Polar Opposites

With Andy away for work, Grandad came over to join us for a few days! He got to watch the girls do Little Athletics, Ella play cricket and silks while Katy rock climbed and finally both participate in the West Bix Tryathlon at the AIS as well as attend the Lifeline Book fair! Kept him busy as per the norm!

Like the girls, Grandad enjoyed the Bookfair managing to pick up several books on orchids. Ella scored herself a book on Birds, while Katy found an old series of the Magic Treehouse. Numerous people spotted our photo in the Canberra Times the following week!






Sunday was hot... good weather for the Tryathlon. Both girls found buddies on the day which made the race more enjoyable for them. As the 50m pool was closed due to maintenance the swam took place in the 'secret' pool (the athletes 50m pool) but as seating was much more restrictive, we didn't bother going in opting to wait at the transition area.

The younger ages competed first, so Katy was first to emerge with her friend Mila. On entry to the transition area, Mila temporarily lost her bike and Katy was trying to help although she didn't know where it was to begin with so not really helping but providing some support! We watched them return from the bike and just made it to the finish to see them cross the line!

Ella and Aoife had to wait around a little longer before their age group started. They kept themselves entertained exploring the Weet Bix arena. When the girls exited the transition on their bikes, there was much confusion as the organisers hadn't expected the new age group to be coming through! Again it was a race to the finish line between the girls and the mums. Am happy to say we are still faster at this stage!!

While sweating in the hot sunny conditions at the tryathlon, we received a few messages from Andy who was enjoying the cold snowy weather at Mt Hood Meadows ski resort in Oregon. On realising his meeting was in Portland in February, Andy and a fellow colleague decided to go skiing for the weekend! They stayed at Mt Hood Tiny Village in a tiny house known as Lincoln! All was very cosy with 4 people in this 24m2 house! However no-one was complaining as it was cheap, clean and a short drive from the ski fields.

Towards the end of the tryathlon, we heard from various sources that Ella had won a prize! We learnt after being directed to speak to various officials, that it was a Funkita kit which would arrive in the post! Ella was pretty happy with that!

Back at home, we recovered from the morning effort. Grandad began to gather his things before we ventured off to Ella's silks class. Grandad watched in amazement as she twisted and twirled wrapping herself up in the silk performing all sorts of tricks. Meanwhile Katy rock climbed, still enjoying the single rope the most.

It was a quick turn around at home before farewelling Grandad on his flight back to Perth.