to explore the island, visiting the Nobbies and the Blow Hole, spying some fairy penguins in their nesting boxes. It was warm and drizzling rain but that didn't deter us or other tourists. Large facilities at the Nobbies and the Penguin Parade have been built for the tourists since our last visit and it has become very commercial. We enjoyed our visit to the Grand Prix circuit but it was too wet to try out the go karts.

the Blow Hole

at the Nobbies

fairy penguins

the Nobbies

Back in the day you could walk over to the Nobbies and explore the rock pools etc, but I suppose to protect the wildlife and the environment there are rules and restrictions in place to prevent you going off the board walk. Nevertheless we enjoyed ourselves.

Grand Prix home straight

still raining at Rhyll

sunset beach walk

 the weather did clear and become very hot and I was a little jealous of the surfers at Woolamai Beach

Woolamai 

We explored briefly all ends of the large island and I feel like we had a good break. I love the beach and really enjoyed this break. Now I am ready to face 2017 and new challenges.

The hot Christmas...

Christmas day this year was a scorcher...37 degrees. Very few photos were taken, we were busy staying cool in Big Sister's pool in between courses. I am grateful that we can spend time together as a family at Christmas, enjoying each others company.

from Hayley's instagram

Each year it changes a little bit, the children are now all young adults and are entertaining us instead of the other way around.
And all too soon the day is over, the decorations get packed away and we look forward to the approaching year.