Conquering Everest

The gang splintered today. Out early were - the Everest Challenge group of Andy, Rob, Ella and Mia; Susie and Patrick enjoying a romantic ski together and Max who began with the group but diverged over to Front Valley in search of his cousin Mica (and family). A little later were the rest - the mum's and daughter group! 

The morning started out with low visibility and an iced Freedom chair, nevertheless we ambled over to Blue Cow taking on Rollercoaster early. Katy had a minor meltdown taking a while to recover so the rest of the M&D group continued on minus Aoife who'd found her school friend and was off exploring with her. We crossed paths but Katy was not enjoying the day so we left the M&D's to do our own thing.

A stop at Basecamp was required in order to improve Katy's mood. It did the trick and we were soon back on the slopes of Guthega. The M&D group continued to splinter with Cath peeling off to meet up with Eoin and Aoife for their private lesson. After climbing 1/4 of the way up Everest, Ella had had enough and rejoined Al and co for some skiing around Interceptor and Pleasant Valley. Andy, Rob and Mia were skiing strongly and well on their way to summiting Everest!

Another refuel at Basecamp for Katy and I allowed us to continue on for another session. At the top of the slope Katy would say this was the last run only to get to the bottom and say let's do one more! By mid afternoon Hilary and Tenzing (Rob and Andy) plus Junko (Mia) had conquered Everest! Not content with that they then set their sights on 10,000 vertical metres and did so an hour later on their way home!

Katy and I bumped into the M&D's group on Freedom who were on their way back to the lodge. Katy decided to stay out longer and so we did a few more loops before going back as the sun decided to pop through the clouds. A great day out.

Ski Time!

We ambled up to Guthega on Monday arriving mid morning. Chains were needed for the last few km's - the gravel road was veery rutty and snow covered. Following slowly behind a white ute, we watched them slide off the road and straight into the gutter. Stopping to render assistance, we soon realised the couple had no idea what they were doing. Another car with three guys also stopped and without a tow rope between us, we managed to push the ute back out onto the road.

Guthega carpark was busy and we had no luck securing a close by park, so after dumping the luggage, Andy drove off in search of a place to safely park. Meanwhile the girls and I started lugging all of our belongings the 400m uphill to the lodge. It required two trips each with the return trip using the lodge sleds. Andy hadn't appeared - it turned out he helped another person dig out their car and in return parked in their vacated spot!

Lugging up the bags is always an effort and we were glad to have made it! Post unpacking and lunch, we ventured out to test the snow. It was cold and snowy with low visibility. I was happy to complete a few runs without much complaining from my knee. The other adults stayed out a little longer.

Sitting Ducks

Finally our household was affected by Covid. With Andy at the snow, I was on Sunday parental / taxi duties. After walking the dog, I headed off to do the food shop. It was then a quick pack away back home before taking Ella to her athletics competition. She participated in javelin and discus. All the while Katy was having a relaxing morning at home.

It was as I was retrieving the discuses during the competition, I received a photo from Katy - it was of the thermometer display which read 39°C! Oh dear, the poor bunny was not well. I told her to take panadol and reassured her we would be home soon.

On arriving home, I found a sleepy sick child. Ella who's main focus was not to miss the school athletics carnival that week insisted that I  take Katy for a covid test. Given that I was also sick (but had been for the past 10 days) and had slept in the same bed at Katy last night, I decided to get one too.

The PCR testing facility was very quiet so we were in and out within a few minutes! The results were texted later that evening - I was negative but to our surprise Katy was positive (probably picking it up at the school camp)! Ella and Andy did rat tests and were both negative.

So Katy was confined to her room which she didn't mind given that she wasn't feeling the best anyway. Our family was determined to stay covid free given the upcoming athletics carnival for Ella and our annual family ski week. Already due to Katy's isolation restrictions we would leaving for the snow a day later than expected.

The week progressed mostly as normal - I was required at work and so took all the necessary precautions and limited my movement around our practice. Andy worked from home and Ella attended school. 

Ella made it to her school athletics carnival - setting a school record in the discus and placing well enough to make it through to the northside carnival. Multiple PCR's for me showed I was in the clear. Katy regained her energy eventually towards the end of the week feeling strong enough to venture outside into the sunshine and do some gymnastics!

We were all relieved to make it to Sunday without covid spreading through the family and took off to the snow on Monday morning! Phew!

Saturday Sports and a Sneaky Ski Trip

Our Saturdays have become quite full. First up we go orienteering. Sometimes we go super early so the girls can join in with the Blue Lightning squad training prior to the Saturday Junior series and other times the girls choose to run the event. It is then a quick departure, change of sports uniforms in the car en route to netball. Both girls are playing netball at the same time however in different locations so this presents challenges with only one car. Thankfully we rely on our friends for lifts home :)

This week, Katy had been at Writers Camp for 3 days with school. She loved being away having missed out on her Year 7 camp due to covid restrictions. She returned home happy and tired!

At orienteering, given I am unable to run, I hobbled out on the map hoping to watch Ella and Katy pass through but neither came by - Ella chose only to do the training and perhaps the cold conditions and Katy's tired state contributed to her big fall and subsequent grazes on her knee and elbow. Luckily Andy was shadowing her at the time and accompanied Katy back to the car to be patched up well enough for netball.

Turns out today's matches would be the last game for both girls (writing this post a month later I can say covid hit our house and then we went skiing) and neither team made the top four in their division.

Here is Ella's team when the sun was shinning! Unfortunately we didn't get a photo of Katy's team.

Post netball games, while the girls and I were warming up at home, Andy and Rob were making their way to the snow under the gist of delivery / replenishing the stores at the lodge! They enjoyed their first night ski on Front Valley. Conditions for the next day were reasonable for a big day of skiing over the whole resort.

Fluffy Puppy

Time for another haircut although this time Indi was much less mattered - a combination of being more dedicated to regular brushing her and short epriod of time between haircuts. This resulted a less harsh haircut for Indi! Interestingly though is her Wheaton colour is returning most prominent in the ears and tail but her back is darkening up too. Pre and post haircut photos.

Pre

Post

Unexpected News

A few weeks ago post run (and post covid 4th booster) my knee blew up for unknown reasons. Over this period of time, I tried resting, anti inflams and also using it to no avail. If anything my knee was getting worse so I decided it was time to visit the GP. He ordered bloods which showed nothing much. Next on the list was an MRI.

In the back of my mind I knew my knee would show some sort of deterioration. I'd already had two arthroscopies 10 years ago and was therefore was always at an increased risk of developing arthritis. However I was very shocked to read the report. Snippets of the report said this - 

In the medial compartment, there are changes of prior medial meniscectomy. There are changes of severe osteoarthritis with near complete full-thickness cartilage loss, subchondral bone oedema and acute synovitis.

In the patellofemoral compartment, there are changes of grade II chondromalacia.

There is knee joint effusion with moderate active synovitis.

I thought I'd be in this position when I was 65 - it seemed I'd hit this 18 yrs too early! WTF!! After collecting myself I thought a trip to see my orthopaedic / sports medicine Dr was in order.

Katy's First Gym Competition!

After missing out on last years gym competitions due to being in isolation and then lockdown happening, Katy was desperate to participate in this years. As the days ticked by the pressure built wondering if covid would strike again and cause an upset. Luckily though it didn't and she made it to competition day. Having never been to a gym competition it was another learning experience for us parents - two in two weeks!

Gymnasts were required to be at the gym by 7,45am which meant an early wake up for Ella who beautifully braided Katy's hair as per instructions! It was impressive that she was willing to do this for Katy seeing though Ella loves her sleep ins!

We were at the gym early securing a good viewing position in the limited seating area. All very formal and offical, the coaches ran their girls through their warm ups together on the floor before competition started. Dividing into smaller club based groups, the girls rotated through the four different apparatus. 

Each apparatus had it's own method of warmup and competition - for example the vault had everyone completing two practices then each gymnast had their two attempts back to back; on the floor everyone warmed up together then each gymnast did their routine in turn.

Katy's group started on floor. She had a fantastic start to her first competition scoring a 9.1.

Her group then had a break before vault. Katy scored a 7.8 on this one.

Next up was parallel bars. Katy mistimed her mount not gaining enough momentum to get her legs over and had to start again. Despite this the rest of her routine was lovely and she scored 8.5

Katy's final apparatus the beam demonstrated her nerves of steel with a great performance scoring a 9.0.

It was wonderful to watch Katy put together all the skills she has learnt. We were really proud of her performance. Katy placed 5th in floor and 6th for beam in there division. Overall Katy scored 34 placing 10th. She is already looking forward to her next competition in a months time and so are we!