Cross Country North Side Competition

The girls school doesn't have an actual cross country race to qualify for the Northside Cross Country Competition. Instead, the school asks those who are interested to obtain a permission note and send it back. Katy chose to participate with Mira. Ella wasn't interested.

Katy did a few practice runs in the weeks leading up.

The competition was held at the grassy track at Stromlo. The girls had a 4km course. Katy ran 18.08 come 5th and pipped Mira at the post!

Both girls qualified for the next round, the ACT Cross Country Champs which will be held in 2 weeks.

Broulee O Camp Day 2

Today's session was a fun 2 man relay - partnering up experienced with less experienced people. It was fun spectating as runners returned to the central track to tag their team mates. An excellent relay concept allowing to invoke everyone of differing abilities.

Hot and bothered, another post session swim was required before heading home to Canberra. A super successful and fun weekend of orienteering with lots of excited juniors!

Broulee O Camp

A large group of juniors and their parents gathered at Broulee for a weekend of sand dune orienteering led by a gang of ex and current elites. The first session was a map walk interpreting the mapping with features on the ground. An interesting and important exercise for many, especially the juniors. Next was a short control picking course. The spiders and banksias were impressive!

 

The afternoon session was warm and a post session splash was required!

I skipped this one, instead opting for a circumnavigation of Broulee Island. A nice walk.

Our afternoon was finished off with another surf in less ideal conditions. It was a quick turn around to get to dinner on time at the Tomakin Sports club. Grant gave an armchair o session post dinner. The kids are just so enthusiastic! 

Escaping to the Coast

It was a misty morning orienteering at Stromlo making conditions for the schools team selection trial a little challenging! After the runs (and walk) we escaped down to Broulee for a long weekend of surfing and more orienteering.

Surfing conditions were idea and Katy was the star of the afternoon catching lots of waves.

Chicken Coop Progress

It's frustratingly slow due to the lack of spare time available on the weekends and the requirement of two people being present at the same time but we do have progress! Loving the colours coming together.

 

Another First

After a successful ice skating session in the school holidays, there is a new kid on the block - Ryan, Ella's (first) boyfriend! He is 6'6" and standing next to Ella, who has not yet acquired either Andy's or my height genes, they look like a giant and a dwarf! Both are sports inspired and go to the same school so they have lots in common. He has survived the first family dinner at our place too....

Braces Be Gone!

 Before (Dec 2021) and After - what a change!!

Demolition

Chicken coop prototype IV required recycling of the decking timbers from our back steps. So a demolition team (me) was called in for the job. Unscrewing the screws was both satisfying and frustrating - some came away very easily while others burred as they were well and truly stuck. Lots of the wood was rotten - not surprisingly as it was installed by Andy and Grandad about 14 years ago!

More surprising though were the treasures (?) found beneath the deck amongst the sand and leaves. A good fork, a paintbrush, straws, water bubble holders, two mummified rats (!) and general rubbish and as well as the old laundry steps.

I removed all the screws and cleaned the decking timber ready for the next stage - construction of a Indi proof and chicken protecting fence. Andy was chief designer and sawer for this part of the project.

After lining up the planks, we discovered it wasn't long enough, so we manage to remove more of the steps without compromising their function!

While I was busy with the deck, Andy had been constructing the chicken coop door which was ready for a coat of primer. With the benefits of not working on the Monday, I then painted the chicken coop frame and door in Jasper.

Mothers Day in the Arboretum and coffee after...

 

Changes from the Kitchen Window

Slowly, slowly things are changing 

Weekend Activities

We found a few hours to make progress on the chicken coop (prototype IV) post Saturday morning sporting activities. Each stage requires multiple checks and assessments and reassessments. We are very happy how it is coming together.

While Andy joined Fish (who was visiting from UK) and Jase to watch the Bulldogs play the Giants at Manuka Oval, the girls and I attended Mia's Aerial Sports Showcase night. Mia performed on the trapeze in a pair and on the Lyra with a small group. There were many wonderful performances displaying impressive strength, skill and flexibility!