Wollomombi Falls

Monday was a rest day or work from home day. After a morning coffee, Andy returned to work while Cath and I headed out to Wollomombi Falls located in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.  Boasting an impressive 100m single drop fall, this waterfall and gorge system is simply spectacular. We were not the only ones who had decided to visit this place - there were hordes of orienteers so it provided a great opportunity to catch up!

We wandered along the walking tracks. The southern shorter one took us the the main lookout, while the longer trail to the north /east provided several vistas, crossed the Wollomombi River and onto Chandler Lookout. A great spot!

Armidale

Australian Champs and ASOC Carnvial were held in Armidale, northern NSW. With the first event starting in the morning rather than the usual afternoon slot, it was a bit of a rush and a long 8hr drive. The girls were members of the ACT Schools team which departed Canberra early on Friday morning. We found ourselves on the road about an hour and a half later after doing the various necessary jobs related to going away aka dropping off the dog :) 

With Al travelling for work, we also gave Rob a lift up and he was subjected to listening to a David Attenborough audio book. Both the boys did their fair share of sleeping - Andy was recovering from covid and Rob, well he was just being Rob who can sleep anywhere at anytime!

The drive up was mostly fine - hit the usual traffic and roadworks in Sydney and on the M1 and a traffic jam at Raymond Terrace which is the end of the freeway. Stops at The Shoppe in Cowan and Billy T Cafe in Stroud were both great. Greater concentrate was required through the beautiful forested hilly areas around Gloucester as the cloud descended and the misty rain began. We caught up to Cath as she was charging in Walcha. Eventually we rolled into NEGS, the boarding school in Armidale where the ASOC teams were staying to drop off the girls luggage (there was limited space on the team buses) but they hadn't arrived yet!  While waiting we registered and bumped into various other interstate orienteers.

Our base for the week was a spacious 3 bedroom cabin at the Armidale Tourist Park which we were sharing with Cath as Eoin was in Ireland, sadly for his Dad's funeral.

The Australian Middle Distance and Australian Relays were the first competitions. Sound runs from our family - Katy placed 8th in W16; Ella was 12th in W20E; Andy 7th in M50 and I was 11th in W50. 

For the relays - Ella's team in W20E came 5th (3rd Oz team); Katy unfortunately mispunched and Andy struggled around the M45 course with his team coming 2nd behind the Kiwis.

Women's Adventure Race

A last minute 'we have to register tonight' suggestion by Cath saw us participate in the Women's Only Adventure Race. The orienteering style race involved a 4km run, 2km paddle and 10km mountain bike sounded like something we both could handle.

An early start saw us at the Rock Garden located between Lake Burley Griffin and the Arboretum. We started in the first wave. It was a 1km run to the boats! Then we paddled about 1 km around the peninsula to an island, punched a control and returned the same way. Relatively easy going on the way out with the wind behind us and Cath learning how to steer with the rudder! Much harder on the way back into a headwind and with tired arms (and yes we had done zero practice/training). Our exit from the boat could have been done a little more smoother - we came in short of the ramp, jumping out into deep water with slippery rocks!

After returning  the boat, jacket and paddle, we then had to collect 10 or so controls on the way back to the transition area. Navigation was simple for us and we passed several teams of confused women in this part!

Onto the bike, we rode across the dam wall and down into the zoo pines. They have changed a bit. A lap of the pines was completed and we returned the same way crossing the finish line in just over 2hrs (and surprisingly finishing 7th overall!) It was a fun event and I'm glad Cath suggested it.

 

O keeps coming!

Began with a trip to the NSW Champs (middle and Long). A long drive to Clandulla with a brief stop at Ironbark (a top cafe) in Blayney. The flowering canola fields around Boorowa were bright! 

Both events brought warm weather, steep terrain and challenging courses keeping everyone on their toes (or not). Middle results Katy 2nd in W16; Ella 4th in W20; Andy hobbled around slightly injured 4th. For the Long Katy 5th and Ella 4th. We had Mira travelling with us too and unfortunately she had two very disappointing runs.

Andy came with us for the Saturday event before making his way onto Sydney to depart to the US for a week.

Next was the ACT Schools Champs on a local area Issacs Ridge. Not many competing but Katy was 3rd in W16 and Ella 1st in W18.

The school champs also involved a little training camp in preparation for OZ Champs. So lovely to have a wonderful group of young adult orienteers who volunteer their time and want to share their experiences with the junior group. There were arm chair sessions followed by pizza and laser tag. Next morning were two sessions out in Namadgi on different areas. Andy came and found us in the afternoon after flying in and trying to keep awake! 

And the last event before OZ champs was the Blue Lightning Super Sprints. A fun two person relay and final fundraiser for the kids!

Sunsets

Despite still not running intervals (or much at all) I love this time of year, when the setting sun bathes Lake Burley Griffin in shades of orange and hues of blue. Indi loves going to interval so much so that she starts to whine in anticipation as we drive into ANU! She also loves to take advantage of a quick dip in the lake and spotting all the rabbits!

Technology..

Just how far have we come...I got a taste of where technology has taken us to in regards to training sonographers. We had a visit from a company today which has taken the real patient out of the early  learning process and replaced it with a computer simulator!

Initially built to teach cardiac ultrasound, the company has been expanding over time to include other areas such as FAST scan (used in the emergency department) as well as obstetrics.

The demo was fascinating. Learning can be tailored to specific tasks, areas, levels of difficulty. Instructions can be given by the computer on how to move the camera to get the image required. A variety of results collated about how the student performed and specific feedback therefore given. And once a student has mastered the 'normal' images, a variety of pathologies can be uploaded!

The next step was the VR glasses! Looking at my (virtual) pregnant colleague I could walk around her to view the baby from different angles. It was quite surreal!

Aside from being amazing and super interesting, the cost and actual use in our practice would be very limited given that we are all experienced and we rarely have students. In certain settings, like teaching hospitals and practices, it would be a massive benefit allowing a student to practice, get their eye and  co- ordination in all before being set loose on a real patient!

Special Visitor

We had a very cute and super well behaved visitor in at work this week. His name is Mango, a 13ish week labradoodle! We are all in love 😍