Pink Bubbles

Tia and Mummy playing with pink bubbles. click pic to enlarge

Beach Foam

The amazing weather we endured over the past few days with over 100km/h winds, exaggerated king tides and unprecedented rainfall left the beaches in a state of debris and erosion. The winds also whipped up quite a bubble bath of sea foam.

Tokyo Marathon

I ran my 1st Marathon and pulled up at the finish feeling ok with a respectable time of 3:22:11. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the canyon like streets of Tokyo. A great day all round. Now I'm off and running - I suppose it is the first of many.
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Kurrawa to Duranbah 25km

Ran the 25km Kurrawa to Durranbah without too much pain and a reasonable time of 2:12:13. I could have probably shaved off the 7 mins to make a 2:05 (5min k's) but would have had to dig really deep for that, it was quite a hot sunny day. My plan was to take it easy and not race the clock and use this as just a test run to get to know my ability level and learn how to keep a pace - I've never run that far before.

I placed right in the middle - 20th out of 41 (25k solo runners).
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Maybe I'll have a go at the 50k another year but this time I was happy to not be running all the way back again. The return would have been a hot 30°+ in full summer sun. The course is somewhat unique, in that you can see to the finish from the start. Its a bit full on looking down to Coolangatta way off in the distance thinking "shit! I have to run to there!! is this a good idea?" but its surprising how quickly the k's disappear.

Anyway it was good fun and I'm now confident I can cover 42.195km with another 14 weeks until the Tokyo Marathon.

Faces

Just hope the wind doesn't change.

Side Garden

The side strip at our place has gone through a metamorphosis in the past few months. Previously a barren unused weed garden, now a luscious green grassed space with a stone way and thriving vege garden complete with gate and balcony accessibility... much nicer.

Monster Storm

This shot is taken from Cabarita headland. It looked amazing in real life. An almost living, moving surging mass.

Swimmer

Tia is becoming very comfortable in the water. Since last week she has learned to now take 4 or 5 breaths, swim about 10 body lengths and hold her breath to pick up items at the bottom of the pool. Amazing. Yes I sound like the proud Daddy... but with justification... she is half fish ; )

Tia drawing on her whiteboard

Have you seen my birds?

My Little Birds B and C have been missing for a few days now – too long. They were very loyal to return each day, so this can only mean that they have gotten into trouble and probably will not be seen again.

I can justify their fairly short lives (13months old) by the fact that they were ones full of adventure, fun, good health and prestige over their wild brethren (they had the best of both worlds - being free to live and fly outside also with the security of their cage(home) always offering good food, fresh water and protection from the weather and predators). I know they knew they had it good.

R.I.P. little birdy's. They have given Tia Ayako and I much enjoyment throughout their lives. These photos were taken of them sitting in their favourite tree just a few days before they disappeared.

Brandenburg Orchestra

We went to The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra in Brisbane again last night. The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra is an Australian period instrument orchestra specialising in the performance of baroque and classical music.

This year they played Handels - Water Music. Very enjoyable. Followed by a few Belgium beers with Matt, one of the violin players, since we were in the vicinity ; )

Learning to fly

I put the baby birds outside on the balcony table to get some air and afternoon sun (as they have been locked away in their cage in the garage with minimal light their whole lives). When I wasn't watching the two oldest ones ...flew. Not that well but pretty well for a first go, with Dad working with them. The oldest one was definitely much better and finally flew to the top of a tree where I had to ultimately climb up to retrieve it just before it got dark. Silly bird.
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Swell 07

We dropped by to see the sculptures on display at Swell an annual outdoor sculpture exhibition along Currumbin Beach.
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Toddler

This week Tia has finally found her feet and has now been working on her balance with marked improvement day by day.

Classic Performance

We were invited to see The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra in Brisbane last night by our friend who used to be a member of the orchestra. The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra is an Australian period instrument orchestra specialising in the performance of baroque and classical music.

The musicians play from original edition scores on restored or reproduced instruments of the eighteenth century. The orchestra name pays tribute to the Brandenburg concertos of Bach, who was central to the baroque and classical periods.

With a special guest Japanese 1st violinist and only half the orchestra - mainly the string section (which is fine by me) - playing violin concertos by Vivaldi, Handel and Zavateri, it was really good. Some brooding darker pieces followed by gay jovial Major chord stuff which was rightly suited. All good.

Unfortunately due to the short notice we couldn't organise baby sitting for Tia so Ayako opted to miss out which was pity.

Speed Weekend

The 6th annual Speed on Tweed (website by us) classic car event in Murwillumbah was on again this weekend. We went to see the Saturday night street performance and to the race track on Sunday. There is always lots of impressive cars to see.

The Saturday night Venetian Carnival Mystique was a masquerade street party. Holding Tia, I approched a group of friends all wearing masks who turned and made a fuss simulatinously which absolutely freaked Tia out. She must have thought she was in a bad dream or something and needed a few minutes consoling after that ...but enjoyed the show of acrobats and opera.