Wordless Wednesday

On Sunday I was fortunate to be involved in Lea's Funrazor at Coastlands.

I played my guitar and sang with Waikanae Primary School children as part of the entertainment. I was selling my picture book 'You're Not Eating Me' and gave the profits to Child Cancer Foundation.

The highlight for me was performing the song I had written from Lea's poem called 'This little girl of mine'. It had only been written 4 days previously so I needed my words in case I forgot them. It was a thrill to see the positive response from Lea as I am extremely proud of our song.

Funrazor

Looking forward to Lea's Funrazor on Sunday!

I will have 13 children singing with me at Coastlands, Paraparaumu. I will be playing my guitar and we will sing songs that go with my You're Not Eating Me book. The book / c d price is $15 with $5 of every sale going to Child Cancer Foundation.

Lea has organised spot prizes and lots of fun activities. It is going to be a special day!

Tilly, one of my students from last year will be singing a few songs with me.



Tilly and myself at a recent school assembly



Sunday Wet Ride

On setting out this morning my intention was to ride 100km [60miles approx] with the Kapiti Cycling Club.

When I arrived at Coastlands our usual meeting place I discovered our typical group of 10+ was reduced to 2 including myself as the others were mostly competing in a cycle race. I decided to go with the slightly slower group who were heading for the hills.

What started as a fine day turned to a thick steady drizzle as I reached the top of the Akatarawas at 500 metre altitude [third of a mile].

As I descended the drenched and somewhat slippery road and soaked to the skin I quickly evaluated my scheduled ride. I decided with numb feet that I would wimp out of the long ride and settle for a steady ride home to complete 50km [30 miles].

Although a tad disappointed with myself, blame age catching up with me, I feel satisfied to have had a strong uphill training ride. I'm sure there will be sunnier days ahead.

Apologies for the gloomy photos but what you see is what I got. Most unpleasant conditions.

Top looking down the road to Upper Hutt

Top looking down the road I took back to Waikanae

Side view of the top

Sunday Ride

Today my planned 100km bike ride that was reported in Friday's blog On My Mind took on a new route.

When I arrived at Coastlands at 8:00 as I do most Sundays I found that the other cyclists had decided to do a hilly ride instead. The route was to be different but the distance the same. Was quite pleased to hear that news as I love the hills and I'm strong on them.

The ride set out from Coastlands south along SH1 to Paekakariki. From there we took a left turn and commenced our steady climb up Paekakariki Hill. This is where I pulled away from the other riders and continued over the hill and down past Battle Hill to Pauatahanui. After a short stop we rode over Moonshine Hill Road to Upper Hutt.

Now to my favourite part of the route over the Akatarawas. This section of the ride involves a steady 1 hour long climb to the Summit. The Akataras have been closed to traffic for 6 months due to the bridges being worked on. I had to dismount at one point and negotiate a short detour.

Having reached the Summit in one piece I enjoyed a quick descent watching carefully blind corners passing through Reikorangi to Waikanae.

I was now nearing the end of my ride. I put in a final burst along SH1 to Raumati South feeling extremely pleased with myself and knowing that I'd had an excellent ride. On arrival the home brewed coffee tasted real good. I sat down and relaxed as I prepared for the Warrior League Finals in the NRL competition knowing the lawns and vacuuming had been done the previous day.